Sam Moore, Half of the Dynamic Sam & Dave Duo, Passes Away at Age 89

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sam Moore, the legendary soul singer who, with Dave Prater as part of the duo Sam & Dave, delivered enduring hits like "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin'," has died at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by Stax Records and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Stax Records paid tribute to Moore in a statement on social media, saying: “We’re saddened to hear that Sam Moore, of the legendary duo Sam & Dave, passed away at age 89. Together with Dave Prater, Mr. Moore brought early success to a fledgling Stax label with hits like ‘Soul Man,’ ‘Hold On I’m Comin,’ and more.”

In Memoriam: Sam Moore - As half of the Memphis soul powerhouse Sam & Dave, 1992 Inductee Sam Moore helped bring the sounds of the Black gospel church to pop music. A cornerstone act for Stax Records, Sam & Dave are the most successful soul duo in history, 1/2 pic.twitter.com/l9nnndeg7z

— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) January 11, 2025

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted Sam & Dave in 1992, honored Moore by saying: “Sam Moore’s voice was a force of nature, and his music with Dave Prater will forever be a cornerstone of soul music.”

Nile Rodgers, a celebrated musician and producer, also remembered Moore, stating, “Sam Moore was a pioneer who paved the way for so many of us in the music industry. His voice and presence will be deeply missed.”

Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Florida, Moore’s journey began in gospel music before transitioning to soul. In 1961, he teamed up with Dave Prater, and their partnership became known for its electric stage presence and dynamic vocal interplay. Their collaboration with Stax Records’ songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter produced hits that defined the golden age of soul music.

We’re saddened to hear that Sam Moore, of the legendary duo Sam & Dave, passed away at age 89. 🤍 Together with Dave Prater, Mr. Moore brought early success to a fledgling Stax label with hits like “Soul Man,” “Hold On I’m Comin,’” “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” and more. pic.twitter.com/URxUSMowU4

— Stax Records (@StaxRecords) January 11, 2025

"Soul Man," released in 1967, became their signature track and a cultural anthem, earning a Grammy Award and later induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song’s legacy was revived in the late 1970s by the Blues Brothers, introducing it to a new generation.

While Sam & Dave’s professional relationship was tumultuous, Moore’s influence remained unwavering. Following the group’s final split in 1981, he embarked on a solo career and collaborated with artists such as Bruce Springsteen. In 2006, Moore released the album Overnight Sensational, which featured contributions from artists like Sting and Billy Preston.

RIP to a great Soul Man and a great friend, Sam Moore!

Condolences to his fam and friends who are many.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#sammoore #samanddave #friend #royalty #king #musicislife #magical #randb #musician #supporter #humantarian #1m #essence #heart #heartbroken #hero #realdeal pic.twitter.com/1XjX0dviJX

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) January 11, 2025

Moore’s later life was marked by advocacy for artists’ rights and triumphs over personal struggles, including substance abuse in the 1970s and 1980s. With support from his wife, Joyce, whom he married in 1982, Moore achieved sobriety and became a voice for musicians navigating the industry’s challenges.

Moore’s passing is being mourned across the music world, with fans and peers celebrating the legacy of a true soul pioneer. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughter, and two grandchildren.

Lil Baby’s ‘My Turn’ Named Top Rap Album of the 21st Century, Outranks Kanye and Kendrick

Lil Baby’s 2020 album “My Turn” has been ranked the highest rap project on Billboard’s “Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century” list, landing at No. 8 overall. The placement has ignited a heated debate among music fans and critics online.

Billboard’s ranking evaluates albums based on performance on the Billboard 200 charts from Jan. 1, 2000, through Dec. 28, 2024. “My Turn,” released on Feb. 28, 2020, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 197,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, marking Lil Baby’s first chart-topping album.

The album, featuring collaborations with Gunna, 42 Dugg, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Wayne, achieved remarkable longevity. It spent 85 weeks in the top 10 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, setting a record for the longest streak in the chart’s history.

Despite these achievements, the album’s high placement on Billboard’s list has drawn criticism. Many fans argue that other iconic rap albums, including those from Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar, were unfairly overlooked.

“No exaggeration, but this is one of the worst ranking selections I’ve seen in a long time. The same century that gave us Kanye, Lil Wayne, Drake, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and so on. Yet they select Lil Baby’s ‘My Turn’ as the biggest rap album of that century? Whoever chose that has minimal hip-hop knowledge,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Another added, “Kanye and Jay-Z didn’t make the list. We say it a lot, but this really might be the worst list ever put together. Beyoncé didn’t make it either.”

Billboard has not publicly clarified the specific criteria used for the rankings beyond chart performance. The controversy underscores the subjective nature of music rankings and the passionate discourse they often spark among fans.

Lil Baby, born Dominique Jones in Atlanta, has been a dominant force in rap since his breakout mixtape in 2017. Known for his distinctive flow and storytelling, he has collaborated with top-tier artists and earned multiple accolades, cementing his status as one of the genre’s biggest stars.

As the debate continues, “My Turn” remains a testament to Lil Baby’s impact on modern music, representing his ascent to rap superstardom in the 21st century.

Jay-Z Seeks Sanctions Against Attorney in Sexual Assault Lawsuit Over Alleged Misconduct

Photograph by Mason Poole. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, calling the allegations "false and defamatory" and seeking sanctions against the plaintiff's attorney, Tony Buzbee, for purported ethical violations.

In the motion submitted Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Carter’s legal team argued that the lawsuit, filed by an anonymous Jane Doe, is riddled with inconsistencies and lacks evidentiary support. The filing asserts that Buzbee failed to conduct basic due diligence, including verifying key elements of the plaintiff’s claims, before filing the complaint.

“The allegations in this case strain the outer bounds of credulity and demonstrate a failure to meet the basic ethical obligations required of any attorney,” Alex Spiro, Jay-Z's attorney, wrote in the filing. “This lawsuit is not only baseless but also deeply damaging to Mr. Carter’s reputation and family.”

The complaint alleges that Jane Doe was assaulted at a 2000 afterparty hosted by music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs following the MTV Video Music Awards. Doe claimed Carter and an unnamed female celebrity were involved. However, Carter’s legal team pointed to photographic and video evidence showing that he was at a nightclub on the night in question, not the private residence described in the lawsuit.

The motion further notes discrepancies in Doe’s account, including her claim that she spoke to a musician at the party who, records show, was performing in another state that evening. Additionally, Doe’s father, identified as a key witness in the lawsuit, reportedly told NBC News he had no recollection of driving her from New York City back to their home in Rochester, a critical detail in her narrative.

The motion also criticized Buzbee for allegedly using the case to generate publicity, including setting up a hotline soliciting potential plaintiffs against Combs shortly after Combs was indicted on unrelated charges in September 2024. Carter’s lawyers allege that the lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of rushed filings and unsubstantiated claims.

Buzbee has not withdrawn the complaint despite public reporting undermining its allegations, the motion states. Carter's attorneys are seeking monetary sanctions against Buzbee and a dismissal of the case with prejudice.

Buzbee has not responded to requests for comment. In prior statements, he defended his handling of the case and said his firm is continuing to investigate the claims.

The court has not yet ruled on the motion.