Thursday, September 26, 2024

Cat Glover, Prince's Dynamic Dancer and Choreographer, Dies at 62

Photo Credit: Facebook/Official Cat Glover
Cat Glover, a dancer, singer, and choreographer best known for her collaborations with Prince during the late 1980s, has died. She was 62.
Her death was announced on her official Facebook page Monday night. “It’s with great sadness that we formally announce the passing of Catherine Vernice Glover- AKA ‘Cat,’” the post read. “Please allow her children, family, and friends privacy at this difficult time.” No cause of death was disclosed, but a further statement is expected to be released.

Born Catherine Vernice Glover on July 23, 1962, in Chicago, Glover began dancing at age 5. She rose to fame in 1986 as part of the dance duo Pat & Cat on the TV talent show "Star Search," where the pair made history as the first act to earn a perfect four-star score.


Although Glover was offered a backup dancer role by David Bowie, she chose to work with Prince, a decision that defined her career. Glover became a key figure in Prince's performances during his Sign o’ the Times and Lovesexy tours, contributing vocals, dancing, and choreography. She famously performed the rap on Prince’s hit “Alphabet St.” and appeared in several of his music videos and the 1987 concert film "Sign o’ the Times."
In a 2018 interview, Glover said she left Prince’s group in 1989 as he focused on creating the "Batman" soundtrack. Despite parting ways, Glover remained active in the entertainment industry, continuing to choreograph and perform. 

Reflecting on Prince’s death in a 2016 interview with The Crusader, Glover shared that Prince had reached out to her while she was recovering from a health issue. “He had my back,” Glover said. “He was there all the time."
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Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Jazz Great Benny Golson, Composer of ‘Killer Joe,’ Dies at 95

Benny Golson, renowned tenor saxophonist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master, passed away at his Manhattan home on Saturday at the age of 95, following a short illness, his longtime manager Jason Franklin confirmed.

Golson's career spanned seven decades, during which he became one of jazz's most revered figures. A Philadelphia native, Golson was influenced early by his childhood friend John Coltrane and later worked with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Art Blakey. He also co-founded the influential sextet, the Jazztet, with trumpeter Art Farmer in 1959.

As a composer, Golson's works became jazz standards. Songs like "I Remember Clifford," "Whisper Not," "Along Came Betty" and "Killer Joe" remain key pieces in the jazz repertoire, played and recorded by musicians worldwide.

Outside of performance, Golson contributed to television and film, scoring for series like "MASH*" and "Mission: Impossible," and he even made a cameo in the 2004 film "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks.

Golson's impact on jazz extended far beyond his music. He appeared in the iconic "A Great Day in Harlem" photo in 1958, alongside 56 other jazz legends, and was one of the last surviving members of that historic moment.

Jazz historian Monifa Brown, host of WBGO’s Saturday Evening Jazz, paid tribute to Golson, saying, “The modern jazz lexicon simply would not be what it is without the distinctive compositions of Benny Golson. His ability to be a phenomenal composer and soloist simultaneously was rare, and his influence is felt on every corner of the globe.”

Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride also expressed his sorrow, writing on Facebook, “He represented an era of class and sophistication. I’m forever thankful to have played with him.”

Benny Golson is survived by his wife, Bobbie, and their daughter, Brielle.

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'Significant Human Impact': 50 Cent's Diddy Docuseries Promises Unflinching Look

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is producing a Netflix documentary series examining allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, sexual assault, and violent abuse against fellow music industry mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Directed by Alexandria Stapleton, the project is currently in production.

“This is a story with significant human impact. It is a complex narrative spanning decades, not just the headlines or clips seen so far,” Jackson and Stapleton said in a joint statement to Variety. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to give a voice to the voiceless and to present authentic and nuanced perspectives. While the allegations are disturbing, we urge all to remember that Sean Combs’ story is not the full story of hip-hop and its culture. We aim to ensure that individual actions do not overshadow the culture’s broader contributions.”

The series marks a significant milestone in Jackson's production career, with his G-Unit Film & Television banner overseeing the project alongside Stapleton's House of Nonfiction. Jackson first announced the series in December after Combs was sued by four women, including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose lawsuit in November 2023 opened the floodgates for more accusations. Ventura settled her case out of court, but further lawsuits soon followed.

Combs was arrested in New York last week and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to the charges but remains in custody after being denied bail during an appeal hearing.

Despite the mounting allegations, Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing. After a video leaked in May showing him physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel, he took to social media, issuing a public apology and taking "full responsibility" for his actions. This was his first and only admission of misconduct, following years of denying various accusations.

“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” Combs said in a statement posted to social media in December. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”

The post, which read "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH," was later removed from Combs' Instagram account but remains pinned to his X (formerly Twitter) profile.

In March, Homeland Security agents raided Combs' Los Angeles and Miami properties. Shortly afterward, Combs shared a clip from his 1998 music video "Victory," with the caption "Bad Boy for life," in what appeared to be a symbolic reference to his past defiance against law enforcement.

50 Cent, a vocal critic of Combs on social media, has repeatedly used these events to underscore the importance of the documentary. After former model Crystal McKinney's lawsuit against Combs surfaced, Jackson posted on Instagram: "TMZ use this fat boy picture of me because their doc went to Tubi LOL. It’s ok guys we’re all making good television, mine just happens to be the best! NETFLIX wins the bidding war but if more victims keep coming out, I’m gonna need more episodes."
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