aaliyah-age aint nothing but a number-thatgrapejuice

Welcome back to TGJ Replay!

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ features, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest retrospective segment – a written quest, if you will, to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.

With Lifetime Network gaining a bevy of bad reviews for its controversial, unauthorized biography of one of R&B’s most beloved characters, Aaliyah, we thought it a perfect time to shine some light and ode her debut album ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.’ As the album celebrated its 20th birthday this summer, let’s go back back to the ‘Back & Forth’ singer’s humble beginnings…

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Are you one of the few people who has been living under a rock since VH1 unveiled its hilarious ‘Madonna Dearest’ parody series?  Well, thank us in advance for inviting you to stand in the sun with the rest of us.

Fashioned in the likes of hit Youtube web series ‘Got 2 B Real’ and ‘The Legend Panel,’ the dynamic creative force behind the latter – Phabian Mitchell and Lamont Hicks – teamed with the music channel to craft an online segment dedicated to the Queen of Pop and her ever-unforgiving tongue.  Voiced by TV writer/actress/’woman of 1000 voices’ Nadya Ginsburg, viewers are invited to ask Madge her thoughts on anything from music’s hottest names (i.e. Beyonce, Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, and more) to hot topics.

As only the Material Girl would, trust and believe that her responses are witty and no doubt hilarious.  Have you been missing out on the action? Check out the first three webisodes below:

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Congratulations are in order for singer Solange!

The youngest of the Knowles clan walked down the aisle today with longtime partner Alan Ferguson.

Details and a pic of the newlyweds below..

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Band Aid 30 is here!

Bob Geldoff has assembled a who’s who of the British music industry to re-record the classic track ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, which was originally released thirty years ago.

This go round the charity single, which features Rita Ora, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Bono, Emeli Sande and more, is raising funds to combat the Ebola epidemic.

Recorded yesterday, tonight saw the track’s video premiered on The X Factor results show.

What are you waiting for? Check it out below…

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Ciara has made no secret of the fact she’s been baking a new album in the studio.

Indeed, since the birth of her son Future Jr in back in May, the diva has hit the lab with Dr Luke, Polow Da Don, Diane Warren, and most recently R&B hitmaker Harmony Samuels.

And while details surrounding the project’s release have been shroud in secrecy, it appears it could be set to arrive sooner rather than later.

Info below…

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Armed with two back-to-back #1 singles, expectation was naturally high for Cheryl Cole‘s fourth solo album ‘Only Human’.

However, after one week on sale, it’s become apparent that she’s only a “singles artist” these days.

Details below…

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The X Factor UK 2014 saw its 6th set of eliminations tonight. Find out who’s heading home this week below…

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Echoing this week’s TGJ Replay, today’s From The Vault pick is ‘Soldier’ by iconic-trio Destiny’s Child.

The second offering from the divas’ decade old ‘Destiny Fulfilled‘ LP, and follow up to club banger ‘Lose My Breath‘, ‘Soldier’ was helmed by ‘Crazy In Love‘ maestro Rich Harrison and written by the girls alongside lyricist extraordinaire Sean Garrett.

As a nod to the founding members’ Southern foundation, rappers T.I. and Lil’ Wayne are featured on the track, which at the time helped further cement their reputation as the next-big-things in Hip-Hop.

Like its predecessor, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 – as well as its Hot Hip-Hop/R&B – but had even more longevity becoming one of the biggest songs of the following year. It was a worldwide smash too peaking at #4 in the UK and reaching the 3rd position of the charts in Australia.

The Ray Kay directed video saw the trio yet again amping up the divatude, serving glam, grit, grown, and sexy. A black-and-white affair, the clip featured appearances from a heavily-pregnant Solange, Luke James, and Ice Cube and was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in 2005.

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After rising to prominence with songs that defined girl power, ‘Soldier’ and its parent album continued the trend with a flair, maturity, and a real sense of womanhood.
With ten years having passed and the ladies now possessing their own success, “soldiers” and children, we can’t help but daydream about the prospect of new music, the themes attached, and above all how epic it’d be.
DC3 may have announced their disbandment during their last tour in 2005, yet we’re remain hopeful that a reunion could still happen. After all, their destiny may be “fulfilled” as a full-time group, but there’s no reason it can’t be revisited, celebrated, and have additional chapters added in the future.
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Your thoughts?

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Kendrick Lamar brought his ‘i’ video to life in triumphant form this evening on Saturday Night Live.

Backed by a full band, the Compton reared star rocked the house with the Isley Brothers-sampled cut, which serves as the first slice to be lifted from his hotly anticipated sophomore album (due next year).

Watch K.Dot in action below, where a performance of ‘Pay For It’ also awaits…

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‘Bang Bang’ may still be blazing radio, iTunes, and all else in-between, but Jessie J is already moving on to her next jam.

It was revealed earlier this week that ‘Masterpiece’ will serve as the next single to be released from her third studio album ‘Sweet Talker’.

Wasting no time, the British bred belter shot the song’s accompanying video this week too.

Peep snaps above and below…

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With anticipation for Nicki Minaj‘s new album, ‘The Pinkprint’, at fever-pitch, the Hip-Pop titan has officially released the set’s latest single ‘Bed Of Lies’.

The cut, which features Skylar Grey, was performed by the star during last week’s MTV Europe Music Awards in Glasgow, Scotland.

How does it sound its recorded, album form? Find out below…

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Twitter was almost too hot to touch last night as the highly anticipated Lifetime original film ‘Aaliyah: Princess of R&B’ made its premiere – much to the chagrin of fans.

Setting the net ablaze, detractors lent many-a-meme ridiculing the film for its casting, acting, and even musical performances.  The ‘Rock the Boat’ beauty’s fans took special notice to the criticism of her longtime collaborator/friend Timbaland.

Known for being behind the wheel of some of the singer’s most memorable hits, last night saw him behind the wheel of consistent slamming of the network for bringing to light a film many say “should never have been made.”

Did you watch it?  Do you agree?  See it all and weigh in below:

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