Tag Archives: Patti LaBelle
Swizz Beatz to Receive ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award
Posted on June 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda
Swizz Beatz is a voice of the future…
The 42-year-old half Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur will receive the ASCAP Voice of the Culture award alongside Timbaland and D-Nice to kick off the 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 22.
Following the presentation, the music creators will take part in a 2021 ASCAP Experience conversation, "Voices of the Culture: How Swizz Beatz, Timbaland & D-Nice United the World Through Music," at 12:00 pm ET/ 9:00 am PT.
The virtual conversation will explore how Timbaland and Swizz Beatz's virtual music battle series Verzuz and D-Nice's Club Quarantine became tools for uplift within the Black music community and touchstones of empowerment during the pandemic.
To join the conversation, participants can RSVP at www.ascapexperience.com/schedule. They can also submit a question for the three creators before June 10.
Verzuz has featured such epic matchups as Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, Earth, Wind & Fire vs. The Isley Brothers, and Snoop Dogg vs. DMX.
Club Quarantine attracted a virtual community of millions to Instagram Live for sets of funk, disco, hip-hop and R&B.
In addition to launching these popular events, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and D-Nice are accomplished music creators in their own right.
Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Swizz Beatz has been in the music and business worlds since he was 16. He began DJing and working at his uncle's company, Ruff Ryders Entertainment, while still in high school. Within a short time, Swizz produced the company's first hit, by DMX. More success followed as a producer and artist. As a producer, Swizz has worked with a diverse array of artists, including Jay-Z, Madonna, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Metallica.
The 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards is a virtual celebration that takes place on social media from June 22-24. The event recognizes songwriters, composers and publishers behind the most performed R&B/hip-hop, rap and gospel songs of the past year. Friends and fans can join the online festivities as ASCAP shares photos, videos, acceptance speeches and more from some of its top songwriters and publishers, posted with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards to @ASCAPUrban on Instagram and @ASCAP on Twitter and Instagram.
The ASCAP Experience takes place twice a month on Wednesdays through the end of 2021. Songwriters, composers and music business professionals can join the ASCAP Experience community for access to conversations with songwriters and producers from across the musical spectrum, plus panels with top industry executives, song feedback, networking opportunities and more. The virtual sessions are free to attend and take place on a variety of platforms, including YouTube, Instagram and on the ASCAP Experience website.
Posted in Awards | Tagged ASCAP, ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, ASCAP Voice of the Culture, Club Quarantine, D-Nice, DMX, Earth Wind & Fire, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Grammys, Jay-Z, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Metallica, Patti LaBelle, Ruff Ryders, Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, The Isley Brothers, Timbaland, Verzuz, Voice of the Culture | Leave a reply
Juanes to Perform on PBS' New Year's Eve special "United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America"
Juanes will be helping celebrate the United States' resilience in a special way…
The 48-year-old Colombian singer/songwriter and musician will take part in PBS' New Year's Eve broadcast event United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America.
Juanes, who has won a combines 26 Grammys and Latin Grammys during his career, will take part in several performance and interview segments filmed at George Washington's Mount Vernon, including a special Spanish-language rendition of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark.
Other artists participating in the special include Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Yo-Yo Ma and Audra McDonald.
United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America will premiere on Thursday, December 31, 2020 from 8:00-9:30 pm ET and again from 9:30-11:00 pm ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video App.
The star-studded performance—filmed at George Washington's Mount Vernon and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—encourages the nation to come together and celebrate its irrepressible strength as the world welcomes the New Year. Despite the enormity of COVID-19 and the significant presence of social injustice, this special evening of wide-ranging music is part of the ever-present pursuit of uniting America as one."
Posted in LATINews | Tagged Audra McDonald, Bruce Springsteen, Celebrating the Resilience of America, Dancing in the Dark, George Washington, Grammys, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Josh Groban, Juanes, Latin Grammys, Mount Vernon, New Year's Eve, Patti LaBelle, PBS, United in Song, United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America, Yo-Yo Ma | Leave a reply
Ashanti to Face Off Against Keyshia Cole in Next Verzuz Battle
Ashanti is preparing for a big musical battle…
The 39-year-old part-Dominican American Grammy-winning singer and actress will face off against Keyshia Cole in the next Verzuz battle on December 12.
"Yeah, it's official! The paperwork is IN," the official Verzuz Instagram teased the "legendary Ladies Night," with a split image of the singers' faces.
The matchup is no surprise for fans, who've been buzzing about the potential pairing since May, when Cole commented under a side-by-side comparison of the duo's hits. "My fans sent me this @timbaland @therealswizz @ashanti @verzuztv," she wrote at the time. "is this accurate?"
The matchup marks the fourth female-charged battle, following Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Monica and Brandy, and Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle.
Ashanti's biggest hits include the chart-topping singles "Foolish" and "Always on Time," with Ja Rule.
Don't miss Cole and Ashanti's Verzuz battle on Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on Verzuz's Instagram page and on Apple Music.
Posted in LATINews | Tagged Always On Time, Apple Music, Ashanti, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Foolish, Gladys Knight, Instagram, Ja Rule, Jill Scott, Keyshia Cole, Ladies Night, Monica, Patti LaBelle, Verzuz | Leave a reply
Ally Brooke to Perform During This Year's "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
Posted on November 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda
It'll be an extra special Thanksgiving for Ally Brooke…
27-year-old Mexican American singer and former Fifth Harmony member will be performing as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which may look different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Unlike other years, the decorated floats and helium-filled balloons will not be marching down the usual two-and-a-half-mile route starting at West 77th Street. The parade has shorted its route and will only be held (without an audience) in front of Macy's famed flagship store on 34th Street for the national television special.
Ally Brooke joins a roster of performers that includes Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus, Sofia Carson, CNCO, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Karol G, Tori Kelly, Patti LaBelle, Ella Mai, Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Sebastián Yatra, Brett Young and more.
The casts of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, and Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, all of which have not taken the live stage since March, are set to perform at the parade.
While the Broadway performances will be filmed ahead of time, they will air during the broadcast at 9:00 a.m. ET on NBC.
Posted in Spotlight | Tagged Ain't Too Proud -- The Life and Times of the Temptations, Ally Brooke, Bebe Rexha, Brett Young, Broadway, CNCO, Dolly Parton, Ella Mai, Hamilton, Jagged Little Pill, Jimmie Allen and Noah Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Jordin Sparks, Karol G, Keke Palmer, Lauren Alaina, Leslie Odom Jr., Macy's, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mean Girls, Patti LaBelle, Pentatonix, Sebastián Yatra, Sofia Carson, Thanksgiving, Tori Kelly | Leave a reply
Mandy Gonzalez to Perform on PBS' Virtual Independence Day Concert, "A Capitol Fourth"
Mandy Gonzalez has found her Independence…
The 41-year-old half Mexican American actress/singer, best known for her leading roles on Broadway, will perform on PBS' virtual Independence Day concert, A Capitol Fourth.
Due to the continued coronavirus pandemic, PBS opted for a virtual Fourth of July event, instead of cancelling it completely.
A Capitol Fourth, now in its 40th year, will feature pre-taped performances from around the country, hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams.
In addition to Gonzalez, who played Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked and originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the musical In the Heights, performers include Patti LaBelle, John Fogerty, Renee Fleming,The Temptations, Trace Adkins, Andy Grammer, Yolanda Adams, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Kelli O'Hara, and members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly.
Segments for the eventare being pre-taped, and the special also will feature highlights from previous years.
The 90-minute show also will feature a tribute by Stamos to workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, with Chrissy Metz singing I'm Standing with You.
There will also be segments honoring African American heroes from the past and present, and a salute to wounded warriors. A live segment of the special will feature the annual fireworks display over the D.C. skyline.
"For four decades A Capitol Fourth has paid tribute to our nation's birthday and the hopes and dreams of all Americans," said executive producer Michael Colbert. "This year, our broadcast will reflect the reality of what we as a country have faced and the challenges ahead, while showcasing our message of inclusion, patriotism and love."
The special will air on PBS on July 4 at 8:00 pm ET, and will be heard on the American Forces Network and in stereo over NPR member stations. The concert also will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and PBS.org and will be available on demand from July 4-18.
Posted in LATINews | Tagged A Capitol Fourth, American Forces Network, Andy Grammer, Brantley Gilbert, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Chrissy Metz, coronavirus, Facebook, Fourth of July, Independence Day, I'm Standing with You, Jack Everly, John Fogerty, John Stamos, Kelli O'Hara, Lauren Alaina, Mandy Gonzalez, Michael Colbert, National Symphony Orchestra, NPR, Patti LaBelle, PBS, Renee Fleming, The Temptations, Trace Adkins, Vanessa Williams, Yolanda Adams, YouTube | Leave a reply
Bruno Mars to Headline This Year's Essence Festival of Culture
Posted on February 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda
Bruno Mars is sharing his essence in a big way…
The 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has been named one of the main stage headliners for the Essence Festival of Culture.
Mars will co-headline the event with Janet Jacksonas Essence celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Mars' appearance will be his first time performing at the festival — and his only 2020 U.S. festival performance.
Essence Festival of Culture will expand for the first time from three to five days (July 1-5) in New Orleans, marking one day for each decade. This year's theme is "Own Our Power."
Jackson will be making her third appearance at the festival. Her appearance will take place during her newly announced Black Diamond World Tour, titled after her upcoming 12th studio album.
In addition to Jackson and Mars, the festival's three-night concert series will include the following lineups at the Louisiana Superdome:
Main stage: Ari Lennox, Janelle Monae, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq (performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee), Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro B, Chronnix, Elephant Man, Kranium, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Shenseeaand more, Summer Walker, Swizz BeatzPresents In the Zone featuring guest artists.
Hosted by Loni Love with music by D-Nice, the main stage lineup will salute music icons each night, including a special anniversary celebration on July 4.
Superlounges: Casmé, D Smoke, Demi Grace, Doug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party, Elah Hale, Goldlink, Jac Ross, Jamesdavis, Jidenna, June's Diary, Kiana Lede, Kitty Cash, Leikeli47, Masego, Mr Eazi, Oswin Benjamin, Rapsody, Saweetie, SiR, Smino, Stokley, Tamia, Tank and the Bangas, TeaMarrr, The New Respects and Umi.
"This is a milestone year for Essence and our community as we celebrate 50 years of creating opportunities for our culture to shine and the role of black women in making it possible for us to do what no other brand has done," said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of Essence Communications, Inc."To be able to say that at 50 years, we are black-owned, diversified across media, technology, commerce and live events, and impacting our culture in new and even deeper ways than ever before is a blessing – and one that comes with a tremendous responsibility to our community to continue to evolve, innovate and transform. That remains our focus and commitment as we work to ensure that we are here serving black women deeply and advancing black culture, economic ownership and inclusion globally for the next 50 years."
Regarding Mars and Jackson, Ebanks added, "These two powerhouses, along with our robust slate of programming, performances and tributes, will continue our legacy of cultural excellence and dynamic, only-at-Essence experiences that excite, elevate and inspire."
For more information, visit Essence.com/festival.
Posted in LATINews | Tagged Afro B, Ari Lennox, Bangas, Black Diamond World Tour, Bruno Mars, Casmé, Chronnix, D Smoke, D-Nice, Demi Grace, Doug E. Fresh, Elah Hale, Elephant Man, Essence, Essence Communications Inc., Essence Festival of Culture, Estelle, Goldlink, Grammys, Jac Ross, Jamesdavis, Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, Jimmy Lee, June's Diary, Kiana Ledé, Kitty Cash, Kranium, Leikeli47, Loni Love, Louisiana Superdome, Masego, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Mr. Eazi, Oswin Benjamin, Own Our Power, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq, Rapsody, Saweetie, Shenseea, SiR, Smino, Stokley, Summer Walker, Swizz Beatz, Tamia, Tank, TeaMarrr, The New Respects, Tony! Toni! Tone!, UMI | Leave a reply
Camila Cabello's Solo Album "Camila" Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
Camila Cabello is a woman on top, as she joins an elite group of fellow musicians…
The 20-year-old Cuban and Mexican singer and former Fifth Harmony member debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her first solo album, Camila.
The album — released through SYCO/Epic Records on January 12 — earned 119,000 equivalent album units in the week ending January 18, according to Nielsen Music.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
With Cabello's arrival at No. 1, she joins an exclusive club of female performers who initially reached the Billboard 200 as part of a group, and then later hit No. 1 with a solo album.
As a former member of the all-female vocal group Fifth Harmony, Cabello claimed three top 10s while in the group. Cabello departed Fifth Harmony in December of 2016.
Cabello now joins a list of the ladies who hit No. 1 after previously scoring chart success with a group, including Gwen Stefani, LeToya, Beyonce,, Lauryn Hill, Patti Labelle, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross and Janis Joplin.
An honorary mention goes to Selena Gomez, who notched three albums first with Selena Gomez & the Scene, before going totally solo with the No. 1 album Stars Dance in 2013.
Cabello is also the first woman to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with her debut full-length album in three years – since Meghan Trainor's Title (also on Epic) opened atop the list dated Jan. 31, 2015. (Trainor had a previous EP, also named Title, which reached No. 15.) If we count all initial chart appearances by women (including EPs), Cabello is the first woman to top the list with her first overall charting effort since Ariana Grande bowed at No. 1 with her first full-length album — and chart debut — Yours Truly on Sept. 21, 2013.
In addition, as Cabello is just 20 years and 10 months old, she is the youngest person to debut at No. 1 with their first full-length album since 2015, when a 16-year-old Shawn Mendes opened at No. 1 with Handwritten on the May 2, 2015-dated chart. Cabello is the youngest woman to bow at No. 1 with her first full-length set since 2013, when Ariana Grande (then 20 years and two months old) debuted at No. 1 with Yours Truly (Sept. 21, 2013).
Posted in LATINews | Tagged Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Billboard 200, Camila, Camila Cabello, Diana Ross, Epic Records, Fifth Harmony, Gwen Stefani, Handwritten, Janis Joplin, Lauryn Hill, LeToya, Linda Ronstadt, Meghan Trainor, Nielsen Music, Patti LaBelle, Shawn Mendes, Stevie Nicks, SYCO, Title, Yours Truly | Leave a reply
Fifth Harmony to Perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ally Brooke Hernandez, Lauren Jauregui and Camila Cabello are ready to rock our nation's capital…
The Latina singers and their fellow Fifth Harmony members will perform at the 92nd Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., on December 4.
The national tree lighting tradition was started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 and is presented by the National Park Service. Support is provided by the National Park Foundation, the fundraising arm for the parks and event sponsors.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will co-host ceremony.
Wilson will perform during the show, along with Ne-Yo, Steve Miller, Chely Wright, Patti LaBelle, Nico & Vinz and The Tenors.
The festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET with a pre-show on the Ellipse at President's Park.
As a sponsor of this year's event, Google's Made With Code will give girls around the country a chance to code a lighting design for the 56 state and territory trees using introductory programming language. The designs will appear live on the trees. Coding starts Tuesday at madewithcode.com.
Posted in Entertainment | Tagged Ally Brooke Hernandez, Calvin Coolidge, Camila Cabello, Chely Wright, Fifth Harmony, Google, Lauren Jauregui, Made with Code, National Christmas Tree Lighting, National Park Foundation, National Park Service, Ne-Yo, Nico & Vinz, Patti LaBelle, President's Park, Rita Wilson, Steve Miller, The Tenors, Tom Hanks | Leave a reply