Maze's Frankie Beverly Dies at 77

Frankie Beverly, the legendary soul singer and songwriter best known as the frontman for the funk band Maze, has died. He was 77.

Beverly's family announced his death Wednesday in a Facebook post, sharing their deep sorrow and asking for privacy as they mourn. The post read, in part: "Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience. During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance, we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way."

Born Howard Stanley Beverly on Dec. 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Frankie Beverly began his musical career in the 1960s, initially performing with local doo-wop groups. His big break came in the early 1970s when he formed Maze, a band that would go on to become a defining force in R&B and funk music.

Beverly's smooth, soulful voice and charismatic stage presence helped Maze produce several timeless hits, including "Joy and Pain," "Before I Let Go" and "Happy Feelin's." The band, known for its unique blend of soul, funk, and quiet storm, became a staple of the R&B genre, earning a devoted fan base and influencing countless artists.

Beverly's influence extended beyond his recordings. Maze's live performances were legendary, often lasting for hours and featuring extended improvisations. Their concerts became must-see events, particularly during the 1980s when the band was at its peak.

In their tribute, Beverly's family wrote: "He lived his life with pure soul, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family, and friends. Love one another, as he would want that for us all."

James Earl Jones, Iconic Voice of Darth Vader, Dies at 93

Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

James Earl Jones, the actor whose deep, resonant tones brought life to some of the most beloved characters in film and theater, has died at 93.

Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones overcame a childhood stutter to become one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment history. His early years in theater paved the way for a remarkable career, earning him his first Tony Award for his portrayal of boxer Jack Johnson in "The Great White Hope" in 1969.

Jones's deep, commanding voice reached an even broader audience when he was cast as the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas's "Star Wars" franchise. His portrayal of the menacing Sith Lord became a cultural phenomenon, with the character's voice instantly recognizable to fans around the globe.

However, Jones's contributions to cinema extended far beyond the galaxy far, far away. He also voiced King Mufasa in Disney's "The Lion King" (1994), a role that added a layer of warmth and wisdom to the beloved animated film. In addition to his voice work, Jones took on significant roles portraying real-life figures, such as civil rights leader Vernon Johns in "The Vernon Johns Story" and Alex Haley, the celebrated author in "Roots: The Next Generations."

Jones's achievements were not confined to film. He was a dedicated stage actor who returned to Broadway
multiple times, earning two additional Tony Awards, including one for his powerful performance in August Wilson's "Fences" in 1987. Even in recent years, he continued to grace the stage, appearing in a 2015 Broadway revival of "The Gin Game." His contributions to American theater and film were further recognized in 2011 when he was honored with an Honorary Academy Award, celebrating his vast influence on the arts.

Throughout his career, Jones broke barriers as a Black actor in Hollywood, inspiring countless performers who followed in his footsteps. His distinctive voice, often described as the "voice of God," became a sought-after sound for narrations, commercials, and documentaries, further cementing his cultural legacy.

Despite his towering presence in the entertainment industry, Jones was known for his humility and often credited his success to the guidance he received from mentors and the unwavering support of his family. He is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones, who continues to uphold his father's artistic legacy.

James Earl Jones: Awards and Honors

Tony Awards

Best Actor in a Play (1969): The Great White Hope
Best Actor in a Play (1987): Fences
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2017)

Grammy Award

Best Spoken Word or Non-musical Album (1978): Great American Documents

Emmy Awards

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special (1991): Heat Wave
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1977): Roots

Academy Awards

Honorary Award (2011)

Other Notable Honors

National Medal of Arts (1992)
Kennedy Center Honors (2002)
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2009)

'I Did it With All My Heart': Babyface's Emotional Journey to BMI Icon Status

Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for BMI

BMI celebrated the top talents in R&B and hip-hop during its 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on Thursday (Sept. 5) at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The star-studded event honored the producers and songwriters behind the year's 35 most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs, with 56 first-time winners taking home awards.

Babyface received the evening's top honor, the BMI Icon Award. A 13-time Grammy winner and prolific producer, Babyface has left his mark on multiple genres over five decades, amassing a total of 64 BMI Awards. He joins an elite list of past recipients, including Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne and Patti LaBelle.

His illustrious career was on full display as R&B and rap royalty paid tribute with performances of some of his most iconic songs. Mac Royals opened with "My My My," followed by Tamar Braxton's soulful rendition of "Superwoman." Mario closed the tribute with "I'll Make Love to You" and "Can We Talk" and rapper Lil Wayne honored Babyface as both a mentor and friend.

Congrats again to our #BMIIcon, @babyface! #BMIRNBHHAwards pic.twitter.com/2SUEHDvD40

— Broadcast Music Inc. (@bmi) September 6, 2024

In his acceptance speech, Babyface reflected, “I got here because I love music, and it was the one pure thing that I knew I could do, and I did it with all my heart.” He then surprised the crowd with a performance of his signature hit "Whip Appeal," drawing the audience to its feet.

With a career spanning five decades, Babyface has produced and written for artists like Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher, and Whitney Houston. His catalog, which includes classics such as "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men and "Take a Bow" by Madonna, has contributed to over 800 million records sold.

Thank you so much @bmi for honoring me last night 🥹🫶🏾💕 and thank you to all the amazing writers that have ever inspired me pic.twitter.com/z4joBQMWmf

— SZA (@sza) September 6, 2024

SZA, a four-time Grammy winner, made history as the first recipient of the BMI Champion Award, recognizing her boundary-pushing artistry and impact on songwriting. BMI’s Executive Vice President of Creative, Mike Steinberg, praised her “once-in-a-lifetime sound.”

SZA also won BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year for "Kill Bill," her first Billboard Hot 100 number one, which has over a billion streams on Spotify.

In her speech, SZA said, “Songwriting awards mean the most to me because when I started, I didn’t have anybody to write for me. I’m grateful to be honored today because so many songwriters here literally made me.”

Tay Keith was named Producer of the Year for the third time, recognized for hits like "First Person Shooter" by Drake featuring J. Cole. Other top producers honored included Metro Boomin, RIOTUSA, and Jahaan Sweet.

Universal Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for representing 21 of the most-performed songs, including "Kill Bill," "Barbie World" and "Paint the Town Red."

The complete list of winners is pictured below.