Soul Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Nile Rodgers & Chic have announced a UK tour for summer 2023 with special guest Sophie Ellis-Bextor – find all the details below and purchase tickets here.Rodgers and his band will be performing five shows across the UK next year starting at The Piece Hall in Halifax in June 16.From there they will play Southampton Summer Sessions on June 23rd, followed by Bedford Summer Sessions on July 7, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on July 11, and Dreamland Margate July 13.“Thrilled to announce we’re bringing the ‘Good Times’ back across England and Wales in 2024!” Rodgers shared in a social post today (October 23). “Mark your calendars because we’re gonna light up the night, celebrate life, and dance like there’s no tomorrow.”Alongside Ellis-Bextor, Deco will also be joining the tour as special guests.General sale tickets go live this Friday, October 27 at 9am BST, and you can purchase yours here.

Dame Shirley Bassey.Created by the BBC, the new documentary is titled Black Music Wales and explores the experiences shared by Black musicians hailing from Wales – particularly how they are often “forgotten” due to the success of Bassey.Fronted by Newport rapper Lemfreck, the programme also delves into the history of Welsh black music and sees how it has evolved from the late 1800s up until the current day.“Recognition for black Welsh musicians hasn’t been helped by the fact that there’s one very famous singer who overshadows everybody,” Lemfreck said.It also features an appearance from DJ and broadcaster Kervin Julien, who added: “I think because Shirley Bassey is one of the most famous singers to come from Wales – too many singers are all forgotten about.“I’m not going to disrespect Shirley Bassey in any shape or form. She’s an absolute legend but let’s just get it right, [but] sometimes it sounds like the only thing we’ve ever had is Shirley Bassey.”Singer, songwriter and producer Dionne Bennett also agreed in the documentary, adding that she was frequently put in the same category as the music icon, despite their music being nothing alike.“Why are we still talking about Shirley Bassey?” she said.

Every Friday, The FADER’s writers dive into the most exciting new projects released that week. Today, read our thoughts on Sampha’s Lehai, Lost Girls’ Selvutsletter, Evian Christ’s Revanchist, and more.

Sampha has spoken about his inspiration and mindset while writing his highly-anticipated second studio album, ‘Lahai’.This week sees the experimental singer, songwriter and producer perform three sold-out shows at St John’s at Hackney Church in London. With the help of Spotify, the London-born singer wanted to gift his loyal fans a carefully curated experience in an intimate setting.On Wednesday (October 11), Sampha told the crowd to “feel free” and roam around the circular stage while they got “an intimate look into his production rehearsal”.

Kali Uchis brought out Omar Apollo and Tyler, the Creator at her Hollywood Bowl show this weekend.The Colombian-American singer-songwriter performed at the sold-out Los Angeles venue on Saturday (September 30) as part of her ‘Red Moon In Venus Tour Pt. II’.The artist welcomed Apollo to the stage for their song ‘Worth The Wait’, before she was joined by Tyler, the Creator towards the end of the set for a quick hug and bow after Uchis performed their collaborative track ‘After The Storm’.You can watch footage of the onstage surprises below.Kali Brings out Omar Apollo #kaliuchis #omarapollo #kaliuchistour2023 ♬ original sound – Hypemommy Tyler the Creator really just gave Kali Uchis a hug and walked off LMAOOOO #redmooninvenustour #tylerthecreator #kaliuchis #afterthestormkaliuchis ♬ After The Storm – Kali Uchis The guest surprises follow appearances from both Tyler, The Creator and Omar Apollo during Uchis’ set at Coachella back in April.Tyler, The Creator joined her on stage for their track ‘See You Again’, but Tyler experienced technical difficulties and could not be heard on the mic outside of his playback.Apollo then joined the singer to give their collaborative cut ‘Worth The Wait’ its live debut.

Halle has announced that her debut solo EP will “definitely” be released “before the end of the year”.The news comes a month after the actor-singer dropped her debut solo single ‘Angel’ on August 4.

Sampha has announced his eagerly anticipated upcoming sophomore album, ‘Lahai’.Yesterday (August 24), Sampha took to social media to announce the album, confirming its name and sharing its artwork – which you can see below. “LAHAI,” Sampha wrote in his announcement. “My grandfather’s name.

Charlotte Day Wilson has shared a new single titled "Forever." The track is a collaboration with Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra and finds the pair trading verses over stripped-back piano and drums. Together they talk about romantic hesitation, singing "I'm livin' lost in love 'cause I changе my mind too much." "Forever" is described in press materials as being "tethered loosely to a warped interpolation of The Foundations’ 'Baby, Now That I Found You.'" Check it out below.

Reverend Al Green has made his return by sharing a cover of Lou Reed’s ‘Perfect Day’. Check it out below.The track is the first new music that the American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer has recorded in five years.

Black Pumas have announced their new album ‘Chronicles Of A Diamond’ and shared single ‘More Than A Love Song’. Check it out below along with our interview with frontman Eric Burton.The duo – consisting of Burton and guitarist-producer Adrian Quesada – received critical acclaim and six Grammy nominations for their 2019 self-titled debut.

Halle Bailey has dropped her debut solo single ‘Angel’, following her success in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.Bailey (monomously known as Halle) and her sister Chlöe formed the singing duo Chloe X Halle in 2011 and in 2015, their YouTube cover of Beyoncé‘s ‘Pretty Hurts’ earned them a record deal with Queen Bey’s Parkwood Entertainment.After signing to the label, they dropped two albums; 2018’s ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and 2020’s ‘Ungodly Hour’ – both earning Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Progressive R&B Album.After teasing her debut single earlier this summer, Halle dropped the anthemic and uplifting single with an accompanying music video. Produced by Theron ‘NeffU’ Feemster (Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo), ‘Angel”s lyrics are empowering over the punchy orchestral arrangements: “Heaven knows your wings can weigh you down, but angels make a way somehow.”The Wendy Morgan-directed music video echoed the song’s angelic theme with contemporary dancers strutting around Bailey, surrounded by a colour palette reminiscent of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam.“This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart,” Halle said in a statement.

Nile Rodgers has shared his concern about the merging of local BBC Introducing Radio, and expressed how he thinks it will negatively impact the music industry.The update shared by the musician follows an announcement made by BBC Local radio presenters back in January, in which they confirmed that there were some significant changes underway for BBC Introducing programming.The restructuring is set to see the BBC Introducing local network in England and the channel islands cut back from 32 shows to 20 – and numerous presenters and production staff out of their jobs.Now, guitarist, record producer and songwriter Rodgers has backed a campaign set against the merging of the radio stations, and highlighted how the shows are vital in supporting emerging talent and providing a platform for new artists.“Over the last few weeks, while large parts of BBC Local Radio have been on strike, it’s become clear the extent of these cuts – particularly around music,” he began, sharing a new update on his Instagram page.“@BBCintroducing is a network of 32 local programmes that support unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar music from each area in Britain,” he added.

Aretha Franklin‘s sofa after her death in 2018 is a valid will.The ruling is a critical turn in a dispute between the late singer’s four sons that has turned three of them against each other.The new documents that were signed by the singer in 2014 were discovered in 2019 by Franklin’s niece, the same person who discovered the singer’s 2010 will in a locked cabinet.The singer did not leave behind a formal, typed will when she passed five years ago at age 76.A post shared by Aretha Franklin (@arethafranklin)It is a win for Franklin’s second oldest and youngest children – Edward and Kecalf– whose lawyers argued that the 2014 documents were valid and superseded a 2010 version of the will that Franklin had left before she died of pancreatic cancer in 2018.As the Associated Press reports, lawyers for Kecalf and Edward Franklin said the fact that the 2014 papers were found in a notebook in couch cushions did not make them less significant.The 2014 will stated that Kecalf Franklin and grandchildren would get his mother’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, which was valued at $1.1 million when she died, but is worth much more today.The older will said Kecalf, 53, and Edward Franklin, 64, “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” to benefit from the estate. That provision is not in the 2014 version.“I’m very, very happy.

ANOHNI is this week’s guest on The FADER Interview. On the podcast, the British-American multimedia artist and activist discussed the vast tonal shift between her last album and her new one. Where 2016’s HOPELESSNESS was an eviscerating, explicitly topical endeavor, My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross, due out this Friday (July 7) via Secretly Canadian, is less didactic and more soulful (a sound facilitated in part by producer Jimmy Hogarth and the return of ANOHNI’s band, The Johnsons), though just as intentional in its messaging.

Sampha has surprised fans with the release of his first single in six years, ‘Spirit 2.0’. Check it out below.This is Sampha’s first release since his 2017 Mercury Prize-winning debut album, ‘Process’, and features the likes of South London jazz composer and drummer Yussef Dayes, Spanish producer El Guincho, Canadian composer Owen Pallet — plus vocals from Yaeji and one half of Ibeyi, Lisa Kaindé Diaz.“It’s about the importance of connection to both myself and others, and the beauty and harsh realities of just existing,” said Sampha of the song’s lyrical meaning.

Patti LaBelle has spoken out after she paid tribute to Tina Turner at the 2023 BET Awards, but forgot the words to the song during her performance.The Q’ueen of Rock’n’Roll’ Tina Turner passed away last month after suffering from a “long-term illness”. She was aged 83-years-old when she died peacefully at her home in Switzerland.Last Saturday (June 23), in honour of the late singer, legendary soul singer Patti Labelle sang her own rendition of ‘The Best’ at the 23rd BET Awards.However, she had a mishap on stage when she couldn’t see the lyrics on the teleprompter and shouted: “I can’t see the words and I don’t know.

purchase your tickets here.The R&B and soul trio – Raphael Saadiq, his brother D’Wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley – have announced that they will be embarking on a the ‘Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné Just Me and You’ US tour this September.Kicking off in Birmingham, Alabama on September 21, the group will make stops in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Nashville, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and many more, before finishing up in San Francisco, California on November 17.Fans can access pre-sale here, some of which are happening now, before general sale starts Friday (June 23) at 10am EDT. You can find the full list of dates below and purchase tickets here.Announcing the news in a press statement, Saadiq, who will also perform works from his solo career, shared: “I’ve always wanted to put my family back together.

Anita Baker has removed Babyface as the support act for her ‘The Songstress’ tour after receiving online “abuse” she suffered from his fans.The tour was announced to honour the 40th anniversary of Baker’s 1983 debut album, ‘The Songstress’.However, this week saw Baker take to Twitter to share her frustrations with Babyface performing longer than “contractually” obligated and also called him her “special guest/support act.” Fans of Babyface would then call Baker names and “harass” her following her comments on the singer-songwriter. This resulted in the ‘Caught Up In The Rapture’ singer asking him to “call off” his fans, whom she dubbed “Kenny’s Crazies.”Now, the Ohio singer has announced that Babyface will no longer be her opening act on tour from now on.

Anita Baker has been receiving criticism online from Babyface‘s fans, and asked the singer to “call off” the social media hate.Baker is currently on the ‘Songstress’ tour, her first tour in nearly 30 years, with Babyface supporting her. Last month, his opening set in Newark was cut short after starting nearly two hours late and Baker has complained about his sets being too long.Due to her complaints about the Indianapolis-born singer running over the allotted time, Anita Baker has received backlash online.On June 11, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award winner took to Twitter to explain her disappointment, alluding that Babyface is going over his contractual set time and making her late.Baker wrote, “It was 9:30pm.

Last month ANOHNI announced details of a new album titled My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross. The album marks her return to working with The Johnsons and will be released on July 7.

While promoting his new music video for "BDD," Blueface shared a post to Instagram which included two photos where he's seen laying amongst four pregnant women. The caption reads, "I'm in n out a bih life I'm not Oscar proud," seemingly referring to his public, tumultuous romantic relationships.

Coldplay paid tribute to the late Tina Turner yesterday (May 24) with a live performance of her song ‘Proud Mary’ – watch footage below.The iconic American singer and ‘Queen of Rock’n’Roll’ died yesterday aged 83 following a long illness, her spokesperson said.“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” a post to the star’s social media read.“Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music.

Tina Turner‘s final performance has re-emerged following news of the music icon’s death aged 83.The ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ died at her home near Zurich, Switzerland following a long illness, her spokesperson shared today (May 24).“Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland,” the singer’s representative said in a statement.“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”Elton John, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Debbie Harry and Karen O are among musicians who have paid tribute to the legendary singer.Fans are now revisiting the singer’s final show of her farewell tour, which wrapped up May 5, 2009, at the Sheffield Arena.She performed a number of hits like ‘The Best’, ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ and ‘River Deep, Mountain High’.You can watch highlight footage from the show and revisit the setlist below.‘Tina! 50th Anniversary’ tour setlist:1. ‘Steamy Windows’ 2. ‘Typical Male’3. ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ 4. ‘What You Get Is What You See’5. ‘Better Be Good to Me’6. ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’7. ‘The Acid Queen’8. ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’9. ‘Private Dancer’10. ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’11. ‘Help!’12. ‘Undercover Agent for the Blues’13. ‘Let’s Stay Together’14. ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain’15. ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’16. ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (but I Like It)’17. ‘GoldenEye’18. ‘Addicted to Love’19. ‘The Best’20. ‘Proud Mary’21. ‘Nutbush City Limits’22. ‘Be Tender with Me Baby’“We have lost one of the world’s most exciting and electric performers,” John wrote in an Instagram post.

Tina Turner, one of the brightest stars of ’80s pop, rock, and R&B, has passed away after a long battle with intestinal cancer, her longtime publicist Bernard Doherty has confirmed. “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland,” he wrote in a statement Wednesday (May 24).

Average White Band will launch their international farewell ‘Let’s Go Round Again One Last Time’ Tour in North America.The stay in the U.S. will be short for the British outfit though.At the time of publication, the funk, soul and R&B group featuring original members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre only have five stateside shows lined up.This run of concerts includes two gigs at New York City’s City Winery on Friday, Aug.

Janelle Monáe has opened up about the freedom of nudity during an interview with Rolling Stone in preparation for their forthcoming album.The 37-year-old non-binary singer explained that being naked has become a “big theme” in their life as they celebrate a “new era of liberation”.

Summer Walker has recently shared her new EP called ‘Clear 2: Soft Life’ – listen below.Announced during her performance at this year’s Dreamville Festival, the EP is the sequel to the Atlantan singer’s 2019 four-track debut EP ‘Clear’, a prelude to her debut Billboard chart-topping album, ‘Over It’. It arrived last Friday (May 19) via LVRN/Interscope Records.The nine-track collection features verses from J.

Kamala Harris showed off her new vinyl records earlier this week and shared some of her favourite artists.The politician had been shopping in Home Rule Records in Washington, D.C.

Janelle Monáe has announced her new album ‘The Age Of Pleasure’ and shared latest single ‘Lipstick Lover’ – listen below.‘The Age of Pleasure’, the singer and actor’s first album in five years, is due out June 9 via Wondaland Arts Society/Atlantic Records – you can pre-order/pre-save it here.The announcement arrives with new single ‘Lipstick Lover’, a reggae-inspired celebration of queer love and joy. “I like lipstick on my neck / It let me know I’m your number one select,” Monáe sings.

Lionel Richie has posted a series of images of himself at the Coronation Concert online, and shown that he isn’t affected by the harsh criticism he received from some fans.The pop and soul legend took to the stage on the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday (May 7) — to perform some of his biggest hits in front of the newly-crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla.However, following renditions of his songs ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’ and ‘All Night Long’, the 73-year-old received some backlash from fans watching the broadcast at home, who were quick to point out how his vocals sounded different to what they expected.“Is someone disguised as Lionel Richie because that is not his voice! Sounds completely different,” wrote one viewer on Twitter, while another agreed, stating: “Lionel Richie’s voice sounds totally different. I wouldn’t recognise it!”However, following some criticism, the ‘Hello’ singer has shown that he isn’t affected by the comments, and instead shared a series of online updates, showing him enjoying his time at the historic event.This included a series of images of him at Windsor Castle, as well as a clip of him performing at the concert, with the caption simply reading: “All night long at Windsor Castle”.He also shared close-up shots of his outfit on the night, which was designed by David Thomas and embellished with Swarovski crystals, alongside footage of himself and Katy Perry chatting briefly with the newly-crowned monarchs, which was shown on American Idol.