Four years.

Despite maintaining a very present ‘presence’ at the forefront of R&B’s scene, four years have passed since the release of Keri Hilson‘s last studio album, ‘No Boys Allowed.’

Back then, the double Platinum status of its lead single ‘Pretty Girl Rock‘ and the 102,000 units sold in its first week paled in comparison to digits moved by the likes of Keyshia Cole, Beyonce and Alicia Keys months/years earlier.

However, with the gap between today’s R&B haves and have-nots wider than ever before, ‘Boys’ sales now place Hilson in a small group of ‘Urban’ belles whose labels can depend on them to pull in a profit. So, baring recent releases by Ciara, Kelly Rowland and Brandy in mind, we ask…

Is the world ready for a new Keri album?

…better yet…

Are you looking forward to a new Keri  album?

Weigh in below!

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.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Micah Stampley, Joshua Rogers, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Faith Evans, Karen Clark Sheard, Mary Mary‘s Erica Campbell, J. Moss, James Fortune & FIYA, The Showers, Dewayne Woods, The Super Bowl, and more:

(more…)

Believe it or not, 2015 will mark the tenth year of Rihanna“s Pop presence, introduced to the world by LA Reid, Jay Z and former manager Marc Jordan.

Now seen as competition for many of the acts she once cited as idols, the vocalist has now seen her career praised by long time friend and collaborator, Anthony Mandler- responsible for many of her more memorable visuals.

Yes, in an interview with Graydon Carter“s “Vanity Fair“, the “Unfaithful” director went to great lengths to explain why believes the singer is the biggest star in the world, revealing that she has overcome more hardship than the world will ever be aware of.

Moving words below…

(more…)

For the first time since its genesis, iTunes saw the music industry suffer a digital decline last year, despite helpful efforts made by mega-sellers Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Emeli Sande.

Details below!

(more…)

Responsible for many a cool sound spawned by Beyonce, Brandy, Usher and Kelly Rowland, Rico Love’s habit of building R&B music that transcends genre lines has brought him more success than most maybe aware of.

Now, in an interview with ‘The Feature Presentation‘, the ‘Sweet Dreams‘ producer has detailed his journey to the top, going a long way help aspiring creatives understand the lucrative business that is music publishing, soundtrack building and his enviable arrangement with Jimmy Iovine‘s ‘Interscope.’

The above, being one of the reasons we’ve billed this interview a ‘must see.’

For, his time with the outlet also saw him dish on the criticism Jay Z faces for continuing his business dealings with  Barney’s, a company now under fire following claims they falsely accused two African-American shoppers of committing credit card fraud after they made large but legal in-store purchases.

Love’s thoughts on the matter? An interesting explanation as to why boycotting one company on the grounds of racism does little to combat the problem, and why the African-American community should turn its attention to the gun-selling pawnshops, alcohol pouring liquor stores and lack of inner-city education resources that stifles the progression of its youth.

Watch below…

(more…)

If words uttered by Danity Kane‘s Aubrey O’Day are anything to go by, fans of the supergroup would be wrong to assume their reunion would birth only one new album.

Yes, for during an impromptu ‘press conference’ outside David Arquette‘s ‘Bootsy Bellows’, the stage slaying siren revealed that the group were recording ‘albums’, and were doing so with the aid of Reality TV production company ‘51 Minds.’

An exciting twist in their come-back tale below…

(more…)

The vocal driven gem that is Jennifer Hudson wowed many a music lover nights ago, when she took to NBC’s ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve‘ to perform her brand new single ‘I Can’t Describe.’

Though her staging lacked the vibrancy the song’s upbeat nature called for, her serving of the jam was stellar to say the least, flirting with light choreography and storming the spot with that voice.

So, if you’re anything like us and can’t wait until the release of her forthcoming studio album, put on your dancing shoes and meet us below!

(more…)

It is the story swarming headlines as we speak as it marks the fourth time in less than a week the #Beyhive have made news for stinging anti-Beyonce commenters.

Indeed, first TLC‘s Chilli was stung, then Miley Cyrus, Perez Hilton, and now an unsuspecting ‘106 & Park’ member who said Bey needs to retire.

Yes, we saw the backlash coming.  But, we didn’t know it would be this harsh:

(more…)

She may be riding high on charts with her latest single ‘Timber’ with Pitbull, but it seems pop singer Ke$ha‘s personal life is seeing her fall to new lows as reports have surfaced the hit-maker has checked herself into rehab.

Details below:

(more…)

This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is BrieNurseENT who gave an undeniably rocking version of ‘Drunk In Love’ by Beyonce.  Don’t believe us? See for yourself:

Brie definitely gets our applause, applause, applause!  Indeed, the Youtube songstress lent an intoxicating cover of the latest hit by Beyonce.  The way Brie glides down the melismatic portions of the song is A+!

We expect to hear more from this young lady.

Want to hear more from BrieNurseEnt? Check her Youtube page here.

Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to rashad@thatgrapejuice.net

————————————————————

Your thoughts? 

Months may separate the world from her third studio album, but that hasn’t stopped Nicki Minaj from frequenting many a chart by way of 2012’s ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ and the numerous Hip-Hop efforts she lent a verse to in 2013.

This year, it’s her take on PTAF‘s ‘Boss Ass B*tch’ that’s brought her good news in the last seven days, whipping the digital community into a sassy frenzy and boosting her stock on Billboard’s Social 50!

Good news below…

(more…)

By way of her work ethic, talent and genuine passion for her craft, Beyonce has seen the general public develop a trust in her that’s seen her career go from strength to strength with every passing year.

Sure, while a well oiled PR machine has helped her steer her perception’s ship to favourable waters in times of trouble, it’s the entertainer’s God given gifts that have place her head and shoulders above the rest for well over a decade.

Oh…you disagree? Well, feel free to take that up with the general public who are now on course to make her latest studio album once of the fastest selling releases of the last decade.

Full story below!

(more…)