city Motown: Last News

Jerry Blavat, a fast-talking DJ in Philadelphia who was a staunch backer of R&B in an era where “race records” weren’t mainstream, died Friday at Jefferson-Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia. His death was confirmed by his close friend A.J. Mattia and Keely Stahl, the latter his companion of more than 30 years.

Ashley Simpson's surprise appearance on stage with Demi Lovato in Los Angeles this past September appears to have sparked the music bug back into the mother of three.During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, which aired earlier this week, the Pieces Of Me singer confessed she plans to write and record a new studio album.And while explaining how motherhood kept taking precedence when she had the itch to make new music over the years, Simpson revealed that she has played some of her new music to her mother-in-law, who just happens to be the legendary Supremes lead singer Diana Ross. Nerves over mother-in-law: After revealing that she's going to record a new studio album, Ashley Simpson confessed to how 'nerve-wracking' it is when she plays new music for her mother-in-law, Diana RossAnd as you would expect, Simpson confessed to being nervous whenever she got advice from the Ain't No Mountain High Enough singer.'I think it's nerve-wracking at first playing music for anyone when it's new, but definitely her,' Simpson told Hudson.

Motown singer Bertha Barbee McNeal has died at the age of 82.

The Velvelettes member Bertha Barbee McNeal died Thursday at a Kalamazoo, Michigan hospice at the age of 82 after a battle with colon cancer.McNeal and her group - which the late Amy Winehouse said was influential to her - had hit tracks such as Needle in a Haystack and (He Was) Really Saying Something, the latter of which was covered by Bananarama.The Velvelettes' lead singer Cal Gill Street described McNeal to The Detroit News as 'the group historian, and the glue that kept us together.' Details: The Velvelettes member Bertha Barbee McNeal died Thursday at a Kalamazoo, Michigan hospice at the age of 82 after a battle with colon cancer. She was pictured in 2013 in NYC She added, 'She was an angel.

Bertha Barbee McNeal, whose Motown group The Velvelettes had hits with“Needle in a Haystack” and “(He Was) Really Saying Something,” died Thursday in hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 82 and had colon cancer.

Marvin Gaye's ex wife Janis Hunter Gaye has died aged 66. The late Motown legend's second wife passed away on Saturday (03. 12.

EXCLUSIVE: Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul who recorded hits such as Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through The Grapevine, is gearing up for a scripted mini-series about her life.

A star studded lineup is set for the Critics Choice Association’s 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema and Television taking place in Los Angeles on Monday December 5, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

Courteney Cox, Kerry Washington, Lizzo, and Megan Thee Stallion led the stars over the weekend in getting into the spirit of Halloween. Celebrities jumped at the chance to dress up and go out partying across the globe, with many spooky and creative costumes being shown.Kerry Washington looked like the spitting image of Lionel Richie as she dressed up in a green sweater to recreate the cover of his debut 1982 solo studio album on Motown Records. Celebrities jumped at the chance to dress up and go out partying across the globe, with many spooky and creative costumes being shownThe beauty captioned the post, 'Ready to embarrass my kids ALL NIGHT LONG #HappyHalloween.'The 45-year-old Scandal star took to her Instagram to show off her incredible transformation complete with a mustache and wig.All the Hollywood stars are posting their best Halloween costumes on social media.

DEALSYoungBoy Never Broke Again has signed a new record deal with Universal Music’s Motown, according to Billboard. He moves over from Warner Music’s Atlantic label.

Tito Puente continues living in the hearts of millions of Latinos and Hispanics worldwide. Recently, Google honored the musician, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer with a special Doodle and a short. As a celebratory gesture during Hispanic Heritage Month, the late Puerto Rican descent star, widely known for his dance-oriented mambo and Latin jazz compositions, including his most famous song, “Oye Como Va,” is now part of the Google Doodle history for his contributuons to music.

If you’re planning a wedding right now, we know how stressful it can be. So, to help, we’ve rounded up some brilliant venues, photographers, and other professionals to ensure your special day is as stress-free and memorable as possible.

Next month Quavo and Takeoff will share Only Built For Infinity Links, a collaborative album that pointedly doesn't include fellow Migos member Offset. It's unclear quite what is going on with the Atlanta trio but Quavo and Takeoff have been busy dropping new music together and today brings another taste of their project in the shape of "Nothing Changed." Make what you will of that title and take a listen below. Speaking with GQ in July, Quavo insisted that Migos are just spreading their individual wings: “I feel like every group member has to establish themselves.

vague Instagram posts featuring a road and a steering wheel, Bruce Springsteen announced today that he’ll be dropping a new album of soul covers, “Only the Strong Survive,” on November 11. This will be the ageless rocker’s 21st studio album, which “celebrates 15 soul music gems from the legendary catalogues of Motown, Gamble and Huff, Stax and many more,” according to the announcement.In a video message posted on social media, Springsteen said his latest project will also put his vocals front and center — something he said has always played “second, third or fourth” to other elements in his music like composition, arrangements and melodies. “In my own memoir, I gave my voice a little short shrift by saying I i didn’t think I had much of one,” he said in a video announcing “Only The Strong Survive.”“I decided to do something I had never done before, make some music that is centered around singing, around challenging my voice.

There’s a new Bruce Springsteen album on the way.

Bruce Springsteen has announced his new album, ‘Only The Strong Survive’ – listen to his cover of Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ below.After teasing the announcement yesterday (September 28), Springsteen has now confirmed that his next record, billed as a collection of “15 soul music greats”, will be released on November 11 via Columbia (pre-order here).In an announcement video shared this afternoon (September 29) that you can watch below, Springsteen told his fans that the record will celebrate an array of soul music classics from such catalogues as Motown, Gamble and Huff and Stax.“I wanted to make an album where I just sang,” Springsteen said. “And what better music to work with than the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies?“I’ve taken my inspiration from Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin, the Iceman Jerry Butler, Diana Ross, Dobie Gray and Scott Walker, among many others. I’ve tried to do justice to them all — and to the fabulous writers of this glorious music.“My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor With lead vocals by Springsteen, “Only The Strong Survive” features songs from the catalogs of Motown and Stax Records, the songwriting duo of Gamble and Huff and more. This album, Springsteen’s 21st studio outing, will also feature guest vocals by soul great Sam Moore, as well as contributions from the E Street Horns, string arrangements by Rob Mathes, and backing vocals by Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Curtis King Jr., Dennis Collins and Fonzi Thornton. Bruce Springsteen commented: “I wanted to make an album where I just sang. And what better music to work with than the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies? I’ve taken my inspiration from Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin, the Iceman Jerry Butler, Diana Ross, Dobie Gray, and Scott Walker, among many others. I’ve tried to do justice to them all—and to the fabulous writers of this glorious music. My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it.”

Lil Baby has shared a new single titled ‘The World Is Yours To Take’, heavily sampling Tears For Fears’ 1985 classic ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’.The song is shaped around the lead melody of the Tears For Fears track – one of the Bath outfits most iconic – with Lil Baby rapping about ambition and personal triumph over it. In the first verse, he spits: “I’m by far one of the hardest workers / Real firm believer in “practice make perfect” / You can gather all the water, stay thirsty / Took a lot to get us here / We broke curses.”It comes as part of a collaboration between Lil Baby and American beer brand Budweiser, and was released as the latter’s official anthem for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Thania Garcia In spring 2020, the U.S. came to terms with its role in racial inequality on the heels of a tragedy: the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. That singular moment compelled many, including those in the music business, to pledge funds and action. It also gave birth to the Black Music Action Coalition, a collective of Black creators, activists and change-makers who have diligently kept the issue in the headlines and on the minds of corporate parents.  On Sept. 22, the organization — whose leadership includes industry veterans Damien Smith, Caron Veazey and Shawn Holiday, among others — celebrates its second annual Music in Action gala in Beverly Hills, where honorees include Lil Baby, Sony Music Publishing chairman Jon Platt, 300 Elektra Entertainment’s Kevin Liles and 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones. It promises to be a gathering of heavies, as last year’s inaugural fete — Variety is a media sponsor — drew the Weeknd, Motown chairwoman Ethiopia Habtemariam and attorney Ben Crump. 

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, Music Gordan Dillard is trading SALXCO, management home to Doja Cat, for Capitol Music Group where he joins as executive vice president of A&R and artist development. The Los Angeles-based Dillard, who plans to maintain a “strong presence” in New York, reports to CMG chair and CEO Michelle Jubelirer and is tasked with signing and developing artists across the pool of Universal Music Group labels. His start date was Sept. 19. Dillard will continue to manage Doja Cat alongside Lydia Asrat, Josh Kaplan and SALXCO founder/CEO Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, who noted: “SALXCO is about building a culture of young entrepreneurs to watch them grow into some of the industry’s most powerful players. I am so proud of Gordan and all his success.”

Marva Hicks, a Broadway actress and recording artist, has passed away.