The New York-based seafood restaurant Hav & Mar features a contemporary interior design and elaborate artwork of Black mermaids lining the walls. On a recent afternoon, the restaurant’s renowned celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson isn’t around, but Atlanta rapper Anycia is here with her small entourage, including close collaborator and producer jetsonmade. Over the past year, the 26-year-old has rapidly risen with the vibrant personality and entrancing baritone that many people first heard during her On the Block performance of “Brb.” Anycia tells me that her prevailing memory of the moment is her fashion choice.
- 4/25/2024
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
Artists don’t always appreciate other artists. Quentin Tarantino was a massive fan of Elvis Presley but not The Beatles. On top of that, he preferred a band that’s often accused of copying The Beatles to The Beatles themselves.
Quentin Tarantino rejected The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many other rock stars
In the 2022 book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino discussed learning about music history from his friend Floyd. “I was all ears about this firsthand rock ‘n’ roll history, because I wasn’t into ’70s white-boy rock,” he said. “I didn’t give a f*** about Kiss, I didn’t give a f*** about Aerosmith, I didn’t give a f*** about Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull. I didn’t own Frampton Comes Alive! I openly rejected that entire culture.
“At 16, I think I heard of Bruce Springsteen, but I’d never heard Bruce Springsteen,” he added.
Quentin Tarantino rejected The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many other rock stars
In the 2022 book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino discussed learning about music history from his friend Floyd. “I was all ears about this firsthand rock ‘n’ roll history, because I wasn’t into ’70s white-boy rock,” he said. “I didn’t give a f*** about Kiss, I didn’t give a f*** about Aerosmith, I didn’t give a f*** about Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull. I didn’t own Frampton Comes Alive! I openly rejected that entire culture.
“At 16, I think I heard of Bruce Springsteen, but I’d never heard Bruce Springsteen,” he added.
- 12/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Artists don’t always appreciate other artists. Quentin Tarantino was a massive fan of Elvis Presley but not The Beatles. On top of that, he preferred a band that’s often accused of copying The Beatles to The Beatles themselves.
Quentin Tarantino rejected The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many other rock stars
In the 2022 book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino discussed learning about music history from his friend Floyd. “I was all ears about this firsthand rock ‘n’ roll history, because I wasn’t into ’70s white-boy rock,” he said. “I didn’t give a f*** about Kiss, I didn’t give a f*** about Aerosmith, I didn’t give a f*** about Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull. I didn’t own Frampton Comes Alive! I openly rejected that entire culture.
“At 16, I think I heard of Bruce Springsteen, but I’d never heard Bruce Springsteen,” he added.
Quentin Tarantino rejected The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many other rock stars
In the 2022 book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino discussed learning about music history from his friend Floyd. “I was all ears about this firsthand rock ‘n’ roll history, because I wasn’t into ’70s white-boy rock,” he said. “I didn’t give a f*** about Kiss, I didn’t give a f*** about Aerosmith, I didn’t give a f*** about Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull. I didn’t own Frampton Comes Alive! I openly rejected that entire culture.
“At 16, I think I heard of Bruce Springsteen, but I’d never heard Bruce Springsteen,” he added.
- 12/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Melissa DuPrey is an actor, comedian, producer, musician, and playwright with roots in Chicago and Puerto Rico. Critically acclaimed for her work in theater - including five full-length solo plays that highlight the intersections of diasporic Blackness, queerness, healing, liberation, and sexuality - Duprey now plays the Boriqua Bff opposite Natasha Rothwell in Hulu's upcoming series "How To Die Alone."
Popsugar caught up with her to discuss her latest character, Tamika, as well as Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood. As she puts it: "The way we tell stories as Latina people, the way that we hold space, the way that we fuse culture and cooking and music, that's our storytelling."
Popsugar: How do you define your identity?
Melissa DuPrey: I'm Puerto Rican and I'm Black. I was raised by two very loving Puerto Rican parents with deep roots in both Puerto Rico and Chicago. Humboldt Park is where I developed my identity,...
Popsugar caught up with her to discuss her latest character, Tamika, as well as Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood. As she puts it: "The way we tell stories as Latina people, the way that we hold space, the way that we fuse culture and cooking and music, that's our storytelling."
Popsugar: How do you define your identity?
Melissa DuPrey: I'm Puerto Rican and I'm Black. I was raised by two very loving Puerto Rican parents with deep roots in both Puerto Rico and Chicago. Humboldt Park is where I developed my identity,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Shanon Lee
- Popsugar.com
Jessie Ware’s upcoming album That! Feels! Good! is all about the chase of a freeing high by way of dance. In announcing the project Thursday, set for release on April 28, the British musician has previewed the record with “Pearls,” an ode to the genre’s knack for escapism.
“’Pearls’ is a record that doesn’t take itself too seriously but demands you to have a dance,” Ware shared in a statement. “It’s inspired by divas like Donna Summer, Evelyn Champagne King, Teena Marie and Chaka khan and I...
“’Pearls’ is a record that doesn’t take itself too seriously but demands you to have a dance,” Ware shared in a statement. “It’s inspired by divas like Donna Summer, Evelyn Champagne King, Teena Marie and Chaka khan and I...
- 2/9/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ Album Cover (Photo by Carlijn Jacobs)
Beyoncé topped the list of The 65th Annual Grammy Awards nominees, earning nine nominations including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. The nine nominations move Beyoncé into a tie with Jay-Z for the most-nominated artist. Both artists have been nominated for 88 Grammys.
Kendrick Lamar picked up eight nominations followed by Adele and Brandi Carlile with seven. Mary J. Blige, DJ Khaled, Future, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Randy Merrill, and Harry Styles each earned six nominations.
“Celebrating the miracle of music is at the core of everything we do at the Recording Academy and today we are proud and honored to celebrate music’s power to lift people up and to bring them together,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy. “I’m energized by this year’s slate of nominees and how each...
Beyoncé topped the list of The 65th Annual Grammy Awards nominees, earning nine nominations including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. The nine nominations move Beyoncé into a tie with Jay-Z for the most-nominated artist. Both artists have been nominated for 88 Grammys.
Kendrick Lamar picked up eight nominations followed by Adele and Brandi Carlile with seven. Mary J. Blige, DJ Khaled, Future, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Randy Merrill, and Harry Styles each earned six nominations.
“Celebrating the miracle of music is at the core of everything we do at the Recording Academy and today we are proud and honored to celebrate music’s power to lift people up and to bring them together,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy. “I’m energized by this year’s slate of nominees and how each...
- 11/15/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
By Alissa Simon
Actress, producer and musician Trace Lysette, known for her recurring role as Shea on all five seasons of Amazon’s “Transparent,” and for her appearance alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in “Hustlers,” takes her career to a new level with a heart-rending turn in the title role of Venice competition title “Monica.”
• What drew you to this project? What stuck out to me most are the universal themes. A lot of people can relate to a loved one nearing the end of this physical life. Also, just the fact that families in general go through a lot together. There are strains on relationships, drama, humor, sadness… all of these things. This movie just happens to place a trans woman at the center of it all and we get to see it through her eyes. Which unfortunately is very rare and maybe even unheard of in film.
Actress, producer and musician Trace Lysette, known for her recurring role as Shea on all five seasons of Amazon’s “Transparent,” and for her appearance alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in “Hustlers,” takes her career to a new level with a heart-rending turn in the title role of Venice competition title “Monica.”
• What drew you to this project? What stuck out to me most are the universal themes. A lot of people can relate to a loved one nearing the end of this physical life. Also, just the fact that families in general go through a lot together. There are strains on relationships, drama, humor, sadness… all of these things. This movie just happens to place a trans woman at the center of it all and we get to see it through her eyes. Which unfortunately is very rare and maybe even unheard of in film.
- 9/3/2022
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Beyoncé knows the world needs a reason to rejoice right now. With an ongoing pandemic, polarizing politics, an uptick in senseless violence, and the impending global climate crisis, we're overwhelmed. "Renaissance" couldn't have arrived at a better time.
"My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment . . . A place to scream, release, feel freedom."
Beyoncé's seventh solo album, act one of a three-part series, arrives six years after she bared her soul on 2016's "Lemonade." Much like her previous offering, "Renaissance" marks a new era in Beyoncé's evolution - one leading with freedom, confidence, and pure, unadulterated fun. The 28-time Grammy-winning icon has been known to boldly experiment with many genres - pop, blues, and country are just some of her favorites - and "Renaissance" is every bit as daring as it is revolutionary. It pushes to the forefront the music of the ballroom, late-'70s disco-funk era,...
"My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment . . . A place to scream, release, feel freedom."
Beyoncé's seventh solo album, act one of a three-part series, arrives six years after she bared her soul on 2016's "Lemonade." Much like her previous offering, "Renaissance" marks a new era in Beyoncé's evolution - one leading with freedom, confidence, and pure, unadulterated fun. The 28-time Grammy-winning icon has been known to boldly experiment with many genres - pop, blues, and country are just some of her favorites - and "Renaissance" is every bit as daring as it is revolutionary. It pushes to the forefront the music of the ballroom, late-'70s disco-funk era,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Since announcing her first solo album of new material in more than five years, Beyoncé has yet again taken over the cultural conversation. As always, the legendary musician didn’t disappoint. From the instant hit “Break My Soul” to her photo shoot for British Vogue and making physical copies available for pre-order on her website (sorry, they’re currently sold out), the release of Reniassance has been one of the more refreshing, and exciting, rollouts of the past year. Even an unexpected leak two days before the July 29 release date sparked controversy,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Mosi Reeves
- Rollingstone.com
Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched “The Masked Singer” Season 6, Episode 11, “Group A Finale,” which aired December 2 on Fox.
“The Masked Singer” has gotta have Faith. Singer Faith Evans was unmasked as the Skunk on the eleventh episode of Season 6, “Group A Finale.” She didn’t stink — actually, the show’s panelists argued that her performance might be one of the best in “Masked Singer” history. But nonetheless, with the Group A finals coming down to her and the Bull, the Skunk lost out.
Because it was just down to two finalists, after performing their initial songs, the contestants also sang a second number as a duet with a guest. Skunk was paired with Michael Bolton, while Bull sang with Jesse McCartney, who appeared as the Turtle in Season 3 (and ended in second place).
For Skunk, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke got it right and...
“The Masked Singer” has gotta have Faith. Singer Faith Evans was unmasked as the Skunk on the eleventh episode of Season 6, “Group A Finale.” She didn’t stink — actually, the show’s panelists argued that her performance might be one of the best in “Masked Singer” history. But nonetheless, with the Group A finals coming down to her and the Bull, the Skunk lost out.
Because it was just down to two finalists, after performing their initial songs, the contestants also sang a second number as a duet with a guest. Skunk was paired with Michael Bolton, while Bull sang with Jesse McCartney, who appeared as the Turtle in Season 3 (and ended in second place).
For Skunk, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke got it right and...
- 12/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
“The Masked Singer” season 6 is getting down to the final few episodes. One of our favorites from the start has been the Skunk, who stole the show on the premiere. Since then she has sailed through the competition and faces off against the other remaining contestant in Group A (Bull) in the final on December 1. We’ve been scouring the clues dropped to date and have all “The Masked Singer” spoilers, including the answer to the question, “Who is Skunk”?
The Skunk was certainly no stinker as she led off the line-up performing for the four judges. This is one divine diva, clad in a sleek black velvet dress that is set off by pure white fur. Indeed, the official Twitter account for the show summed up the Skunk in one word, “Glamour.” Note that it was spelled out in all capital letters.
We are sure that Skunk is someone who does everything full out,...
The Skunk was certainly no stinker as she led off the line-up performing for the four judges. This is one divine diva, clad in a sleek black velvet dress that is set off by pure white fur. Indeed, the official Twitter account for the show summed up the Skunk in one word, “Glamour.” Note that it was spelled out in all capital letters.
We are sure that Skunk is someone who does everything full out,...
- 12/1/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
After eight weeks of competition and over three dozen thrilling performances, Season 6 of “The Masked Singer” has reached the Final 4. For the first time ever, each quirky character will go head-to-head against their biggest rival when Bull faces Skunk in the Group A final on December 1 and Banana Split takes on Queen of Hearts in the Group B final on December 8. The winner of each group will then compete against each other for the first time in the season finale on December 15 before host Nick Cannon announces the winner.
Panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger will continue to decipher the clues in hopes of naming each disguised celebrity before they’re forced to unmask in front of America. The contestants this season have a combined 85 Grammy nominations, 27 Grammy wins, 12 Emmy nominations, 12 Razzie Award nominations, three Academy Award nominations, two Super Bowl appearances and two lifetime achievement awards.
Panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger will continue to decipher the clues in hopes of naming each disguised celebrity before they’re forced to unmask in front of America. The contestants this season have a combined 85 Grammy nominations, 27 Grammy wins, 12 Emmy nominations, 12 Razzie Award nominations, three Academy Award nominations, two Super Bowl appearances and two lifetime achievement awards.
- 12/1/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Why isn’t “The Masked Singer” on tonight, Wednesday, November 24? Due to the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Group A Finals will take place next week instead, on Wednesday, December 1. That’s when Bull and Skunk will compete against each other to win a spot in the Season 6 finale. (Fox’s “Alter Ego” is also delayed for one week.) Unlike past editions of “Tms,” this season’s two groups have been kept completely apart from each other, so much so that they won’t meet up until the final episode — that’s when the winner of the Group A Finals (Bull or Skunk) will compete against the winner of the Group B Finals (Queen of Hearts or Banana Split).
See‘The Masked Singer’ judges get an ‘F’ for their Season 6 guesses — only 2 (!) correct out of 12 unmaskings
Both Bull and Skunk will perform twice during the upcoming December 1 episode. First up,...
See‘The Masked Singer’ judges get an ‘F’ for their Season 6 guesses — only 2 (!) correct out of 12 unmaskings
Both Bull and Skunk will perform twice during the upcoming December 1 episode. First up,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Who’s performing tonight (November 10) on “The Masked Singer” Season 6? One of the front-runners to win it all, Bull, returns to the stage on Wednesday night alongside fellow Group A members Skunk, Pepper and Jester. The last time these four singers appeared on Fox’s reality TV show, they said goodbye to Hamster (aka Rob Schneider), who received the lowest number of votes that week. Now only Bull, Skunk, Pepper and Jester remain to compete in the Group A semi-finals.
See‘The Masked Singer’ reveals for all seasons: Celebrities and costumes through the years
If you’re more of a fan of the Group B contestants, rest assured that they’ll be seen next week during its own semi-finals episode. That’s when Banana Split, Mallard, Queen of Hearts and Caterpillar will face off on the big stage for a spot in the finals.
This week, “Alter Ego” judge will.
See‘The Masked Singer’ reveals for all seasons: Celebrities and costumes through the years
If you’re more of a fan of the Group B contestants, rest assured that they’ll be seen next week during its own semi-finals episode. That’s when Banana Split, Mallard, Queen of Hearts and Caterpillar will face off on the big stage for a spot in the finals.
This week, “Alter Ego” judge will.
- 11/10/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The Masked Singer's performers did the time warp before another celebrity vanished. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Fox competition series celebrated "Time Travel" night, as each contestant performed a favorite throwback while reflecting on a time in their life they would choose to revisit. After the performance, the show used its time machine to reveal an important memento from the person's past that hinted at their identity. Group A was in the spotlight tonight, as the Bull performed a sentimental version of "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan, Pepper belted out "No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande, the Skunk sang "Square Biz" by Teena Marie, the...
- 10/21/2021
- E! Online
Showtime has released a trailer for “Bitchin’: the Sound and Fury of Rick James,” a new documentary directed by Emmy-nominee and hip-hop journalist Sacha Jenkins (“Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men”). Judging by the trailer the doc aims to present an accurate look at one of the most controversial and confrontational figures in the history of R&b and popular music.
James, who died in 2004, is known for his 1980s hits like “Super Freak” and “Give It to Me”; his prison term for a sexual misconduct; and of course Dave Chappelle’s famous parody. Yet as documented in the trailer, his confrontational nature — he was very upfront about his sexual and drug habits, among many other things — have clouded the perspective on his music and his importance, particularly in advancing Black music into the video age. His videos for “Super Freak” and other hits were, along with Michael Jackson’s,...
James, who died in 2004, is known for his 1980s hits like “Super Freak” and “Give It to Me”; his prison term for a sexual misconduct; and of course Dave Chappelle’s famous parody. Yet as documented in the trailer, his confrontational nature — he was very upfront about his sexual and drug habits, among many other things — have clouded the perspective on his music and his importance, particularly in advancing Black music into the video age. His videos for “Super Freak” and other hits were, along with Michael Jackson’s,...
- 8/3/2021
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Damn, this one hurts. Lighters up for the hip-hop legend Biz Markie, the Diabolical One, the Inhuman Orchestra, one of the most universally beloved figures anywhere in the music world. The Biz was the class clown of old-school Eighties hip-hop, but he preferred the title of the Human Beatbox and Rap King. He brought his own kind of wild-style chaos to everything he did, a jester with soul, which is why he became the all-time champion of cameos — he made every song he touched better. When it came to freestyling,...
- 7/17/2021
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
The moment Teena Marie’s “Deja Vu (I’ve Been Here Before)” played during Adult David and Marissa’s verbal dust-up on David Makes Man, viewers should’ve known there was something behind all of that, um, tension.
The answer arrived a few scenes later in Tuesday’s episode when Shella heard noises in the laundry room and cautiously opened the door only to find the former middle school classmates getting it on atop what she called “the good dryer.” Ooh wee! Not David and Marissa? Even Gloria was shocked to get that hot tea.
More from TVLineDavid Makes Man's...
The answer arrived a few scenes later in Tuesday’s episode when Shella heard noises in the laundry room and cautiously opened the door only to find the former middle school classmates getting it on atop what she called “the good dryer.” Ooh wee! Not David and Marissa? Even Gloria was shocked to get that hot tea.
More from TVLineDavid Makes Man's...
- 7/14/2021
- by Mekeisha Madden Toby
- TVLine.com
Monday’s final episode of The Voice’s Season 20 Knockouts really did make me see stars. I gave out grades of A to no fewer than six — yes, six — contestants. And they really, really deserved them, I wasn’t just getting overexcited as I sometimes do. (Yeah, I can admit it.)
Unfortunately, none of those singers were among the quartet that was competing in the Four-Way Knockout. (Tell me again why we can’t bring back Ethan Lively or Halley Greg.) Read on, and we’ll review all the performances, the good, the great and… oh dear. Poor Connor Christian.
Unfortunately, none of those singers were among the quartet that was competing in the Four-Way Knockout. (Tell me again why we can’t bring back Ethan Lively or Halley Greg.) Read on, and we’ll review all the performances, the good, the great and… oh dear. Poor Connor Christian.
- 4/27/2021
- by Charlie Mason
- TVLine.com
In May, the R&b singer Anthony Hamilton released “Back Together,” a head-nodding single built around a sample of Rick James’ and Teena Marie’s towering ballad “Fire and Desire.” This month, Hamilton transformed the forceful original into a whispered lament with a new “Quiet Storm mix” that’s expressly designed to win the allegiance of R&b radio programmers.
The new version of “Back Together” opens with the world’s most delicate acoustic guitar and a wisp of backing vocals that sound like a train passing in the distance.
The new version of “Back Together” opens with the world’s most delicate acoustic guitar and a wisp of backing vocals that sound like a train passing in the distance.
- 8/13/2020
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Anthony Hamilton tries to rekindle a failed romance — over a flip of Rick James and Teena Marie’s classic ballad “Fire and Desire” — in the misty-eyed “Back Together.”
Hamilton has long possessed one of R&b’s great voices; some days, it seems like he’s the last vestige of a vital southern soul tradition that persisted from Otis Redding through Jodeci but now seems nearly extinct. Hamilton’s power is on full display in “Back Together,” especially during the chorus, which is grainy and graceful and pleading in all the right ways.
Hamilton has long possessed one of R&b’s great voices; some days, it seems like he’s the last vestige of a vital southern soul tradition that persisted from Otis Redding through Jodeci but now seems nearly extinct. Hamilton’s power is on full display in “Back Together,” especially during the chorus, which is grainy and graceful and pleading in all the right ways.
- 5/15/2020
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
A day after the premiere of its highly-anticipated third season, the Stranger Things 3 soundtrack has dropped via Legacy Recordings.
The non-original soundtrack oozes in Eighties circa-1985 nostalgia with tracks like Madonna’s “Material Girl,” Reo Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Workin’ for a Livin'” by Huey Lewis & the News. The Cars’ “Moving in Stereo,” which – in a nod to the classic scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High – plays while Lifeguard Billy makes his steamy entrance to the Hawkins Pool, also appears on the track list.
The soundtrack is now available digitally,...
The non-original soundtrack oozes in Eighties circa-1985 nostalgia with tracks like Madonna’s “Material Girl,” Reo Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Workin’ for a Livin'” by Huey Lewis & the News. The Cars’ “Moving in Stereo,” which – in a nod to the classic scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High – plays while Lifeguard Billy makes his steamy entrance to the Hawkins Pool, also appears on the track list.
The soundtrack is now available digitally,...
- 7/5/2019
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
As The Voice’s Top 8 headed for the stage Monday night, I couldn’t help but think what a weird, weird finale we seemed to be headed for. Not only was Adam Levine’s entire team out of the competition (poor Mari), but Blake Shelton’s team was still five members strong. Now I’m no math whiz, but that suggested to me that it was going to be almost impossible for him to lose Season 16. He basically had five lottery tickets to Adam’s zero, Kelly Clarkson’s one and John Legend’s two.
On the other hand, if...
On the other hand, if...
- 5/14/2019
- TVLine.com
“People say I’m the life of the party just because I say a joke or two,” Smokey Robinson sang when the 2019 Grammy Awards came back from commercials, as he and Alica Keys duetted on his “Tracks of My Tears.” Motown founder Berry Gordy smiled from ear to ear and applauded, since the reason he was there was to commemorate Motown’s 60th anniversary. Robinson then paid tribute to Gordy and introduced a medley of Motown classics.
Jennifer Lopez kicked things off with a medley of Martha and the Vandellas...
Jennifer Lopez kicked things off with a medley of Martha and the Vandellas...
- 2/11/2019
- by Kory Grow and Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
Divas Simply Singing!, the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the United States, hosts its 27th annual fundraiser for The D.I.V.A. Foundation at the Taglyan Cultural Center in Hollywood California Saturday, December 9.
27th Annual Divas Simply Singing
Produced and hosted by Tony Award nominee, Spirit Award Winner, honored AIDS activist and D.I.V.A. Foundation Founder Sheryl Lee Ralph, the event will be most intimate gathering in the organization’s history – a cocktails, dinner and evening of song and entertainment in a unique club setting that will give all in attendance an up close experience with the performing artists.
“We are always trying to find creative ways to continue to raise HIV/AIDS awareness,” Ralph says. “Anytime you put on an event for over 25 years, there’s the danger of becoming old, too familiar and having the community take you for granted. So this year,...
27th Annual Divas Simply Singing
Produced and hosted by Tony Award nominee, Spirit Award Winner, honored AIDS activist and D.I.V.A. Foundation Founder Sheryl Lee Ralph, the event will be most intimate gathering in the organization’s history – a cocktails, dinner and evening of song and entertainment in a unique club setting that will give all in attendance an up close experience with the performing artists.
“We are always trying to find creative ways to continue to raise HIV/AIDS awareness,” Ralph says. “Anytime you put on an event for over 25 years, there’s the danger of becoming old, too familiar and having the community take you for granted. So this year,...
- 11/30/2017
- Look to the Stars
Prince's conversion to the Jehovah's Witness religion actually started, in a roundabout way, with Sly & the Family Stone. Well, that's not entirely accurate: It started with Graham Central Station, the funk group started by Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham after his tenure in that band. "I was on tour with Sinbad, Graham Central Station, Earth Wind & Fire and Teena Marie," Graham explained in 2013. "We did a show in Tennessee and we were playing the amphitheater and Prince was playing the big arena there in Nashville. He heard I was in town and invited me to one of his famous after-shows.
- 4/21/2016
- by Alex Heigl, @alex_heigl
- PEOPLE.com
Prince's conversion to the Jehovah's Witness religion actually started, in a roundabout way, with Sly & the Family Stone. Well, that's not entirely accurate: It started with Graham Central Station, the funk group started by Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham after his tenure in that band. "I was on tour with Sinbad, Graham Central Station, Earth Wind & Fire and Teena Marie," Graham explained in 2013. "We did a show in Tennessee and we were playing the amphitheater and Prince was playing the big arena there in Nashville. He heard I was in town and invited me to one of his famous after-shows.
- 4/21/2016
- by Alex Heigl, @alex_heigl
- PEOPLE.com
Newlywed couple and Proposition 8 Plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo celebrate with Darren Criss at their wedding reception
Birthday shoutouts go to Willam, who is 32, Patrick Wolf is 31, and Lizzy Caplan is 32.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Hobby Lobby in birth-control mandate case. Remember this the next time someone accuses us of creating a “slippery slope.”
On the plus side, Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Law Banning Gay Therapy.
In ratings news The Leftovers opened to adequate numbers, but tepid reviews. I thought it was … okay, but it’s not a good sign when this is the highlight of your show.
Watching @TheLeftoversHBO memserized by Justin Theroux jogging. Good to know God won't rapture giant flopping dongs
— therealSnicks (@therealSnicks) June 30, 2014
Here’s the trailer for Pride: “It’s Summer 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power, and the National Union of Mineworkers are on strike! At the Gay Pride March in London,...
Birthday shoutouts go to Willam, who is 32, Patrick Wolf is 31, and Lizzy Caplan is 32.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Hobby Lobby in birth-control mandate case. Remember this the next time someone accuses us of creating a “slippery slope.”
On the plus side, Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Law Banning Gay Therapy.
In ratings news The Leftovers opened to adequate numbers, but tepid reviews. I thought it was … okay, but it’s not a good sign when this is the highlight of your show.
Watching @TheLeftoversHBO memserized by Justin Theroux jogging. Good to know God won't rapture giant flopping dongs
— therealSnicks (@therealSnicks) June 30, 2014
Here’s the trailer for Pride: “It’s Summer 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power, and the National Union of Mineworkers are on strike! At the Gay Pride March in London,...
- 6/30/2014
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Birthday shoutouts go to Alex Pettyfer (above), who is 24, Max Von Sydow is 85, Michael Pitt is 33, and Peter MacNicol is 60.
Stephen Colbert to Replace David Letterman on Late Show
I thought he was leaving social media?
EW has a first look at Frankenhinie Evan Peters as Quicksilver.
Mike Magee, who was Major League Soccer’s Mvp in 2013, received a nasty tweet, and responded this way. Here’s the story.
Love Is Louder “@aaronfox72: @magee9 great penalty faggot, Go Union” pic.twitter.com/pd4B9Iw7eL
— Mike Magee (@magee9) April 7, 2014
Here’s the red band trailer for 22 Jump Street. It starts with Jonah and Channing undergoing couples counseling, and ends with Channing … searching for a grenade in … well, just watch.
Nene Leakes interviews Andy Cohen
Tom Hardy is on the cover of this month’s Esquire, and tells the magazine “I have always been frightened with men. To the point...
Stephen Colbert to Replace David Letterman on Late Show
I thought he was leaving social media?
EW has a first look at Frankenhinie Evan Peters as Quicksilver.
Mike Magee, who was Major League Soccer’s Mvp in 2013, received a nasty tweet, and responded this way. Here’s the story.
Love Is Louder “@aaronfox72: @magee9 great penalty faggot, Go Union” pic.twitter.com/pd4B9Iw7eL
— Mike Magee (@magee9) April 7, 2014
Here’s the red band trailer for 22 Jump Street. It starts with Jonah and Channing undergoing couples counseling, and ends with Channing … searching for a grenade in … well, just watch.
Nene Leakes interviews Andy Cohen
Tom Hardy is on the cover of this month’s Esquire, and tells the magazine “I have always been frightened with men. To the point...
- 4/10/2014
- by snicks
- The Backlot
You can catch Draya Michele when VH1's Basketball Wives La returns for a third season on Monday, February 17 at 8 P.M. Et. Here, the 29-year-old stunner spills to Us Weekly 25 things you may not know about her. 1. I tell the baristas at Starbucks that my name is Nicole. 2. My mom was the biggest Teena Marie fan ever. I grew up listening to her, I know every word to all of her songs and I'd been to two of her concerts. 3. I believe in [...]...
- 2/16/2014
- Us Weekly
Attorney Donald Engel, whose groundbreaking legal victories for Olivia Newton-John and other musical acts snapped a record-industry stranglehold by freeing artists from their contracts, has died. He was 84. Engel, who also successfully represented Donna Summer, Teena Marie and Boston's Tom Scholz in key court cases, died Wednesday in Redwood City, Calif., after a long battle with leukemia, attorney Mark Passin of Los Angeles-based Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi told The Hollywood Reporter. Engel specialized in representing musical performers who were reeling from their contracts, and record companies often chose to settle rather than litigate when they
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- 1/16/2014
- by Mike Barnes, Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Currently starring in Broadway's Motown The Musical as Teena Marie and others, Morgan James brings her smoky and soulful renditions of songs from her debut CD to 54 Below, as well as a sampling of tunes you've not yet heard from her. Her debut recording on Epic Records,Morgan James Live A Celebration of Nina Simone, offers up a selection of songs that show off her extraordinary voice and exquisite gift for merging soul, jazz, and RampB in a fresh and thrilling new way. She's fast becoming one of the most sought-after multi-genre vocalists in the country. Her performances continue June 17, amp July 15, 2013. Check out photos of James in action below...
- 6/5/2013
- by Stephen Sorokoff
- BroadwayWorld.com
The American Idol Season 12 Top 8 will be faced with a tricky theme this Wednesday (8/7c on Fox): Detroit: The Music of Motor City.
Yep, it’s essentially another way of saying Motown Week, and as such, I’m gritting my teeth bracing for an onslaught of songs we’ve already heard one too many times in prior Idol seasons — “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Let’s Get It On” to name a few.
Related | American Idol: 22 Fresh Theme Nights That Need to Happen Right Now
Still, hope springs eternal,...
Yep, it’s essentially another way of saying Motown Week, and as such, I’m gritting my teeth bracing for an onslaught of songs we’ve already heard one too many times in prior Idol seasons — “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Let’s Get It On” to name a few.
Related | American Idol: 22 Fresh Theme Nights That Need to Happen Right Now
Still, hope springs eternal,...
- 3/24/2013
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Stephanie Mills’ knack for hitting both the theater stage and the recording booth made her one of the most respected vocalists in R&B music. And while you may not be able to catch the pint-sized diva appearing on any of your favorite reality television shows in the near future, she has her eyes set on the coming months with a new album, various shows and a forthcoming children’s book, titled “Little Joseph.”
During an exclusive, candid interview with The Huffington Post, the Brooklyn-bred Grammy Award-winner opened up on an array of topics, including her thoughts on veteran artists starving for attention, recording a tribute album, and the idea of forming a super group with other sisters with voices.
In light of your recent shows, what is it that makes you still connect with fans while not releasing any new material?
I think because I keep it very real...
During an exclusive, candid interview with The Huffington Post, the Brooklyn-bred Grammy Award-winner opened up on an array of topics, including her thoughts on veteran artists starving for attention, recording a tribute album, and the idea of forming a super group with other sisters with voices.
In light of your recent shows, what is it that makes you still connect with fans while not releasing any new material?
I think because I keep it very real...
- 6/20/2012
- by Brennan Williams
- Huffington Post
The Brooklyn band Friends initially made new friends thanks to word-of-mouth praise for their bouncy live shows, buoyed by the jerky beats and seductively smooth vocals in songs such as “I’m His Girl” and “Friend Crush.” That buzz went legit late last year with a glowing review from the New York Times. Since then, singer Samantha Urbani has been earning comparisons to everyone from Teena Marie to Mariah Carey. To mark the release of Friends’ debut album, Manifest!, Vulture rang up the group’s free-spirited front woman to discuss the band’s R&B roots, and also managed to squeeze in somewhat related talk about mental illness, Death Cab for Cutie, and free sex.“I’m His Girl” has become your calling card. Is it in any way autobiographical?I’m proud of that song. I’ve been in an on-and-off open relationship for the last year and a half.
- 6/5/2012
- by Nisha Gopalan
- Vulture
Since its debut in 2008, TV One's hour-long music series, "Unsung," has been one of the network's crown jewels, covering the sometimes tragic careers of an array of celebrated music acts such as Teddy Pendergrass, DeBarge, Teena Marie, Melba Moore, Alexander O'Neal, Minnie Ripperton and Phyllis Hyman. Earlier this year the NAACP Image Award-winning series earned its highest rated, most successful season to date as it started airing in 27 percent more homes via various cable carriers.
Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.
The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...
Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.
The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...
- 5/29/2012
- by Brennan Williams
- Huffington Post
Since its debut in 2008, TV One's hour-long music series, "Unsung," has been one of the network's crown jewels, covering the sometimes tragic careers of an array of celebrated music acts such as Teddy Pendergrass, DeBarge, Teena Marie, Melba Moore, Alexander O'Neal, Minnie Ripperton and Phyllis Hyman. Earlier this year the NAACP Image Award-winning series earned its highest rated, most successful season to date as it started airing in 27 percent more homes via various cable carriers.
Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.
The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...
Though the African-American targeted network is set to premiere the show's sixth season with Sly and the Family Stone on June 25, one veteran music act who viewers will never see on the series is Stephanie Mills.
The Brooklyn-bred songstress, who catapulted to the top of music charts in the 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Jackson and Pendergrass after acclaimed stints on Broadway in "The Wiz" and "Maggie Flynn," seems to have...
- 5/29/2012
- by Brennan Williams
- Aol TV.
Happy Birthday to New Zealand rugby star Daniel Carter (above), who turns 30, Murray Head is 66, Eddy Grant is 64, Elaine Paige is 64, Penn Jillette is 57, Matt Lucas is 38, Andy Gibb would've been 54, and Teena Marie would've been 56. Time to name your top five Lady T songs. Here are my picks: 5. "I Need Your Lovin'," 4. "Behind The Groove," 3. "Ooh La La La," 2. "Lovergirl," 1. "Out On A Limb". Oh, and a special Birthday shoutout to Ae Reader Carlos!Neil Patrick Harris will host the opening gala for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas on Saturday. The show will be taped for PBS, and among the performers will be Cheyenne Jackson and Jennifer Hudson.The faboo Gloria Estefan and the decidely not faboo John Rich will serve as mentors on the upcoming CW singing competition The Star Next Door.In today's Nicolette Vs. Marc Cherry: “I tapped her head,...
- 3/6/2012
- by snicks
- The Backlot
We're just barreling through 2012 here, aren't we? It scares me. You understand that next year is 2013, right? What kind of freaky Kubrickian year is that? Whatever. Let's live in the now and deny that we're heading into a staggering vortex that will kill us all.
1770: The Boston Massacre claims the lives of five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, and it serves as a catalyst for the outbreak of the American Revolution. Just five lives? Five lives are lost during most Craigslist transactions. Hope those Dale Earnhardt hubcaps were worth it, Crispus.
1956: Teena Marie, the late "Ivory Queen of Soul," is born. Immortal Jive Goddess Of Caucasia. Here are my three favorite Teena songs: 3) "Lovergirl," 2) "Square Biz," and 1) "Behind the Groove." Ohhhhh, yes. Never forget Lady T!
1960: Elvis Presley ends his two-year stint in the U.S. Army. And that's wonderful. But let's talk about his most frequent onscreen costar Shelley Fabares,...
1770: The Boston Massacre claims the lives of five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, and it serves as a catalyst for the outbreak of the American Revolution. Just five lives? Five lives are lost during most Craigslist transactions. Hope those Dale Earnhardt hubcaps were worth it, Crispus.
1956: Teena Marie, the late "Ivory Queen of Soul," is born. Immortal Jive Goddess Of Caucasia. Here are my three favorite Teena songs: 3) "Lovergirl," 2) "Square Biz," and 1) "Behind the Groove." Ohhhhh, yes. Never forget Lady T!
1960: Elvis Presley ends his two-year stint in the U.S. Army. And that's wonderful. But let's talk about his most frequent onscreen costar Shelley Fabares,...
- 3/5/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
The premiere of Madonna's video for "Give Me All Your Luvin,'" the first single off her new album M.D.N.A., is today, children. It's bound to be a little over-the-top and nutty, like the deranged song itself, and I assume it's not going to live up to the greatest stuff in Madonna's catalog. Then I remember: What does live up to the best stuff in Madonna's catalog? Turns out, not much. Madonna's repertoire is a varied and thundering collection of self-empowering pop ditties, soulful ballads, and kooky little anomalies. And they're mostly all irreplaceable. In the tradition of Rolling Stone, who listed their 100 Greatest Beatles Songs a couple years ago, let's reinspect Madonna's complete history and name her definitive 100 jams. Ready? Start disagreeing Now.
100. "Dance 2Night" from Hard Candy
Hard Candy’s most euphoric groove (and best dancefloor-filler) makes the stilted duo...
100. "Dance 2Night" from Hard Candy
Hard Candy’s most euphoric groove (and best dancefloor-filler) makes the stilted duo...
- 2/3/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
Every era has its misfits, people who feel out of step with their contemporaries and the world. As a plea for tolerance and understanding of oddballs, Dirty Girl, the debut feature from writer-director Abe Sylvia, hits every note so squarely on the beat that in the end, it's nothing but square. It doesn't matter that Sylvia has stocked the soundtrack with killer '80s pop from the likes of Bow Wow Wow, Teena Marie and Joan Jett. The movie's true poster girl is the drippy Melissa Manchester, urging us to sing from our souls, because she thinks we can make it.
- 10/6/2011
- Movieline
The most common Lgbt duo in entertainment is the gay guy-straight girl relationship – Will and Grace, Carrie Bradshaw and Stanford Blatch, Kurt and Rachel, Liza Minnelli and most of her husbands – the list goes on and on.
The somewhat indie film, Dirty Girl, which has been making the festival rounds for more than year and officially opens on October 7, tells the story of yet another such pairing with funny and heartfelt results.
It's the mid '80s in Norman, Oklahoma. Danielle (Juno Temple) is the high school "dirty girl" whose unrepentant, scandalous ways have landed her in a remedial class full of other outcasts, including an overweight, awkward, obviously gay boy named Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), who hides under his sweatshirt hood like a turtle permanently retreated inside its shell.
He's as introverted as she is extroverted and they're both misfits. Danielle and Clarke are soon paired up and charged with...
The somewhat indie film, Dirty Girl, which has been making the festival rounds for more than year and officially opens on October 7, tells the story of yet another such pairing with funny and heartfelt results.
It's the mid '80s in Norman, Oklahoma. Danielle (Juno Temple) is the high school "dirty girl" whose unrepentant, scandalous ways have landed her in a remedial class full of other outcasts, including an overweight, awkward, obviously gay boy named Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), who hides under his sweatshirt hood like a turtle permanently retreated inside its shell.
He's as introverted as she is extroverted and they're both misfits. Danielle and Clarke are soon paired up and charged with...
- 10/3/2011
- by Dara Nai
- AfterEllen.com
There are a few things you need to get right if you're going to make a movie set in the '80s: the fashion, the lingo and, without question, the music.
Every classic "Hey, weren't the '80s wacky?" film has leaned heavily on its soundtrack, and the folks behind the upcoming indie flick and Toronto Film Festival favorite "Dirty Girl" have apparently been taking notes. The soundtrack to the movie is stocked with pop cheese that will set off pastel-hued flashbacks in nostalgia buffs and entertain anyone who's into the whole yacht-rock revival that seems to be going on these days.
The first thing you'll notice about the "Dirty Girl" soundtrack, however, is how heavy it leans on a relatively obscure pop singer named Melissa Manchester. A favorite of one of the movie's central characters, Manchester lands five of the album's 14 tracks, including her best-known song, the 1982 No. 5 hit...
Every classic "Hey, weren't the '80s wacky?" film has leaned heavily on its soundtrack, and the folks behind the upcoming indie flick and Toronto Film Festival favorite "Dirty Girl" have apparently been taking notes. The soundtrack to the movie is stocked with pop cheese that will set off pastel-hued flashbacks in nostalgia buffs and entertain anyone who's into the whole yacht-rock revival that seems to be going on these days.
The first thing you'll notice about the "Dirty Girl" soundtrack, however, is how heavy it leans on a relatively obscure pop singer named Melissa Manchester. A favorite of one of the movie's central characters, Manchester lands five of the album's 14 tracks, including her best-known song, the 1982 No. 5 hit...
- 10/2/2011
- by Adam Swiderski
- NextMovie
Lakeshore Records has announced the details of the soundtrack release for the drama Dirty Girl. The album includes 14 songs from the movie by such artists as Pat Benetar, Melissa Manchester, Tanya Tucker, Bow Wow Wow, Rita Coolidge, The Outfield, Sheena Easton, Teena Marie and Wendy and Lisa. The soundtrack will be released digitally on September 27, 2011 and a physical release is coming on October 11. To pre-order the CD, visit Amazon. Audio clips will be added to this article within the next couple of weeks. While non of the film’s score by composer Jeff Toyne is included, Melissa Manchester’s song Rainbird includes an original string arrangement by Toyne. To find out more about Toyne’s work for the movie, visit a recent article and video with the composer on Ascap’s website. Dirty Girl directed by Abe Sylvia and starring Juno Temple, Milla Jovovich, William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen and...
- 9/18/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
Lakeshore Records will be releasing the official soundtrack album for the romantic comedy I Don’t Know How She Does It. The album includes one track from the score by composer Aaron Zigman, as well as several songs from the movie by such artists as Betty Everett, Damato, Little Jackie, Teena Marie, Nat King Cole and Holly Palmer. The soundtrack will be released on September 27, 2011 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. Check back on this page for audio clips. I Don’t Know How She Does It is directed by Douglas McGrath and stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Christina Hendricks, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Meyers and Olivia Munn. The movie will be released on September 16 by the Weinstein Company. To learn more about the film, visit the official movie website.
Here’s the album track list:
1. The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) (Betty Everett...
Here’s the album track list:
1. The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) (Betty Everett...
- 9/5/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
Lenny Kravitz seems to be one of these artists that never grow old. He’s been making a splash in the music world since 1989, with his debut album ‘Let Love Rule’, but his music and his appearance are always fresh, creative and modern. It takes something special to last in the music industry for as long as he has and Kravitz, indeed, is a special, talented artist.
He often plays all the instruments while recording – this is unbelievable in itself, but when you think that Kravitz has such a distinctive style that incorporates such diverse elements of music such as soul, reggae, psychedelia and hard rock, it makes this feat much more impressive and is just one example of many of his creativity and talent that oozes out of every release.
He won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record in the process...
He often plays all the instruments while recording – this is unbelievable in itself, but when you think that Kravitz has such a distinctive style that incorporates such diverse elements of music such as soul, reggae, psychedelia and hard rock, it makes this feat much more impressive and is just one example of many of his creativity and talent that oozes out of every release.
He won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record in the process...
- 8/18/2011
- by Rhys Milsom
- Obsessed with Film
Night's highlights included performances by Brown, Wayne, Bey and Alicia Keys.
By Rob Markman
Chris Brown at the Bet Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Music and Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars all came out to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 2011 Bet Awards Sunday (June 26) night. Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz, host Kevin Hart, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were all in attendance as Bet celebrated the year in music.
The ceremony kicked off in royal fashion as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, took the stage wearing an all-white jumpsuit performing "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "You Bring Me Joy" from her 1994 My Life album. Mjb didn't stop there, bringing out Anita Baker so the two could sing Baker's 1986 classic "Caught Up in the Rapture."
Chris Brown came up big, winning the first award of the night,...
By Rob Markman
Chris Brown at the Bet Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Music and Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars all came out to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 2011 Bet Awards Sunday (June 26) night. Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz, host Kevin Hart, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were all in attendance as Bet celebrated the year in music.
The ceremony kicked off in royal fashion as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, took the stage wearing an all-white jumpsuit performing "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "You Bring Me Joy" from her 1994 My Life album. Mjb didn't stop there, bringing out Anita Baker so the two could sing Baker's 1986 classic "Caught Up in the Rapture."
Chris Brown came up big, winning the first award of the night,...
- 6/27/2011
- MTV Music News
Beside handing awards, Bet also took a moment to pay homage to Clarence Clemons, Nate Dogg, M-Bone, Gil-Scott Heron and Teena Marie at its awards show on June 26. Celebrities were tapped to reflect and honor the lives of those late musicians as well as to remember their contribution to the music as well as black entertainment.
The member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, who died after suffering a stroke earlier this month, was remembered in a solo sax performance by a fellow saxophonist. Warren G and Snoop Dogg rocked all-black ensemble and performed "Regulate" for Nate's tribute.
Cali Swag District were joined by Doug E. Fresh to remember M-Bone. "We love you, bro," they said. Queen Latifah honored Gil-Scott with his infamous "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" poem. And Teena was remembered as "one of the greatest soul singers."
2011 Bet Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles,...
The member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, who died after suffering a stroke earlier this month, was remembered in a solo sax performance by a fellow saxophonist. Warren G and Snoop Dogg rocked all-black ensemble and performed "Regulate" for Nate's tribute.
Cali Swag District were joined by Doug E. Fresh to remember M-Bone. "We love you, bro," they said. Queen Latifah honored Gil-Scott with his infamous "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" poem. And Teena was remembered as "one of the greatest soul singers."
2011 Bet Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles,...
- 6/27/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Blue-Eyed Soul Singers We LoveBecause Music Has No Color...Music is the universal language of love, this we know, and artists like Adele remind us that music has no color. As we celebrate Black Music Month, we can't forget the White singers who have moved us over the years. From Adele and Teena Marie to Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke, here are the best blue-eyed soul singers we've ever heard.Teena MarieThe music industry held its heart and wept on December 26, 2010 when it learned that Teena Marie had passed away at age 54. The former protégé of Rick James has given us such timeless hits as "Square Biz" and "Ooh La La La." She will be dearly missed.Robin ThickeWe call Robin Thicke our honorary brother because we can't help but want to claim that smooth, sweet vibrato for ourselves. Plus the "Lost Without You" and "Sex Therapy" singer appreciates our...
- 6/6/2011
- Essence
Beyoncé has revealed that she listened to a lot of Adele and Florence and the Machine when making her new album 4. The 'Run The World (Girls)' star will release the record on June 27 in the UK and June 28 in the Us, and has explained that a range of different artists influenced her songwriting when making it. "I recorded over 60 songs for this album," she told Billboard magazine. "I have a lot of inspiration from '90s R&B. Also, Earth Wind & Fire. I listened to a lot of DeBarge, a lot of Lionel Richie and Teena Marie." The singer-songwriter continued to list "Jackson 5, New Edition, Florence and the Machine, Adele and Prince" as further inspirations. The 29-year-old also admitted (more)...
- 6/2/2011
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
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