It’s hard to believe that a decade ago, the Pop scene was introduced to one of its leading ladies.

Today’s From The Vault pick is Ariana Grande‘s breakthrough single ‘The Way,’ featuring the late Mac Miller.

While the songbird had released music before, this track is often considered her unofficial debut single. Penned by Jordin Sparks and produced by Harmony Samuels, the ‘Yours Truly’ jam became an instant hit in the US, reaching the 9th spot on the Hot 100.

‘Way’ samples Brenda Russell’s ‘A Little Bit of Love,’ which also served as the foundation for Big Pun’s ‘Still Not a Player.’ With its ’90s vibes, Ariana’s velvety vocals, and airy harmonies, it drew immediate comparisons to Mariah Carey‘s earlier work, sparking debates about Ariana’s artistic authenticity.

Notably, the song features Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, who would later become Ariana’s boyfriend before his tragic passing in 2018.

The accompanying music video, directed by Jones Crow, featured Ariana, Mac, and a group of dancers having a blast in a room filled with balloons. While playful and carefree, it marked Ariana’s transition to a more sensuous image, shedding her Nickelodeon persona. 10 years later, the video boasts over 460 million views on YouTube.

What a difference time can make. Although she never lost her stunning chops, it’s safe to say she’s again transformed into a completely different artist than the one we see today.

Regardless, it’s been a joy to witness Ariana Grande’s rise as a Pop powerhouse within such a short time.

While new music might not be on the cards just yet (as she sets her sights on the big screen), we have no doubt she’ll continue to captivate audiences worldwide with her infectious output and glossy videos.

We’re ready!

Your thoughts?

Doja Cat‘s fourth studio album, the September 22-released ‘Scarlet,’ continues to weave a web of success across all of Billboard.

Launched on the Billboard 200 as the week’s top-performing new album, the 15-track project debuted at #4 (marking her third consecutive top 10 hit on the tally).

On the Hot 100 side of the house, the buzz around ‘Scarlet’ not only shot its housed cut ‘Paint the Town Red‘ back to the top of the hitlist this week but also welcomed the tune’s follow-up – ‘Agora Hills‘ – into its topmost quadrant.

Details inside.

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Ahead of their grand return to Paris after a nearly 30-year hiatus, the MTV EMAs have unveiled the official list of nominees for the 2023 ceremony.

Dominated by female acts, this year’s leading nominee, Taylor Swift, sees her name listed a whopping 7 times including in major categories like Best Song, Best Artist, and Best Video. Behind her are Olivia Rodrigo and SZA with six apiece; they are followed by Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and Maneskin with four respective mentions across the nominations tally.

Other major star power sprinkled across the full nominations list includes Beyonce, The Weeknd, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, Ice Spice, and more.

Before this year’s EMAs broadcasts to nearly 150 countries from the Paris Nord on November 5, hop inside to see if your fave landed a nod.

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It’s been nearly 7 months since its arrival to digital music platforms, but music lovers aren’t done spinning the block on ‘Block Boy‘ – the breakout single from rising rapstress Doechii.

Formally titled ‘What It Is,’ the J. White Did It-produced jam – which famously and prominently features samples of TLC‘s ‘No Scrubs‘ and Trillville‘s ‘Some Cut‘ (even interpolating lyrics from the latter in its chorus) – has seen its solo and Kodak Black-assisted versions take off.

Their commercial performances combined, alongside a handsome response at radio, has not only boosted ‘Block’ to a new Hot 100 high but also the highest rung Doechii’s reached in her career to date.

Details inside.

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Doja Cat sees her name painted in top positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200 thanks to the first-week commercial response to her fourth studio album, ‘Scarlet,’ and its breakout hit single ‘Paint the Town Red.’

Details inside.

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Doja Cat‘s latest musical shape-shift arrived in the form of her new studio album ‘Scarlet.’

With the momentum of the hit machine that was her preceding project, Planet Her,’ on her shoulders, the multihyphenate led the LP cycle with single ‘Attention.’ The release was quickly followed by the Hot 100 chart-topper ‘Paint The Town Red.’

Has the buzz translated onto the album’s performance on the Billboard 200?

The final numbers are in and bring with it the answer.

Full story below…

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Welcome, once again, to TGJ Replay.

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ features, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest retrospective segment – a written quest, if you will, to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.

This week you’re in luck as we toast the 40th anniversary of ‘Lucky Star‘ – the inaugural Hot 100 top 5 hit of Queen of Pop Madonna‘s career lifted from her self-titled debut album.

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To say Olivia Rodrigo‘s had a good week would be an understatement.

Kicking things off Sunday (September 17), Rodrigo welcomed news her sophomore album, ‘Guts,’ had bounded to the top of the Billboard 200 with some of the year’s biggest first-week sales.  A day later she learned the set’s leading single – ‘Vampire‘ – had soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 yet again.

See the figures that supported the flight of the latter inside.

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Much like with their 2020 megahit ‘WAP‘ before it, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion find themselves in a familiar position thanks to their latest duet ‘Bongos‘: atop the Billboard charts.

Details inside.

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There’s no sophomore slump in sight for Olivia Rodrigo.

For, the GRAMMY winner’s sophomore album ‘Guts’ has stormed its way to the top of the Billboard 200.

Full story below…

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The credits have rolled on the action-packed 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, which boasted many-a-memorable moment from blazing stage performances to technical hiccups, shocking on-stage antics, and more.

But, with all eyes on who took home which honor, did your favorite win any of the coveted Moonperson?

Look inside to recap the full winner’s list.

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Doja Cat has been heating up the scene with her new single ‘Paint The Town Red’ and today has seen its success reach a fever pitch. For, the track has just reached the apex of the Billboard Hot 100. 

Full story below…

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