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.

Next, we’ll salute ‘Hero’ – the 8th of a historic 18 #1 singles by pop icon Mariah Carey.  As diehard Carey fans – affectionately called #Lambs – already know, the song almost belonged to another chart-topping diva:  Gloria Estefan.  Originally penned for the legendary Latin pop songstress, Carey – originally disenchanted with the song – later opted to keep it and make some “flavorful” changes to its arrangement.  The reworking not only met MC’s favor, but apparently the buying public’s as well.

Just ten weeks after its release, ‘Hero’ topped the Hot 100 for four weeks (where it was found this week 23 yeaers ago).  Ousting Janet Jackson‘s scorching ballad ‘Again’ from the top spot, Carey’s uplifting tune went on to quickly earn platinum status. And, while it was not honored by any major awards academy, it endured to become her signature song.

Tuck in below to see who joined her in the top 25 this week in 1994:

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Since the onset of the New Year, gospel singer Kim Burrell has been embroiled in a colossal scandal centered on a homophobic sermon.

Indeed, as reported, a video hit the web of the “pastor” branding gay people as “perverted” and implying that they will die in 2017.

The fall-out / fall from grace has been well-documented, with a horde of names publicly lashing Burrell. A list that includes Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, and Octavia Spencer.

Perhaps most notable was Ellen Degeneres, who control, alt, deleted a scheduled performance from Burrell on her show.

Pharrell Williams, who she was set to perform with, did still appear and addressed the drama head-on.

See what he had to say of his ‘I See A Victory’ collaborator below…

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The future of Fifth Harmony has yet to be determined following the controversial departure of a central member last month.

However, while the band’s fans await word on what’s next, Normani Kordei is keeping things moving.

Continuing her trend of hopping of hot tracks, the 20-year-old has unwrapped a majestic mash-up of Solange‘s ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ and ‘Cranes In The Sky’. Both of which are lifted from her chart-topping album ‘A Seat At The Table.’

The move sees the popular starlet assert her solo gravitas – something 5H’s supporters were promised would be the case from the group’s remaining members following last month’s drama.

Take a listen to Normani’s latest cover below…

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Naomi Campbell is renown for a number of things – including her iconic modelling career and her no-nonsense persona.

However, during a visit to the ‘Wendy Williams Show’ today, the superstar let the world in on a much more vulnerable time in her life.

When host Williams brought up Kim Kardashian‘s recent robbery, the model revealed that she too was the victim of a similar attack in Paris in 2012.

During the impromptu revelation, Campbell confirmed that she had never spoken publicly about the ordeal – which saw her life threatened quite literally.

Watch the full interview below, during which she also spoke on her love life, George Michael, and her role on Lee Daniels’ new TV show ‘Star.’

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Another couple bites the dust.

This time it’s rappers Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill.

Full story below…

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The esteemed Gospel mogul Shirley Caesar is to discover that her decision to support Kim Burrell‘s Christian stance on the LGBT community has unearthed once buried and potentially baseless claims about her past.

Full story below…

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Welcome to another edition of Screen Juice, the original TGJ feature carved out to keep you in the loop with all things Film and TV-related.

Why Mahershala Ali and Beyonce make up the ingredients of today’s entertainment smoothie?

Find out below…

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It’s almost here!

Following a limited release on Christmas Day, tomorrow will welcome the arrival of the must-see movie ‘Hidden Figures’ nationwide.

In it, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali and Taraji P. Henson tell the true story of the African-American women directly responsible for sending humans into space in the 60s.

What its leading ladies have to say about it?

Watch below…

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Mariah Carey is to follow in the footsteps of Nicki Minaj and create a TV series about her life before fame.

Full story below…

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Legendary ‘Hold My Mule’ hitmaker Shirley Caesar probably should’ve held her tongue if the fiery backlash that ensued after her vocal support of fellow gospel songstress, Kim Burrell, is anything to judge by.

The Grammy winning gospel pioneer – who was the center of the late 2016 viral #Unameit challenge – is seeing her name fly atop headlines for not only condoning Burrell’s highly publicized, anti-LGBT sermon but even going so far as to slam Pres. Obama for the legalization of gay marriage.

She may have served us beans, greens, potatoes, and tomatoes over the holidays, but now Twitter is serving her something else.  See it all below:

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Mariah Carey may be several days removed from her disastrous performance at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but her showing remains a hot topic.

Tommy Mottolla – the Sony exec responsible for launching her into the stratosphere – is the latest name to weigh-in on the drama.

As reported, the performance saw Mimi meltdown by refusing to sing when her “backing track” failed to kick in. A move which has seen lip-sync accusations erupt in earnest.

What did Mottolla, who was married to Carey’s from 1993-98, have to say?

Find out below…

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As the music world is still reeling from the untimely death of Grammy-winning crooner George Michael, new fans and old are clinging to the singer’s prized discography to remember him.

And, while it’s by no means unusual for an artist’s catalog to see a boost in sales posthumously, some acts – as legends David Bowie, Whitney Houston, and Prince exhibited at the time of their passings – exceed even the highest expectations.  Now, Michael can add his name to that list.

Billboard reports:

“In the week ending Dec. 29, sales of Michael’s music — including with his former duo, Wham! — increased 2,678 percent (to 477,000 albums and songs, rounded to the nearest thousand) as compared to the previous week (17,000). Of the 477,000 total, album sales equaled 48,000 (up from just 1,000 the week previous), while song sales totaled 429,000 (an increase from 16,000 a week earlier).

In total, Michael/Wham! earned 103,000 equivalent album units during the tracking frame — a gain of 2,071 percent compared to the 5,000 units earned a week earlier.”

Tuck in below to see who joins George in this week’s refreshed TGJ Chart Check:

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