0 Patti LaBelle Saluted by UNCF

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/07/2008

The Spotlight will shine on Patti LaBelle during a taping of the 30th annual An Evening of Stars event, formerly The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at Hollywood's Kodiak Theater in Los Angeles. You'll be able to see this star studded event broadcast nationwide during January, 2009. Patti will receive UNCF's (United Negro College Fund's) prestigious Award of Excellence. Previous honorees include Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Steve Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Lou Rawls. You can win a free poster autographed by Patti LaBelle visualizing the event by going to UNCF's 30th anniversary event page for all the details. Update: link removed after the event date. Previous Post | Next Post

0 LL Cool J Takes Exit 13 Home

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/05/2008

Hip hop stars come and go, but LL Cool J has defied the odds as he gets ready to release his 13th album, Exit 13, on Def Jam Records Tuesday, September 9, 2008. I remember seeing LL Cool J live in concert over 20 years ago in Philadelphia, PA with several other hip hop acts who have long since disappeared. The cover of Exit 13 has a mile marker that says "8760 miles and still counting." Yes, the clock keeps ticking for LL Cool J, who just turned 40 in January, 2008. In a young man's game, LL Cool J has all the street cred that he needs to continue to be an important presence in a genre of music he help to create. Take a walk down memory lane with the 12 previous albums from LL Cool J: 1985 - Radio 1987 - Bigger and Deffer 1989 - Walking with a Panther 1990 - Mama Said Knock You Out 1993 - 14 Shots to the Dome 1995 - Mr. Smith 1997 - Phenomenon 2000 - G.O.A.T. Featuring James T. Smith 2002 - 10 2004 - the DEFinition 2006 - Todd Smith 2007 - Todd Smith, Pt. 2: Back to Cool Previous Post | Next Post

0 Alicia Keys Spies 007 Theme

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/31/2008

If you've been to the movies this summer, you may have seen the promotional trailer for Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond film scheduled for release this fall (2008). Alicia Keys has teamed up with Detroit's Jack White from the group White Stripes for a first ever 007 theme song duet. "Another Way to Die" is the song that will feature Keys and White. Troubled soul Amy Winehouse, who received early consideration for the Quantum of Solace theme, did not land the project. Find out what James Bond themes have been sung by Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, and Dionne Warwick. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Will Smith, Bo Diddley, and Hancock

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/03/2008

Once again, the world will be hearing the lasting influence of Bo Diddley in Will Smith's new summer "super hero" send off, Hancock, hitting movie theaters just in time for the July 4th holiday weekend. Classic R&B, rock, soul, and pop music legend Bo Diddley recently passed away. His song, "Who Do You Love," is performed by George Thorogood & The Destroyers for the Hancock soundtrack connection. Will Hancock be another silver screen smash hit for "Big Willy?" Maybe, however win or lose at the box office, Bo Diddley's music gets another high mileage vehicle in which to cruise. Previous Post | Next Post

0 BET Awards Captured by Kanye & Keys

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/25/2008

Here are some of the 2008 BET Award Winners: Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown Best Group: UGK Best Gospel: Marvin Sapp Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Missy Elliott Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West Video of the year: UGK featuring Outkast - "International Player's Anthem" Best Video Director: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto Best Actress: Halle Berry Best Actor: Denzel Washington Best Female Athlete: Candace Parker Best Male Athlete: Kobe Bryant Best New Artist: The Dream Previous Post | Next Post

0 BET Awards Hype Hughley as Host

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/24/2008

Comedian D.L. Hughley will pilot the 2008 BET Awards scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th at 8:00 pm Eastern. BET loves to air this showcase several times, so look for it to be repeated often on your TV screen in the coming weeks. Quincy Jones, who has more trophies than he can count, will be honored with a humanitarian award. Al Green will receive a lifetime achievement award. Among the scheduled performers: Usher (shown here), Alicia Keys, Nelly, Kanye West, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and Al Green. There are 16 categories in which various nominees will be honored. For the 2 R&B categories, we have... Best Female R&B Artist: Mary J. Blige Mariah Carey Keyshia Cole Alicia Keys Rihanna Best Male R&B Artist: Raheem DeVaughn J. Holiday Ne-Yo Trey Songz Chris Brown Interestingly, the nominated guys are mostly new school, whereas most of the ladies have been around for awhile with significant track records. Previous Post | Next Post

0 New Edition Collects Cool Candy Award

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/04/2008

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor New Edition at their 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a group, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill helped create the popular new jack swing sound of the early 1980's. New Edition Albums: Candy Girl New Edition All For Love Christmas All Over the World Under the Blue Moon Heart Break Home Again One Love New Edition Hits: "Candy Girl" "Popcorn Love" "Cool It Now" "Mr. Telephone Man" "Count Me Out" "A Little Bit of Love (Is All It Takes)" "Earth Angel" "Can You Stand the Rain" "If It Isn't Love" "You're Not My Kind of Girl" "Hit Me Off" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Motown's Funk Brothers Honored for Excellence

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/20/2008

Congratulations to Motown's legendary Funk Brothers, who will be honored at the 19th Annual Heroes and Legends Awards and Scholarship gala in Beverly Hills, California on September 28th. Eddie Willis, Uriel Jones, and Bob Babbitt are the remaining active Funk Brothers. When you listen to the Motown hits, you are listening to the instrumental artistry of the Funk Brothers. The Heroes and Legends Scholarship Foundation was created by Motown songwriter Janie Bradford to aid "at risk" youth and to publicly recognize others who share her vision. HAL spotlights positive role models from many diverse backgrounds, including leaders in the fields of music, theater, motion pictures and business. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Tresvant, Burke, Green & Summer Heat Up Spring

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/16/2008

Cuing up some new releases in the coming weeks are Donna Summer, Al Green, Solomon Burke, and Ralph Tresvant... Donna Summer, Crayons, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Al Green, Lay It Down, Tuesday, May 27 Solomon Burke, Like A Fire, Tuesday, June 10 Ralph Tresvant, "It Must Be You," (single) from the former New Edition vocalist, Tuesday, July 1 Previous Post | Next Post

0 Ross - LaBelle - Khan and Knight Reunited

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/06/2008

Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan graced the stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for 2 shows this past weekend for the benefit of the Masonic Medical Research Lab. There's an interesting take on the diva factor of these ladies from Jim Farber that appeared in the New York Daily News, Sunday, May 4, 2008. If you have the printed version of the actual newspaper, the chart that Farber created is very amusing. New Yorkers, look for it if you haven't read your Sunday paper yet. If you saw the show, let us know! Previous Post | Next Post