janet-jcole-thatgrapejuice

Despite her ‘Unbreakable World Tour’ in just one month, Janet Jackson is ensuring it’s not all work and no play.

The iconic diva stepped out in style with the trek’s newly recruited dancers (or as she calls them, ‘The Kidz’) to enjoy rapper J.Cole‘s Los Angeles concert.

Sharing the snap on social media, Ms. Jackson added the caption:

Girls night out  @JColeNC concert! #ColeWorld

Could she be a fan or could there be a collaboration in the works? One thing is for sure, much of this Janet comeback campaign does feel very calculated and well-thought-out. As such, a JJ and J.Cole is not a far fetched concept at all.

Your thoughts?

“Bill collectors at my door, what can you do for me?”

This week From The Vault journey’s back to the era when Gwen Guthrie let the world know that there was “no romance without finance.”

Today’s pick is the late chanteuse’s classic anthem ‘Ain’t Nothing Going On But The Rent.’

Written and produced by Guthrie, ‘Rent’ is a R&B song which sassily details how she is only interested in the matters of the heart if it comes with advantages of the cha-ching variety. An ancestor of sorts to Destiny’s Child’s ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’, the track was a minor hit in the US where it reached #42 but fared better in the UK where it was a Top 5 smash.

Filled with faux-subliminal messages like “BUY”, “SPEND”, “MONEY”, the music video showcases footage of men at actual work as well as projections of dollar bills, fancy cars and even a yacht.

Though the message feels somewhat dated in a post Girl Power, Independent Women world, we applaud Guthrie for getting herself out there and stand behind such a bold statement.

Rest In Peace, Gwen!

Your thoughts?

tyrese-black-rose-thatgrapejuice

As the age old adage goes, it’s never too late.

Trust and believe that Tyrese knows this to be true. For, 17 years after his Billboard debut, the singer/actor has topped the coveted album tally.

Details below…

(more…)

ciara-dlwml-2-thatgrapejuice

Is Ciara onto a winner with new single ‘Dance Like We’re Making Love’? If the streams of its newly unleashed video are anything to go by, the answer could very well be “yes.”

Details below…

(more…)

5h-fifth-harmony-thatgrapejuice

The ladies of Fifth Harmony must have fire in their stilettos!

Normani, Dinah, Ally, Lauren, and Camila have been blazing the charts with their Platinum certified smash ‘Worth It.’ So much so that its success has birthed another leg of their US tour.

Billed the ‘Summer Reflection Tour’ (in honor of their debut album ‘Reflection’), the trek pulled in to Lakewood, Ohio this week and delivered dynamite divadom.

Watch the Epic Records quintet werk it to ‘Worth It, ‘Bo$$’ and more below…

(more…)

kellz-trey-thatgrapejuice

This time just three years ago R&B crooners R. Kelly and Trey Songz were engulfed in a highly publicized beef.   Now, as Kellz prepares his newest album ‘Buffet,’ it appears he plans to cook up something else with his younger counterpart.

Recently taking to our buds at Hot 97, the ‘Ignition’ hitmaker struck quite the chord with the audience when he revealed his desire to do a full length duet album with Songz akin to his #1 joint release ‘Best of Both Worlds’ with Jay Z.

That, in addition to updates on his own album ‘Buffet,’ stories about his time with King of Pop Michael Jackson, the next chapters of ‘Trapped In the Closet,’ and more makes it safe to assume the next two years will be very full of the R!

Find out what we mean below:

(more…)

virtue walk it out thatgrapejuice

Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda AdamsHezekiah WalkerTwinkie ClarkFred HammondKierra SheardDorinda Clark ColeIsrael HoughtonMarvin SappMicah StampleyJoshua Rogers, J. Moss, and Jonathan McReynolds, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Deitrick Haddon, Karen Clark Sheard, Tasha Cobbs, and more:

(more…)

SELENA-THAT-GRAPE-JUICE-2015

The singer Selena is to see her signature style packaged and sold to consumers via MAC Cosmetics.

A “unique” venture below…

(more…)

jessie-j-that-grape-juice-2015-1010101

‘Bang Bang’ singer Jessie J and “grocery” shopper Jhene Aiko have signed up to perform at a concert to be put on by Kellogg‘s.

Details below…

(more…)

jennifer hudson-thatgrapejuice-ny and co

There just seems to be no pause to “brand Jennifer Hudson.”

The former ‘American Idol’ alum – hard at work for her return to musical theater via a role as Shug Avery in ‘The Color Purple’ musical – was recently named the face of fashion line New York & Co.  Representing their ‘SoHo Jeans’ collection, Hudson shared:

“What I love most about New York is the diversity. It’s a haven for individuality and I have always found that to be inspiring,’ said Hudson.  “That sort of energy affects me in all ways but especially when it comes to my style, who called the range “fashion forward, great fitting and comfortable.'”

If you want to be inspired to get a pair of these threads, tuck in below to see the 33-year old stunner work the camera like only she can in more snaps:

(more…)

After a brief rest on the bench, Cover Star returns this week.

Today’s effort comes via Desi, who delivers his own take on Ciara‘s new hit ‘Dance Like We’re Making Love.’ 

How did he fare? Find out below…

Though pitchy at points, this was solid.

Beyond being blazing, one of the reasons we’re so enamoured with the song is how well-paired it is with Ci’s sweet tone. That said, Desi’s rendition highlights that the track also works well with a male vocal.

Again, solid.

For more on Desi, check out their YouTube channel here.

————————————————————

Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net OR rashad@thatgrapejuice.net

————————————————————

Your thoughts?

britney-spears-that-grapejuice-2015

Her run as a Las Vegas showgirl has proved that she’s more than capable of pulling in audiences in today’s world.

So, has the Pop icon that is Britney Spears set her sights on Super Bowl 2016?

Find out below…

(more…)

**