Apollo Theater To Induct Chaka Khan Into Apollo Legends Hall of Fame

Chaka Khan will be inducted into the Apollo Theater's "Apollo Legends Hall of Fame" during the not-for-profit performing arts institution's 8th Annual Spring Gala Concert on Monday, June 10, 2013. Celebrating Ms. Khan's 40th anniversary in the music business, Apollo Legend Patti LaBelle and hip hop/soul Queen Mary J. Blige will perform tributes for the legendary singer.

"I am honored that the Apollo is inducting me into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame," says Khan. "The Apollo Theater is an American institution and is world-renowned for developing, nurturing, and creating talent for decades. The Apollo Theater has supported my career and now they are a part of honoring my legacy. I am looking forward to the celebration."


Khan joins a legendary list of past Apollo inductees including Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald. Each Apollo Legends Hall of Fame inductee is honored with a plaque in the Apollo Walk of Fame, installed under the Theater's iconic marquee on 125th Street in New York City.

R.I.P. Don Blackman 1953 - 2013

Pianist, singer, songwriter and producer Don Blackman has sadly lost his battle with cancer today. Blackman was born in Queens New York and his musical career included working with Parliament, Funkadelic, Earth Wind and Fire and of course Roy Ayers.

Don released his self titled solo album on Arista Records in 1982 and he had a further release on Expansion records titled Listen in 2002. Don was a unique talent, he was soulful, cool and captivating. He was known to be charming when you were ever in his company and his music was made with the sole purpose to move you.

Don entertained audiences both young and old and they enjoyed his versatility and ability to naturally entertain. He travelled the world with his fantastic band, and continued to do so, with regular visits to the UK where he played to sell-out crowds at London's Jazz cafe.

The sad news was confirmed by his daughter earlier today.

R.I.P. Jackson 5 producer Deke Richards

Motown songwriter-producer Deke Richards, who was behind songs including The Jackson 5′s first three US number one hits, has died aged 68.

Richards, passed away on Sunday at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, Washington, surrounded by his immediate family, Universal Music said in a statement. 

 

He had been battling esophageal cancer, it said.
Richards, whose real name was Dennis Lussier, along with Motown founder Berry Gordy, Alphonzo Mizell and Freddie Perren comprised “The Corporation,” the label’s in-house producers and writers in the 1960s and 1970s.

Chris Brown at it again...

Chris Brown reportedly dismissed his bodyguard after the pair got into a big blow-up in Bermuda according to music-news. The 23-year-old is known for having a bad temper and has been associated with a number of high-profile altercations within the past year.

In 2012 Chris was injured in a bar brawl with Drake at a New York City nightspot and as recently as January the Look At Me Now singer was involved in a car park fracas with fellow Grammy-winning singer Frank Ocean.

Chris also remains on probation for assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
The star is now allegedly involved in a new grievance with a member of his security staff, a man named Big Pat. While Chris' private jet refuelled in Bermuda, Big Pat was seen boarding the plane then exiting the aircraft followed by another man.

"I'm not sure of the details of what happened on the plane but his plane came in, got serviced and everything was finishing and they were getting ready to leave. Then there was a stall,' an airport employee told the Bermuda Sun. "They had to come inside to customs. The security guard came inside [an airport building] and said he wasn't getting back on the plane.'

Apparently the security guard left due to a huge argument and boarded a flight to JFK Airport in New York City soon after the incident.

RIP Richard Street former member of the Temptations

Richard Street, longtime member of the Temptations, and featured vocalist on such hits as "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," "Heavenly" and "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)," has died in Las Vegas at age 70.

Street was a mainstay in the Temptations during the 1970s and 80s and was the lead vocalist on several major hits. Richard Allen Street was born in Detroit on  October 5, 1942. He was a child prodigy, talented both as a pianist and as a singer.

Street went on to play a significant part in the success of the Temptations, remaining with the group for 22 years. He featured on such hits as "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "Heavenly," "Aiming At Your Heart" and "Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)." Street left the group in 1993 as personal dynamics in the Temptations deteriorated.  He went on to work as a solo singer and as part of his own Temptations tribute group.

Richard Street was an incredible talent and will be greatly missed.

Bobby Brown Sentenced to 55 Days

RnB Singer and ex husband to the late Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown has been sentenced to 55 days in prison following his arrest in October 2012 for a drink driving according to TMZ.
Brown was arrested by police whilst on probation from a previous drink driving charge at the time. The singer will be required to undertake an 18-month alcohol treatment programme.

Brown has pleaded no contest to the charges and received a 55 day sentence and 4 years probation. He must also complete the 18-month alcohol rehabilitation programme. Bobby has until March 20 to turn himself in and has been ordered to attend three Alcoholic Anonymous meetings per week until then.

Janet Jackson ties the knot...

Another Jackson has made the news this week. This time singer Janet Jackson has stated that she married her Qatari businessman boyfriend last year, quashing media reports of upcoming nuptials.

Jackson, 46, the younger sister of the late singer Michael Jackson, was engaged to billionaire Wissam Al Mana, 37, last year but kept the news under wraps.

"The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony," Jackson and Al Mana said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight.

MC Hammer Arrested

Former rapper MC Hammer was arrested over the weekend for obstruction. Hammer says that an officer pulled out a gun and randomly asked him if he was "on parole or probation." But the rapper claims that it was actually a case of racial profiling.

The "U Can't Touch This" rapper says he was arrested for obstructing an officer in the performance of their duties and resisting an officer. He was booked and released from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California.

Taking to Twitter, Hammer detailed what he says actually went down. "Chubby elvis looking dude was tapping on my car window, I rolled down the window and he said 'Are you on parole or probation?'" he wrote. "While I was handing him my ID he reached in my car and tried to pull me out the car but forgot he was on a steady donut diet. .. It was comical to me until he pulled out his gun, blew his whistle and yelled for help (MallCop) !!! But make no mistake he's dangerous .. only thing more dangerous than a scared man with a gun, is a scared man with an agenda, a gun and a badge. I was citied for obstruction smh. You have to know me to understand I was laughing when he was grunting and pulling on me .. I had just left the weight room .. I will now answer his question, contrary to his personal beliefs, all people of color are not on parole or probation fat boy !!!"

Santa Rita police are yet to comment on the matter...!

UK Soul Legend Omar signs to Freestyle Records

2013 will bring in 10 years of Freestyle Records and what better way to mark this special occasion but with the todays announcement that they have signed UL Soul Legend Omar. 

Freestyle a&r manager Greg Boraman remarked, "As someone who has closely followed Omar's career from the outset, to have Omar and his new music on the label feels like a wonderful and exciting partnership, as he, like Freestyle, continues to fly the flag for quality, soulful music with integrity."
 

You can tell much about an artist from the musical company they keep, and in a career spanning 23 years and counting, Omar's list of collaborations is a whose who of greatness; Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Common, Angie Stone, Estelle, Syreeta Wright, Carleen Anderson, Leon Ware and Lamont Dozier are just some of the artists who appreciate his incredible musicality.




Of this fresh new deal with Freestyle Records, and the forthcoming album ‘The Man’, Omar says: "I'm very glad to be joining the guys at Freestyle, they have a unique ear for music which suits me down to the ground!"
 


And Omar’s unquestionable contribution to UK music gets official recognition this week, as he is off to Buckingham Palace to collect his MBE!