10 spirited songs that should be on your holiday playlist
The turkey has been stuffed and devoured and Christmas time is here. There’s nothing like holiday music to bring in the Christmas festivities and get close with friends and family or cozying up with that someone special. Here are just a few songs to kick off the jolly time of year. Donny Hathaway – “This […]
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy to receive Kennedy Center honor
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will be one of five honorees honored for his lifetime artistic achievements at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 5, 2021. Gordy created the blueprint for Black artists and executives to become financially successful and built a musical empire that still resonates to this day. […]
The Roots’ Black Thought releases audiobook ‘7 Years’
Black Thought of The Roots released his new audiobook titled 7 Years on Thursday, July 8, 2021. The book debuted exclusively in the U.S. as part of the Words + Music series covering the intimate journeys of music artists such as Sheryl Crow, Smokey Robinson and more on Amazon’s Audible platform. In 7 Years, Black Thought […]
Stevie Wonder explains why he’s moving to Ghana permanently
All-time music great Stevie Wonder declared with absolute resolve that he is moving to Ghana to live out the rest of his days. The 22-time Grammy-winner said he has grown weary of America’s infuriating and mystifying unwillingness to accept all of its citizens equally. Wonder, 70, whom most R&B artists and even pop singers revere […]
Questlove makes his directorial debut with ‘Summer of Soul’ film (video)
The Roots’ Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson premiered his new movie Summer of Soul (… Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) during Sundance’s virtual screening this pastweekend. The movie takes an in-depth look at the Harlem Cultural Festival which has been described as a pre-Coachella music gathering. The Harlem Cultural Festival, also referred to as […]
Stevie Wonder asks Joe Biden to address US race issues in open letter to MLK
Steve Wonder paid tribute to his hero Dr. Martin Luther Jr. once again and this year he spoke an open letter to the slain Civil Rights leader. During the four-minute speech, he addresses America’s race problem and calls for the new Biden-Harris administration to tackle it head on and launch a truth commission on inequality […]
Stevie Wonder leaves Motown, new label launches strong
Stevie Wonder has quit Motown Records after almost six decades. The “Superstition” hitmaker was just 11 when he was signed to the iconic label and now he’s launched his own imprint So What The Fuss Music on Universal Music Group’s Republic Records. To kick-start his new record label, Wonder released the new tracks “Where Is […]
Find your joy on Election Day 2020
Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon is my happy movie. I have had a once a month viewing appointment with this film for over twenty-five years. It is an exquisite blend of action, comedy, and romance, despite what the critics’ reviews say on Rotten Tomatoes. On Nov. 4 I will watch Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, […]
Usher welcomes a baby girl with Jenn Goicoechea (photo)
Congrats are in order for Usher. The “Peace Sign” singer is officially a #girldad. The 41-year-old singer and longtime girlfriend Jenn Goicoechea have welcomed their first child together. Usher confirmed the news on Instagram and revealed his daughter’s name with an adorable picture of the newborn’s tiny hand resting on his finger. “We are feeling […]
Mike Phillips details Stevie Wonder’s role on a classic hip-hop cover remake
The legendary Mike Phillips dropped by our virtual office to share details about his new album, Pulling Off The Covers, specifically how Stevie Wonder made him wait… and how it was worth every reminder once the track — “Flavor In Your Ear” — was done.
Stevie Wonder suggests a way musicians can pay tribute to the late Bill Withers
Stevie Wonder was planning to hit the studio with late soul legend Bill Withers before his passing. The “Isn’t She Lovely” singer had been in constant contact with the “Ain’t No Sunshine” hitmaker right up until his death from heart complications at age 81 last week and has revealed the pair were planning to play […]
Jussie Smollett breaks his silence, says he’s on ‘quarantine day 421’ (video)
Disgraced “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett ended his nine-month moratorium from social media to announce that he’s on “quarantine day 421.” It was an obvious reference to the alleged attack on him in January 2019 in Chicago that sent his life and career spiraling into ruin. Smollett, 37, posted along with a video of himself singing […]
Stevie Wonder in very poor health
Motown music legend Stevie Wonder’s medical condition is reportedly grave. One of the most prolific and influential songwriters in American history is going to require a liver transplant after unsubstantiated reports had swirled for months that he is suffering from liver failure, TMZ reports. The “Part Time Lover” and “I Just Called to Say I […]
Did Nipsey Hussle predict being honored by Stevie Wonder?
Nipsey Hussle’s homegoing service featured performances by Marsha Ambrosius, who sang “Fly Like a Bird,” and Anthony Hamilton, who sang “Do You Feel Me.” However, the most surprising moment came close to the end of the service when Stevie Wonder walked on stage in front of a capacity crowd at Staples Center in Los Angeles. […]
5 powerful moments from Nipsey Hussle’s homegoing service
Family, friends and fans of Nipsey Hussle packed the Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 11, 2019, to pay tribute to a man whose impact in the community may have exceeded his achievements in music. Moments before the doors opened at Staples Center shortly after 9 a.m. PST, thousands of young men and women […]
Why Gritz and Jelly Butter is the perfect mesh of modern R&B and jazz
Gritz and Jelly Butter is one of the top live cover bands in Atlanta. The band consists of Ruben Royster (bass guitarist/upright bass), Jameel Winston (keyboard & vocals), and Lamar Khalid Rahmaad (percussionist). The trio stopped by rolling out studios to discuss the impact of its soulful R&B and jazz sound in the south. They […]
Ciara shares her wish for 2019
While rap, trap and hip-hop dominate the music charts, Ciara says she would love to hear more artists singing a different song in the coming year. The 33-year-old singer — who is a huge fan of stars such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson — has revealed she hopes love songs will […]
J-Hud, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and more sang the roof off at Aretha’s funeral
The Aretha Franklin homegoing celebration was simply amazing. Dignitaries from the worlds of politics, entertainment and gospel music came together to send the “Queen of Soul” off this earthly plane on a high note. Those in attendance included former president Bill Clinton and former First Lady and U.S. Sen. Hilary Clinton, former U.S. Attorney General […]
10 powerful and controversial moments from Aretha Franklin’s homegoing service
Aretha Franklin’s homegoing service will be remembered for years to come. Thousands packed the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit for a 10-hour ceremony that featured touching tributes, powerful speeches and even some controversy. Here are the 10 moments that made Aretha Franklin’s homegoing service unforgettable. Gold casket fit for a queen Aretha Franklin was laid to […]
Aretha Franklin’s homegoing in Detroit fit for a queen
The homegoing service for Aretha Franklin surpassed all expectations. For nearly nine hours, family members, friends, celebrities, politicians, members of the clergy, and fans honored the “Queen of Soul.” Held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, the service began shortly after 10 a.m. and concluded just before 7 p.m. Memorable moments included a sea of […]