Latest news with #BlackMusicMonth
Black America Web
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Roxannes Revenge - How A Teenage Battle Rapper Changed Hip-Hop Forever
Source: Richard Bord / Getty 2024 will be remembered as the year of the diss track. In addition to Kendrick and Drake going back and forth, we saw battles between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice & Latto, Quavo & Chris Brown. Even Marlon Wayans wrote a country diss track against Soulja Boy. As we celebrate Black Music Month, it's only right that we credit the first diss track to become a viral sensation. At just 10, Roxanne Shanté was making noise in the underground rap scene. By 14, she was an undefeated battle rapper and a member of the Juice Crew. That opportunity came when she ran into neighbors Marley Marl, Mr. Magic, and Tyrone Williams, who were frustrated after U.T.F.O. backed out of a show. Though hesitant at first, Shanté was convinced to record a freestyle that became a seven-minute track disrupting U.T.F.O's plans. The diss track played on U.T.F.O's unreleased song 'Roxanne Roxanne', Which Shanté used as fuel freestyled from the woman in the song's perspective, to mock the group's manhood. 'Roxanne's Revenge' was released in 1984, reached #22 on Billboard, sold over 250,000 copies in New York, and sparked what's known as the 'Roxanne Wars', a battle resulting in over 30 response tracks. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! This catapulted Shanté from local battle rapper to Juice Crew member, earning her recognition as one of hip-hop's best battle rappers. Roxanne was a rising star credited by Nas as an inspiration. But with fame came challenges, especially for a dark-skinned girl under 18. Beyond battling rappers, she faced physical and sexual abuse, foster care, colorism, and sexism. Decades later, women like Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, and GloRilla face similar backlash. Yet, like Shanté, they respond with bars that prove they can outrap men in the genre while facing systemic challenges. Source: Al Pereira / Getty Today, Roxanne Shanté's legacy lives on as a blueprint for authenticity in hip-hop. From lighting the Empire State Building during hip-hop's 50th anniversary to hosting on LL Cool J's Rock The Bells Radio, and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Grammy Ceremony, Shanté continues to champion the culture she helped define. Her journey from teenage battle rapper to respected pioneer has inspired generations of female MCs to speak their truth without apology. Source: ETIENNE LAURENT / Getty LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE SEE ALSO
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Things to do in Calgary in June: Inglewood Night Market Black Music Month
There is no shortage of things to do in Calgary. Here are highlights from local events in and around the city. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by National Music Centre (@nmc_canada) Article content Article content In honour of Black Music Month, the National Music Centre is hosting a celebration with free admission all day at Studio Bell, and a lineup of activities curated by MuchMusic legend Master T. The event will spotlight the creativity, expression and heritage of Black music and culture. Neo-soul collective The Rondel Roberts Band will headline. Article content Article content Inglewood Night Market Article content The Inglewood Night Market features over 140 rotating local vendors selling homemade crafts, vintage clothing, artisan eats and more. There will also be live music and alcoholic beverages. Kids and pets are welcome. Article content Volunteers wanted for June 14,2025 Posted by Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary on Saturday, May 31, 2025
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sylvia Rhone, Ciara & More Honored at Inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner
Epic Records chairwoman/CEO Sylvia Rhone being presented with the Vanguard Award was one of several highlights that took place during the inaugural Black Women in Music dinner, held Tuesday evening (June 3) at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Black Music Month fete also honored Grammy-winning artist Ciara, music executive Phylicia Fant, creative director/costume designer June Ambrose, media personality DJ Kiss and photographer/photojournalist Florence 'FLO' Ngala. Celebrating the global impact of Black women in the music industry, the dinner also served as the first fundraiser for its presenter, The Connie Orlando Foundation, which supports breast cancer prevention, care and research in Black communities. More from Billboard Sylvia Rhone: Billboard Women in Music's 2023 Executive of the Year Young Thug Recalls Getting 'Stood Up' By Mariah The Scientist on Their First Date BE:FIRST's 'GRIT' Debuts at No. 1, CANDY TUNE's 'BAIBAI FIGHT!' Breaks Into Top 20 on Japan Hot 100 As the first Black woman CEO of a major record label, Rhone accepted her award from Grammy- and Stellar Award-winning gospel powerhouse Yolanda Adams. In making the presentation to the industry trailblazer — also known as 'The Godmother of the Music Industry' — Adams said of Rhone, 'You are a beacon of hope and a powerful champion for change.' Grammy-nominated artist Normani presented the Avant Garde Award to Ciara, saluting the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/entrepreneur as 'the blueprint for leveling up.' Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash stepped onstage to honor hip-hop and R&B style pioneer Ambrose with the Guardian of Vision Award. 'She taught hip-hop how to wear its crown — and how to do it in a fresh pair of heels,' Nash remarked. Grammy-winning singer and actress Andra Day, alongside co-presenter/entrepreneur Lori Harvey, paid tribute to veteran music executive Fant (Warner Bros. Records, Columbia Records, Amazon) and her work in music marketing and advocacy for equitable representation. 'Phylicia has a deep understanding of how crucial Black artistry is to the future of business, and her work stands as a testament to this,' Day said. HarborView Equity Partners founder/CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares — also founding partner of Black Women in Music — gave out special Guardian Angel Spotlight awards to aforementioned culture-shapers DJ Kiss and Ngala. Citing Black Women in Music as a 'platform to reshape narratives around Black artistry and leadership,' Clarke Soares further commented, 'At HarbourView, we believe artists deserve more than just a seat at the table. They deserve ownership of their stories and the freedom to build their own.' In thanking the audience as well as the evening's supporters and sponsors, Orlando addressed the call to action needed to fight the breast cancer crisis affecting the Black community. 'It is a privilege for me to curate this event to give these extraordinary women their flowers, to shine a light on how vital they've been to global culture and to just say, 'Thank You,'' added Orlando who is also exec. vp/head of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET. The inaugural Black Women in Music dinner/fundraiser was hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson with performances by Giveon, Alex Isley and YULI. Hip-hop icon MC Lyte voiced the tribute videos, while DJ Midi Riperton provided afterparty entertainment. In addition to The Connie Orlando Foundation and founding partner HarbourView Equity Partners, the event's prestige partners were BET and BET HER; contributing partners included Jesse Collins Entertainment, Flavor Unit, Quality Control, CMG, Epic Records, Atlantic Records, OWN and Universal Music Group. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area legend gets the national spotlight on NPR's ‘Tiny Desk' concert series
E-40 is commemorating the 30th anniversary of his breakthrough album, 'In A Major Way,' in — well, a major way. The Vallejo rapper recently made an appearance on NPR's 'Tiny Desk,' bringing the sounds of the hyphy movement to the nation's capital to help kick off Black Music Month. During the nearly 30-minute performance on the popular YouTube concert series, released Monday, June 2, E-40 delivered hits from across his discography — from 1994's 'Captain Save a Hoe' to 2006's 'U and Dat' and 2014's 'Choices (Yup)' — while backed by a live band. A pioneer in the Bay Area rap scene who played a significant role in popularizing the hyphy movement, a style of uptempo, 'hyperactive' hip-hop music, E-40 was invited to join former President Joe Biden during a post-debate rally, performed at the NBA All-Star Game when it was held in San Francisco earlier this year and even has a road in his hometown named after him. Most recently, he spent Memorial Day weekend in Wine Country for two BottleRock Napa Valley performances. He also filmed a still-to-be-released episode of the ABC game show 'Celebrity Family Feud' alongside fellow Bay Area rapper Too Short and Atlanta rapper Lil Jon. Season 12 of the show is set to premiere July 10. E-40's guest performance comes shortly after San Lorenzo native Ruby Ibarra performed on the NPR show, after winning the 2025 'Tiny Desk' contest in May. Ibarra beat out nearly 7,500 other artist submissions with a performance of her latest single, 'Bakunawa.' As her prize, she got to film an intimate ' Tiny Desk' concert, released Thursday, May 29, and is now set to headline 'Tiny Desk' contest's On The Road Tour, which begins Wednesday, June 11, at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, E-40 is also planning some live performances following his 'Tiny Desk' concert. He is set to headline the fifth annual Mare Island Dock of Bay Festival in his hometown of Vallejo on Sept. 6. Other local rappers such as LaRussell, Baby Bash and Con Funk Shun are also scheduled to perform.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grace Potter discusses the 'lost' soulful album ‘Medicine' and Otis Redding
Grace Potter discusses the 'lost' soulful album 'Medicine' and Otis Redding originally appeared on Goldmine. In 2008, Grammy nominee Grace Potter recorded the solo album Medicine in Los Angeles, produced by T Bone Burnett, but its release was sidelined by the commitment to her group Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. On May 30, the album was finally released by Hollywood Records. Also last month, close to 18 million people watched the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock, the largest viewership since 1989, and Potter kicked off the race with a stunning look and equally classy performance of the national anthem, stretching lyrics and notes with emphasis. That compelling delivery style is heard throughout Medicine. Goldmine spoke with Potter about songs from the album, plus we also kick off Black Music Month by discussing the inspiration of Otis Redding with her, and we'll continue our Black Music Month coverage in the coming weeks with the music of Sam Cooke, The Flirtations and The Chiffons. GOLDMINE: Welcome back to Goldmine and congratulations on the new album. You are a family favorite with a connection; both you and my daughter Brianna were born in the spring of 1983. She recently shared your version of Neil Young's 'Cortez the Killer' with me. Like songs on your new album, you gave it such a soulfully dramatic treatment. Speaking of soul, I hear an underlying tone of Otis Redding in your work. I was reminded of his version of 'That's How Strong My Love Is,' which was originally released as an A side, but was deemed to be the flip side, after 'Mr. Pitiful,' the original flip side of the single, outperformed it on radio. GRACE POTTER: Otis' music feels like home to me. As I imagine Brianna growing up in a house of music with you and your wife, my parents had a great record collection. I remember when I heard Otis Redding's voice for the first time. I thought that if I was a guy, that is what my voice would sound like. I was fully aware that the timbre of my voice did not match his, and I couldn't aspire to it, so I just had to sit back and enjoy it, but there was a fire and a humanity in his voice that is spine tingling and you don't know why. There were animal instincts and no phobia in sharing his emotions. It doesn't feel like there are any walls between you and what came out of his soul. Otis Redding Fabulous Flip Side: That's How Strong My Love Is A side: Mr. Pitiful Billboard Hot 100 debut of 'Mr. Pitiful': February 20, 1965 ('That's How Strong My Love Is' debuted three weeks prior) Peak position: No. 41 for 'Mr. Pitiful' and No. 74 for 'That's How Strong My Love Is' Volt V-124 'I remember when I heard Otis Redding's voice for the first time. I thought that if I was a guy, that is what my voice would sound like. I was fully aware that the timbre of my voice did not match his, and I couldn't aspire to it, so I just had to sit back and enjoy it, but there was a fire and a humanity in his voice that is spine tingling and you don't know why. There were animal instincts and no phobia in sharing his emotions. It doesn't feel like there are any walls between you and what came out of his soul.' – Grace Potter GM: 'Money' is very soulful. There are many instruments, trumpet, sax, trombone, plus background vocals, on the recording of this song that you co-wrote with David Poe. GP: Working with David was one of my favorite co-writing experiences that I had up to that point because he was such a New Yorker and I had never really hung out with true New Yorkers. His personality was what I envisioned in a college roommate, had I gone to school there, lived in a loft, reading Nietzsche, and being dead broke. I had romanticized that lifestyle, and he had lived it. As we wrote 'Money,' he told me, 'I lived that lifestyle, and I promise you that having no money and being broke is not romantic. The desperation can lead to some amazing art, but if you weren't starving, and you had a full stomach, maybe the lyrics would be better.' GM: Speaking of lyrics, yours are captivating on 'Colors,' describing 'clocks spinning backwards.' GP: I wanted to share with the listeners what it would be like to be on the inside of my head. At a young age I would observe the world around me and I thought that if the clocks spun the other way maybe my life would make better sense to me. I felt like I was part of another place and time versus what I saw around me. The more I existed on the planet, the younger I felt I was becoming. I was quite nonverbal as a child and later found my medium for communication through my lyrics. T Bone Burnett, as a producer, created the wonderful soundscape that was already the landscape in my mind for 'Colors.' GM: Regarding a different place and time, 'Colors' reminded me of Percy Sledge's '60s recordings, and with 'That Phone,' I feel it has the edge of Dusty Springfield's classic Dusty in Memphis album with Marc Ribot's guitar and the sax sounds from four players. Adding to that Southern sound, you give it some Wynonna Judd sass. GP: I'll take it! I love those combinations because I was just realizing at that time that country music was basically soul and R&B with a banjo and a fiddle. The cages and categories of genres are not for me. This was an opportunity to be a genre bender. Soul, R&B, and blues is a deep well to pull from, find a voice, and stand up strong. Every day, when we were in the studio with T Bone, Marc would switch guitars three or four times per song trying to pin down the sound. GM: In 2007, T Bone produced the Grammy winning album Raising Sand for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I saw them and T Bone perform at Lake Tahoe in June of the following year. Robert spoke on stage about the underlying rhythmic sound of the songs, which I also hear on 'Losing You.' GP: Yes, that T Bone sound is very much heard on 'Losing You' and the title song 'Medicine.' I have described it as tribal, but I think it is biological. The beat of the drum matches our heart. We call it tribal because there are places in the world where music did not need to evolve beyond that. I have heard bands taking that African influence with lyrics woven like a web around those sounds, making for such a beautiful combination, and one that I had never had an opportunity to sing over until that point. T Bone brought his experience with Robert and Alison to the session, trying to make the song sound as primal as possible. What I learned from T Bone then was also reflected in future records that I made. GM: Drums are a key part of that sound. Growing up, while listening to albums, I would read the credits like the post-Beatles recordings, John Lennon's Imagine and George Harrison's The Concert for Bangladesh, both from 1971, and see the name Jim Keltner on drums, who certainly comes through on 'Losing You.' GP: Other than The Band's Levon Helm, the biggest drum influence in my experience as a songwriter is Jim, the drummer that I hear in my head when I am writing a song that I know is going to feature drums. All my drummers would give you a similar list of influences: Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, The Band's Levon Helm, and Jim Keltner. For studio recordings, Jim is more than a pilot of the airplane. He is the shipbuilder and then he's steering the ship. He is speaking with the tempo, engaging with it, like the thermal pressure that might lift you and bring you back down if you were in a glider airplane. I felt like a glider flying over the band the whole time that I was in their capable hands. GM: When I played Brianna 'To Shore,' she said your delivery reminded her of another Grace, Grace Slick, along with Jim Morrison's poetry with The Doors, which may explain why this seven-minute dramatic image filled piece is my favorite song on the album. GP: I was into Ry Cooder and his approach to the Paris, Texas soundtrack. At this time in my life, I was actively pursuing scoring films. I have always been a multi-denominational songwriter. The song is just the medium that I am choosing for that moment. That song is an expression of my filmmaking history. I was a film major at Sarah Lawrence College and with this song it comes to life, which is why the lyrics are so vivid. There is a sinking boat but also an opportunity to save yourself and not be dragged under by it. This allowed the band to take any number of liberties because I didn't need to anchor it with the lyrics, the words would stay on top of the water, and I think the band became the ocean. There is a mysticism to that track and it becomes a movie in a song. GM: I look forward to having 'To Shore' in my Fabulous 100 Songs of 2025 list, now that the album has finally been released. GP: In 2008, I was upset when it wasn't released. It was gut-wrenching to work so hard and bond with T Bone and the musicians. It had a lot to do with the forward momentum of my band, The Nocturnals, at the time and my blind loyalty to that, to make sure I didn't do the whole Big Brother & the Holding Company – Janis Joplin goes solo thing, because it was built into the band's atmosphere that I would be unflinchingly loyal, but behind the scenes, making that solo album was exactly what I was ready to do, yet the loneliness of being a solo artist didn't appeal to me. GM: You carried on with The Nocturnals and 2012's The Lion The Beast The Beat included your Top 100 single 'Stars,' which my wife Donna and I heard being performed on this season of The Voice by Naomi Soleil on Michael Buble's team. You received a lot of praise from fellow coach Adam Levine. GP: My guitarist, Indya Bratton, sent me that link. Leave it to my Generation Z girl to let me know what's going on. I wrote 'Stars' in an emotional time in my life when I lost one of my dearest friends. It has surprised me how much this has resonated with so many people, and never misinterpreted, always hitting in the same place in people's hearts. GM: You have touched many hearts and have helped a lot of people. In 2015, you received the ASCAP Harry Chapin Vanguard Award, carrying on his mission of fighting world hunger, also a long-time passion of Donna's, and inspiring positive change and fostering social justice. On June 4, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will follow in your footsteps and receive the annual award. GP: It's been said that I am a big walking around, breathing, singing heart. When I have even a moment of time where I can share something that transforms somebody's life, raising money, and doing good, it is the least difficult decision to make, and is the least that I can do. Whenever those opportunities arise, I find myself begging for more. Music for me has been a bit of a public service. When I was young, people would always ask me to sing to cheer someone up. I can provide that for others in a way I still don't understand. My time is short on this planet, and I want to do as much as I possibly can to contribute. I am so honored that you took the time to have me in your Goldmine series and to share your thoughts. I am impressed and blown away by the associations that you made. No one has ever drawn those threads together quite as accurately as you did and I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Related link: including upcoming shows with Johnnyswim and Chris Stapleton Fabulous Flip Sides is in its eleventh year For related items in our Goldmine store (see below): Click here for the Goldmine store This story was originally reported by Goldmine on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
