Archive for February, 2008
Harlem, NY – Finally! Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (Oshun Publishing Paperback) is now available. The first complete biography of the most well-known African-American gangster of all time, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, this gripping life history is written by the person who knew Bumpy Johnson best, his 93-year-old widow, Mayme Johnson.
Buddy Miles, the rock and R&B drummer, singer and songwriter whose eclectic career included stints playing with Jimi Hendrix and as the lead voice of the California Raisins, the animated clay figures that became an advertising phenomenon in the late 1980s, has died. He was 60.
NEW YORK, NY, February 21, 2008 – When VH1 Soul “SoulStage” made its debut in August 2007 with R&B songstress Jill Scott, it was clear that the soul was about to become unstoppable. Wyclef Jean continued to stir up the soul as the featured artist of the second presentation of VH1 Soul “SoulStage,” where he [...]
LOS ANGELES, February 20, 2008 – BMI will salute duo Daryl Hall & John Oates as BMI Icons at its 56th annual Pop Awards, slated for Tuesday, May 20 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, [...]
1973: Rufus First female leader of a funk band. Rufus proudly explores the dimensions of rock and soul via Ike and Tina Turner in their sound. 1974: Rags To Rufus Stevie Wonder writes their first hit “Tell Me Something Good” and the song wins a Grammy. 1974: Rufusized Records party anthems “Once You Get Started,” [...]
Once upon a time Gladys Knight had the Pips, Anita Baker had Chapter 8, Luther Vandross had Change, Patti Labelle had The Bluebelles, Diana Ross was a Supreme before she became the Boss, and Chaka Khan had Rufus. Critics try to break her career up into three sections; lead singer of Rufus; singer of the [...]
Dianne Reeves, the preeminent jazz vocalist the New York Times described as, “The only jazz singer with a voice big enough to rival Sarah Vaughan’s,” is about to release a gorgeous album of songs celebrating the different stages of love in a woman’s life. When You Know, coming out on Blue Note Records April 15, [...]
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 7, 2008) At long last, with over 70 million combined albums sold worldwide and 12 Grammy wins together, Mary J. Blige and JAY-Z announced today that they will embark on a historic 25-date North American co-headlining tour. The “Mary J. Blige & JAY-Z: Heart of the City” tour marks the first [...]
If you’ve been wondering where your favorite producer has been hiding, he’s right here! Pete Rock has been one of Hip-Hop’s most revered musicians since the early ’90s. His melodic beats layered with thick basslines and distinct horns along with once partner CL Smooth was a breath of fresh air to consumers who were being [...]