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R.I.P. Andre Harrell, Hip-Hop Mogul and Founder of Uptown Records Dies at 57
Andre Harrell, the founder of Uptown Records who was credited for discovering artists including Diddy, The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, and Teddy Riley, has died at the age of 59. According to Harrell’s ex-wife, Wendy Credle, the cause of death was heart failure (via The New York Times). Harrell was a member of the 80’s hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde before transitioning to the business side of the music industry. He initially worked alongside Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records, but in 1986, he launched his own label, Uptown Records. During a prolific 10-year stretch in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Uptown Records was the home to artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mary J Blige, Heavy D & The Boyz, Al B. Sure!, Jodeci, and Tedd...
Little Richard Tributes: Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Jimmy Page, Cyndi Lauper Honor Rock Pioneer
Little Richard, one of the greatest artists in the history of popular music died on Saturday. Words like “trailblazer” and “pioneer” somehow feel insufficient; Little Richard was rock and roll, embedded deep within the genre’s DNA. His reach extended far beyond hits like “Tutti Frutti”, and his innovations in vocal technique, fashion, sexual expression, and concert spectacle influenced generations of musicians. In the wake of his passing from cancer at the age of 87, thousands of artists released statements expressing all that the late titan meant to them. “When we were on tour with him I would watch his moves every night and learn from him how to entertain and involve the audience and he was always so generous with advice to me,” Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger remembered. “...
Five TV Cameos That Made a Generation Love Little Richard
There’s no overstating the significance that the late Richard Penniman (better known as Little Richard) had on rock and roll and contemporary musical genres of all stripes. Alongside other luminaries like Chuck Berry and James Brown, Little Richard helped define the very essence of rock music: the soul, the flair, the attitude. From how he attacked the piano and made it a stand-up instrument to some of the rawest, most iconic vocalizations in recorded history to the slick suits and electric costumes to the challenging of gender norms, so many of those to follow owe the man a tremendous debt. And by “so many,” we mean almost everyone. Sadly, a lot of our younger readers might not know Little Richard. My generation was lucky. While our parents perhaps failed to explain the legacy behind the ...
Brian Wilson, Jimmy Page, Dave Grohl, Mick Jagger and More Pay Tribute to ‘Architect of Rock and Roll’ Little Richard
Little Richard passed away Saturday at the age of 87. The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer’s son Danny Jones Penniman confirmed the news to Rolling Stone, adding that the cause of death was cancer. Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman) released a number of hits in the mid-to-late-50s including classics “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Long Tall Sally.” The pianist’s flamboyant stage presence changed the art of musical performance, and bands like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Creedence Clearwater Revival have cited him as an influence. Penniman was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 — its inaugural year. Other rock ‘n’ roll icons, including Brian Wilson and Jimmy Page, paid tribute to Little Richard on Twitter. “I’m very sorry to hear about Lit...
Paris Saint Germain x Jordan Brand Collection Kit Available Now In ‘FIFA 20’s VOLTA Mode
Source: FIFA 20 VOLTA / EA Heads up FIFA players, your in-game characters is getting a significant drip upgrade. Starting today (May.9), players will be able to access the Paris Saint Germain x Jordan Brand kits and use them in FIFA 20’s VOLTA mode. The in-game drip mirrors the gear that was first introduced by Jordan Brand in September 2018 as part of the iconic apparel brand’s move from the basketball to the pitch. Since the collection’s inception, we have seen many different styles that have not only live in Jordan Brand’s high-quality sports apparel and streetwear, but in iconic Air Jordan silhouettes as well. The PSG drop is officially live in FIFA 20 VOLTA right now. You can watch the launch trailer for the kit below. — Photo: FIFA 20 VOLTA / EA HipHopWired Radio Our staff has picked...
Andre Harrell, Uptown Records Founder, Dies at 59
Andre Harrell, the music executive who founded Uptown Records and gave a young Sean Combs his first job, has died. He was 59. According to the New York Times, Harrell died on May 7 at his home in West Hollywood. His ex-wife, Wendy Credle, told the Times that the cause was heart failure. DJ D-Nice revealed the news of Harrell’s death on Instagram Live last night (May 8) during the latest round of his Club Quarantine series. Harrell’s career started in 1983 when he worked for Russell Simmons’ burgeoning Def Jam Records. In 1986, Harrell left to form Uptown Records. The label became influential for its discovery and ushering in of the New Jack Swing sound. The label broke artists like Guy (featuring Teddy Riley), Al B. Sure, Jodeci, Heavy D and the Boyz and Father MC. Mary J. B...
R.I.P. Little Richard, Rock & Roll Pioneer Dies at 87
Rock and roll pioneer Little Richard has died at the age of 87. Richard passed away Saturday, May 9th, following a battle with cancer, his son Danny Penniman told Rolling Stone. Born in 1932 in Macon, Georgia, Richard Wayne Penniman was the third of 12 children of Charles “Bud” Penniman and Leva Mae. His father was a deacon, and it was at church that Richard first discovered his love for singing. He became particularly enthralled by gospel singers such as Brother Joe May and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, as well as the animated nature of his preacher’s sermons. After overhearing him sing during a concert, Tharpe invited Richard, then age 14, to open one of her concerts, and his professional career was born. In his early teens, Richard began experimenting sexually with boys and...
Little Richard, Legendary Rock’n’Roll Pioneer, Dies at 87
Little Richard, one of the first and greatest rock’n’roll icons and innovators, has died at age 87, as reported by Rolling Stone. The cause of death has not yet been reported. Born Richard Wayne Penniman, he revolutionized popular music in the 1950s with such culturally irreplaceable hits as “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Long Tall Sally.” He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, the very first year it began, and performed at Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration in 1992. The Library of Congress added “Tutti Frutti” to the National Recording Registry in 2010 for its cultural significance, particularly its unforgettable a cappella intro: “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom!“ Born in Macon, Georgia, the second of 12 children, Penniman was kicked out o...
Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Savage’ & Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ Battling for No. 1 on Hot 100 Next Week
Both songs should surge driven in part by high-profile remixes. Will a stallion gallop to No. 1 on next week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart? Or, will a cat pounce to the highest perch? According to projections based on building Nielsen Music/MRC Data figures, Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Savage” and Doja Cat‘s “Say So” should both challenge for the summit of the May 16-dated Hot 100, thanks to notable gains. On the most recently published chart, dated May 9, the former ranks at No. 4, a new high, and the latter places at No. 6, after reaching No. 5. The tracks are aiming to dethrone “The Scotts,” by The Scotts, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi, as the collaboration is likely to depart the top spot after it launched at No. 1 on the May 9-dated chart. The ...
Andre Harrell, Founder of Uptown Records, Dies at 59
Andre Harrell, music mogul and founder of influential R&B and hip-hop label Uptown Records, has died. Details are if his death are not yet known, but Harrell’s passing was first announced by DJ D-Nice on his Instagram Live early Saturday morning (May 9), and sources have separately confirmed it to Billboard. He was 59. Raised in the Bronx, New York, Harrell started a career in music as half of the early-’80s hip-hop duo Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (with Alonzo Brown). The pair had a handful of minor hits on Billboard‘s Hot R&B Songs chart — the biggest being the No. 31-peaking, Tom Tom Club-sampling “Genius Rap” in 1982 — but Harrell soon found other career aspirations, particularly after meeting Def Jam records founder Russell Simmon...
KAMAUU’s ‘Common Wealth’ Playlist
With everyone sequestered and self-quarantining due to the coronavirus, we’ve asked our favorite artists to come up with playlists that keep you entertained. Here’s emerging rapper KAMAUU: What’s up y’all, my name is KAMAUU and I like to breathe and not take breathing for granted. Breath is a powerful privilege and many people every day lose it. It’s important that we always take moments to appreciate our life and breath, the lives and breath of others in our community and that of the people we love. Here is a playlist I made of songs that remind me to breathe and inspire me to keep productive. Stay healthy family! Salaam Remi – “You’re My Angel – instrumental”This is great for waking up and breathinggg. I like the instrumental because, besides the fact that it’s gorgeous, it has no ...
Bob Dylan Announces New Album Rough and Rowdy Ways, Shares “False Prophet”: Stream
Bob Dylan has announced the release of his album of entirely new material in eight years. Entitled Rough and Rowdy Ways, the 10-track LP will be available starting June 19th through Columbia Records. The legendary troubadour previously previewed the album by unveiling “Murder Most Foul”, a 17-minute track about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and “I Contain Multitudes”, which takes its name from a Walt Whitman poem. To coincide with today’s announcement, he’s unveiled a third track in “False Prophet”. Rough and Rowdy Ways will be available in a variety of configurations, including as 2xCD and 2xLP sets. Pre-orders are now ongoing. Dylan’s last album of original songs, Tempest, came out in 2012. Since then, he’s recorded several collections of standards, most ...
