Huey Williams, Whose Voice Defined an Era of Gospel Music, Dies at 86

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Huey P. Williams, the commanding voice of the Jackson Southernaires and a cornerstone of American gospel music for over five decades, passed away peacefully at his home in Smithdale, Mississippi, on Wednesday. He was 86.

Born into a distinguished musical family, Williams was the elder brother of Frank Williams, founder of the Mississippi Mass Choir, and sibling to Melvin, Doug, and Leonard Williams of the Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers. Together, the Williams family significantly influenced the sound and direction of modern gospel music.

Williams joined the Jackson Southernaires in 1964, a group formed in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1940 by music producer Frank Crisler. Under Huey's guidance, the Southernaires rose to national prominence with their 1968 hit, "Too Late," a soulful anthem that quickly became Song Bird Records' best-selling track of the year.

In 1975, the Jackson Southernaires made history as the first gospel group signed to Malaco Records. Their groundbreaking partnership produced numerous Billboard-charting albums, including "Down Home" (1975), "Legendary Gentlemen" (1979), and "Lord, We Need Your Blessing" (1985). The group consistently ranked among Billboard’s Top Gospel/Soul Artists.

The Southernaires earned three consecutive Gospel Music Workshop of America awards for Traditional Male Group of the Year (1987–1989), a Stellar Award in 1989, and a Grammy nomination in 1992 for their acclaimed album, "Thank You Mama for Praying for Me." In recognition of their enduring impact, the city of Jackson renamed a street Jackson Southernaires Drive in 2010.

Williams performed as recently as late 2024, reflecting his lifelong devotion to gospel music. A musical celebration honoring his life is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at East Fernwood Missionary Baptist Church in McComb, Mississippi. His official celebration of life will take place Saturday, March 29, at 1 p.m., preceded by visitation at 11 a.m.

Will Smith Honored in West Philly as New Album ‘Based on a True Story’ Nears Release

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Will Smith’s deep connection to his hometown was immortalized Wednesday when the city officially renamed a stretch of 59th Street in West Philadelphia after the Oscar-winning actor and Grammy-winning rapper.

Mayor Cherelle Parker and other city leaders joined Smith at the ceremony, celebrating the legacy of one of Philadelphia’s most celebrated sons.

“Philly, I love you. I am yours. You are mine,” Smith told a crowd of family, fans and local officials. The moment came just days before the release of "Based on a True Story," his first full-length music project in more than two decades.

The ceremony, held near his alma mater Overbrook High School, was rich in nostalgia and reflection. Smith recounted lessons from his parents and the community that shaped his values.

“Nobody gets an easy ride,” he said. “That was one of the things these streets of Philadelphia taught me — that there’s nothing wrong with a hard day’s work.”

He also shared the origin of his iconic nickname: “The name ‘The Fresh Prince’ was coined in that building,” Smith said, pointing to Overbrook. “I added the ‘fresh’ because it was hip-hop slang.” The name would go on to inspire The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the 1990s sitcom that launched his Hollywood career and introduced West Philly to a global audience.

Now, as he prepares to drop "Based on a True Story" on Friday, Smith says this new creative chapter feels different. “This is going to be the greatest creative run of my entire career,” he said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “I’ve spent a lot of time looking inward these last few years. I found a new creative well, a really deep, authentic place inside of me.”

 

The album explores themes of personal growth, self-reflection and resilience. Its first “season,” titled "Rave in the Wasteland," sets the tone for the project’s layered structure.

“My challenges are divine curriculum,” Smith said. “There’s a magical key in the middle of every storm, and that’s what this album is about.”

 

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The music, featuring longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, blends classic hip-hop with modern influences. It’s a return to form for Smith — but one rooted in maturity and personal evolution.

In tandem with his musical comeback, Smith’s film career continues to evolve. Reflecting on his performance in "Emancipation," he noted how the role deepened his craft. “The work I’m doing now is going to be the greatest of my career,” he said with conviction.

North Carolina Considers Elevating Petey Pablo Hit to Official State Anthem

Petey Pablo once commanded the nation to "take your shirt off, twist it 'round your hand, spin it like a helicopter," and now North Carolina lawmakers are taking those lyrics to heart — officially.

A bill introduced Tuesday in the North Carolina Senate aims to immortalize Pablo’s 2001 hip-hop classic "Raise Up" as the state's official hip-hop anthem. Senate Bill 512 celebrates the song's lasting impact on North Carolina culture, placing it alongside cherished state symbols like the dogwood flower and the cardinal bird.

"Raise Up," released in August 2001, immediately became an iconic tribute to North Carolina pride, reverberating through stadiums, campuses, and street parties across the state. The bill notably coincides with the recent 50th anniversary of hip-hop and acknowledges North Carolina's pivotal contributions to the genre, particularly from its Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Petey Pablo, a Greenville native inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2024, is among a roster of influential Tar Heel hip-hop artists highlighted in the bill, including J. Cole, Rapsody, 9th Wonder, Phonte and Big Pooh.

Democratic Senators Natalie S. Murdock and DeAndrea Salvador, who sponsored the bill, emphasized "Raise Up" not only as a cultural phenomenon but as a representation of the spirit and resilience embedded deeply in the state's DNA.

For those new to the anthem — or those simply needing a refresher — revisit the music video that made "Raise Up" a part of hip-hop history below.