This week’s From The Vault pick comes courtesy of defunct R&B duo, Zhané and their timeless smash ‘Hey Mr. DJ’.

R&B at its finest, ‘DJ’ was the first single from their 1993 debut, the aptly titled ‘Pronounced Jah-Nay’ (in case you were wondering). It was a Billboard Hot 100 smash, charting at #6 and managed to crack the Top 40 of various other countries like the U.K and Australia where it peaked at #26 and #9 respectively.

The funky cut was accompanied by a fitting “bloc-party” video, which – like much of the 90’s Urban output – evoked a real “feel good” aura. An aura referenced by some today’s artists, ala Beyonce on ‘Party’, yet one generally overlooked in an era which sees most trying to embrace the “dark” and “edgy”.

*****

Zhané scored themselves a few hits after ‘DJ’, such as ‘Groove Thang’ and ‘Sending My Love’, but ultimately called it quits as golden-decade of the 90’s drew to a close.

Though the journey ended rather abruptly for the talented pair, solace can be sourced in that they cooked up a hit which remains ever-fresh.

Zhané, we salute you.

Your thoughts?

R&B crooner Trey Songz today unwrapped new promotional single ‘Hail Mary’.

Already previewed in snippet form, the Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy assisted cut featured on the singer’s fifth studio album, the aptly titled ‘Chapter V’ (due August 19th).

With his “lane” at its most competitive (see: Chris Brown, Usher), can Songz serve up something that’ll help him pull ahead of the pack? Find out after the jump…

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In an age where the casual listener has very little interest in supporting albums, it’s become quite apparent that Rap/Hip Hop is one of the only fields left to impressive first week numbers on the Billboard 200.

For, when Rihanna‘s lackluster 198,000 units for ‘Talk That Talk’ are placed next to Drake‘s 631,000 units moved with 2011’s ‘Take Care‘, there’s no denying that US Rap continues to pull number of stunts and tricks on its Hot 100 heavy Pop counterpart.

Now, by way of his latest album ‘God Forgives, I Don’t‘, Rick Ross is set to join an elite group of Rappers making major waves on the Billboard 200.

Details below…

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This November, Brit sensation Jermaine Riley releases his brand spanking new mix tape ‘Ten Eleven Twelve’.

So, in a bid to whet the appetites of his ever growing fan base, he releases the scorching cut ‘What The Night Does‘.

Tuck in above…

Your thoughts?

Get into this intense teaser from the upcoming movie ‘Sparkle‘, starring American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and the late icon Whitney Houston.

Featuring the pair – who play mother & daughter -in a heated scene, the preview arrives before the flick hits theaters August 17 and awaits your first look above…

Your thoughts?

Last year’s ‘Born This Way’ catapulted Lady GaGa from superstar to megastar; a feat made all the more remarkable when considering her humble three years in the limelight.

Naturally, then, it’s a given that anticipation for the paw purveyor’s 4th studio album is at fever-pitch.

Hence, it’s little wonder why the singer’s army of Monsters are rejoicing at the star’s apparent reveal of the LP’s title, ‘ARTPOP’. Taking to her aptly titled social network, LittleMonsters.com, the 26 year old shared the shot above with the message:

“New ink new album”

What’s more, it’s not the only shots posted with the supposed album title featured. Flip the hood for more…

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One achieved their fame by way of talent and dedication, while the other garnered hers doing the exact opposite. Nonetheless, the stars have aligned Oprah and Rihanna together for the latest episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter.

Set to air on OWN on August 19th, filming for the hotly anticipated episode continued in Ms. Fenty’s homeland of Barbados today, where she was spotting driving the billionaire TV host around her locale.

Say what we will about Rih, her “rise” has been as compelling as it’s been dismaying. Hence, we’ll certainly be tuning in to see her speak on it. Here’s hoping O re-engages with the brand of interviewing that catapulted her to the lofty status she enjoys today with this one, instead of the walk-in-the-park treatment she gave the Kardashian‘s earlier this year.

Click here to see the trailer for Rihanna’s ‘Next Chapter’ episode on That Grape Juice TV.

Your thoughts?

Iggy Azalea took to Ibiza this week to support BBC Radio 1 Live where she performed her budding hit ‘Beat Down‘.

Wowing fans with her unique performance style, the star hit the stage after a glowing introduction from DJ Annie Mac.

Get into her set below…

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Cop a gander of Kelly Rowland.

The Destiny’s Child graduate (and solo Grammy winner) looks all sorts of lush in the latest promotional shot for TW Steel.

As previously announced, the 31 year old has been tapped to serve as the Brand Ambassador for the firm’s luxury line of watches.

On a musical tip, Ms. Kelly is gearing up to shoot the video for hot new single ‘Ice’. We can’t wait!

Your thoughts?

In an article posted by Billboard Biz last month billed ‘UK Album Sales Drop By 13%’, the unfortunate but unsurprising news that the rate of LPs sold in the UK had reached record breaking lows hit music lovers all too hard.

Intensified even further with a subsequent report which revealed ‘old releases’ were currently outselling their new counterparts for the first time in US chart history, it’s safe to say that the industry has seen far better days- as it currently  experiences its worst.

Indeed, despite commercial highs scored by Adele, Drake, Lil Wayne  and Pop deity Lady GaGa, very little can be done to disguise the desperate state many a label find itself in as they struggle to convince the buying public their acts are worth…buying.

So, ever eager to catch your take on matters like these, That Grape Juice asks you:

Can Album Sales Be Saved?

and…

What do you think the labels are doing wrong when it comes to pushing them?

Weigh in below…

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With a new LP on the way and the genius that was ‘Born This Way’ behind her, it seems Lady GaGa is the middle of a major branding overhaul.

For, as any of her die hard fans will have noticed, the starlet seems to be softening her public image in time for what many believe will be an upbeat new album.

Not sure what we mean?

Well, peep the romantic snap of the Grammy winning star in the arms of close friend Taylor Kinney above.

Surfacing online some hours ago, the pic sees the talented pair enjoying an intimate moment- a rarity, considering GaGa’s oft guarded stance on her personal life.

Your thoughts?

Roc Nation are not playing with the handling of their newest star, Rita Ora.

A rarity for a new act, the 22 year old’s debut LP ‘ORA’ is being “worked” on a global scale. Hence in borrowing from her success on home soil, Ora’s chart-topping UK single ‘R.I.P’ is heading Stateside.

Details after the jump…

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