Few can rival the year Nigerian superstar Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has had.

The international music sensation, who made history earlier this year when she became the first Nigerian act to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 courtesy of Future and Drake‘s ‘Wait For U,’ went on to snag multiple BET Awards at this year’s ceremony including Best International Act and Best Collaboration (for her work on the top 10 hit ‘Essence’ with fellow Nigerian hitmaker Wizkid).

Having already played assistant to multiple smash singles, the refreshed Hot 100 suggests the 27-year-old songstress may finally be poised to hop in the driver’s seat to find her own course to the top of the charts.

Details inside:

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As reported here, Mary J. Blige dazzled New York City’s United Palace on July 13 for the live taping of her “one night only” Apple Music Live concert – available to stream now exclusively on Apple Music.

Lifting the lid on the finished product July 27, the criitically acclaimed experience – which comes as the second live album of her career following 1998’s ‘The Tour’ – saw Blige bang out a career-spanning set that included performances of some of her greatest hits like ‘My Life’ and ‘Love No Limit’ as well as new tunes found aboard her latest album, ‘Good Morning Gorgeous.’

Giving fans a foretaste of what they can expect on the September 17 kick off of her forthcoming ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ tour, look inside to hear ‘Apple Music Live: Mary J. Blige’ in full.

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As the masses continue to release their wiggles to the sounds of Beyoncé‘s seventh studio album, the July 29-released ‘Renaissance,’ industry analysts have turned their attention to the commercial performance of the set.

And if early reports are anything to judge by, Bey may do some wiggling herself when she finds out the numbers expected to be attached to the LP’s first-week sales.

Details inside:

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Lady Gaga returned to London last night (July 29) for the first of two sold-out Chromatica Ball shows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

The live blockbuster has been mounted in support of Mother Monster’s chart-topping ‘Chromatica’ album – which is home to hits such as ‘Stupid Love’ and #1 smash ‘Rain On Me.’ Both of which were paired with high-octane showings at the seismic spectacle.

A blazing bolt of energy from its opener ‘Bad Romance’ ignites what is an electifying exhibit of Pop perfection from the multihyphenate GRAMMY and Oscar winner.

Both contemporary and nostalgic, The Chromatica Ball is quite the triumph for an artist that has all at once managed to establish a lane like no other, evolve like no other, and cultivate an eclectic catalog like no other.

Classics such as ‘Just Dance,’ ‘Poker Face,’ and ‘Love Game’ were launched onto the adoring audience early – reminding of Gaga’s meteoric ascend. One that has yet to be matched by any in music’s fast-paced landscape.

New ‘Chromatica’ jams such as ‘Sour Candy,’ ‘Alice,’ ‘Babylon,’ and ‘Replay’ were expertly woven between fan favorites like ‘Monster’ and ‘Shallow’ – with all collectively receiving a rapturous response from the capacity crowd.

As one of Pop’s most notable shapeshifters, Gaga thrilled with a multi-dimensional show that celebrates all facets of her musical, visual, and theatrical arsenal. From the freaky to the fashionable. From the raw to the regal. All the “Lady Gagas” we’ve come to know and love over the years showed up to the ‘Ball – and it was glorious. Very much a victory lap from a titan artiste that shows no signs of slowing down.

Initially scheduled for takeoff in 2020, The Chromatica Ball was one of several shows postponed due to the global health crisis.

Two years later, it has proven well worth the wait. 

Check out more from the manifique night below…

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Beyonce is off to a fire-fuelled start with her new album ‘Renaissance’ – especially on Spotify. 

Full story below…

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After a two-year absence from the Billboard Hot 100, ‘I’m Sprung’ hitmaker T-Pain sprang back onto the tally in 2021 with the Kehlani-assisted ‘I Like Dat.’ Peaking at #97 on the hitlist, ‘Dat’ eventually made its way to Gold status at the Recording Industry Association of America (a measure that denotes sales of 500,000 in the United States).

With hopes of continuing that momentum, the 37-year-old has finally dropped the music video for ‘Dat’s follow-up – ‘That’s Just Tips.’  Produced by Bishop Jones and Ben10K, ‘Tips’ serves notice that the ‘I’m In Luv with a Stripper’ singer ain’t just limiting his club love to the ladies on the poles.

“I got a stack for the waitress / I got a stack for security / And I got five for the b*tch that I’mma f*ck while she wearin’ my jewelry / And I got a couple hundred dollars for the n*gga that park my whip,” he relays in the new bop.

Hear the tune inside and peep its spicy music video directed by Ben Hansford and TP himself.

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Lined with a star-studded cast of some of Black Hollywood’s most familiar faces, BET+’s forthcoming drama – ‘The Black Hamptons’ – promises to be one of the streamer’s steamiest offerings yet.

Coming from ‘The New York Times’ best-selling author Carl Weber‘s work of the same name, ‘Hamptons’ is a family drama based in the quaint and charming town of Sag Harbor (affectionately known as “The Black Hamptons”) in Long Island, NY.

With a cast that includes Lamman Rucker, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Elise Neal,  Brian White, Karon Riley, Mike Merrill, Blac Chyna, Aaron Spears, and more, the story’s plot will follow the feud between the ‘Brittons’ and the ‘Johnsons’ – a feud of ‘old money’ versus ‘new money.’

Ahead of its August 25th premiere, look inside to see the sizzling trailer.

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As Offset makes his presence and talent known on the new Normani and Tinashe-assisted Calvin Harris song ‘New to Me‘ (as we reported here), his former Migos groupmates Quavo and Takeoff take to Gucci Mane to assist on their latest single, ‘Us Vs. Them.’

Produced by DJ Durel, Money Musik, Duce.6x and Eza, Quavo and Take – nowadays known as Unc & Phew – team with Guwop to send out notice to their opps by showing off in a parking garage and indoor sports facility.

“Think sh*t sweet, then try it / Steppin’ in shoes that’s not your size (N*ggas ain’t steppin’) / The back of the Maybach I sit and recline (Thinkin’ ’bout what?) / And I got Franklins all on my mind, then chrome, then spine,” Takeoff spits on the tune’s first verse.

Coming as the follow-up to ‘Hotel Lobby,’ Unc & Phew’s debut single as a the duo, hop inside to hear ‘Us’ and check out its KeeMotion-directed accompanying music video.

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Jesy Nelson is not only formerly of Little Mix, she’s now formerly of Polydor Records.

Because just 14 months after inking her seismic solo deal, the 31-year-old has parted ways with the Universal Music imprint.

Full story below…

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Calvin Harris has unlocked ‘New To You’ – the latest track to be lifted from the hitmaker’s incoming new album ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’ (due August 5).

And, true to form, the DJ has enlisted an eclectic collection of acts to mobilize the track.

This go round it’s Normani, Tinashe, and Offset.

On this dreamy musical adventure, the trio trade verses on Harris’ hypnotizing production.

‘New To You’ arrives ahead of Normani’s new single ‘Candy Paint’ and amidst Tinashe’s push for latest LP ‘333.’

Take a listen below…

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Readers of That Grape Juice know how passionate we are about music – whether that be past or present.

However, unlike our other segments – Retro Rewind, TGJ Replay, and From The Vault – The Pop Stop is the most in-depth look at Pop songs that may have flown under the radar over the last week that you should know, rather they be from music’s biggest stars or those on the rise.

This week, we want to highlight cuts from Jackson Wang, Tove Lo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Boys World.

Join us inside…

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Will Smith has broken his long silence following the debacle that was the Oscars slap seen around the world.

As extensively covered here on That Grape Juice, the Hollywood titan dramatically slapped comedian Chris Rock after the latter made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett‘s baldness which she’s been open about being caused by the health condition alopecia.

The media circus around Smith and the fallout that followed was immense. Indeed, while the star was permitted to keep his Best Actor Award (which he won on the ill-fated night), he stepped down from the Oscars academy. A move many deemed preemptive given that members were meeting to decide his punishment. Smith was also banned from attending the ceremony for a period of 10 years.

Now, after a period of further reflecting, he is speaking up and out.

Find out what he had to say below…

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