r&b

Be the first to comment

Apollo Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

Published April 7th, 2009 by Wendy
The Apollo Theater
Creative Commons License photo credit: Brymo

Harlem, New York’s legendary Apollo Theater will celebrate its 75th Anniversary this year by inducting music impresario Quincy Jones and singer Patti LaBelle into its Hall of Fame, according to an Associated Press report.

The gala ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 8, according to the report, and will be marked by performances from actor/comedian Jamie Foxx, singers Mariah Carey and Anita Baker, and the R&B group O’Jays.

The Apollo also will present its arts and humanitarian award to Bill Cosby and his wife, Camille. Previous recipients have included Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, and Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee. The award is named after Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

The Apollo Theater dates back to the mid-1800s, when it was founded as a dance hall and ballroom by former Civil War General Edward Ferrero.

Be the first to comment

Coachella 2009 Lineup Change: Amy Winehouse Cancels, Again.

Published March 9th, 2009 by Karen

At this point, it is almost impossible to be surprised by news that Amy Winehouse has cancelled another show. The British disaster is tangled up in a new round of legal problems, this time in connection to charges that she assaulted a fan at a party in September.

C’mon Amy, you’re supposed to attack critics, not fans.

Can’t this girl do anything right?

Winehouse had been scheduled to appear at April’s Coachella music festival in California along with big-name acts such as Paul McCartney, the Cure, Morrissey, the Killers, Leonard Cohen, Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and My Bloody Valentine.

Although her representatives have not confirmed details of Winehouse’s cancellation, it is likely that she has been denied a US work visa due to her looming legal problems. The 25-year-old singer is due to appear in court March 17.

We’re pretty sure that nobody was going to Coachella just to see Winehouse’s scary skeleton wobble around the stage in high-heels and a higher wig anyway. It has been so long since the singer has actually made music, we’re not sure anybody even cares anymore.

Complete Coachella 2009 lineup and ticket info, here.

"h3ll y3a!!!. chris brown should not hav3 2 spend 4 y3ars in prison 4 a mistak3. th3 b3st thing ev3rybody can do l3av3 it th3 h3ll alon3!!!"
  D3jona3
2 Comments

Chris Brown Faces Four Years in Prison. Too Harsh?

Published March 5th, 2009 by Karen

Just shy of a month after the shocking story of Chris Brown’s allegedly brutal assault on girlfriend Rihanna was first reported, charges have officially been announced in the case.

At Brown’s arraignment in California on Thursday, the singer will be charged with two felonies, including assault and making criminal threats.

If convicted, Brown’s sentence could range from mere probation to over four and half years in a state prison.

Of course, anyone who has seen the photos of Rihanna’s injuries that were leaked online might wonder if four years in prison  is enough.

Neither Brown nor Rihanna have commented publicly on the charges which were first reported earlier today.

News about the couple heated up once again this week, as photos of the duo leaving a private jet together surfaced. They had reportedly been spending time reconciling at a Florida home owned by Sean Combs.

In a video clip posted online earlier this week, R&B star Usher spoke out against Brown’s seemingly unremorseful behavior, commenting on Brown’s lack of a proper apology and recent photos of the troubled star jet-skiing in Florida.

However, Usher quickly backed off of his criticism.

Brown is currently free on $50,000 bail.

Is a four-year sentence too harsh? Not harsh enough?

Tell us what you think!

Be the first to comment

Ronettes Singer Dead at 67. RIP Awesome Beehive Hairdos.

Published February 13th, 2009 by Karen

Flickr photo by dotpolkaIn the 1960s, Ronnie Spector and her singing group, the Ronettes, became the most famous example of controversial producer Phil Spector’s groundbreaking wall-of-sound recording techniques.

The group rose to fame thanks to unforgettable songs such as “The Best Part of Breakin’ Up,” “I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine” and “Be My Baby.”

Many groups imitated the band’s sound, and Spector’s recording techniques, but none could match the magic of that group.

Spector’s famous wall of sound got a little quieter on February 11, 2009 with the passing of Ronnie’s sister, 67-year-old Ronettes singer Estelle Bennett. Estelle was Continue reading »

Be the first to comment

Know Your Beehives? Winehouse VS clones Duffy, Adele, Estelle

Published January 15th, 2009 by Karen

Ok, so over the past year or so there has been a sudden retro R&B revival in the UK.
R&B is good, but ‘60s R&B is great, so this new turn of events is good news for fans of Stax and Motown.

Sure, we all recognize the trainwreck known as Amy Winehouse, but what about the inevitable round of imitators that have popped up in her beehived shadow?

Today we’re breaking it down and doing our best to figure out the difference between Wino clones Duffy, Adele and Estelle. Maybe you can help us sort this mess out. Continue reading »

Be the first to comment

Amy Winehouse Divorce Settlement Bigger than Madonna’s? Free Amy Winehouse music

Published January 12th, 2009 by Karen

Tabloids are buzzing with news of Amy Winehouse’s impending divorce. The 25-year-old singer and her husband of less than two years are reportedly heading to untie the knot.

News of the divorce isn’t nearly as surprising as the news of the burn-out wedding was.

The troubled couple had only been married briefly before Blake Fielder-Civil landed behind bars on a stack of charges nearly as big and unruly as Winehouse’s beehive wig. Now that he’s free, he’s filing for divorce based on allegations of infidelity. Continue reading »

"thank u"
  g
5 Comments

Beyonce I am Sasha Fierce Review, plus Free Beyonce Downloads

Published November 18th, 2008 by Karen

Beyonce Knowles: I am Sasha Fierce. Seriously.

In the past year, Beyonce Knowles has gotten a ton of attention thanks to her top secret wedding to Jay Z. However, attention is about to turn back to the singer’s music…maybe.

Actually, it’s surprising that more people aren’t talking about the ridiculous new album Beyonce is set to release on November 18. Titled I Am…Sasha Fierce and featuring new songs such as If I Were a Boy mp3 the album is meant to represent the singer’s outgoing performer persona, which she has apparently dubbed Sasha Fierce.

Ok, anyone who has watched an episode of (or commercial for) America’s Next Top Model knows that this whole “fierce” thing is silly. Tyra Banks constantly refers to models and poses and everything else in the world as fierce, so much so that, apparently, even Beyonce wants in on the action.

Seriously?

Ten years into your career is a little late for a name change, joking or not (Prince, Diddy, we’re looking at you). Remember when Garth Brooks tried to reinvent himself as an Australian rockstar named Chris Gaines with a movie and concept album (and a shaggy blond wig)? It failed miserably and has made him something of a laughing stock among music fans.

It’ll be interesting to see how fans react (or if they react at all) when Beyonce/Sasha’s new album hits stores next week.

Free Beyonce downloads
Free Beyonce If I Were A Boy mp3 download

Tell us what you think!
Leave a comment and tell us what you think of Beyonce’s new identity as Sasha Fierce.
Is it silly or stupid or cool?