Intricate, colorful harmonies?  Check.  Soaring vocal displays?  Check.  Vocal acrobatics and a rollercoaster of melisma that leave fans dizzy (and giddy) with musical joy?  Check. You already know we’re talking about none other than TGJ’s favorite gospel girl group Zie’l.

With worldwide wowed audiences in their rearview since their mid-2000s debut ‘Genesis’, the talented trio – best known for their electric remake of the Clark Sisters classic ‘Is My Living In Vain’ – ready its official follow-up EP for a spring 2014 release.

Kicked off by the high-spirited, foot-stomper ‘Redeemed’, it now seems the divas are looking to redeem their (rightful) place atop gospel charts.  Until we get our hands, eyes, and ears on the latest from the ladies, we’ll take the time to reflect on three reasons why we love them…and why you should too:

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2014  Stellar Awards winners

 

Category #1 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

Category #2 

SONG OF THE YEAR 

– KIRK FRANKLIN, TAKE ME TO THE KING BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

Category #3 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 

– TYE TRIBBETT, GREATER THAN, MOTOWN GOSPEL

 

CATEGORY #4 

ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #5 

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR 

– ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

CATEGORY #6 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

– TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)

 

CATEGORY #7 

CD OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #8 

CHOIR OF THE YEAR 

– HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #9 

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 

– FRED HAMMOND & DEREK “DC” CLARK, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION

2013 – 2014 29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

 

CATEGORY #10 

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR 

– FRED HAMMOND UNITED TENORS, UNITED TENORS HAMMOND HOLLISTER ROBERSON WILSON, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #11 

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR 

– JOHN P. KEE AND NEW LIFE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP

 

CATEGORY #12 

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR 

– ANTHONY BROWN, ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

CATEGORY #13 

TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR 

– JOHN P. KEE, LIFE & FAVOR, KEE MUSIC GROUP

 

CATEGORY #14 

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR 

– TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)

 

CATEGORY #15 

TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #16 

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR 

– TASHA COBBS, GRACE, EMI GOSPEL (MOTOWN GOSPEL)

 

CATEGORY #17 

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #18 

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, TAKE ME TO THE KING BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

2013 – 2014 29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

 

CATEGORY #19 

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

– BRAND X, TESTIMONY – ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, TYSCOT MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

CATEGORY #20 

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR 

– HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #21 

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR 

– EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, BISHOP K.W. BROWN PRESENTS EARL BYNUM & THE MOUNT UNITY CHOIR, K.W. BROWN MINISTRIES

 

CATEGORY #23 

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR 

– HEZEKIAH WALKER, AZUSA: THE NEXT GENERATION, RCA INSPIRATION

 

CATEGORY #24 

RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR 

– LECRAE, GRAVITY, REACH RECORDS

 

CATEGORY #25 

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR 

– JEKALYN CARR, GREATER IS COMING, LUNJEAL/MALACO

 

CATEGORY #26 

FAN FAVORITE QUARTET OF THE YEAR 

– DOC MCKENZIE & THE HI-LITES, BLESSED, OPHIR ENTERTAINMENT

 

CATEGORY #27 

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR 

– PATRICK DOPSON, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

 

CATEGORY #28 

PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD OF THE YEAR 

– TAMELA MANN, BEST DAYS, TILLYMAN MUSIC

2013 – 2014 29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners

 

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS 

MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR 

– WPZE 102.5/102.9, ATLANTA, LORI HALL

 

LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR 

– HEAVEN 600 – WCAO 600 AM, BALTIMORE, LEE MICHAELS

 

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR 

– THE LIGHT 103.9 – WNNL, RALEIGH, JERRY SMITH

 

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR 

– WIMG – 1300 AM, TRENTON, ED LONG

 

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR 

– YES LORD RADIO, YESLORDRADIO.COM, ELDER HOWARD C. YOUNG III & RODRICK J. WARREN

 

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR 

– CEDRIC BAILEY, MUSICAL SOUL FOOD – NORFOLK/VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Your thoughts?

ariana

As one of the industry’s most celebrated new talents, Ariana Grande has been on the receiving end of ample praise. However, as the vocal powerhouse is learning, such acclaim often comes with a side-helping of critique.

It appears that in the absence of being able to slam her voice, naysayers have instead taken aim at her image. More specifically her trademark ponytail hair style.

A consistent hot topic during the campaign for the singer’s debut album ‘Yours Truly’ last year, the trivial debate was re-ignited last week when the pint-sized star posted a shot of herself wearing her hair down on Instagram with a caption “New Album, New Look”. Without explanation, the post was removed shortly after and subsequent posts – once again – saw a return to her usual look.

Though armed with no evidence, this caused a select few to insinuate Grande was puppet being controlled on Pop production line.

Having clearly had enough, the songstress took to Facebook to address the matter. You may be surprised with what she has to say. Her words after the jump…

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drake-cover-snl-2014

The last year has seen Drake dominate and then some with his third studio album ‘Nothing Was The Same’. And while some would rest on their laurels toward the tail of a campaign, the Hip-Hop titan has continued to press on – this evening taking over NBC’s Saturday Night Live.

As well as performing smashes such as ‘Started From The Bottom’, Drizzy served up the LOL’s with a series of hilarious skits – which included a spoof of Piers Morgan, a Bar Mitzvah, and much more.

TGJ, as ever, has you covered. Peep clips after the jump…

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kylie-minogue-into-blue-cover-thatgrapejuice

Roc Nation royal Kylie Minogue is gearing up for her the release of her new single ‘Into The Blue’.

Due January 27th, the Kelly Shehan produced cut will serve as the first the Pop diva releases under Jay-Z‘s revered imprint.

With the countdown well and truly on, the track’s accompanying cover was unveiled moments ago via Amazon.

At 45, Ms. Minogue looks stunning. Fingers crossed the song is just as hot!

Your thoughts?

the-voice-uk-2014

The Voice UK is back!

Having undergone a coach overhaul (which saw Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue depart the show), the BBC1 hit welcomes Pop superstar Kylie Minogue to the judging panel alongside Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson for its third outing. The pair join original “coaches”  will.i.am and Tom Jones.

Currently in the “Blind Auditions” phase of the competition, you can check out episode 2’s contestants below…

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That Grape Juice is your 2014 Stellar Award headquarters!

Indeed, today TGJ will be landing in Nashville to rock the red carpet with the likes of gospel music’s top stars! Celebrating the past year’s best and brightest on the genre’s biggest night, the show is set to be illuminated by show-stopping performances from Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, Tasha Cobbs, and more!

As ever, you know to keep it locked to That Grape Juice for the award presentation’s stunning live showings,  along with news on winners, red carpet recaps, and more!

The 29th Stellar Awards will be broadcast live on UPtv from Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium on tonight at 7pm ET.

madonna-2014-n-word

Over the years, Madonna‘s racy antics have been rendered even more so due to her unapologetic stance. However, it appears the Pop princess isn’t afraid of saying “sorry” when the occasion calls for it.

After causing furore last night following an Instagram picture which saw her use the “N-Word”, the singer has released a statement denouncing her actions.

Madonna’s apology after the jump…

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faith-evans-thatgrapejuice-2014

 

R&B diva Faith Evans has rocking stages for almost 20 years and shows no signs of stopping.

The soul-filled songbird nested on The Arsenio Hall Show this week, taking to the stage to perform recent single ‘Tears of Joy’.

Evans also provided an update on a topic that  generated tears of another sort – the investigation into the death of former husband Notorious B.I.G (whose killers have yet to be found almost 17 years later).

Peep the performance and her sit-down segment after the jump…

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This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is singer/songwriter Claushelle. Watch as the Youtube belter hits a homerun on Beyonce’s newest fan favorite ‘XO’:

Cute, fun, and flirty, Claushelle’s cover of the Beyonce tune certainly checks every “descriptive box” related to the number. Definitely shining where it mattered most, the Youtube songstress injected a bit of her own flavor into the song.  A trait foreign to a number of cover artists who try to sing it like the original or try so hard to make it different, the tune gets lost in translation.

For that we say bravo!

For more on Claushelle, visit her Youtube Page.

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

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Your thoughts?

shakira_rihanna_thatgrapejuice

While off to a solid start, Shakira and Rihanna‘s new single ‘Can’t Remember To Forget You’ isn’t quite rocking the charts as expected. At least not “yet”.

So as to aid the song’s cause, the Latin superstar sat down with VEVO to discuss working with Instagram talent Rih (who she describes as “Reggae”), as well as the process of putting together her upcoming new album (due March 25th).

Peep the interview after the jump…

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mariah-carey-vevo-2014

Mariah Carey‘s recent efforts may have fallen on deaf ears, however 2005’s mega-smash ‘We Belong Together’ continues to be the gift that keeps giving.

Find out why after the jump…

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