Tag Archives: felix-contreras

2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S II: Me Time Cover Art [PHOTO]

September 10 will be here in no time; in turn, 2 Chainz has much to between now and then to properly roll out his new album, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. To further build anticipation, the rapper returns today with the official artwork for his sophomore effort. Chainz enlisted DONDA to handle the art yet again for this project. This could explain why the cover plays on the Def Jam MC’s name very similarly to what we saw on his solo debut (also created by Kanye West’s brainchild)… [ HipHopWired ] A-ROID APPEALS SUSPENSION AND CALLS PAST SEVEN MONTHS “A NIGHTMARE” Alex Rodriguez decided to show face at a post-suspension news conference, according to ESPN. A-Roid is marinating in suspension misery after being banned from the field through the end of the 2014 season due to doping allegations. The Dominican Yankees star is being targeted for allegedly using performance enhancement drugs and being involved with the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, but Rodriguez plans to appeal his suspension… [ Lossip ] SURPRISE, SURPRISE: KARLIE REDD TO STAR IN UPCOMING CHRIS ROCK MOVIE If nothing else, we’ve learned two things about Karlie Redd during the first two seasons of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: 1. She’s really messy 2. She’s determined to become a star. While we can’t say for sure whether or not Karlie’s big dreams of stardom will come true, we can say that her surprising new gig is placing her on right track.The 40-something-year-old reality star recently announced via her Twitter page that she will be starring in Chris Rock’s new movie, which is currently being called, The Untitled Chris Rock Project. Her character’s name is Rhonda… [ MadameNoire ] Tika Sumpter Glows On ‘The Butler’ Red Carpet, Heads To Beyoncé Concert A good amount of stars were in town this week to promote Lee Daniels’ new film, “The Butler.” The film, due August 14, has generated a lot of buzz due to the many big names involved. Joining the ensemble cast for the New York premiere, was Tika Sumpter who is not in the film but was clearly excited about it… [ StyleBlazer ] USHER’S SON HOSPITALIZED IN ICU After Pool Accident[ TMZ ] Linsday Lohan Jokes About Rehab[ StarPulse ] DOJ Sues Bank Of America Over Mortgage-Backed Securities[ HuffingtonPost ] K. Michelle Slams Erica Mena For Calling Her a ‘Battered Bitter Dog’[ VibeVixen ] Love And Hip Hop Atlanta Web Exclusive: K.Michelle’s Love Letter To Old No-Neck Benzino[ VH1 ] Chris Brown Is “Over” Beating Rihanna, Wishes Everyone Else Would Be Too[ EvilBeetGossip ] I Got a $180 Bird-Poop Facial[ TheDailyBeast ]

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2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S II: Me Time Cover Art [PHOTO]

R.I.P. Legendary Jazz Keyboardist George Duke Passes Away

The music world has lost another great one. According to NPR reports : George Duke, the legendary jazz keyboardist, died on Monday, his publicist tells NPR. Duke’s career spanned five decades and he always straddled the line between disparate genres, collaborating with artists such as Miles Davis, Barry Manilow, Frank Zappa, George Clinton and some of Brazil’s top musicians. Here’s how NPR’s Felix Contreras describes him: “He was also a very successful record producer who worked with folks like Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, Anita Baker, Rachelle Ferrell. “As an instrumentalist he started by working with Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. But he made his mark in the jazz fusion vein, most notably with fellow fusion musicians Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham. He had a series of respected fusion albums going back to the late 1970′s. “From the mid ’60s, he also worked as a member of Frank Zappa’s recording and touring band. Most recently he had been a big draw at jazz fests around the world that catered to the mix of R&B and jazz artists.” When Duke spoke to Weekend Edition in 2008, he told Scott Simon that he could not recall how many albums he’d put out. “I’m kinda like [John] McCain in that way: He doesn’t know how many houses he’s got; I don’t know how many albums I’ve got,” Duke joked. Duke was 67. His record label said he died after a battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A little more than a year ago, Duke’s wife died of cancer. Duke was devastated and could not make music for months. But, earlier this month, Duke released “DreamWeaver,” which the AP’s Charles J. Gans says tied up Duke’s eclectic career in a lush tribute to his wife. “Duke expresses his love for his late wife on the tender, piano-driven ballad ‘Missing You,’ a romantic vocal duet with Rachelle Ferrell,” Gans wrote. “The album ends by turning the cowboy ballad ‘Happy Trails’ — Dale Evans’ closing theme to ‘The Roy Rogers Show’ — into a soulful, heartfelt farewell to his wife, made even more poignant by the sudden death of guitarist Jef Lee Johnson shortly after he recorded the fadeout guitar solo.” In a promotional interview released by his record label, Concord, Duke sounded excited about his new record. “I don’t want people to get the idea that this is a morbid record, because it’s more about celebration,” Duke said. Sad news, especially for us music lovers… We hope he and his wife are making sweet music together in heaven though.

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R.I.P. Legendary Jazz Keyboardist George Duke Passes Away