Rappers have for years insisted that their lyrics are just as much art as the creation of any other performer. Although that may be the true, it is also true that a rapper’s lyrics may turn state’s evidence if he’s ever accused of a crime. A jury convicted rapper Ronald (Ra Diggs) Herron on drug trafficking, racketeering and mυrdering three rival rappers. Although the conviction probably means Herron will spend…
Reported by Kacie Whaley “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” singer Bobby Womack, died on Friday at the age of 70. A representative of Womack’s label, XL Recordings, confirmed news of the legend’s death to Rolling Stone, but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Womack began his music career as a member of Curtis Womack and the Womack Brothers, a group consisting of him, his brother Curtis,…
Elvis Presley is known as “the King of Rock and Roll.” His music made him one of the most prolific cultural icons of the 20th century. His unique musical style was deeply influenced by his Southern roots. Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and later moved to Memphis, Tennessee with his family where he began his music career in 1954. Some of Presley’s early experiences with black music and culture…
Reported by Andrew Scot Bolsinger Horace Silver, a pianist, composer, and band leader, credited for influencing generations of fellow Jazz performers died last Wednesday at the age of 85. According to published reports, Silver is credited as being “a tireless inventiveness who influenced generations of jazzmen with his distinctive hard bop sound.” Silver died Wednesday in New Rochelle, New York. No other details were released. “Horace Silver was one of…
Reported by Kacie Whaley Nineties hip-hop star Tupac Shakur has been idolized and celebrated as one of the best rappers of all time since his tragic death in 1996. Shakur’s music has lived on through posthumous albums, documentaries, college courses, and holograms. So it’s no surprise that his legacy has also ventured into Broadway. Holler If Ya Hear Me is a play that highlights underprivileged life, from being a convict…
Rapper and mogul 5o Cent stopped by Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” to discuss everything from music to success with host Andy Cohen. During 50’s appearance, he played a little game called “Plead the Fifth” where he fielded questions about, among other topics, Jay-Z and Beyonce. Cohen began by asking 50 Cent what it was like to get yelled at by Beyonce. “It’s not really bad, like her breath doesn’t…
Reported by Kacie Whaley The moment all D’Angelo fans have been patiently awaiting is coming “sooner than later,” according to Kevin Liles, the soul singer’s manager. Last week, Liles revealed to Billboard that D’Angelo’s heavily anticipated follow-up to his 2000 album Voodoo will be released later this year, along with a tour. The “Brown Sugar” singer has been taunting the public with talks of a new album since at least…
Reported by Andrew Scot Bolsinger Dr. Dre’s recent sell of the listening devices that bear his name put the music mogul in an elite category of wealth, but the new billionaire is reportedly spreading the wealth around. He left a tip of $5,000 for a waitress at West Hollywood’s Skybar on Thursday, according to Radar Online. Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Romelle Young, had a fun night out,…
Aaliyah is one of the most beloved singers in the history of R&B music. She died tragically in the year 2001 in a plane crash, but was on her way to fame, fortune and stardom. Scratch that: She was already there, with movie roles, hit songs and a loyal legion of fans who all looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. This is an old clip…
The rapper Tech N9ne is taking the country by storm with his serious “chopper style” music. But he’s also getting respect for making the Forbes list as one of the highest-paid artists in all of hip-hop. Most amazing is that he’s doing all of this with almost no radio play. Here’s more about his background: Aaron Dontez Yates was born on November 8, 1971 in Kansas City, Missouri. He began rapping…
Lauryn Hill is a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. She was born May 25, 1975 in a middle class suburb in South Orange, New Jersey. She began singing and acting at an early age. In 1988, she performed for Amateur Night on It’s Showtime at the Apollo. She was initially booed but eventually won over the crowd. When she was a freshman in high school, Pras Michel approached her…
Rapper turned actor Ice Cube thinks President Obama is doing the best job he can under the circumstances, but the analogy he used to describe Obama is sure to raise some eyebrows. When TIME magazine’s Belinda Luscombe posed 10 questions to Cube for an upcoming issue, she asked about everything from his children to the job Obama is doing as president. When she asked Cube how Obama was doing, the…
Nina Simone was a legendary jazz, blues, and folk singer and civil rights activist. She was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina. She began playing piano and singing in her church’s choir at just four years old. Simone grew up poor as the sixth of seven children. After seeing her potential, Simone’s music teacher helped set up a fund to pay for Simone’s…
Miles Davis was a trumpet player and band leader who played an instrumental role in the development of jazz music. He was born in Alton, Illinois in 1926 as Miles Dewey Davis III. He started playing the trumpet at 13 years old when his dad introduced him to the instrument. Davis began playing professionally before he even graduated high school, and at 17, he began performing with Dizzy Gillespie and…
By Andrew Scot Bolsinger Following the billion-dollar sale of his Beats audio devices, music producer Dr. Dre has reportedly purchased the estate built by NFL quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen for a reported $40 million. It’s a home worthy of the old Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous television show and the more modern Cribs. The mega-18,298-square-foot mansion, which had an original list price of $50 million,…