Queen.

The hunt for the next “queen” of the many genre’s has become routine for Pop enthusiasts nowadays.

Yet, amidst all the heated conversations and strong disagreements that some acts’ fan bases get into, one diva has yet to find a suitable successor: the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul herself, Ms. Mary J. Blige.

This week, From The Vault celebrates the artist’s eternal relevancy with one of her biggest hits, ’Be Without You’.

Released at the end of Summer of 2005 as the first offering from the artist’s seventh album ‘The Breakthrough’, ‘Without You’ is a beat-driven ballad produced by Bryan-Michael Cox and written by Johntà Austin (alongside Blige). Interestingly, the pair are particularly notable for their popularisation of the “beat ballad” that year – as evidenced by their work with a certain Mariah Carey – whose comeback with the ‘Emancipation’ was largely attributed to that sound.

But we digress…

The trio of titans came up with was a gem that helped put Mary back on top after the so-so performance of the underrated ‘Love & Life’ LP.

Peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the record was the most successful song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop spending 15 consecutive weeks at #1 up until 2013 (it has since been surpassed by Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ last year). In 2006 it was #11 on the US Year-End chart.

Matthew Rolston was brought on board to translate the emotional track in a visual capacity and we’re sure you’d concur that he did a stellar job. Featuring Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard as Mary’s love interest, the clip mirrors the message relayed in the song’s lyrics. More specifically,  the notion that one should never give up on pure and real love (pun intended) despite all the hardships that come along the way.

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With this gem, Mary delivered yet another heartfelt song that is so emotive that it almost  makes one want to lived the lyrics, whether good, bad, or otherwise. Perhaps that’s the reason why she remains untouchable to this day; the passion she embeds in her music is somehow contagious and is the epitome of “feel” music. Case in point, THAT haunting climax on ”Without You’ – it’s both a vocal exclamation mark and, in one belted note, embodies all that the song is about. It’s a skill so many of today’s acts likely wish for and, no doubt, could benefit from.

With new album ‘The London Sessions’ due this Fall, Mary J. continues to amaze us 23 years in her career and quite frankly we can’t really see it stoping anytime soon.

All Hail The Queen!

Thoughts?

Power.

It’s something music’s first Mr & Mrs, Jay Z and Beyonce, command in earnest.

For, having dominated the social media scape with the premiere of their ‘On The Run Tour’ special on HBO last night, the potent pair look to extend their run on the network in the most all-out way.

Details below…

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If viewers thought ‘Being Mary Jane’ was difficult, it’s exceptionally tough being Gabrielle Union right now.

The respected actress is the latest name to be become entangled in the now infamous iPhone/nude pictures scandal. For, yesterday, topless snaps of the newly married star hit the net. This follows similar episodes for actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Kirsten Dunst.

Incensed, the ‘Think Like A Man Too’ staple released a joint statement with husband Dwyane Wade confirming the authenticity of the pics, her disappointment, and her intended actions.

Gabby’s words after the jump…

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They may earn millions from lucrative publishing arrangements every quarter, but Drake, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj have seen their credentials as songwriters thrown into disrepute by Shi Wisdom, the writer behind Rita Ora‘s hit single ‘R.I.P.’

Faced with claims that she wasn’t paid for time she spent serving as Drake‘s “ghostwriter“, the wordsmith used ‘Noisey‘ to share her side of the story, lifting the veil on a machine more dependant on shadow writers than the acts they’re employed by would care to admit.

Why Minaj‘s alleged  jab at Iggy Azalea‘s lyrical skill may have been a tad hypocritical if Shi is right?

Her claims below…

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Day two of the ‘iHeart Radio Music Festival 2014’ brought with it a set from Iggy Azalea last night, much to the delight of anyone after a good time.

For, that’s just what the ‘Goddess’ gave them once she hit the stage at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, bringing a number of her more recognisable jams to life after her debut album ‘The New Classic’ crossed the half a million sold worldwide milestone this week.

Watch her work below…

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With her social star reaching its highest heights on the heels of TV One’s uber-successful franchise ‘R&B Divas,’ Keke Wyatt’s name has been earning quite a bit of chatter as of late.

As fans still jam ‘Ke’ Ke,’ the newest addition to her soaring discography, their chatter will now be accompanied with discussions of another new addition – a new baby.

Taking to Instagram yesterday, fans of the R&B songstress were greeting with surprising news that baby #8 will soon be making its way to the Wyatt/Ford household.  See the announcement below:

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Traci Braxton may have risen to become one of Reality TV’s more endearing characters, but it would appear she has a long way to go before being just as celebrated as musician.

Why? Hours ago saw Ms. Braxton (whose sister is ‘Spanish Guitar‘ chanteuse Toni Braxton) take to the Howard University Cramton Auditorium to perform for a crowd she no doubt hoped would support her forthcoming solo project.

Unfortunately, what this crowd received was nothing more than an amateur night at the Apollo sized mess.

A sorry scene below…

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Jennifer Lopez‘s latest jam ‘Booty’ is proving her unparalleled power. At least in a viral capacity.

For, just two days after the video for the Iggy Azalea assisted single premiered, the clip has amassed over 20 million views on VEVO.

Details below…

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Beyond those nagging divorce rumours, Mariah Carey has been a busy bee of late.

The legendary vocalist is currently gearing up to hit the road on her newly announced tour, ‘The Elusive Chanteuse Show’ – which has been mounted in support of her recent LP ‘Me. I Am…Mariah. The Elusive Chanteuse’.

Still, the 45-year-old isn’t letting work take away from her mommy duties – case in point these new snaps of her at the aquarium with 3-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan.

Peep more below..

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Alvester Martin is a name you should get used to hearing.

The R&B crooner may have seen his ever-talented dancing shoes slide right next to the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and more over the course of his career, but now his feet are guiding him center stage.

In a recent cover Martin’s soulful voice can be heard blessing fellow crooner Sam Smith‘s ‘Make It To Me.’ Adding in an ever-timely twist of Janet Jackson‘s ‘Come Back To Me’ (as this week marks the 25th anniversary of the release of its parent album ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’), press play below and tell us if he does the cuts justice:

Showcasing a sincerity oft lost in the everyday cover, Martin’s delivery of ‘Make It To Me’ made us believe every word he said.

Never succumbing to the urge to “overdo it” with embellishments, the simplicity of Alvester’s arrangement complimented that of the original singers’ without sounding as if he was trying to imitate.

We go for “sangers” who recognize singing is not just a showcase of the instrument, but also how it’s handled and manipulated.  Bravo Alvester for making this a “must hear”!

For more on Alvester, check out his Soundcloud page here.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email with the link to your video (no audio only submissions) to sam@thatgrapejuice.net OR rashad@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

The R&B icon that is Usher most certainly brought the heat to last night’s ‘iHeart Radio Music Festival’, sizzling on stage in ways that have to be seen to be believed.

Indeed, after delivering a number of forgettable performances in the last year, Raymond ensured his would be the name hot on everyone’s lips today with a show we hope teased what fans can expect from his forthcoming ‘The UR Experience’ tour.

How he did it?

Good music, Chris Brown and “hot shoes” below…

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Far removed from the experimental era that was ‘Pink Friday:Roman Reloaded‘, Nicki Minaj delivered a praise-worthy live show in Las Vegas yesterday, flaunting her growth as a performer at the ‘iHeart Radio Music Festival.‘

Gliding in and out of impressive yet accessible routines, the rapper delivered a set that saw her finally live up to the music it was set up to support, dishing up faultless vocals and GIF-ready moments to an audience just as enthused by her Rap numbers as they were by her Pop efforts.

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