In her nearly 50-year chart career, R&B legend Betty Wright stretched across generations with a soul, funk and disco catalog that made her one of the genre’s most consistent hitmakers in the 1970s and early 1980s, and, in later years, as a frequently sampled presence in hits by Beyoncé, DJ Khaled and others. The singer-songwriter, […]
As people are hunkered down during the global coronavirus pandemic, not too many of us are able to surprise Mom with a sweet gift, enjoy a delicious brunch together or give in-person hugs for Mother’s Day this year — and that goes for musicians as well. But just like us, many are sharing heartfelt messages […]
Betty Wright was one of the most venerated figures in ’70s soul, funk, gospel and disco — not just a brilliant singer- songwriter, but also an accomplished producer and even an instinctive A&R woman, helping singers and eventual disco stars George & Gwen McCrae sign their first record deal in the late ’60s while just […]
Betty Wright‘s legacy of soul, funk and disco hits in the ’70s and ’80s is one that’s continued to echo throughout popular music — somewhat literally, in the case of the many, many artists who have sampled her crisp grooves and peerless vocals over the years. With news of the beloved singer-songwriter’s death at age […]
Boyz II Men and Babyface joined forces for a special Mother’s Day tribute during the season 45 finale of Saturday Night Live. For the show’s third “at home” episode on May 9, the legendary R&B trio performed 1997’s Babyface-penned “A Song for Mama” from their respective homes and studios. The iconic songwriter and producer joined […]
At the end of nearly two months of battles between regional producers, legacy producers, legendary rap producers, R&B and pop producers and writers, the Verzuz series of Instagram live song battles still had a glaring omission from their line-up: women. Lack of women behind the boards in music creation and production is a long-time industry […]
“My goal is to bring real black America — just as it is, not watered down — to people everywhere through music, through films, through everything we do.” This was the manifesto of 32 year-old, newly-minted entertainment mogul Andre O’Neal Harrell, in conversation with the L.A. Times in 1992 about his $50M multi-media deal with […]
6ix9ine is living his best life after being granted an early release from prison. On the heels of dropping his new comeback single “Gooba” on Friday (May 8), the 24-year-old rainbow-haired rapper shared a video on Instagram of himself flashing stacks of cash and showing off his “$1 million” diamond encrusted shark pendant and watch. […]
Eminem recently paid a visit to Lil Wayne‘s Young Money Radio on Apple Music, where he discussed a range of topics, including the new Michael Jordan documentary, Googling his own lyrics, connecting with fans, and more. Em’s visit to Young Money Radio on Friday (May 8) marked the show’s third episode. Past shows featured interviews […]
The hip-hop and R&B community is mourning the loss of Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell, who has died at the age of 59. Artists like K-Ci Hailey, Usher, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Missy Elliott and Snoop Dogg took to social media on Saturday (May 9) to pay tribute to the late music mogul. “Whether we […]