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Posts published in “Music”

Kanye West Becomes The 1st Artist to Reach No.1 On Billboard Albums Chart From Streaming Only

By goodblacknews on April 10, 2016
kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-640x427
Kanye West (CREDIT: Getty Images)
article by Richy Rosario via vibe.com
Kanye West is reportedly the first artist in history to have an album at No. 1 solely on music streams from major outlets. His latest project The Life of Pablo, was distributed and consumed by the masses through some paid downloads from his personal G.O.O.D / Def Jam page, but most of the revenue (a nice 90k), came from music streaming services like Apple Music and Tidal, according to HITS Daily Double. 
Reports state that this strategy was created by Ye’s new management team: Scooter Braun, Steve Bartels and Def Jam. You can also catch Kanye at the top of the iTunes chart along with Drake in their collaboration on “Pop Style.”
This comes as no surprise to us as it was reported last month that TLOP was streamed over 250 million times since its release.

Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage To N.W.A At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Event

By goodblacknews on April 9, 2016


Friday night (Apr. 8) was an evening to remember for the members of N.W.A.
Source: Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage To N.W.A At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Event

Fan Favorite La’Porsha Renae May Not Have Won "American Idol," but she Landed a Record Deal

By goodblacknews on April 8, 2016

FOX
La’Porsha Renae and Season 15 “Idol” winner Trent Harmon (photo courtesy of Fox)

article via clutchmagonline.com
To much surprise, La’ Porsha Renae did not win last night’s final American Idol season. But don’t fret. Look at the great singers who haven’t won, like Jennifer Hudson.  La’Porsha has landed a record deal, that will no doubt propel her career.
Fox
La’Porsha Renae will be joining the Universal Music Group family, signing with 19/Big Machine/Motown Records, in partnership with Big Machine.
“Because of the overwhelming fan demand and success of the farewell season of American Idol, we have made the decision to sign both the winner, Trent Harmon, and runner-up, La’Porsha Renae, to exclusive recording agreements,” Big Machine Label Group founder and CEO Scott Borchetta tells Billboard. “I can’t think of a better way to bring this American institution to a close. Everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, the Universal Music Group and Motown Records are so thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to get to work.”
Renae’s album will be overseen by Ethiopia Habtemariam, president of Motown and president of urban music/co-head of creative at Universal Music Publishing Group, who tells Billboard, “We are extremely excited to partner with Big Machine and 19 Entertainment on such an incredible talent as La’Porsha.”
In case you’re not familiar with the power of La’Porsha, check out her stirring performance of “No More Drama” on “Idol” below:
https://youtu.be/6l-Lpth8OAU

Pharrell Williams Joins Fox 2000’s "Hidden Figures" Starring Taraji P. Henson as Producer, Will Write Music

By goodblacknews on April 7, 2016

Pharrell Williams (photo via deadline.com)
Pharrell Williams (photo via deadline.com)

article by Dave McNary via Variety.com*
Pharrell Williams will produce Taraji P. Henson’s mathematics drama “Hidden Figures” and write original songs for the soundtrack.
Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Ted Melfi are also producing, and Melfi is directing. Williams will oversee all musical elements for the motion picture and its soundtrack.
Henson stars along with Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe as a trio of brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind the 1962 launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit — a key milestone in the space race against the Soviet Union to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

“After my producing partner Mimi Valdés and I heard about this project, we basically begged the producers and studio to allow us to participate,” Williams said. “This is an extraordinary story about black women with genius mathematical minds who contributed to American history. It takes place in Virginia, my home state, and at NASA, a place I’ve been obsessed with since childhood.”
Fox will release “Hidden Figures” on Jan. 13. Also starring are Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge and Kevin Costner. The screenplay is by Alison Schroeder, Melfi and Lori Lakin Hutcherson.
Williams has won 10 Grammy Awards. He’s also known for his musical contributions to the “Despicable Me” films as well as his judging stint on NBC’s “The Voice.”
*(GBN disclosure from Editor-in-Chief Lori Lakin Hutcherson:  the above is an article in which I am mentioned, as I am primarily a writer in television and film, and was fortunate enough to work on “Hidden Figures.” It may be a conflict of interest to have published this, but so be it – it’s an awesome film and Good Black News regardless!)

A Tribe Called Quest Invites Fans to Phife Dawg Memorial in Queens on April 4

By goodblacknews on April 3, 2016
phife-dawg-memorial
A Tribe Called Quest (CREDIT: Getty Images)
article by Shenequa Golding via vibe.com
While hip-hop still comes to terms with the death of Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, surviving members from A Tribe Called Quest announced Sunday (April 3) a memorial would be held in honor of their late lyrical brother.

 READ: A Tribe Called Quest Pens Touching Statement In Wake Of Phife Dawg’s Passing

“Please meet us at St. Albans Park in Queens, NY on April 4th at 10:30am,” Organizers wrote. “The first 200 fans to arrive will receive something very special!”
As Q-Tip famously once said “Back in the day on the boulevard of Linden” both Tip and Phife Dawg grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens. Since Phife’s death on March 22nd, fans of the funky diabetic have made efforts to rename a street and park where he along with Q-Tip would often go and freestyle.
If you’re planning to attend, please arrive early because all of Queens and hip-hop will be sure to show love to the Five Footer.

Salt-N-Pepa to Headline I Love the ’90s Tour feat. Kid N' Play, Coolio & Others

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2016
Salt-N-Pepa I Love the '90s
Salt-N-Pepa I Love the ’90s (MADISON MCGAW/BFA/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

article by Maria Cavassuto via Variety.com

Salt-N-Pepa, Coolio, Kid N’ Play and Vanilla Ice, along with other popular ’90s staples, are joining the I Love the ’90s tour. The tour has already had several sold-out shows this spring. It will be kick into full gear April 15 in Greenville, S.C., and will last through October.
Cheryl “Salt” James told USA Today that the whole experience and the fan reactions have been “surprisingly amazing.”
“It feels like you’re taking people back to a time in their lives that they really enjoyed. It’s just one big ’90s party,” she said.
However, she says Salt-N-Pepa’s performance style has changed since they first started. It’s no longer about entertaining the crowd, but rather having a good time.
“We just have fun with the crowd and the crowd has fun with us,” James said.
See the full tour dates below:
April 15 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secour Wellness Arena
April 16 – Tupelo, MS – BancorpSouth Arena
April 22 – Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
April 29 – Mashantucket, CT – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
May 12 – Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum
May 13 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
May 14 – Baltimore, MD – Royal Farms Arena
May 20 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
May 21 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
May 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
May 28 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Beach at Mandalay Bay Resort
June 3 – Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
June 4 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
June 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Arena
June 11- Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
June 29 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
June 30 – Cleveland, OH – I-X Center
July 1 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 15 – Fayetteville, NC – Crown Coliseum
July 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
July 23 – Jackson, CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort
Aug. 6 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Aug. 12 – West Allis, WI – Wisconsin State Fair
Aug. 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
Aug. 19 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 20 – Toledo, OH – John F. Savage Arena
Aug. 27 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park
Oct. 20 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Launches Capital Prep Charter School with Dr. Steve Perry in Harlem

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Launches Capital Prep Charter School with Dr. Steve Perry in Harlem

By goodblacknews on March 28, 2016

Sean "Diddy" Combs (photo via getty images)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (photo via getty images)

article by Cristie Leondis via blackenterprise.com
NEW YORK (AP) — He’s been a rapper, actor, singer, entrepreneur, record producer and clothing designer. Now Sean “Diddy” Combs has taken on a new job as the founder of a charter school in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood.
Combs announced Monday that the new school will be named Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School and it will open in the fall, according to the Associated Press. The venture has been in the works for five years.  The school will be overseen by Capital Prep leader and founder Dr. Steve Perry, who started Capital Prep Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2005.
Dr. Steve Perry (photo via chocolatevoice.com)
Dr. Steve Perry (photo via chocolatevoice.com)

Combs and the board have hired Orlando, Florida-based educator Danita Jones as the principal of Capital Prep Harlem.  Combs says creating the school is “a dream come true.”  In addition, Combs and Perry have been meeting in secret with community leaders and experts in education to build the program.
The school’s board also includes author and spiritual life coach Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, who has worked with Oprah Winfrey in the past.
According to Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School’s official website, the school is a free, public school for children grades 6-12. The extensive program will provide a “year-round, college preparatory education.” College courses will also be available to the students once they reach high school.
For the opening year, 160 students are to be enrolled in 6th and 7th grades. The deadline to apply for the upcoming school year is April 1st.
To read more, go to: http://www.blackenterprise.com/news/sean-diddy-combs-launches-charter-school-in-harlem/

Kelly Rowland’s New Makeup Line Will Celebrate ‘Chocolate Girls’

By goodblacknews on March 24, 2016
Kelly Rowland (EDWARD BERTHELOT VIA GETTY IMAGES)

article by Taryn Finley via huffingtonpost.com

Kelly Rowland’s new makeup line will cater to women with darker complexions.  Makeup options can be scarce for those blessed with a bit more melanin than others. Luckily, Kelly Rowland has a solution for the dark brown beauties out there.

The Grammy award-winning artist announced to Essence on Monday that she’ll be launching a makeup line which specifically caters to women with darker complexions.
“My makeup artist Sheika Daley and I are actually starting a makeup line we’re making sure we make, well, we’re starting off with lashes and then we’re going to have it grow for all women,” Rowland told . “But definitely making sure we have our chocolate girls covered. Gotta get the chocolate girls in there! We have to have that, you know. I think Iman has done a beautiful makeup line and I want to do it too!”
Rowland’s line will join a growing number of products that ensure darker skin tones don’t get overlooked in the beauty world, including Cocoa Swatches, Queen by CoverGirl, among others.
To read more, go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kelly-rowlands-new-makeup-line-will-celebrate-chocolate-girls_us_56f3f9bbe4b02c402f6693b6?utm_hp_ref=black-voices&

John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ and The Supremes' ‘Where Did Our Love Go?' Join National Recording Registry

By goodblacknews on March 23, 2016

The Supremes (l) and John Coltrane (r)
The Supremes (l) and John Coltrane (r)

article by Andrew R. Chow via nytimes.com
John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” and The Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go,” are part of the incoming class added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress this year. The diverse crop of new inductees also includes the Vienna Philharmonic’s 1938 recording of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and live coverage from Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game.
The registry adds 25 recordings — deemed significant to American history and culture — each year. The field this year includes pop, (Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”), classic R&B (“Where Did Our Love Go,” The Impressions’ “People Get Ready”), field recordings (W.H. Stepp’s “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” captured by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax in 1937) and comedy (George Carlin’s “Class Clown”). Joining these performers is Secretary of State George C. Marshall proposing what became known as the Marshall Plan to aid Europe after World War II.

The National Recording Registry now totals 450 recordings, the library said. A full list can be found at www.loc.gov.

To read original article, go to: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/john-coltranes-a-love-supreme-and-billy-joels-piano-man-join-national-recording-registry/?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Drake & Rihanna Visit Make-A-Wish Foundation Cancer Patient in Miami

By goodblacknews on March 20, 2016
Drake & Rihanna Visit Make-A-Wish Foundation Cancer Patient Together
Drake and Rihanna (photo via hiphopdx.com)
“BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!,” Megan’s Instagram video of herself and Drake captioned. “I MET THE LOML (Love of my life). He was so sweet & down to earth. Gave me and my family some OVO clothing. BEST DAY EVER. NO LIE. @champagnepapi LOVE YOU!”


Social media posts document Drake and Rihanna sharing the moment with Megan at the hospital. Instagram pictures and a Snapchat video show the 6 God hanging out with her as well.
“This is the best snapchat I’ve ever done before,” the Views from the 6 rapper says in the Snapchat video with Megan.  Drizzy performed “Work” with the Bajan singer at Miami’s American Airlines arena that evening.

“Work” has spent four weeks at the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.  The ANTIsinger is the only artist with #1 Hot 100 singles from seven consecutive studio albums and the third artist with the most #1 singles, totaling 14, surpassing Michael Jackson’s record of 13.

Drizzy’s forthcoming album Views from the 6 is scheduled to be released April 16.

To see more social media posts of Drake and Rihanna’s Make-A-Wish Foundation visit with Megan, go to: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.37984/title.drake-rihanna-visit-make-a-wish-foundation-cancer-patient-together