Roberta Flack Reveals ALS has Robber Her of Ability to Sing

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-Award-winning songwriter known for hits like “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," can no longer sing.

Flack's manager Suzanne Koga announced the news on Monday, sharing that the 85-year-old has been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The progressive disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak," Koga said in a press release. “But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”

The statement did not reveal when Flack originally received the diagnosis, but it did say that she would not allow it to end her career.

"Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits," it continued. "Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired."

Grammy-winning singer/musician Roberta Flack has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS and can no longer sing. That word from her manager, Suzanne Koga. Flack, now 85, is known for hits like "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." pic.twitter.com/tqFPuxBebm

— Teresa Whitaker (@twhitakerwrbl) November 14, 2022

This is the latest medical setback for Flack. She suffered a stroke in 2016 that kept her from performing for an extended time. She was still feeling the effects of it as late as 2018 when she fell ill while performing at the Apollo Theater and was rushed to the hospital.

Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1973) and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (1974) and has won four awards on 13 nominations. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Roberta Flack. Killing Me Softly. pic.twitter.com/v45lMtUyfd

— Jermaine (@JermaineWatkins) November 14, 2022

Travis Scott Joins DJ Screw Biopic as Executive Producer

Courtesy of DeMo Sherman and University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

The Sony biopic set to chronicle the life of Houston music legend DJ Screw has a new producer.

The studio announced that Travis Scott, another Bayou City native, will executive-produce the project — tentatively titled "All Screwed Up" —first publicized in 2020.

Deadline broke the news, which comes just days before the 22nd anniversary of the death of the pioneer behind the "chopped and screwed" sound that came to define Houston hip-hop in the latter part of the 20th Century.

“When I went up to the LA office with my bro Earl, and the entire Cactus Jack team was there. Trav and I talked over an hour about how epic this could be… bouncing ideas,” Isaac Yowman, who will direct the movie, said. “The love for Screw was mutual, and he told me I had his full support. We’re both raised in Mo. City so this means that much more to have him be a part.”

The film is being developed by Columbia Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony, and has the blessing of the deceased star's family.

"Continuing the legacy of my brother is most important," DJ Screw’s sister Michelle Wheeler said. "The process honestly has been exciting. I’m like wow, we’re really about to make a movie. Nearly a dozen film directors and producers had approached us over the years, but this was the first time I actually felt fully comfortable. I’m very thankful for Sony and Travis being on this journey with us, helping keep my brother Screw’s legacy going.”

Born Robert Earl Davis Jr., DJ Screw invented his signature “chopped and screwed” sound by spinning two copies of a record to “chop” in new rhythms and having local rappers freestyle over the tracks and slow down the recordings of the session on tape.

As the leader of Houston's iconic Screwed Up Click rap collective, and through the release of over 350 mixtapes he became a pivotal figure on the regional level during his life and his legacy continues to spread his innovations nationally and globally, as well as beyond the genres of rap and hip-hop.

He died at the age of 29 on Nov. 16, 2000, of a codeine overdose in addition to mixed drug intoxication, in his recording studio.

Chris Rock Chosen to be First Live Performer on Netflix

Chris Rock

Chris Rock is going where no comedian has gone before — live on Netflix.

The streaming giant made the announcement Thursday on Twitter.

"Chris Rock is about to make history as the first artist to perform LIVE on Netflix!" the network posted on its official account, alongside a picture of Rock with a goat. "The legendary comedian, writer, director, and actor’s newest comedy special will premiere live — globally — in early 2023 on Netflix!"

Netflix’s vice president of stand-up and comedy formats, Robbie Praw, elaborated on why Rock — who is currently on the road for his Ego Death World Tour — was chosen for the honor in a statement released by the company.

Chris Rock is about to make history as the first artist to perform LIVE on Netflix!

The legendary comedian, writer, director, and actor’s newest comedy special will premiere live — globally — in early 2023 on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/U8ozz2BLV1

— Netflix (@netflix) November 10, 2022

"Chris Rock is one of the most iconic and important comedic voices of our generation,” Praw said. “We’re thrilled the entire world will be able to experience a live Chris Rock comedy event and be a part of Netflix history. This will be an unforgettable moment and we’re so honored that Chris is carrying this torch.”

The appearance will mark the second time Rock has done a stand-up special for the network. In 2018, he made his Netflix debut with “Chris Rock: Tamborine."