R&B singer Ne-Yo brought his smooth vocals and songwriting talents to NPR's Tiny Desk concert series on Friday.
Ne-Yo launched into a four-song medley of his hits, including "Because of You," "So Sick," and "Sexy Love," before surprising fans with a new song, "Two Million Secrets." Ne-Yo described the new track as a "personal reflection" on growth and redemption.
He further showcased his songwriting prowess with covers of songs he wrote for Rihanna ("Take a Bow"), Beyoncé ("Irreplaceable"), and Mario ("Let Me Love You").
The intimate concert concluded with Ne-Yo's signature anthem "Miss Independent."
Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, Ne-Yo is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter with multiple platinum-selling albums. He remains a force in R&B, both with his own music and as a sought-after songwriter.
On Monday, NPR presented the latest installment of its "Tiny Desk Concert" series, featuring legendary Motown icon Smokey Robinson. The 83-year-old music sensation graced the stage at NPR Headquarters in Washington, D.C., accompanied by a 12-piece ensemble.
Robinson's influence on the music industry is undeniable. Known for his pivotal role in shaping the Motown sound, R&B, and soul music, he remains a distinguished artist even at the age of 83.
The performance commenced with a rendition of his 1981 classic, "Being With You," showcasing the enduring charm of his falsetto.
Robinson continued by performing "The Tears Of A Clown," a song he co-wrote with Stevie Wonder during his time with The Miracles. This classic delighted the audience, and Robinson's talent shone through.
Two tracks from Robinson's latest album, "Gasms," were also part of this intimate performance. "Beside You" exuded romance, with a standout saxophone solo by Brandon Wright in "If We Don't Have Each Other."
Robinson concluded the concert with his timeless hit, "Cruisin'." The audience participated with enthusiasm, creating a heartwarming atmosphere.
Smokey Robinson's legacy as an influential figure in the world of R&B, soul music, and the Motown sound is well-documented. His ability to craft timeless and romantic tunes has set a standard for generations of songwriters.
The concert featured two tracks from Robinson's latest album, "Gasms," revealing his ongoing commitment to creating soulful and timeless music.
NPR's "Tiny Desk Concert" series has hosted other celebrated R&B artists this year, such as Babyface and Charlie Wilson, in line with its commitment to showcasing musical excellence.
A Bob Marley biopic is set to hit the big screen over 40 years after his passing, offering a captivating portrayal of the reggae icon's life and musical legacy. The highly-anticipated film, titled "Bob Marley: One Love," released its first trailer Thursday, providing a glimpse into the Jamaican singer-songwriter's extraordinary journey.
In the movie, Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on the role of the reggae legend himself, while Lashana Lynch portrays his wife, Rita. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the feature film delves into Marley's rise to fame alongside his band, The Wailers, as they captivated audiences with their powerful music.
The trailer also offers a glimpse into the aftermath of a 1976 assassination attempt on Marley, believed to be politically motivated. Despite the ordeal, Marley's unwavering spirit led him to return to the spotlight, headlining the iconic "One Love" peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica.
Marley, who succumbed to a rare form of cancer at the age of 36 in 1981, left an indelible mark on the music world with his soulful melodies and powerful messages of love and unity.
The biopic is a collaborative effort, with involvement from Marley's family. Ziggy Marley, the late singer's son, daughter Cedella and Rita serve as producers, alongside industry veterans Brad Pitt, Robert Teitel, Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner.
The film aims to celebrate Marley's extraordinary life and his enduring musical legacy, inspiring generations with his powerful message. It provides audiences with an opportunity to discover the transformative journey behind his revolutionary music and his triumph over adversity.
During CinemaCon, Ziggy Marley, representing the film as a producer, expressed his excitement, stating, "People will deepen their connection to Bob and honor Bob in the right way."
"Bob Marley: One Love" is scheduled for release on January 12, 2024. Fans can catch a glimpse of the film's essence by watching the recently released trailer below.
NPR's celebration of Black Music Month culminated not in a bang, but in a symphony of soul, rhythm, blues, and rap, uniquely born in the vibrant streets of New Orleans.
Big Easy native Juvenile took the Tiny Desk stage by storm, supported by a full band that included fellow New Orleans music giants Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste, along with the wizardry of Mannie Fresh, the legendary producer behind Cash Money Records' hits. Together, they orchestrated a Tiny Desk performance that defied all expectations.
As Juvenile shared insights and reflected on his recording history, he effortlessly traded laughs and verses, delivering his and the label's biggest hits. From "400 Degreez" to "Bling Bling" and even the Hot Boys classic "I Need a Hot Girl," Juvenile playfully reminded the audience of his presence in the iconic music video, despite not being featured on the track itself.
"Y'all don't even know, that's my favorite part right there," Juvenile chuckled, exchanging verses with the animated Mannie Fresh. "I ain't even on the song, but I'm in the video. That part resonates with me so much, especially when Turk jumps in. Now, I know Turk might have a bone to pick with me, but he's still my lil bro. Trust me, that's the absolute pinnacle of the song when he enters."
However, it was the grand finale that truly captivated the audience. With the assistance of a cellist and a violinist from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Juvenile crafted a spellbinding rendition of his timeless anthem to the posterior, "Back That Azz Up."
To experience the full concert, watch the video above.
SET LIST "Intro (feat. Mannie Fresh)" "400 Degreez (feat. Mannie Fresh)" "Bling Bling (feat. Mannie Fresh)" "Ha" "Set It Off" "Slow Motion" "Rodeo (feat. The Amours)" "I Need A Hot Girl (feat. Mannie Fresh)" "Project Bitch (feat. Mannie Fresh)" "Back That Azz Up (feat. Mannie Fresh)"
MUSICIANS Juvenile: vocals Mannie Fresh: vocals, effects, keys Alvin Ford: music director/drums Josh Connelly: guitar DJ Raymond: bass Brandon Butler: keys BK Jackson: saxophone Trombone Shorty: trombone Kevin Woods: trumpet Jon Batiste: melodica Jakiya Ayanna: vocals Shaina Aisha: vocals Hannah Yim: violin Jake Fowler: cello
XXL has revealed its highly anticipated 2023 freshman class, showcasing 12 emerging stars in the hip-hop genre. The annual list, unveiled on Wednesday, features a diverse group of artists: Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don.
This year's announcement carries extra significance as it precedes the upcoming 50th anniversary of hip-hop in August. Reflecting on the genre's evolution over the past five decades, the hip-hop magazine compares the birth of hip-hop to the formation of a diamond, with artists selected for the 2023 freshman class embodying the current essence of the genre's sound.
These rising stars stand alongside past XXL freshmen such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert and Megan Thee Stallion, aiming to make their mark on hip-hop's history. In the coming weeks, XXL will release a series of content, including freestyles, cyphers, and interviews, providing a platform for each freshman to showcase their talent.
Fans eager to dive into the Freshman issue can expect it to hit stands on July 18. In addition to introducing the 2023 class and featuring groundbreaking producer Pi'erre Bourne, who crafted the beats for this year's cyphers, the issue includes interviews with acclaimed artists such as Lil Baby, NLE Choppa, Boosie BadAzz, Toosii, DDG, Saba and others.
Readers will also find insights into the current activities of the 2022 XXL Freshman Class, as well as stories covering hip-hop's affinity for golfing, the emergence of rookie artists and a compilation of the best A.I. hip-hop songs released to date.
Just in time for summer, T-Pain has put a spin on his iconic hip-hop hit "Buy U a Drank" to pay homage to a fast-food legend — Wendy's Frosty.
The Grammy-winning artist took his chart-topping single and gave it an icy makeover in a music video directed by Miles & AJ of SixTwentySix.
The video starts with T-Pain chilling in his studio, but in a magical twist, the scene transforms into a Wendy's restaurant. With his signature swagger, he grabs the mic and serves up a surreal summer anthem that might just leave fans craving Wendy's famous frozen dairy dessert.
"I loved Wendy's 'We Beefin?' mixtape back in 2018, and knew I wanted to work with them when the time was right. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to remake a classic with one of the most classic menu items of all time – the Wendy's Frosty," he said, expressing his excitement about the collaboration. This latest partnership adds to Wendy's growing list of musical collaborations.
In the previous "We Beefin?" mixtape, which paid homage to Biggie Smalls' debut studio album "Ready to Die," T-Pain even featured media personality and hip-hop icon Wendy Williams on a track. The mixtape sparked a playful feud with McDonald's, with tracks like "Rest in Grease" calling out the fast-food giant's shortcomings.
The lyrics took aim at McDonald's by saying, "You’re No. 1? That’s a joke/Why your ice cream machine always broke?/Why your drive-through always slow?/Why your innovation just can’t grow?... McDonald’s be so lazy/ I know the reason you hate me/ ’Cause I’m fast food’s First Lady/ It’s Queen Wendy up in this thang... Y’all are too chicken for this beef."
To sweeten the chances of success for this collaboration, Wendy's and T-Pain are giving fans a tasty incentive. From June 5 to the first day of summer, June 21, fans can enjoy a FREE small Frosty with any purchase. To claim their free Frosty, fans can use the offer in the Wendy's app or on the website.
FX has unveiled the official trailer for "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur," a new docuseries that delves into the intricate bond between rapper Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni.
Directed by Allen Hughes, the five-part series promises to provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Tupac and Afeni through the eyes of those who knew them best.
The show is scheduled to debut on April 21st and features never-before-seen footage of the late rapper, as well as rare audio and vocals. Hulu describes the series as an "intimate wide-angle portrait of the most inspiring and dangerous mother-son duo (Tupac and Afeni Shakur) in American history, whose unified message of freedom, equality, persecution and justice are more relevant today than ever."
Afeni, a Black Panther and political activist who instilled her values of freedom, power, and revolution into her son, speaks about her philosophy of motherhood in the trailer. "It was my responsibility to teach Tupac how to survive his reality," she says.
The docuseries will air episodes 1 and 2 on FX on April 21st at 10 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a new episode every Friday until the series concludes on May 12th, just two days before Mother's Day.
In addition to the series, fans can look forward to the upcoming release of the first and only Estate-authorized biography of Tupac Shakur, written by author Staci Robinson. While the book is set for a fall 2023 release, it is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
Screengrab of "In Dis Cell" YouTube video posted by "Da Hub."
They say there is no such thing as bad publicity. For two Detroit-based wannabe rappers, whether or not that proves to be true remains to be seen.
Either way, it looks like they will have plenty of extra time to think about it.
The inmates at the Macomb prison unit in suburban Detroit, have been separated and segregated from the general population after it was discovered they filmed a video at the facility.
Authorities made the moves after guards found a YouTube link written on a piece of paper during a routine search and discovered a rap video titled "In Dis Cell" — filmed in the prison — when they tried the link.
“The prisoners who were in the video certainly made no attempts to hide or disguise who they were, so staff was able to recognize them and go to their cell and confront them about this,” Chris Gautz, the spokesman for Michigan’s Department of Corrections, told Fox 2.
Now thanks to the two cell phones shown in the video, which Gautz said the men shot back in September before posting it to YouTube on Nov. 3rd, the inmates are facing additional prison time.
Possession of a cell phone in prison is a crime.
"Because while you can make rap videos with them, that’s one thing you can do with a contraband cell phone," Gautz said. "But you can also effectuate an escape, you could put out a hit on another staff member, another prisoner, a member of the public. You could harass witnesses, you could intimidate your victims.
"There’s a whole number of things untoward that you can do with contraband cellphones."
Over the weekend the world finally got a sneak peek at Disney’s controversial live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” starring Black R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel.
A teaser trailer for the adaptation of the animated Disney classic was released Friday at Disney's D23 expo and already has more than 104 million (more than those of any other tease for a live action Disney adaption) views globally according to reporting from Variety.
Racists losing their minds because Halle Bailey is the new Little Mermaid. Bro it's only the top half and guess what? Mermaids aren't real 😂😂🤷🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/FfMcZDnakP
It has also drawn praise from celebrities, parents and the original voice cast for Bailey —who has faced criticism of "blackwashing" since taking on the iconic role of the fictional red-headed mermaid who dreams of a life above the waves.
Jodi Benson (Voice of Ariel from 1988) shows love to Halle Bailey via ig story 💕🧜🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/iEgE8XpGKA
Following the premiere, Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film praised Bailey on Instagram writing, "Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I'm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel."
The 60-year-old actress added that she had a great time celebrating the achievement with Bailey, 22, at D23 and shared some words of adulation for the film's director Rob Marshall as well.
She added, "Thank you for creating such a stunning film!!!"
The clip gives fans a brief look at the underwater world Marshall has created for the film and Bailey in action as Ariel — red hair and all — as she hits the beginning notes to bring to "Part of Your World."
Even coming from a royal lineage is not a guarantee to get you a spot on "American Idol."
Grace Franklin, the 15-year-old granddaughter of the Queen of Soul, found that out the hard way when she auditioned for the long-running musical talent show on its 20th season premiere Sunday.
When asked how she came to stand before the judges, the teenager said, "My grandma is Aretha Franklin."
The statement elicited surprise from R&B legend Lionel Richie.
"Stop right there, that's your grandma!" exclaimed the "All Night Long" singer.
Unfortunately for young Grace, the elation would not last.
The music neophyte, who shared with the audience in a pre-taped segment before the audition, "I don't think I could fully grasp the fact that she [Franklin] was known worldwide, because to me she was always just grandma," sang two songs.
Her take on "Killing Me Softly," as popularized by Lauryn Hill of the Fugees, was called "a little sleepy and subdued" by country superstar and "Idol" judge Luke Bryan. Her next attempt at Franklin's hit "Ain't No Way," was agreed to be more "in her lane" by the judges, but that was not enough to sway Bryan and Richie who voted for her not to advance.
Bryan sternly declared, "For right now I'm a no," before Richie took a slightly gentler approach on the deciding vote.
"Grace Franklin, I love you and I think the best thing for you in life is to take a shot at going backwards," he said. "Go back and get a running start and come at this again."
Perry, who voted her through to the show's next round, stormed off the stage following the decision.
As she exited the judges' chambers the "Teenage Dream" singer said, "She's got stardust on her! There's something wrong with your ears. Y'all are insane!"
Richie, however, was not done. He rose from his seat to address Grace directly and told her, "Trust me! If you go and come back and put the shyness behind you and the voice in front of you, you're going to be something amazing and I don't want to be the one to make you tip over and fall at this stage," and gave her a hug.
Adele's rendition of Monster, while appearing on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" during a “Carpool Karaoke” segment in 2016, is the stuff of legend.
Both viewers and the musically-inclined host were left impressed by the 15-time Grammy Award winner's effortless flow and familiarity with the subject matter.
At the time the Queen Bee herself even co-signed the performance. She tweeted, "Adele is mad ratchet. I can’t take her #UK #WutsGood,” with the laughing emoji, seeming impressed with the take on her verse.
This past Thursday (Feb. 3) it was Minaj's turn to return the favor. While appearing on the talk show, she did her own take on the superstar chanteuse that was just as stunning.
“First of all, it’s Adele. Second of all, it’s ‘Monster.’ You guys made such an amazing freaking tag team,” Minaj said about the Adele impersination. “That made my day, my year. I probably got a thousand phone calls about that one thing.”
Nicki then got into character as Adele and spoke with a British accent.
“All right, in order for me to channel Adele, I sort of have to think like a black lady in London, right?” Nicki said while getting into the accent.
Adele is mad ratchet. I can't take her😂 #UK#WutsGood
She continued, “Because the thing is, normally, everybody knows … my British accent is sort of like a posh white lady. A rich white lady, right? But with Adele, I sort of have, like, to transform. She might have used to sell crack. Maybe she used to be hustling nickels and dimes in the hood and then she got her big break.”
Last year we reported that Dr. Dre had assembled some of hip-hop's greatest talents to headline the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Today, with the game closer on the horizon, the rapper and producer dropped a hype video for the event that has expectations soaring for the halftime experience at the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles since 1993.
In the nearly four-minute clip directed by F. Gary Gray, who had the same role on "Straight Outta Compton," the biographical movie about Dre's former group N.W.A. released in 2015, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar answer "The Call" from Dre and unite to head to the stadium together in their own unique ways.
Eminem opens the video battle-rapping his alter ego Slim Shady before getting the nod and jumping on his private plane. Snoop Dogg cruises the California streets to his frequent partner in rhyme in his custom lowrider. Blige announces she's back in a high-fashion photoshoot before jumping in her own slick ride, and Lamar wrestles with his own verses and smoking pen in an empty room before jumping on his custom bike to heed the call.
The soundtrack, scored by Adam Blackstone, transitions into Tupac Shakur's 1999 hit "California Love" as they come together and approach the stadium. It is in an homage to the deceased star who was a pivotal part of Death Row along with Dre and Snoop and the city in which the game will be played.
"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career," Dr. Dre said in a statement when the lineup was originally announced.
"It will be an "unforgettable cultural moment," he added.
Whether or not that is true remains to be seen but the hype video has certainly made some fans believers. Watch the entire clip below:
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's true recent Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z must be basking in pure adulation.
While the rapper was officially inducted to the hall in October, a new video was released shortly after the ceremony aired Saturday on HBO. In it a long list of luminaries, including his wife Beyoncé, pay tribute to the artist by reciting iconic lyrics from his body of work.
However, it was his nine-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who stood out from the pack of 30 celebs — including the likes of Kevin Hart, Rihanna, Halle Berry, David Letterman, Chris Rock, Ed Sheeran, Idris Elba, Lin-Manuel Miranda and LeBron James, reciting a censored line from her father's 1998 track "Ride or Die."
"Congrats S. Carter, ghostwriter. You paid the right price, so we just make your hits tighter," recites Blu before bursting into laughter.
