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USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jermaine Dupri on the key to a hit record, Quincy Jones and his 'tribute of all tributes'
Jermaine Dupri on the key to a hit record, Quincy Jones and his 'tribute of all tributes' Show Caption Hide Caption Jermaine Dupri to pay tribute to music titan Quincy Jones at ESSENCE Rapper Jermaine Dupri gives a sneak peak into his Quincy Jones tribute set list that features Xscape, MC Lyte and many more. When the illustrious music titan Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91 last November, Jermaine Dupri acknowledged him as someone who gave him "much more confidence about music and life." The two hit it off when they first met. "He called me his little brother, and I was always at his house," in Los Angeles, Dupri recalled. They chatted over homemade hamburgers, and Jones inspired him in his journey to become vegan. "A lot of the conversations we had, they'll stick with me for the rest of my life." For the esteemed producer, rapper, and So So Def founder, Jones's widely acclaimed career − which ranged from being a part of notable films, working on classic records with legends and his partnership with the King of Pop Michael Jackson − was his blueprint: "I patterned myself after him in my own way," he said. 'Tribute of all tributes' This July, Dupri is poised to honor Jones' influence and legendary catalog at this year's Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans. He intends to put his all on the stage. "This is the Blackest festival that we have in America, and I feel like Quincy is the greatest Black producer of American Black music," Dupri told USA TODAY. "I wanted something that translated to the generation of people that I feel like my music is made for and a younger audience." The panoramic performance will be an educational "tribute of all tributes," showing "the importance of Quincy and who he was to me and who I am as a producer standing across from him," he added. Essence Fest: Performers announced for 2025: Dates, tickets, hosts, what to know What to expect during Dupri's 'ESSENCE Flowers' tribute Included in Dupri's setlist is the late 90s gold-certified record "Keep On, Keepin' On" with MC Lyte and Xscape. It sampled Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl," which was co-produced by Jones. The song was the perfect blend to create a radio smash for the rap pioneer and chart-topping girl group he discovered. "If you hear MC Lyte's version, you might not realize that it's 'Liberian Girl,'" Dupri stated. "That's what I'm going to do in my set; I'm going to make you realize that you might not even realize how much Quincy Jones you have listened to." Other additions to the tribute are the iconic R&B trio SWV, who added their twist to Jones' production on Jackson's "Human Nature" for their beloved debut hit "Right Here." Rap powerhouses The Pharcyde and Mobb Deep's contribution to the performance would underscore how Jones' work was heavily sampled in hip-hop culture. Singer Al B. Sure!, a feature on Jones' 1989 "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)," and other vocalists like Tyrese and Robin Thicke, who were a part of the modern, up-tempo version with Dupri's magic touch decades later, will also take the stage. The 2010 remake came at a time when "Quincy gave young producers the opportunity to take one of his songs and remix it," Dupri stated. It was included on Jones' final album, "Q: Soul Bossa Nostra," made up of contemporary renditions of his classic hits from acts spanning multiple genres. Thicke also appeared in a reimagining of Jackson's "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" on the same project. Great modern artists do their homework, Dupri says Dupri is a force in his own right and has a prowess for creating timeless music, like Jones. He has worked with the greats, from Usher to Ludacris to Mariah Carey. In recent years, the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has collaborated with rising stars like Dvsn on 2022's "If I Get Caught." Dupri announced that he had signed the Canadian R&B duo to his record label this week. Dupri also worked with singer Ari Lennox, co-producing one of her latest songs, "Soft Girl Era." He also caught a massive hit with Muni Long's ballad "Made For Me," which became a TikTok sensation and secured the vocalist a Grammy Award for the "Live On BET" version. He said their sole studio session was a breeze because Long was knowledgeable. "It's really about going in the studio with talented people that listen and pay attention to the elements that have created songs that are bigger than the songs that they make," Dupri said. Some of those elements to make a hit of that caliber that are missing from today's musical climate are a well-versed producer and a studied artist, according to Dupri. He recently initiated discourse online when he argued that the youth in the current state of R&B lack the traditional church influence. Dupri further clarified his point: "You can go in your room and make a song and get on the charts. That's amazing, but the simplicity of it at some point doesn't live up to the extraordinary space that I know I grew up listening to. People don't understand how important having these pieces in the studio with you are." Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dawn Robinson slams 'leeches' who are looking for attention after her 'car life' video goes viral
Dawn Robinson, the former member of En Vogue who went viral after revealing she's been living out of her car for three years, has responded to fans who've expressed concern over her well-being and those who she claimed are merely attaching themselves to her story for "attention." "FAM! I am OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of love from my Car Life video lol!!! Going viral and breaking the internet was AMAZING! As I said, my aim was to inspire but some people are worried. Please don't be," she wrote alongside a selfie on Instagram. After encouraging viewers to tune in to her upcoming YouTube episode, she wrote, "Oh, and ignore the trolls who are trying to attach themselves to my story lol!! Leeches do that." App Users Click Here To View Post Though it's unclear who Robinson is referring to, she responded to a few fans on Instagram who pointed out veteran music producer Jermaine Dupri's recent comments about her "choice" to live in her car. "I'm just trying to make sure people are paying attention to the whole scope of this story…she got an assistant?" Dupri said during an Instagram Live chat on Wednesday, per Vibe. "I don't know if she's broke. She might not have all the money that she wants in the world, but she's definitely not broke saying she's got an assistant." Read On The Fox News App Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter One fan commented on Robinson's Instagram post saying, "Because [Dupri] acting like you asking him for some money… we got your back." "He doesn't even know me," Robinson responded. "He's a non factor. I stay happy." Robinson responded to another fan, writing, "Crazy thing is, I never asked [Dupri] or ANYONE for money lol! Some people just need attention." In a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, Robinson, who found mega success alongside En Vogue band members Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Maxine Jones in the 1990s, opened up about living in her car since 2022. She explained why she chose to pursue "car life" and expressed her hopes that her vulnerability can help inspire others who are in dire situations. En Vogue Member Dawn Robinson Has Been Living Out Of Her Car For Three Years "People are like, 'You shouldn't talk about it, because you're a celebrity, and what if they judge you?' So what? What if they judge me? Life is life. . . . part of being human is being vulnerable," she said. "You guys, for the past three years, I have been living in my car," she added. "I said it, oh my gosh, it's out." Robinson said her aim is to "inspire" others and let people know that they are "capable of anything, no matter what the odds are against you." While explaining how she got to where she was, Robinson said she had been living with her parents in Las Vegas about five years ago. After being at odds with her mom, the singer made the decision to leave and ended up sleeping in her car for about a month. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News A co-manager at the time urged her to move to Los Angeles, telling Robinson he'd help her find a place to stay. However, after eight months of living in a hotel, Robinson cut ties when she realized he was "playing games." "Sometimes I think people want to trap you and keep you in a situation when you're vulnerable," she said. "So, I got out of there." Afterward, Robinson packed her car up and drove to Malibu, Calif., to begin her "car life." Robinson quickly learned the ins and outs of car life, like "cover your windows" and avoiding talking to "certain people." "I felt free," she said. "It was so different. I felt like I was on a camping trip. It just felt like it was the right thing to do." "I'm learning who I am as a person, as a woman," she continued. "We say we can't do certain things before we even know that we're capable... I'm glad that I made this choice, because I needed to go through this fire." 'Ordinary Angels' Star Hilary Swank Lived On Streets Of La In Her Car Before Big Break "I wouldn't trade my experiences and what I've gone through for the world," she added. "I miss my family. I miss everyone I was connected to. But I needed to do this alone… But I needed to do this for me. It's not easy for me by any means." Robinson said she's"really proud" of how far she's gone and urged her followers to face their fears. "I challenge you to do the things that are scary," she said. "People are going to call you crazy, and that's okay. You feel a sense of freedom, and you push yourself." "Be spontaneous," she added. "Do the scary. F--- fear." After her video went viral, Robinson's ex-husband, Andre "Dre" Allen, publicly offered her a job in the hospitality industry. The two were married from 2003 to article source: Dawn Robinson slams 'leeches' who are looking for attention after her 'car life' video goes viral
Fox News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Dawn Robinson slams 'leeches' who are looking for attention after her 'car life' video goes viral
Dawn Robinson, the former member of En Vogue who went viral after revealing she's been living out of her car for three years, has responded to fans who've expressed concern over her well-being and those who she claimed are merely attaching themselves to her story for "attention." "FAM! I am OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of love from my Car Life video lol!!! Going viral and breaking the internet was AMAZING! As I said, my aim was to inspire but some people are worried. Please don't be," she wrote alongside a selfie on Instagram. After encouraging viewers to tune in to her upcoming YouTube episode, she wrote, "Oh, and ignore the trolls who are trying to attach themselves to my story lol!! Leeches do that." Though it's unclear who Robinson is referring to, she responded to a few fans on Instagram who pointed out veteran music producer Jermaine Dupri's recent comments about her "choice" to live in her car. "I'm just trying to make sure people are paying attention to the whole scope of this story…she got an assistant?" Dupri said during an Instagram Live chat on Wednesday, per Vibe. "I don't know if she's broke. She might not have all the money that she wants in the world, but she's definitely not broke saying she's got an assistant." One fan commented on Robinson's Instagram post saying, "Because [Dupri] acting like you asking him for some money… we got your back." "He doesn't even know me," Robinson responded. "He's a non factor. I stay happy." Robinson responded to another fan, writing, "Crazy thing is, I never asked [Dupri] or ANYONE for money lol! Some people just need attention." In a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, Robinson, who found mega success alongside En Vogue band members Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Maxine Jones in the 1990s, opened up about living in her car since 2022. She explained why she chose to pursue "car life" and expressed her hopes that her vulnerability can help inspire others who are in dire situations. "People are like, 'You shouldn't talk about it, because you're a celebrity, and what if they judge you?' So what? What if they judge me? Life is life. . . . part of being human is being vulnerable," she said. "You guys, for the past three years, I have been living in my car," she added. "I said it, oh my gosh, it's out." Robinson said her aim is to "inspire" others and let people know that they are "capable of anything, no matter what the odds are against you." While explaining how she got to where she was, Robinson said she had been living with her parents in Las Vegas about five years ago. After being at odds with her mom, the singer made the decision to leave and ended up sleeping in her car for about a month. A co-manager at the time urged her to move to Los Angeles, telling Robinson he'd help her find a place to stay. However, after eight months of living in a hotel, Robinson cut ties when she realized he was "playing games." "Sometimes I think people want to trap you and keep you in a situation when you're vulnerable," she said. "So, I got out of there." Afterward, Robinson packed her car up and drove to Malibu, Calif., to begin her "car life." Robinson quickly learned the ins and outs of car life, like "cover your windows" and avoiding talking to "certain people." "I felt free," she said. "It was so different. I felt like I was on a camping trip. It just felt like it was the right thing to do." "I'm learning who I am as a person, as a woman," she continued. "We say we can't do certain things before we even know that we're capable... I'm glad that I made this choice, because I needed to go through this fire." "I wouldn't trade my experiences and what I've gone through for the world," she added. "I miss my family. I miss everyone I was connected to. But I needed to do this alone… But I needed to do this for me. It's not easy for me by any means." Robinson said she's"really proud" of how far she's gone and urged her followers to face their fears. "I challenge you to do the things that are scary," she said. "People are going to call you crazy, and that's okay. You feel a sense of freedom, and you push yourself." "Be spontaneous," she added. "Do the scary. F--- fear." After her video went viral, Robinson's ex-husband, Andre "Dre" Allen, publicly offered her a job in the hospitality industry. The two were married from 2003 to 2010.
