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.
As shared in our latest roundtable earlier this week, we’re longing for diversity and variety, especially in the male arena, in 2015. And while we awaiting our wish to be granted, we’re keen to honor an act which showed the music industry that it’s more fruitful to dance to the beat of your own drum kit.
This week’s From The Vault salutes OutKast and their mega-hit ‘Hey Ya’.
Lifted from the duo’s concept double disc ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ – a solo album for each member – ‘Hey Ya’ was issued as the lead single of André 3000’s half of the release in 2003. Self-written and produced, the track is a throwback, hook-heavy Southern Soul gem that sent the whole world – including critics and the Grammy committee – into a frenzy at the beginning of the century.
Having topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a whopping 9 weeks, the cut charted at #1 in Canada and also reached the Top 10 of several European countries such as the United Kingdom (#3), Germany (#6) and France (#7).
{Side note: Big Boi’s launching single was also a Billboard #1 for multiple weeks… talk about killing the game}
Surely the bop’s success wouldn’t have been the same if it wasn’t for its crazy-cool promotional video. Directed by Bryan Barber and boasting cameos from actor Ryan Phillippe and partner in rhyme Big Boi, it takes inspiration from The Beatles iconic Ed Sullivan Show performance – only this time it is imaginary ensemble The Love Below, fronted by an energetic André, that is performing in the UK. With the eclectic artist portraying every single member of the funkified band, the visual earned many accolades including four MTV VMA wins as well as a Grammy nod for ‘Best Short Form Music Video ‘. To this day, it remains a TV channel favorite.
Throughout their 20+ years career, Outkast broke the rules and changed the game forever by redefining Southern Hip-Hop and giving Pop Culture one of its latest musical landmarks. Though both members are unique in their own right, we have to give it to Andre for never being afraid of being different and thinking outside the box – sonically, but also in terms of fashion and styling – even when it doesn’t follow the usual hyper-masculine blueprint.
Needless to say, OutKast’s narrative proves that veering away from the norm CAN be rewarding, in more ways than one. With that, we’d like to send a special message to harvesters of talent: betting on authenticity is betting on longevity.
For now, though, press ‘PLAY’ and shake it like a Polaroid picture!
8.05 million viewers tuned in to watch Rita Ora‘s debut on ‘The Voice UK‘ last night, set to impress TV bosses who reportedly paid the star £500,000 to join the singing competition.
As reported, this morning saw Katy Perry tease the “special guest” that’ll be joining her during her 13 minute set at the Super Bowl Halftime Show 2015.
Fast forward to moments ago and the Pop starlet has revealed exactly who will be taking to the stage with her come February 1st.
For, joining a long list of critics blasting him for remarks made about Michael Brown’s death is Kid Cudi, who has accused of the rapper of looking down on those he believes he should be helping.
Katy Perry‘s headlining slot at the 2015 Super Bowl HalftimeShow is rapidly approaching.
Details about what the Pop force is cooking up for the February 1st spectacle are being kept under wraps, however the singer has begun drip-feeding tea about her set.
Find out what the 30-year-old had to say about her surprise guest and more below…
Newly single Nicki Minaj keeps the masses guessing about her rumoured romance with rapper Meek Mill.
The pair were snapped in warm embrace alongside Maybach Music stars Rick Ross and Wale last night, presumably in Philadelphia (as Meek cannot leave the state yet per the terms of his recent release from prison).
With Kid Ink‘s new album ‘Full Speed’ set to race into stores on February 3rd, the rapper re-teams with Chris Brown for the LP’s latest single, ‘Hotel’.
Produced by The Feathertones, the track serves as the third outing the duo have ventured out on following the success of ‘Main Chick’ and ‘Show Me’.
Will the cut tattoo itself into the minds of the masses? Take a listen and let us know below…
Jay Z celebrated the addition of boxer Andre Brown to his Roc Nation Sports roster last night by chilling with one of his most prized priori’s, Rihanna.
Jigga, who has mentored the singles act since her debut in 2005, was snapped posing it up with the 26-year-old at the 2015 Throne Boxing Fight Night in New York City.
Given the endless delays that have plagued Rih’s eighth studio album, we hope (for her sake) that Jay and his team have cooked up a plan to re-rev buzz in her career.
We knew it had been far too long since reports of Beyonce‘s beloved #Beyhive zooming in on a target, but as always, there will come at least one subliminal or outright diss to send the group into a frenzy.
The latest offender? Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
The former, and possibly future, presidential candidate may have caused quite the stir with his latest book, ‘God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy,’ for its recount of damning moments from his life, but it was the addition of his thoughts on music power couple Jay Z and Beyonce that have probably doomed any securement of “the youth vote” should he run in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
And “handle it” they did. Read his fiery quotes and some equally hot Twitter responses below:
Diversity continues to flourish over at Disney this year, set to be celebrated by the animation studios with the release of a new movie they’ve called on actress Lupita Nyong’o to star in.
