It’s that time again! Welcome to the 15th annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards!

With 2022 rapidly drawing to a close, That Grape Juice will be acknowledging the releases, events, and moments that have made the last 12 months so memorable.

Polls are open RIGHT NOW, hence it’s time for YOU – the That Grape Juice faithful – to cast YOUR votes (as many times as you like) on the best and worst 2022 had on offer.

Category finalists were established using metrics of commercial success, critical acclaim, and online buzz.

Voting Closes On December 30, 2022

Winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2022!

What are you waiting for? Cast your votes after the jump!

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SZA‘s ‘SOS‘ has the competition calling out just that thanks to its domination of the Billboard 200.

Starved music lovers who needed a “new album fix” from the R&B diva were fed December 9 when she dropped the project (which comes as the long-awaited follow-up to her 2017 debut LP ‘Ctrl’).

In addition to opening at #1 on the Billboard 200 with one of the year’s best first-week sales, the effort’s streams helped 20 of its 23 tracks land on the Hot 100 – a feat that sees her join Taylor Swift as the only female acts to boast such feat.

Of those 20 entries, the album’s housed tracks ‘Nobody Gets Me‘ (#10) and ‘Kill Bill‘ (#3) premiered in the top 10, bringing the era’s Hot 100 top 10 count to four following the previous peaks of  ‘I Hate U’ (#7) and ‘Good Days’ (#9). It’s worth noting ‘Bill’ serves as the first solo top 5 hit of SZA’s career.

The four top 10 hits also come as a historic high note for the songbird.  See how inside.

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Even before the tragic death of Takeoff in November, chart-topping Rap group Migos had already called it quits as member Offset embarked on a solo career while Take joined forces with Quavo to form Unc & Phew.

And while the duo’s debut album, ‘Only Built for Infinity Links,’ has garnered a solid commercial response on charts to date, longtime fans – undeterred by the Migos split – seem to still be holding on to the trio’s biggest hits.

Evidence of that came via a slew of recently updated certifications at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a feat made possible thanks to impressive ongoing streams and digital sales of favorites from the group. Said figures were also given a boost due to supporters paying respects to Takeoff.

Look inside to see how the latest Gold and Platinum plaques attributed to the ‘Fight Night’ hitmakers see them knock Rap legends Beastie Boys and Outkast down a few notches in RIAA history books.

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Just weeks after a group of Taylor Swift fans (affectionately called #Swifties) made headlines for suing Ticketmaster for its reported mishandling of ticket sales for the diva’s forthcoming ‘Eras‘ stadium tour (as we reported here), other members of the devoted fan group are following suit with their own lawsuit.

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As Tory Lanez and his supporters continue to reel after a jury convicted him felony charges stemming from the 2020 shooting of fellow Hip-Hop star Megan Thee Stallion (as we reported here), the embattled rapper’s legal team has vowed the fight isn’t over yet.

Details inside.

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Months after K. Michelle scooched to #1 on R&B charts with her single ‘Scooch‘ (the latest taste of new music from her sixth and final R&B album ‘I’m the Problem’), the singer-TV personality is looking to bring the tune and her greatest hits to a stage near you on a North American tour in support of the LP.

Details inside.

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With just one more sleep until Christmas Day, we here at That Grape Juice are feeling all sorts of festive.

So, what better way to spread holiday cheer than with ‘The Ultimate Christmas Sleigh List’ playlist! 2022 Edition.

Curated by the TGJ team, this collection of Xmas gems fuses a variety of familiar tunes with some that may have flown under your radar.

So Happy Holidays to you and yours. Enjoy AND let us know what you think of our picks!

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Is Beyonce about to make her grand return to the stage?

According to a new report, the megastar is indeed set for a live comeback. And sooner than folk might think.

Full story below…

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While many have applauded the guilty verdict that was handed down to Tory Lanez in his trial for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, his family – expectedly – weren’t among them.

However, what few could have predicted was the volcanic tirade the singer’s dad Sonstar Peterson and his wife unleashed outside the courthouse. Especially the targeted blasting of music royals JAY-Z and Beyonce.

Full story below…

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The Sugababes sprung a seismic surprise on fans with the release of ‘The Lost Tapes.’

Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhan Donaghy, who comprise the original lineup of the hugely successful Brit-Pop band, reunited over a decade ago.

Then taking on the name MKS (an abbreviation of their names) due to legalities around the group name, the ladies pressed forward with the release of the critically-acclaimed single ‘Flatline.’

Yet, following its 2013 release, news on a housing album went quiet. Instead, a proliferation of leaks spilled online.

Expanding on the situation with today’s previously unnannounced release, the Sugababes (who have won back the rights to their name) said:

“We wrote this album almost 8 years ago and for various reasons it didn’t get an official release, so it’s with great pride that The Lost Tapes is available now on all streaming platforms 🎁

A very Merry Christmas, love Mutya, Keisha & Siobhan ❤️”

Featuring production from the likes of Devante Hynes (of Blood Orange), MNEK, and Biffco, the collection is a timeless and immaculate set that proves that there is an undeniable magic that activates when Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan join forces.

The arrival of ‘The Lost Tapes’ comes as the ‘Babes gear up for ‘One Night Only’ – their biggest headline show to date at the O2 Arena.

Take a listen below…

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‘About Damn Time’ singer Lizzo should be enjoying downtime while her critically acclaimed ‘Special World Tour’ is on temporary hiatus, but instead she’s rocking the media promo trail in support of it and its parent album, ‘Special.’

Ahead of dropping jaws with her stunning performances on ‘SNL‘ (December 17), the GRAMMY winner was spotted on ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ and ‘The Howard Stern Show.’

And while she used both platforms to dish about touring, her 2023 GRAMMY nods, and more, she was particularly vocal on ‘Stern’ about her humanitarian efforts, fielding criticisms for making “white-sounding” music, her friendship with Pop megastar Adele, and even treated the studio to two live performances.

Did you miss the action when it first hit the net? No worries; we’ve got you covered.

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After reportedly opening fire on Megan Thee Stallion two years ago on a California curbside, embattled Rap star Tory Lanez (born Daystar Peterson) has been found guilty for the shooting incident.

Details inside.

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