Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
This week we just have to press play on ‘All I Have’ – the LL Cool J-assisted single found aboard Jennifer Lopez‘s ‘This Is Me…Then’ (click here to read our ode to the full album). Released in December 2002, ‘Have’ – drawing on Debra Laws‘ ‘Very Special’ for its sample – reinforced Lopez’s then-dominance over pop charts and came as a fitting follow-up to the top 5 hit ‘Jenny From the Block.’ Blocking her ‘I’m Real’ co-star Ja Rule from the top spot this week in 2003, ‘All I Have’ held down the chart’s summit for four weeks overall and gave the diva her fourth run atop the Hot 100 (Cool J’s first).
Going on to not only become a fan favorite of the singer’s, but become the title of her hotly-selling Vegas show, tuck in below to relive ‘All’ and see who joined J. Lo in the top 25 this week in 14 years ago:
The late 2016 death of pop star George Michael came as not only a shock to music lovers worldwide, but also another low light for a year filled with the losses of some of the entertainment genre’s most memorable & game changing figures (see: David Bowie, Prince, etc.).
Now, to the pleasure of the ‘Faith’ singer’s fans, the Recording Academy has announced Michael and Prince are to be the recipients of a full on tribute to their groundbreaking and enduring achievements. And, while 2016 saw a number of unforgettable performances in homage of The Purple One, we at That Grape Juice are hoping the performers selected for Michael’s memorial are equally as talented and appropriate.
A multi-talented singer, songwriter, composer, and instrumentalist, George’s career spanned over 30 years and birthed a number of chart-topping hits with group Wham! (‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,’‘Careless Whisper’) before striking out solo (‘Faith,’ ‘Father Figure,’ ‘Freedom,’ etc.). The first white artist to top the R&B charts, Michael’s interpolation of jazz, gospel, and other rhythmic formats into his pop sound was by no means unheard of for the day, but it was definitely one of the more authentic attempts to do so among his counterparts.
As such, we’ve formatted a list of artists across all genres who we think would give him a Grammy tribute worthy of his legacy. Get into our list below and weigh in:
For, moments ago the superstar singer unveiled dates for the ‘Joanne World Tour.’
Kicking off in the US in August, the trek makes a stop in Brazil (for the much-rumored Rock In Rio gig) before hitting Europe in September. Stateside fans are in for a treat, as Mother Monster returns for a second US leg in October.
Lady Gaga is still the name on many lips after a stunning showing at Super Bowl 51’s halftime. Headlining the gig with a bevy of her top hits, the singer/songwriter showed off her oft-praised vocal chops while delivering some high octane dance moves and spectacular visuals to boot.
Now, hours after the event is over, Gaga has thrilled fans again with news she is set to hit the road on a world tour in support of her latest effort ‘Joanne.’ The announcement comes at a great time for new fans and old as iTunes indicates the people are still going gaga for Gaga:
Another year, another Super Bowl game. But like millions of music lovers across the globe, we’re most buzzed about the Halftime show.
So as Lady Gaga is literally getting ready to take the stage tonight, we journey back to 2012. This week’s From The Vault comes courtesy of Madonna and her mesmerising turn as Halftime headliner.
The Ancient-Egypt themed affair saw the Pop Queen perform a 13-minute set – during which she rocked Givenchy, Miu Miu and Prada fashion and most importantly shut the place down with the help of a number of notable guests.
Visualized by the Cirque Du Soleil, with Jamie King as music director, the show opened with the ever vivacious ‘Vogue,’ followed by ‘Music’ during which the Pop queen was joined on stage by LMFAO.
Not one to rest on the laurels of her classics, Madge seized the moment to spotlight her then-current single ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ with the help of Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.
The track was the first offering from the ‘MDNA’ album which – like the song – didn’t really catch on with the masses. Still, the trio swung the bat as hard as they could and scored a relative homerun.
Cee-Lo Green would serve as the final collaborator, ushering the stadium into a mass sing-a-long-song to medley of ‘Open Your Heart’/’Express Yourself’ medley climaxing with the classic ‘Like a Prayer.’
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Amidst controversy of M.I.A. flipping the bird midway through the performance, the spectacle was met with almost universal acclaim. Indeed, the every facet from the fashion, to the guests, and the staging earned praise aplenty and re-affirmed Madonna as an electrifying envelope-pusher.
With recent headliners such as Madge, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Katy Perry, scoring A+ for their respective showings, all eyes will be on Gaga tonight to see if she can outdo or, at least, slay as well as her predecessors.
Being firm believers in Mother Monster, we know she has it in her to do exactly that!
That said, what we’d like most of all is a piece of ‘old Gaga’ to make an appearance at tonight’s Halftime. Because as much as we love ‘Joanne’ and this era’s aesthetic, a pink hat is not going to cut it when it comes to the biggest stage in the country.
Hopefully she’s watched showings such as Madge’s and more to ensure she prescribes the “right level of extravagance.
Tidbit: What will the prominent material be made of on Lady Gaga’s first outfit during Halftime Of Super Bowl 51? Click here to make your pick.
At a point in time, Mariah Carey prided herself on creating bodies of work.
As such, with industry politics making it harder than ever for acts of her ilk to secure hit singles, one would think Mimi would embrace said approach more than ever.
Wrong.
In a fan Q&A to promote new single ‘I Don’t,’ the star revealed that she’s not focussed on making an album. Instead, she’s veering another way.
Nicki Minaj is the latest name to condemn Donald Trump‘s controversial ban on muslim immigrants to the United States.
Following in the footsteps of notable names such as Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, the outspoken rap queen – who is, herself, of Trinidadian heritage – took to social media to vent in disapproval.
