While embattled R&B star R. Kelly has been bombarded with negative press in the days leading up to, during, and following the airing of the explosive Lifetime documentary, ‘Surviving R. Kelly,’ his dedicated fans have not only opened their mouths to voice their ongoing support but their wallets as well.

As we reported here, the 52-year-old celebrated a sales and streaming spike just one day after the show’s first two-part episode premiered.  By the time the docuseries aired its finale, Kellz enjoyed an even more impressive boost.

Report:

On Jan. 5, the third and final day of the airing of Surviving R. Kelly, on-demand streams of Kelly’s music rose by 116 percent in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music, as compared to his streams on Jan. 2, the day before the series began.

Kelly’s catalog of songs collected 4.3 million streams (audio and video combined) on Jan. 5, up from 1.9 million on Jan. 2.

Now, just hours after Lady Gaga went on record to announce her intent to remove her R.Kelly-featured hit, ‘Do What U Want,’ from digital services, fans have zoomed to iTunes in droves to purchase it.  Details inside:

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Britney Spears’ fans disheartened at news the Pop princess pressed pause on ‘Domination’ (her forthcoming Las Vegas residency at Park Theater) to tend to her father as he recovers from a recent life-threatening illness will also be disappointed to learn the indefinite “work hiatus” will impact the release of her yet-titled 10th album.

The show’s run, which saw its cancellation announced last week (as we reported here), was confirmed by her manager – Larry Rudolph – to be followed by the release of music found aboard her denary opus (the follow-up to 2016’s ‘Glory’).  Now, though reports are surfacing to indicate the set will definitely be delayed, its executive producer is assuring fans it will be worth the wait.

Details inside:

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If one fancies him or herself any level of “Pop culture fanatic” over the last 20 years, the name Touré Neblett is one that should ring a bell.

A respected author, music journalist, cultural critic, and more, Neblett – beyond his contributions as a television personality to MSNBC, BET, VH1, etc. –  has interviewed a number of music’s biggest acts in his tenure.  Included on his resume is a now infamous 2008 sitdown with R. Kelly where he quizzed the ‘Pied Piper of R&B’ on his alleged inappropriate relationship with underage girls.

Now, thanks to further commentary on the matter via a number of interviews and his inclusion on the explosive Lifetime docuseries, ‘Surviving R. Kelly,’ Touré may be set to answer a similar line of questioning…

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Kehlani may be heavily pregnant, but she’s not letting that pause her her hustle nor her creative juices.

For, the songbird has hatched the video for ‘Nights Like This’ featuring Ty Dolla $ign and its a cinematic Sci-Fi affair.

Check it out below…

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MGM‘s much touted Aretha Franklin biopic ‘Respect’ is coming together at a quite a pace.

As reported, Jennifer Hudson has been cast in the lead role as the legendary Queen of Soul.

Now, the movie’s director has been unveiled.

Details below…

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Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, 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 fast backward to Christina Aguilera‘s 2006 hit, ‘Hurt.’  The second single from her chart-topping ‘Back to Basics’ album, the tune – produced and co-penned by Linda Perry (also responsible for Aguilera’s 2002 hit ‘Beautiful’) – comes as one of the singer’s most heart-tugging releases as it tells the story of a young woman coping with the hurt of her father’s death.  Inspired by Perry’s real life experience, ‘Hurt’ went to chart battle in late 2006 and eventually worked its way to #19 on the Hot 100 where it was found this week in 2007.

Certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just five months after its release, the song has since passed the threshold for platinum certification with reported sales of over 1 million in the U.S. alone.  Look below to see who joined Aguilera’s modern Pop classic in the top 25 this week 12 years ago:

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Normani. 

It’s a name that’s been on the lips of many in recent months and a name that looks set to be one mouthed by the masses in 2019.

The Houston native found fame as a member of Pop outfit Fifth Harmony and is now being tipped as music’s next seismic solo star.

Armed with the momentum of Billboard smash ‘Love Lies’ (which peaked in the top 10 and remains on the Hot 100 — after 40 weeks), the 22-year-old is gearing up to release Sam Smith collaboration ‘Dancing With A Stranger’ tomorrow.

On the eve of its arrival, Normani’s sizzles a-front of Billboard magazine’s latest issue.

Yet, it’s her accompanying interview that is most compelling of all.

Doing away with the hyper-media trained answers that define many in music, the rising star offered up personal insights into her journey thus far (including the rigors of 5H), her mission as an ambassador for Black women, and her solo sound.

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Meet the woman who may be the next President of the United States….Kamala Harris.

Full story below…

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Season 11 of the ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ welcomed newcomer Shamari DeVoe and quickly saw the Blaque singer thrust into the mix of the Bravo show’s drama.

As she gets acclimated with the ATL’s juiciest peaches, the star stopped by The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1 to discuss her experience thus far.

The 38-year-old was joined by husband Ronnie DeVoe (of New Edition) and together they waxed honest about RHOA along with the peaks and troughs of their personal relationship – which at one time was “open.”

They opened up about how the latter arrangement almost ended their 18-year union.

Elsewhere, the pair revealed that have a joint album incoming and more.

Check out the interview below…

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In the seven years since Frank Ocean‘s 2012 breakthrough ‘Channel Orange,’ the singer-songwriter has ascended the upper echelon of music’s elite.

Fuelled by purposeful privacy and projects released at sparse rates, the performer has unlocked new levels of popularity.

Ever mysterious, the star emerges from the shadows to cover the February 2019 edition of GQ Magazine, which also dubs as its Music Issue.

Beyond posing for a dapper shoot (lensed by Alasdair McLellan), the 31-year-old gave a rare interview – opening  up about his recent relocation to New York, his approach to music today, and more.

Head below for pics and quotes…

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Lady Gaga is hurt and disgusted by what she has learned about R. Kelly and is using her power to speak up and out for his victims and survivors.

Full story below…

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R. Kelly‘s former tour manager Demetrius Smith has emerged as one of the villains of the ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ story.

For, like the singer Sparkle, he has been upbraided for not doing enough to protect underage girls (including the singer Aaliyah) from Robert and for forging legal documents which “allowed” him to wed the singer when she was in the 10th grade.

Now, as the backlash he is facing intensifies, he has shed more light on his time with the alleged paedophile and revealed that he is just as introduced in exploiting males as he is females…and once came onto him by  walking into his hotel room naked, putting his bare buttocks in his face and asked if he “wanted some of this.”

Listen below….

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