Friday, June 9, 2023

Watch: Babyface Mesmerizes in Captivating Performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series

Babyface, the renowned singer, producer, and songwriter, mesmerized audiences with a captivating performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series Friday.

In honor of June's Black Music Month, the legendary artist showcased his massive catalog of hits in a stripped-down setting, delivering a performance that left fans heaping praise on the star on social media.


"Charlie Wilson & Babyface in one week! Tiny Desk is showing out for Black Music Month," one fan Tweeted.

Another added, "This Babyface Tiny Desk is UNREAL."

With the iconic NPR Washington, D.C. studio as his stage, Babyface, also known as Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, took center-mic for a memorable performance that lasted nearly 30 minutes.

The intimate concert featured a collection of the 64-year-old's greatest hits, both self-penned and crafted for other music superstars. From his 1989 love ballad "Whip Appeal" to Whitney Houston's powerful anthem "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and Tevin Campbell's heartfelt track "Can We Talk," Babyface brought each song to life with his signature smoothness and undeniable talent.

Opening the set with "Two Occasions," a classic he originally performed with his former group The Deele, Babyface set the tone for a concert filled with nostalgia and soulful melodies.

During the performance, he took a moment to pay homage to Whitney Houston, whom he considered "one of the greatest artists ever." Reflecting on their collaboration for the 1995 film "Waiting to Exhale," sharing the story behind "Exhale" and Houston's initial uncertainty about singing on the track.

He revealed, "For the longest time, I hadn't started to write this song because I didn't know whether she was going to sing. And then finally she said she was going to sing, and that kind of explains why on the chorus there's no real lyrics, because I hadn't gotten to that part yet."

The concert featured special guest performances by R&B singers Tank, Chanté Moore and Avery Wilson, adding an extra layer of magic to the proceedings. Babyface's band, comprising music director Erskine Hawkins III on keyboards, Antoine Porter on guitar, Walt Barnes Jr. on bass and Reggie Regg on drums, provided the perfect musical backdrop for the star as he reeled off classic-after-classic.

With each song, Babyface showcased his versatility as an artist, effortlessly transitioning between heartfelt ballads and soul-stirring R&B anthems.

Click on the video above to watch the entire performance.
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Watch: Tupac Shakur Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in Posthumous Tribute

Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, solidifying his status as an icon whose influence continues to reverberate through the generations.Ana Martinez, the producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, expressed the impact of Shakur's legacy, stating, "Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, activist, poet, and revolutionary. This iconic artist has remained part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come. As one of L.A.'s own, Tupac's star will surely join the list of the most visited stars."

The star unveiling ceremony, hosted by emcee Big Boy, featured filmmaker Allen Hughes, director of the acclaimed docuseries "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur." Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, his sister, accepted the star on behalf of the family.Shakur, known internationally for his multifaceted talent, transcended the boundaries of art and activism. In his brief but prolific career, he sold over 75 million records worldwide, solidifying his status as one of hip-hop's most iconic figures. Both his albums, "All Eyez on Me" and "Greatest Hits," achieved Diamond certification, with sales surpassing ten million copies each.


Shakur's legacy extends beyond music, as he made a significant impact in the film industry with memorable performances in movies such as "Juice," "Poetic Justice," and "Above The Rim," showcasing his versatility as an actor.

His cultural impact has been recognized through various museum exhibits, including the Grammy Museum's "All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur" and the thought-provoking museum experience "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free" in Los Angeles.

Watch the video of the star unveiling ceremony below.

 

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Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Jazz Icon Reuben Wilson, Who Impacted Nas and the World of Hip Hop, Dies at 88

Courtesy Photo Francis Wolff/© Blue Note Records

Reuben Wilson, the renowned jazz organist known for his infectious grooves and pioneering contributions to soul and acid jazz, has died at the age of 88.

His son, Reuben Reuel Wilson, confirmed the news in a heartfelt post on Twitter, stating, "My father, Reuben Wilson, jazz mf LEGEND, passed away very early this morning. Even though I've been preparing for this for a lil while, you're never truly ready when it happens. Gonna miss you dad, love you always."No official cause of death was given for Wilson, who died in Harlem. However, his May 26 demise followed a long battle with dementia, and he had recently been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

Born on April 9, 1935, in Mounds, Oklahoma, he grew up to become one of the most influential organists in the history of jazz. Standing at 6 ft. 5 inches, Wilson's commanding presence behind the Hammond B-3 organ and his funk-infused recordings for Blue Note Records in the late 1960s and early '70s left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring acid jazz DJs and hip-hop artists worldwide."Reuben Wilson helped usher in what we now call Soul Jazz," Pete Fallico, founder of the Jazz Organ Fellowship Hall of Fame, told NPR. "His music was revitalized in the '90s when DJs like Gilles Petersen started playing all these old funky tunes he had recorded decades earlier."


Wilson's journey to musical greatness began in Pasadena, California, where his family moved during the Dust Bowl era. While pursuing a career as a professional heavyweight boxer and sparring partner for future champion Floyd Patterson, his love for music, sparked by encounters with boogie-woogie sounds and pianist Sonny Clark, eventually led him to embrace the Hammond organ.

In 1966, Wilson relocated to New York City, immersing himself in the vibrant jazz scene. Late-night jam sessions in Harlem clubs and a steady gig with saxophonist Willis "Gator" Jackson propelled his career forward and caught the attention of Blue Note Records' Francis Wolff. The resulting five-album deal showcased Wilson's unique fusion of jazz and funk, creating a sound that resonated with audiences and fellow musicians.

While Wilson faced challenges in the 1980s and '90s due to the rise of synthesizers and changing musical trends, his legacy found new life in hip-hop.

During the 1990s, Wilson's recordings from the late 1960s and early '70s resurfaced and became sought-after samples for hip-hop producers. One notable example is Nas' 1994 critically acclaimed debut album, Illmatic, which prominently featured a sample from Wilson's 1971 composition "We're in Love." This usage solidified his presence in the hip-hop community and introduced his distinctive sound to a new generation of listeners.



Wilson's collaboration with rapper Guru on the Jazzmatazz series further exemplified his impact on hip-hop, bridging the gap between jazz and hip-hop by featuring renowned jazz musicians collaborating with hip-hop artists. Wilson's contributions showcased the seamless blending of genres and the relevance of his music in a contemporary context.


Wilson continued to perform and record well into his seventies, leaving behind a discography of at least 17 albums that showcase his undeniable talent.

He is survived by his second wife, Daphne, their son Reuben, and his son Roderick Wilson from his first marriage to singer Faye Emma Smith Wilson.
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