Welcome to the latest TGJ Roundtable!

Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!

Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend for quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.

Now, we give you a front row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ or ‘The Real’, TGJ editors – Sam, David, Rashad, and Joe – get real in a very candid way.

Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor…

What Is On Your 2017 Wish List?!

(more…)

Following a year that gifted pop music lovers game and/or career-changing albums like Justin Timberlake‘s ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds,’ Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Back To Basics,’ Beyonce‘s ‘BDay,’ Amy Winehouse‘s ‘Back To  Black,’ Ciara‘s ‘The Evolution,’ and Fergie‘s ‘The Dutchess,’ 2007 had some big shoes to fill.

For many of the artists who stood to the challenge (see:  Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Jay Z, etc.) the results may not have matched the commercial response of their previous efforts (or collectively those of the big named releases the year prior), but critically the class of 2007 wielded what many consider some of their (if not their) best work(s) to date.

As we kick off 2017, let’s flashback to 2007 to ode 10 game and/or career-changing albums that turned 10 this year.  Your gateway to feeling “old” awaits below:

(more…)

[Pinned: Posts Resume As Normal Below]

With over 120,000 votes cast, the time has finally arrived for the winners of the That Grape Juice End of Year Awards 2016 to be announced!

While some acts maintained a major lead, upon the penultimate cut-off point, the final list brought with it many last minute surprises.

Check out the full list of winners below. Prepare yourselves for what awaits…and sound off!

(more…)

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

Now we look back to Justin Timberlake‘s inaugural top 10 hit as a solo artist, ‘Cry Me a River.’  The second single lifted from his debut solo album, ‘Justified,’ the tune – the follow-up to the top 20 smash, ‘Like I Love You,’ came shortly after his highly publicized breakup with pop superstar  Britney Spears.  Perceived as a clear clap at the pop princess (even casting a look-a-like as the video’s love interest), Timberlake set in motion rumors that not only was Spears the cause of the relationship’s demise, but it was due to her infidelity.

Whatever its intent, it got people talking.  The song debuted on the Hot 100 this week 14 years ago and would go on to give JT his first top 5 placement on the Hot 100.

Tuck in below to see who occupied the chart’s upper rankings this week in 2002:

(more…)

The story of Madonna’s phenomenal rise to superstardom is be told via a tell-all biopic.

Its name? ‘Blond Ambition.’

(more…)

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’re showing some love to Mary J. Blige‘s inaugural top 10 ‘Real Love,’ lifted from her debut album, ‘What’s the 411?’  Written by L.A. Reid, the tune – released in August 1992 – had a tough act to follow in the album’s first single, ‘You Remind Me.’  Peaking at #29, ‘Remind’ gave listeners their official introduction to the raspy voiced New Yorker.  But, as time would prove, it was only a foretaste of many great things to come.

This week its follow-up, ‘Real Love,’ was hoisted to the top 10 on the back of strong airplay and sales.  Finding its peak at #7 on the tally, the feat is all the more impressive given the unrelenting domination of Whitney Houston‘s ‘I Will Always Love You’ during the time.

Tuck in to see who joined Mary and Whitney in the top 25 this week 24 years ago:

(more…)

Welcome to the latest TGJ Roundtable!

Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!

Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend for quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.

Now, we give you a front row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ or ‘The Real’, TGJ editors – Sam, David, Rashad, and Joe – get real in a very candid way.

Today’s roundtable topic is the…

 2016 AMAs Review

(more…)

The nominations are in for the People’s Choice Awards 2017.

Set to air January 18th, the extravaganza places the power – quite literally – in the hands of the people in its aim to honor the top titles and talent in the realm of music and entertainment.

Over 125 million votes were cast to determine the nominees for the latest instalment of the long-running show.

Find out who’s up for what after the jump…

(more…)

Tinashe‘s 2014 summer anthem, ‘2 On,’ came as a signal the southern beauty had finally arrived on the music scene.  Sliding right to the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 (where it peaked at #24), the tune – alongside the host of other gems making a splash on her debut album ‘Aquarius’ – was building some serious buzz for the-then stageblazing newcomer who was hearing her name in mention amongst “those to watch” for the following year.

As anticipation built for her sophomore set, T shocked fans with the announcement her album – reportedly helmed by serial hitmaking producers Max Martin, Dr. Luke, and other well-known pop producers – would sonically abandon the very Urban Pop approach that made her inaugural release buzzworthy.

After months of teasing, delays, stops, and restarts, Tinashe cranked up fan excitement by unveiling the project’s title, ‘Joyride’, and gave them their first taste of its content, the Chris Brown-assisted ‘Player’… 

(more…)

Welcome to the latest TGJ Roundtable!

Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!

Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend for quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.

Now, we give you a front row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ or ‘The Real’, TGJ editors – Sam, David, Rashad, and Joe – get real in a very candid way.

Today’s roundtable topic sees us review…

Lady Gaga’s ‘Joanne’

(more…)

At 74-years-old, music legend Barbra Streisand continues to prove herself a force to be reckoned within the music industry.

Thanks to some high profile promotional spots and ticket/album bundling, as we reported here, the powerhouse diva’s latest album, ‘Encore,’ was set to block Britney Spears’ highly anticipated comeback album, ‘Glory,’ from the top spot.  The prediction not only rang true, but also saw Babs collect a few other distinct honors along the way.

Billboard reports, with her latest #1 (the 11th chart-topper of her career), Streisand extends her reign of “most #1 albums of any female in Billboard history” (Madonna trails with 8).  In addition, ‘Encore’ cements her previously achieved honor of being the only act – male or female – to nab a #1 album in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s.  As if that’s not enough, the new project – which features appearances from Jamie Foxx, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and many more – has notched the highest first week sales tally of any album released this year (not to be mistaken with sales equivalence).

Tuck inside to see why that Barbra reign just won’t let up:

(more…)

1) Beyonce – Lemonade VMA Medley

2) Usher – Rivals (ft. Future)

3) Zara Larsson – Ain’t My Fault

4) Britney Spears – Slumber Party

5) Fifth Harmony – Voicemail

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?