Luke James is spreading the love with his recently released new album. Literally.
The soul-filled crooner sprung a surprise on a newlywed couple, turning up at their wedding and serenading them during their first dance with his signature hit ‘I Want You’.
Watch the touching moment below…
Revenge is the name of Elle Varner‘s game this time around.
Indeed, before the December 4th launch of her new album ‘4 Letter Word‘, Varner gets her “Emily Thorne” on in the visual for her new single ‘F**k it All’, taking the law of love into her own hands to make her cheating lover pay for doing just that.
Do things to go to plan?
Love, lust and betrayal below…
Why the ‘Not Tonight’ rapper was booed by her own supporters over the weekend?
Find out below…
This may read altogether quite differently from your typical That Grape Juice post. However, we’re excited to have teamed up with BACARDI to give you a behind the scenes look at our journey to the 2014 Made In America Festival in the City of Angels, Los Angeles.
As we type, it’s August 29th 2014 and we’re sitting in London, Heathrow en route to LA for the festivities.
Long time TGJ readers will know we love our ladies – so we’re amped to see Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora do their thing – especially given buzz for their current hit ‘Black Widow’. What’s more, as many times as we’ve “seen” Kanye West in the flesh, we’ve yet to “see” him perform live. A fact which makes the titillation that much…titillating! Then, of course, there’s Kendrick Lamar – who’s headlining the first day of the extravaganza. We’ve been sworn to relative secrecy, but we’re hearing that his hotly anticipated new album (due later this year) is packing heat of dizzying degrees. So, we’re keen to see whether he rocks LA Grand Park with new material. After all, in recent times he’s developed quite the penchant of sorts for hitting folk with the “new-new” when they least expect it (see: ‘Control’ verse).
Anyway, phones away. We’re up, up and away. See you in LA!
As the opening of this feature highlighted, when we set sail on our trip to LA, the “plan” was to share our experience in a regimented format. Think “Day One, Day Two, Day Three”.
However, as TGJ’s Patrick and I arrived at the entrance gates for the Made In America Festival, it quickly became apparent that “structure” wouldn’t form the basis of was to be quite an experience.
For, beyond the huge signs that WELCOME/d us (literally, yet warmly), we peeped a spectacle that was rich in variety. Indeed, from fashion, to race, to gender, to the various accents overheard, the crowd Made In America commanded bled dynamic diversity; a fact that will have founder Jay Z brushing his shoulders off with a wink and a smile. But, we’ll get to that shortly.
For this year’s festivities, L.A Grand Park was set up like a fun-fair of sorts. The stages, which each provided the thrill of a roller-coaster ride, were stationed within respectable distance of one another. A setup that made bouncing from one to the other an easy and strangely enjoyable feat.
And bounce folk did. Almost like ping-pongs. The whole process was rendered even more fun in light of the stylised names each stage had been christened. Indeed, there was a juvenile enjoyment to be sourced from racing to the Marylyn stage…then to the James Dean stage…to the Dylan stage.
Beyond this, one of the many characteristics of Made In America that warmed us most was how engrossed attendees were in all that was going on. A point particularly notable given the sonic differences of the acts assembled to form this year’s bill. Indeed, it became routine to see folk rocking out to a Rap act to run over to fist-pump to an EDM DJ on the next stage. Kumbaya sounding, perhaps, but it really reminded us how powerful music is an agent to unite us as people – something we since learned creator Jay Z set out to achieve with the festival. It’s particularly noteworthy, because as a figure whose triumphs has transcended beyond the Hip-Hop arena, it’s almost as if – with Made In America – the mogul has cultivated a spectacle that mirrors the diversity of his own success narrative.
Given the super-stacked bill, we had a clear idea of whom we wanted to see. After all, for as much alternative talent we were able to soak in, we were keen to vibe out to TGJ music!
And vibe we did.
Say what folk will, but Iggy Azalea delivered a commendable set for a freshmen performer. ‘Fancy’ naturally got the crowd “turnt up”, but given that the anthem was smartly placed at the end of her set, it essentially forced the thousands in attendance to pay attention what else she served up. And what exactly did she “serve up”? Sass, braggadocio, and a headline-grabbing kiss with Rita Ora.
Conversely, Kendrick Lamar had his hometown crowd in the palm of his hand. The Compton native journeyed through his growing, yet potent discography with engaging ease. Yet, more notably, he did so with the clear understanding of how to entertain a crowd. And while the set was received exceptionally, the deafening roars of applause for ‘Poetic Justice’ and his ‘Control’ verse easily relayed what folk enjoyed most.
Closing the action-packed extravaganza was the incomparable Kanye West. And that’s by no means a description riddled with rhetoric. There, quite literally, isn’t a performer like controversial Kanye.
For, while late by almost an hour (naturally), the superstar wordsmith delivered a dynamite set; one that was highly stylised and sewed together concepts that rarely feature in Hip-Hop showings. Visuals of the ethereal pervaded the performance, which also boasted luminous lighting. Juxtaposed against the dark Los Angeles sky, it made for a stunning climax.
And though not the last song performed, something about Yeezy’s ‘Good Life’ showing – at that place and that time – resonated with us. As we stood there, we begun to think about how “good” Kanye’s show was, how “good” the entire weekend was, and how “good” it felt to be there amidst fellow music lovers. The song playing wasn’t just the soundtrack to a rapper’s ‘Good Life’…it was the soundtrack to ours too!
Enjoyed reading about our LA experience? Well, you could be heading out on one of your own!
We’re giving YOU our readers the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Bermuda courtesy of BACARDI! As ardent lovers of music That Grape Juice and BACARDI have paired up to give you the chance to attend a once in a lifetime musical experience. In honor of the year of their creation (1862), BACARDI are sending 1862 guests to the Bermuda Triangle for a 3-day/cross-genre music spectacle featuring Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, and Ellie Goulding.
Want to enter the sweepstakes? We thought as much! Enter below…
“If you gaze into the future…you might think life would be a breeze….seeing trouble from a distance, but it’s not that easy.”
Fans of singer/actress Raven Symone will be more than familiar with the lyrics above, as they are pulled from the theme song of her hit Disney TV show ‘That’s So Raven.’
Hailed for its comedic handling of topics its contemporaries ensured they steered away from (teen smoking being one of them), next January will mark 12 years since the show’s first episode aired, and eight years since it bid adieu to the world for good.
This year, in celebration of Symone’s career, Oprah Winfrey invited her to star in a ‘Where Are They Now‘ special, which saw the star reveal that she is tired of being labeled “gay” or “African-American.”
Watch below…
Nicki Minaj has left quite ‘The Pinkprint’ on the industry since blazing onto the scene five years ago. It’s entirely apt, then, that the rapper is readying an album titled exact that for release on November 24th.
Already in the thick of the promo push for the set since the Summertime, the ‘Anaconda’ MC shows her fashion bite a-front of the November 2014 issue of L’Uomo Vogue.
The shoot, which toys with the concept of androgyny, is an interesting juxtaposition to the the traditional gender roles the star says she longs for when starting her own family in her accompanying interview.
Check out soundbites below…
Beyonce and Nicki Minaj continue to command ample club play with their fiery remix to ‘Flawless’ – the self-love anthem from King B’s fifth studio album.
Therefore, what better way to keep the track’s flame burning than to release an official video…of sorts.
Moments ago, the HD live rendition the chart-topping pair gave on the Paris stop of Bey and Jay Z’s ‘On The Run Tour’ was shared on the ‘Single Ladies’ singer’s official VEVO.
Check it out below…
Cop a gander of Kelly Rowland!
The ‘Motivation’ maven is almost ready to deliver her first child with husband/manager Tim Witherspoon.
To celebrate their impending arrival, the singer poses it up in a beautiful new shoot for Elle Magazine lensed by actor Lance Gross.
And while motherhood is on the mind, so too is music. The 33-year-old told the publication that she’s due to return to the studio next week.
Peep the more pics below…
It’s new music season for Tamar Braxton!
After succeeding with her quest to be considered a viable artiste with ‘Love And War’, the singer and reality star kicks off the campaign for her third studio album with the premiere of its lead single ‘Let Me Know’.
The seductive track features Epic Records label-mate Future. And guess what? Following its radio premiere moments ago, it’s available to listen to below!
Out with the old, in with the new.
Usher is ditching the rule book with his approach to the release of his new album.
Originally scheduled for release this quarter, the singer dramatically scrapped the roll-out and is instead heading out on a new tour, ‘The UR Experience’.
The R&B star stopped by The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1 today to plug the trek and readily opened about why he’s doing things his own way. Namely, his plan to continue recording the LP while on the road and steadily introducing new songs on tour.
Mr Raymond also dished on The Voice, his upcoming role as Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming Roberto Duran biopic, and more.
Peep the interview below…
After teaming up with Beyonce to kick off the ‘Let’s Move’ fitness campaign, the youth-oriented water company ‘Wat-AAH!’ has found a long term partner in ‘Honeymoon Avenue‘ singer Ariana Grande!
Named as one of its equity partners today, her deal with the company marks the first endorsement agreement the star has ever signed and will see Grande join them in releasing a limited edition bottle in her honour.
Full story below…
Pop starlet Cheryl Cole is gearing up to unleash her fourth solo album ‘Only Human’.
Set for arrival on November 10th, the LP has been supported by a calculated campaign that has included a curiously-timed “surprise” marriage, a return to The X Factor, and two singles ‘Crazy Stupid Love’ and ‘I Don’t Care’.
Now, as its release draws nearer, the wafer voiced vixen has unveiled the record’s official tracklist.
Find out which songs the likes of Sia and Greg Kurstin have cooked up for the former Girls Aloud member below…
Ayra Starr Shines With Powerful Performance
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