Woman of the Ghetto' Singer Marlena Shaw Passes Away at 81

Photo Credit: Cadet Records

Marlena Shaw, the revered soul and jazz vocalist whose voice graced timeless hits like "California Soul" and "Woman of the Ghetto," has died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by Shaw's daughter, Marla Bradshaw, in a video posted on Facebook on Friday. No cause of death was given.

“It’s with a very heavy heart for myself and my family I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist Marlena Shaw has passed away today at 12:03,” Bradshaw shared. “She was peaceful. We were at peace.”

Shaw's musical journey began in 1966 when she signed with Chess Records. Her rise to prominence came through Cadet Records, a subsidiary of Chess, where she released two defining albums: "Out of Different Bags" (1967) and "The Spice of Life" (1969). The latter featured the iconic "California Soul," penned by Ashford & Simpson. With its infectious groove and optimistic lyrics, the song became an instant classic, later sampled by countless artists and featured in numerous films and TV shows, solidifying its place as a timeless treasure.

RIP Marlena Shaw. The Spice Of Life LP was one of those records which shaped my teens, but as a kid raised on jazz, I can’t help but love seeing Marlena in action with Count Basie. Here they are in Stockholm in ‘68 pic.twitter.com/wigtj3HGoQ

— wrongtom (@TheWrongtom) January 20, 2024

In 1972, Shaw transitioned to Blue Note Records, where she continued to release critically acclaimed albums like "Marlena" (1972), "From the Depths of My Soul" (1973) and the live album "Marlena Shaw Live at Montreux" (1974). Her prolific career spanned eight record labels and yielded a total of 17 albums, each showcasing her versatility and artistic depth.

RIP to one of the greatest & beautifully distinctive Soul/Jazz/Blues songstresses, Marlena Shaw. 🕊️

Since it’s #NationalDJDay, what better way to celebrate 2 Icons than sharing this fly-assed routine of ‘California Soul’ by the one n only @SkratchBastid 🔥🔥

RIP Guru as well 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/omhOTSE6Hr

— Evezzy-E (@EvezzyE) January 20, 2024

While "California Soul" remains her most recognized song, Shaw's repertoire extended far beyond this single hit. Her soulful renditions of "Feel Like Making Love," "Loving You Was Like A Party" and "Go Away Little Boy" captivated audiences with their raw emotion and playful energy. Her 1990 Grammy nomination for her cover of "Is You or Is You Ain't My Baby" further cemented her place as a vocal powerhouse with an impressive range.

Beyond her solo career, Shaw's musical tapestry became a treasure trove for hip-hop artists.

Jay-Z's iconic "California Love" wove Shaw's vocals into a smooth West Coast anthem, while Gang Starr's "Check the Technique" laid a gritty boom-bap foundation with the song's chorus. But Shaw's influence wasn't limited to this one hit. DJ Shadow's "Organ Donor" chopped and reimagined "Loving You Was Like a Party" into a mesmerizing soundscape, and Laika reclaimed the iconic melody for female empowerment in her own "California Soul." Even the defiant fire of "Go Away Little Boy" found new life in Xzhibit's hard-hitting "Infiltrator."

Funkenstein's Forever Groovin': George Clinton Earns Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Screengrab: YouTube

George "Dr. Funkenstein" Clinton, the 82-year-old funk pioneer, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. The ceremony featured speeches from notable figures such as Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, legendary Motown songwriter Janie Bradford and civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.

“This feels good as s***,” exclaimed Clinton during the ceremony. “I’m proud as hell.”

Serving as the creative force behind the iconic bands Parliament/Funkadelic, Clinton played a pivotal role in crafting timeless classics such as “(I Wanna) Testify,” “P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up),” “Star Child (Mothership Connection),” “Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk),” “Flash Light,” “Aqua Boogie,” “One Nation Under a Groove,” “(Not Just) Knee Deep” and “Atomic Dog.”

Parliament-Funkadelic's musical influence transcends the dance floor, weaving into the very fabric of contemporary genres. Their groundbreaking fusion of psychedelia, funk, rock, and soul ignited a sonic revolution resonating across generations.

Reflecting on his seven-decade music career, Clinton shared insights into the highs and lows, emphasizing the ever-changing nature of fame. “I learned early on in this journey that you are only as big as your latest hit,” he remarked. “So you had to keep things in perspective, to keep from getting a big head. I found out that there would be times when it seemed like everyone knew your name. Then were times when no one knew you. I learned to respect the balance.”

Recounting his early inspirations and challenges, Clinton revealed how rejection by Motown for not looking as cool as the Temptations led him to adopt a new, hippie-inspired look for his groundbreaking groups Funkadelic and Parliament. “About as anti-Motown as you could get!” he quipped.

Before Clinton’s speech, Kiedis took to the podium, sharing his memories of being inspired by the funk icon and living near him during the production of Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1985 album, "Freaky Styley." “We started writing, and George started teaching us,” said Kiedis. “For me personally, George became an instant friend, a teacher, a mentor, a father figure, a co-conspirator, an instigator, and, honestly, a conductor of alien enterprises, truth be told.”

Bradford, looking back at the '70s heyday of Funkadelic, congratulated Clinton on his continued work at 82. “My kids think I’m cool because I know George Clinton. I think I am blessed that he is my friend and I am his. Congratulations, George!”

Crump emphasized the unifying power of Clinton’s music, stating, “Now more than ever in the world, we need music that brings us all together. And nobody’s music brings us all together quite like this brother’s brings us together — one nation under a groove. This brother got brothers and sisters all across the globe coming together through the Mothership Connection.”

The star, located at 6752 Hollywood Blvd. in front of the Musicians Institute, marks the 2769th addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In addition to the Walk of Fame induction, a documentary titled "Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?" is in the works, delving into Clinton’s life and influence. Written by Ishmael Reed and co-directed by Alan Elliott and Christopher Harris, the documentary promises an absurdist take on Parliament-Funkadelic’s history with unprecedented access to Clinton’s archive.

Watch the trailer below.

Snoop Dogg's Daughter Cori Broadus, 24, Reveals 'Severe Stroke' on Instagram

Snoop Dogg's daughter Cori (left) suffered a 'severe stroke'. Photo Credit: Instagram/@princessbroadus

Snoop Dogg's daughter, Cori Broadus, 24, suffered a severe stroke earlier on Thursday, she revealed in a series of emotional Instagram posts. Broadus, who has battled lupus since she was 6, shared her shock and confusion after learning of the diagnosis.

"I had a severe stroke this am," she wrote, accompanied by a photo of herself in a hospital bed. "I started breaking down crying when they told me."

The young singer, known by her stage name CHOC, further expressed her disbelief in a subsequent post. "Like I'm only 24," she wrote. "What did I do in my past to deserve all of this?"

Broadus' announcement resonated with her 657,000 followers, sparking an outpouring of support. This isn't the first time she's opened up about her health struggles. In 2021, she spoke candidly about battling mental and physical health issues, including a past suicide attempt.

"Just because my dad is who he is doesn't mean I don't get sad," she shared at the time. "I've been sick, I am sick. It's a lot."

Her father, Snoop Dogg, and his wife Shante have been unwavering in their support throughout her health journey. In fact, Cori's decision to switch to a holistic approach to managing her lupus last year stemmed from a desire to reduce her reliance on medication.

"I've had medication since I was 6 years old, depending on these drugs all my life," she explained to People magazine. "So I kind of just went cold turkey."

Her Instagram posts offered no updates on the type of stroke she experienced or her current medical status. However, the outpouring of love and concern online suggests a close-knit community anxiously awaiting further details.