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The iconic 79-year-old songstress delighted the 60,000-strong audience by performing her timeless hit, “Love Hangover,” which clearly influenced Beyoncé as she made her disco-leaning album Renaissance.The Grammy-nominated singer then delivered a heartwarming rendition of “Happy Birthday,” leading the entire crowd in the tune.“I’m here to celebrate Beyoncé’s birthday,” Diana Ross proclaimed, to which Beyoncé mouthed, “I love you.”Beyoncé was visibly moved throughout the performances. But who wouldn’t be? The superstar then shared a heartfelt embrace with Ross, with tears of gratitude filling her eyes. “Thank you so much,” Beyoncé said to Ross, expressing her gratitude for her time.

Todd Gilchrist editor From the wah-wah guitar that opens the title track to the operatic closer “Just to Keep You Satisfied,” Marvin Gaye’s 1973 album “Let’s Get It On” expressed the joy — and complexity — of human sexuality like virtually none in popular music before it. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its release, Motown/ UMe is holding an event Wednesday featuring fellow R&B luminaries Smokey Robinson and Jimmy Jam, Gaye biographer David Ritz and moderated by UMe A&R vice president Harry Weinger, in advance of a new deluxe edition of the album.

Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin’ world go round‘ – featured on the band’s original 1981 greatest hits album alongside tracks such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.But it has been left off a new version of the collection, which was released earlier this month, on Yoto – an audio platform aimed at children.“It’s the ideal introduction to the music of Queen for young music lovers and the perfect soundtrack to kitchen dance parties, road trip singalongs, bedtime air guitar sessions….and much much more,” a description of the record reads on the platform’s official website.We’re delighted to bring UMG’s unparalleled roster of artists and labels to @yotoplay's growing global audience of kids and family listeners for the first time. https://t.co/AD5fAD4Rnf— Universal Music Group (@UMG) August 11, 2023Despite that, it does issue a warning about the remaining songs, stating: “Please note that the lyrics in some of these songs contain adult themes, including occasional references to violence and drugs.

the news of his death has celebrities and prominent figures from all industries paying tribute to his longstanding legacy. Avant, the beloved former Motown chairman whose work as an industry executive and mentor earned him the nickname the «Black Godfather» of music, sports, politics and entertainment, died Sunday at his Los Angeles home.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music The wide reach of Clarence Avant, who was widely known as “the Godfather of Black Entertainment” and died Sunday at the age of 92, was evident from the range of people paying tribute to him on social media after his death was announced Monday morning. His influence spanned music, entertainment, sports, politics and beyond. Within just a couple of hours, former President Bill Clinton, the Rev.

Black American culture as one of the most influential businessmen in entertainment. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native became a pillar in entertainment after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1960s.

Offset has reportedly dropped his lawsuit against his former record label Quality Control Music after reaching a settlement.Offset signed a production agreement with the Atlanta-based record label for his work in Migos and as a solo artist in 2013. In February 2017, the rap trio signed with Motown and Capitol Records due to QC entering a joint venture with the former.

Meghan Markle attended the Eras Tour and Taylor Swift‘s secret song selection couldn’t have been more perfect for the duchess.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Capitol Music Group and Motown Records have entered into a partnership with Glass Window Entertainment, the label founded by multiplatinum rapper Dominique “Lil Baby” Jones, with rapper Rylo Rodriguez as the first artist signed to the partnership. Terms were not disclosed, although sources tell Variety it is a multi-million-dollar deal.

Clifton Oliver, a stage actor who appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, In The Heights and Wicked, died yesterday following a lengthy illness.

New York-based actor David Kaverman is four months into his contract as a swing performer on the second national tour of the hit Broadway musical WICKED. During the Houston stop, Kaverman took a break from his grueling schedule and the triple-digit heat index in Texas to chat with Georgia Voice. He jokingly recalled his first night in the hit musical and the advice he received from the show’s dance captain before his first performance: “The only thing you have to do today is just not fall down,” he recalls being told. “Don’t fall—just get on and get off stage. That’s all you have to do.”

Paul Justman, director of the acclaimed 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown as well as classic MTV-era music videos including the J. Geils Band’s “Centerfold” and Diana Ross’ “Muscles,” died March 7 at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 74.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor Epic Records has appointed Ezekiel Lewis to the post of president. He will continue to report to Sylvia Rhone, Epic Records’ Chairwoman and CEO, and to lead the A&R division while helping run the day-to-day operations of the company. Lewis has served as the company’s executive vice president and head of A&R since 2020, working closely with such artists as 21 Savage, Bia, Black Eyed Peas, DDG, Future, Giveon, Madison Beer, Meghan Trainor, Mimi Webb, Southside, Zara Larsson and more. Prior to joining Epic in 2017, Lewis served as senior VP of A&R at Motown Records from 2011, working with such artists including Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan. He is also a Grammy-winning songwriters who has co-written and co-produced songs for Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige and Usher, and also worked closely with Mariah Carey and Yo Gotti. In 2010, he founded Bar Music Group, a music publishing company that included projects Chris Brown, Future, Trey Songz and others. As a musician, he signed with David Foster’s 143 Records and played a key role in Trey Songz’s career. In 2004, Lewis co-founded the Clutch, a collective of songwriter-producers responsible for hits by Omarion, Ciara, Britney Spears, Timbaland and others.

Diana Ross has added two “once-in-a-lifetime” London shows to her upcoming The Music Legacy Tour.In March, the global icon announced a 12-stop North American tour, which will start in California on June 9. In an Instagram post, Ross urged fans to “come join the love fest” as she delivers all her greatest hits for her adoring fans.

Shirley Ju May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and this year’s theme has been dubbed “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity” by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. While this organization works to support AAPI leaders in Federal and DC governments, the message is universal: to empower AAPI individuals to find success and growth in their careers — no matter what industry.

Remember how, last summer, we brought you a sneaky First Listen of Kamille's break-up bop Weight Loss? Well, a lot's happened since then.

Legendary soul icon, Gladys Knight, is to play her last ever Manchester show at the o2 Apollo, Manchester, on Saturday, May 27, as part of her Farewell Tour. This is a final chance to catch the voice of a generation live in action, tickets are available now via Skiddle & Ticketmaster!.

Plenty of decisions surrounding King Charles‘ coronation just seem like the typical compromises when planning a huge event. It was “slimmed down” but still massive, Prince Harry was invited but played no role, that kind of thing. One thing we still can’t quite understand? The booking of the concert performers!

Jords has released the heartfelt single ‘iPray’, which features grime legend Wretch 32, Mrs Chambers and MilesFromKinshasa.The single is released in celebration of the announcement of the Croydon rapper’s upcoming album, ‘Dirt In The Diamond’. Produced by UK rap heavyweight Kadiata, the single comes with an accompanying music video that sees the artists mournfully recite their verses at a funeral.The Renee Osubu-directed video serves as the second part of Jords’ film, which uses select songs from the album to narrate scenes.Speaking about the single, the 28-year-old said: “To me, ‘iPray’ is like Simba’s conversation with Mufasa.

Lots of people in this coronation week look toward the history of the royals – none more so than the late Princess Diana who, without doubt, will be solely missed by so many.Time moves on, and people have different feelings - especially Prince Harry, who has been less than kind about his stepmother Camilla. The Camilla Effect has been hard for Harry to swallow despite her obvious love for him, which I witnessed many times while on location.

A jury found today that Ed Sheeran did not wrongfully copy Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On” with his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud.”

via live stream by “Funny Girl” and former “Glee” star Lea Michele, who was an attendee at Monday night’s Met Gala, and Tony winner Myles Frost at the Sofitel New York.“West Side Story” star Ariana DeBose will be hosting the show for a second time.DeBose, 32, announced earlier this month that she was “honored” to return. “I was honored to serve as host last year and even more so to be asked back,” DeBose said in a statement. “So looking forward to celebrating this incredible season and the people who make the work happen.

Smokey Robinson has More Love to give than he knows what to do with…

She really had a hold on him. Smokey Robinson claimed he had a year-long affair with Diana Ross while he was married to his first wife.

Smokey Robinson is opening up about his longtime friendship with Diana Ross.

Smokey Robinson has a lasting love for Diana Ross. The 83-year-old music icon opens up about his and Ross' longtime friendship, even claiming that they had a year-long affair during his first marriage to Claudette Rogers. When asked in an interview with whether he and Ross ever had «a thing,» he replies, «Yes, we did,» adding that it lasted «about a year.» «I was married at the time. We were working together and it just happened,» he shares. «But it was beautiful.

Smokey Robinson has lasting love for Diana Ross. Robinson, 83, is making a major confession about the pair's long-running friendship, claiming that he and Ross, 79, had a year-long affair during his first marriage to Claudette Rogers. Asked, point blank, in an interview with whether he and Ross ever had «a thing,» he replies: «Yes, we did» adding that it lasted «about a year.» «I was married at the time. We were working together and it just happened,» he shares. «But it was beautiful.

Smokey Robinson said that he had a "beautiful" affair with Diana Ross that "just happened" while she was an up-and-coming singer and he was with his first wife.  "I was married at the time," he admitted to The Guardian in a piece published Thursday. "We were working together and it just happened. But it was beautiful.

Thania Garcia Hollywood is mourning Harry Belafonte, the Calypso singer, award-winning performer and activist, who died on April 25 of congestive heart failure at age 96. The Caribbean-American entertainer is lauded as one of the most versatile recording artists of the 1950s and was one of the first Black leading men in cinema. He also had a fierce commitment to activism throughout the 60s and participated in numerous protests and marches including the Freedom March on Washington in 1963 (alongside his friend and actor Sidney Poitier) where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Tastemakers like Berry Gordy, Tony Bennett, Oprah Winfrey and more paid their respects and celebrated Belafonte’s work, calling him a “trailblazer” and “great entertainer.”

Ariana DeBose will return to host this year’s Tony Awards, the ceremony’s producers announced today.