Ro Music News Bits 3.23 Kanye Wraps SXSW Festival, Prince Makes L.A. History, Mary J. Blige to Star in Tyler Perry Film
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Kanye West, Bun B, Common and Erykah Badu Wrap Up SXSW Festival
As a last-minute addition to the packed, SXSW lineup, Kanye West
headlined the Good Music Showcase at Fader Fort. The performance
featured some of the label’s most anticipated artists including the
retired Kid Kudi and Common. Ye’s buddy, and recent ro cover man,
Fonzworth Bentley, who has an album coming out in 2009, also hit the
stage. The Good Music family ran through hits including Kanye’s
“Spaceships” from his first multiplatinum album, College Drop Out, as well as more recent ditties.
New
mommy, Erykah Badu, was among the other highlights of SXSW Saturday
night. Although the consensus counted rebel rap group, dead prez among
the favorite groups to hit the stage, Bun B, who replaced Rick Ross on
Saturday night, was also a major crowd-pleaser. The Houston rapper is
promoting the final UGK album, which will drop in April.
Also,
Janelle Monae, Solange and newcomer, B.O.B. hit SXSW stages numerous
times throughout the weekend — with Janelle and company performing
seven times over the busy weekend. SXSW wrapped in Austin, Texas on
March 22.
Prince to Make History at L.A. Live
It’s only fitting that Prince was the artist to make history at L.A.
Live, with three shows in one night at three separate venues. This
Saturday, his Purple Majesty will perform at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE,
the Conga Room and Club Nokia at 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.,
respectively. The performances are in support of the launch of his new
member-based, interactive Web site, LotusFlow3r.com on March 24, and to
build hype for the upcoming release of three of his albums — LOtUSFLOW3r, MPLSoUND and Elixer, which are available for purchase on Target.com and his Web site.
Mary J. Blige to Star in New Tyler Perry Film
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul will star in Tyler Perry’s upcoming film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself.
Blige will play the character Tanya, who manages a nightclub, while
Oscar-nominee, Taraji P. Henson will play her good friend, April. The
film is scheduled for release on September 11. Blige previously
appeared in episodes of HBO’s “Entourage” and is expected to release a
new album later this year.
