0 Erykah Badu Presents New Amerykah part 2 Return Of Return Of Ankh

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/25/2010

Dallas, Texas native Erykah Badu is scheduled to release New Amerykah, PT. 2: Return Of Ankh on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. This is her 9th album. Badu, a unique singer and songwriter, commands a very loyal fan following. With vocals that sometimes assault the senses, Erykah is not afraid to put fresh spins on R&B grooves. It's this capacity that makes her stand out from the rest of the formulaic female crowd. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Philadelphia International Records Studio Saved from Inferno

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/23/2010

Philadelphia producers Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble are pictured here in the recording studio. The Philadelphia International Records founders reported at a Tuesday February 23, press conference that their recording studio was spared in a recent weekend two-alarm fire at their headquarters. Melted in the blaze and gone for good: numerous gold and platinum records, along with about 40 percent of their memorabilia. Master recordings are stored off-site and are safe. The O'Jays, The Three Degrees, MFSB, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, and others recorded hits for Gamble, Huff, and producer Thom Bell in these famous studios. Philadelphia fire fighters have not yet determined what caused the blaze, but Fire Commissioner Lloyd M. Ayers states that "it's a little suspicious." Gamble, Huff, and Bell own the building at 309 South Broad Street. They pledge to rebuild the structure, which has become a Philadelphia tourist attraction. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Hope For Haiti Telethon to Feature Music and Hollywood Heavyweights

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/21/2010

As of Thursday afternoon, January 21, from just the generous individual charitable givers in the USA, over 300 million dollars has already been raised to benefit the Haitian people stricken by the recent earthquake disaster. Friday, at 8 pm Eastern, an all star telethon begins on MTV, with simulcasts on several other domestic and international TV networks . Look for Wyclef Jean, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce', Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Sting, Mary J. Bilge, and other big names to persuade you to give. Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, President Bill Clinton, Halle Berry, Chris Rock, Nicole Kidman, Jon Stewart, and several other Hollywood notables will do the same. I highly recommend watching the Wyclef Jean video in Wyclef Jean Challenges Haitian Charity Critics. He tells it like it is. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Wyclef Jean Challenges Haitian Charity Critics

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/19/2010

Humanitarian relief efforts organized by Haitian native and former Fugees member Wyclef Jean are being closely examined because of questions surrounding the financial management of his charity, Yele Haiti Foundation. TheSmokingGun.com reported in "Wyclef Jean Charity's Funny Money," (just 2 days after the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake), that they believe Jean unjustifiably profited based upon their examination of income tax returns filed by The Wyclef Jean Foundation. Two days later, Jean issued a statement saying "I first learned of these baseless attacks when I left Haiti Friday, where I had been since 12 hours after the earthquake." "Let me be clear: I denounce any allegation that I have ever profited personally through my work with Yele Haiti." There are some close connections though between Jean's charity work, and his music business activities. What can't be debated are Wyclef's authentic emotions regarding the tragedy that has stricken his homeland. He'll co-host "Hope for Haiti," a telethon on Friday, January 22, 8 pm Eastern, to help raise money for the people of Haiti. MTV will be the flagship network, with simulcasts on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, VH1, and CMT. Look for international TV coverage too. George Clooney in Los Angeles, and Anderson Cooper in Haiti are the other co-hosts. Expect lots of musical performances and celebrity guests during this all-star telethon. Finally, to answer some questions you may have about Yele Haiti, take a look at this video press conference featuring Wyclef Jean, recorded on Monday, January 18. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Teddy Pendergrass - the Best of Philly

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/14/2010

I must have caught Teddy Pendergrass on an off day. He was coming out of the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the days when "Bad Luck" was hot. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendegrass were in town for a weekend of performances. T.P. on this particular afternoon might have been leaving the club after a rehearsal. I approached him and announced my affiliation with the local R&B radio station, WUSS. He pretty much ignored me and kept on steppin'. Such was the sometimes self absorbed ego of Mr. Pendergrass. When be became too big for just the black clubs and crossed over to the largest venues, Teddy exploded as a solo act. In his early days by himself after the Blue Notes era, he always included a stint on the drums during his stage act, as he was a very good drummer. Voice, sexual persona, charisma, and entertainer magnetism clearly puts T.P. in the classic soul hall of fame. I attended a tribute to Teddy Pendergrass in Philadelphia on December 17, 1980. Click the link and take a look at all of the folks who participated. This feature was part of a Teddy Pendergrass spotlight we posted in 2007 as part of the Powerhouse Radio Archive. Teddy Pendergrass died on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, after battling colon cancer. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Kool & the Gang Celebrate to Cheering Cuban Fans in Havana

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/22/2009

Kool & the Gang are in the middle of a 4 day tour of Havana, Cuba, treating Cubans to American classic soul at it's best. Their Saturday, December 19 - Tuesday, December 22, 2009 shows have been authorized by the US government according to Robert "Kool" Bell, despite general travel restrictions by Washington to the communist island. This is a rare appearance for an American group. The last one was by Los Angeles band Audioslave in 2005. The next stop on the current is a two-day gig at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida in early January, 2010. Since many Cuban-Americans in Miami do not like the Cuban government, it will be interesting to see if there is any negative reaction to Kool & the Gang's Florida appearances. Robert "Kool" Bell says of Kool & the Gang's Cuban trip: "our message is love, understanding and unity. We don't come as politicians, we come as musicians." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Beyonce Captures 10 Grammy Nominations

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/02/2009

Beyonce' has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards. The 52nd annual music excellence celebration takes place Sunday, January, 31, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. CBS TV has the event from 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm Eastern. Beyonce' has been nominated in these 10 categories: Record of the Year "Halo," from I Am... Sasha Fierce Album of the Year I Am... Sasha Fierce Song of the Year "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" from I Am... Sasha Fierce Best Female Pop Vocal Performance "Halo" from I Am... Sasha Fierce Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" from I Am... Sasha Fierce Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance "At Last" from: Cadillac Records (music from the motion picture) Best R&B Song "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" from I Am... Sasha Fierce Best Contemporary R&B Album I Am... Sasha Fierce Best Rap/Sung Collaboration "Ego" Beyonc' & Kanye West Best Song written for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media "Once In A Lifetime" (from Cadillac Records) songwriters: Beyonce' (and others) Previous Post | Next Post

0 Public Enemy to Help Homeless Youth

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/17/2009

Public Enemy, featuring the reunited Flava Flav and Chuck D, will perform Wednesday evening, November 18, 2009, at the G.W. Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. The US Congress has designated November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, sponsored by Virgin Mobile USA's RE*Generation initiative to help homeless youth. Proceeds from the Public Enemy show will benefit the Sasha Bruce House. The world premiere of Kyocera's ALL Access documentary will be presented prior to Public Enemy's performance. Kyocera created an ALL Access rock documentary from Virgin Mobile's FreeFest music festival, featuring interviews with Public Enemy, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, Taking Back Sunday, Blink-182 and others. Bring a new or gently used coat to help DC's "One Warm Coat" initiative and you will receive a V.I.P. upgrade while they are available. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Natalie Cole Rebounds from Unforgettable Crisis

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/27/2009

Tragedy, challenges, and tough times are no stranger to Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole. Her ups and downs have been well documented. The high visibility of her most recent crisis has magnified the consequences of some past behavior that she's now coping with. Here's a well written story by Meg Grant, Natalie Cole's New Life, that pulls back the curtain on a lifetime of misfortune, success, and survival. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lisa Lisa Hits Em the Freestyle Way

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/22/2009

Lisa Velez, the 'Lisa Lisa' in Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, has been called the Queen of Freestyle. Bustin' moves belting out uptempo tunes is only half of her appeal. Lisa Lisa charms you with her bubbly vocal cheerfulness. Ballads live in her comfort zone too, as demonstrated in the ginger delivery of Lisa Lisa's classic slow jam "All Cried Out." Life 'N Love, released in July, 2009, is her latest album featuring 13 new tracks. Looking back into the 1980's, you don't have think very long to remember at least 6 vintage Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam hits: "Can You Feel The Beat" "I Wonder If I Take You Home" "Lost In Emotion" "All Cried Out" "Head To Toe" "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" The New York City native is on the road to reconnect with her friends and fans. Lisa Lisa has several dates with some familiar faces to party to the freestyle groove. Different acts will appear with her on different dates, including Stevie B., Shannon, Expose', and Rockwell. Friday, October 30, 2009, Arizona State Fair - Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ Saturday, October 31, QC's 20/20, Montebello, CA Friday, November 6, Club KXX, Route 66 Casino, Albuquerque, NM Friday, November 13, Taj Majal, Atlantic City, NJ Saturday, December 19, Magic City Casino Amphitheater, Miami, FL Previous Post | Next Post