For reasons good, bad, ugly, and everything in between, 2023 was one for the books!

As the year draws to a close, That Grape Juice is reflecting on the occasions that rocked – and to some degree – maybe even reshaped the Urban and Pop cultural landscape as we know it.

Next, we’re hailing the helluva year the Queen of hearts (and Wakanda) Angela Bassett had!

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Not even a month after finding out her latest single, ‘Still Believe in Love,’ cracked the top 10 of Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart did Mary J. Blige see the DJ Cassidy-produced cut rocket to #1.

The ascent comes attached to some noteworthy stats.

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‘Surprise’ hitmaker Chloe Bailey was delivered quite the surprise herself this week when it was revealed her holiday single ‘Winter Wonderland‘ had danced onto refreshed Hot 100.

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Paula Abdul has filed a sexual assault lawsuit against ‘American Idol’ executive Nigel Lythgoe, painting an altogether different experience at the hit show than once thought.

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With millions of records sold and multiple Billboard chart-toppers to their respective credits, Tamia and Joe are easily two of R&B’s most celebrated vocalists of the last 30 years.

As such, the recent surprise announcement that the award-winning superstars would be joining forces for a 2024 North American tour came as welcomed news.

Kicking off in Washington, D.C. on February 9, the contintental jaunt will see the duo bring their brigade of hits to major U.S. markets like Detroit, New York City, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and more before wrapping up in St. Louis on May 4.

Curious to know if they’ll be coming to a stage near you? See the full list of dates inside.

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Who would’ve guessed a holiday song would turn into one of Cher‘s biggest hits this century?

Bolstered by an aggressive promotional trek that’s included performances of her latest smash ‘DJ Play a Christmas Song’ at the 2023 Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, ‘Graham Norton,’ ‘Christmas at Rockefeller Center TV special,‘ and Royal Variety as well as interviews on ‘The Tonight Show,’ ‘The TODAY Show,’ ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show,’ and more, the tune eventually made history when it jumped to #1 on the Billboard Electronic/Dance chart.

Now, ‘DJ’ has penciled Cher into Hot 100 history books thanks to its inaugural appearance on the hitlist.

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GRAMMY-winning music icons Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb (of The Bee Gees), and Queen Latifah were among the class of 2023 Kennedy Center honorees at a ceremony that took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

Hosted by fellow GRAMMY winner and previous honoree Gloria Estefan, the showing boasted a star-studded list of contributors and performers including Missy Elliott, Chloe Bailey, Tituss Burgess, The Clark Sisters, Cynthia Erivo, Michael Buble, Gladys Knight, and many more.

Having already courted major fanfare for the performances rendered by Bailey and Erivo respectively (as reported here), hop inside to see the other touching tributes if you missed them when the KC Honors aired on CBS this Wednesday (December 27).

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Ariana Grande is feeling all of the feels.

With 2023 rapidly drawing to a close and a new musical chapter on the horizon, the songbird has hatched a lengthy reflection on the year.

Opening up in earnest, Grande – who has been the subject of headlines regarding her return to work and her personal life (including her new boo Ethan Slater) – the chart-topper candidly shared that she’s been through high highs and low lows.

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For many, Barack Obama serves as their forever President. As such, it’s of little surprise that his popularity remains oh-so-potent five years after leaving The White House.

Pressing on with his practice of anchoring himself in Pop culture, #44 has unveiled his list of Favorite Music of 2023.

Speaking on the eclectic tally, Obama said:

“Here are some of my favorite songs from this year. Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out.”

The blend of bops includes infectious cuts from the likes of Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Tyla, Davido, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tems.

Check out which tunes Obama has had on replay after the jump…

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SZA has woken up the masses with her seismic album ‘SOS’ and continues to achieve huge features with the project thanks to fan-favorite single ‘Snooze.’

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Summer Walker fans unwrapped new music from the R&B diva this holiday season in the form of ‘Drown in My Love.’

“Don’t touch me there, I’m not ready/ I’m sorry but my heart’s too heavy/ You’re starin’ me right in my face/ Hopin’ and prayin’ it ain’t too late/ But that ain’t a risk I’m willin’ to take,” she croons on the heartfelt cut.

Accompanied by an official music video, ‘Love’ stars DMV rapper Foggieraw as her love interest in the vintage-inspired clip.

Believed to be a sonic preview to the more “soulful sounds” the GRAMMY-nominated songstress is experimenting with for her 2024-due third album, hop inside to get a full taste of ‘Love.’

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Lil Nas X is revving up the buzz machine for his incoming new music.

For, fresh from sharing a snippet and a mysterious promotional website popping up, the ‘Industry Baby’ chart-topper has opened up about leveling up creatively with what’s on the way.

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