Music
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Diddy and Mary J. Blige Commemorate Andre Harrell in Instagram Tributes
The music world is still mourning the unexpected passing of music executive and multi-hyphenate Andre Harrell. The Uptown Records founder and former president/CEO of Motown Records died on Thursday, May 7 at the age of 59. In the outpouring of the tributes to this extraordinary man, many thanked him for discovering acts such as Jodeci,…
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An Exclusive Interview With ‘Tyrone’ of Erykah Badu Infamy
Following the highly successful Verzuz event featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, a particularly interesting recurring convo arose about Erykah’s impromptu hit song, “Tyrone.” Namely, the fact that the song’s popularity also resulted in a particular negative association with the titular character. Now, the long-maligned Tyrone is finally setting the record straight, in his own…
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It's Goin' Down, Down, Baby: Nelly and Ludacris Are Next Up for Verzuz Battle
This weekend, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu’s sisterly celebration of each other’s catalogs for the beloved Verzuz series soothed our spirits and souls. Fans of the Instagram Live event and shakin’ their asses are in for a treat, as the next battle will switch gears entirely, promising to bring the heat. The official announcement of…
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Erykah Badu and Jill Scott Brought the Healing Vibes We Needed in Their Verzuz Battle
Incense was burning, Crown Royal was ready for the sipping, and even our forever first lady Michelle Obama was tuning in for the Verzuz battle between Neo Soul queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott last night on Instagram Live. During the “battle”—which felt more like a celebration of blackness and sisterhood than anything—the two artists…
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Charlie Wilson Becomes 1st Artist to Score No. 1 Hits In Each of The Last Three Decades
As much as we love all things Charlie Wilson, one thing we don’t give him enough credit for is his longevity. Since The Gap Band’s arrival on the scene in the early 70s, he’s blessed us with hit after hit for decades. And with his latest single, “Forever Valentine,” Billboard reports that Uncle Charlie has…
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The Root Jams Weekly Playlist (5/8/2020): 'Bring Me Peace'
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of that fact, the playlists this month will all be dedicated to it. Our first one, titled “Bring Me Peace,” is a list of songs from staffers of TheRoot.com that are used to bring a peaceful mental state. “Bring Me Peace” (5/8/2020) Panama Jackson Maxwell “Ascension…
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Here’s How You Can Score 3 Months of TIDAL’s Premium Subscription for Free While You’re Staying Home
Most of us may not know the privilege of fame or wealth, but there is a certain privilege in having a TIDAL subscription, especially if you’re a fan of Jay-Z and Beyoncé. When either of the two drops a project, TIDAL typically gets first dibs, and subscribers happily indulge while the rest of us scramble…
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Teddy Riley Says Bobby Brown Stormed Out During Recording of 'My Prerogative'
Bobby Brown’s hit song “My Prerogative” was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 24 weeks in 1989 and was also nominated for a Grammy Award for the Best R&B Urban Contemporary Single category. Despite the song’s accolades and commercial success, the recording process was apparently not peaches and cream. Just ask the…
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Even 20 Years Later, Lucy Pearl's Sole Album Is Still as Perfect as Ever
As is typically the case whenever I’ve undertaken a project of some sort that requires me to carve out a sizable block of time to complete, I try to queue up a few albums that I know I love with high replay value so I don’t have to spend a lot of time skipping tracks.…
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French Montana Concedes Drake Could 'Probably' Beat Him in Head-to-Head Hits Battle; Water Declares It Is 'Likely' Wet
If there’s any self-care mantra I can offer to anyone right now, it’s to believe in yourself the way French Montana believes in himself. The “Unforgettable” rapper, in an interview with DJ E Rock on 92.3’s The Bassment (h/t Complex), maintained, once again, that his catalog could stand next to most of hip hop’s greats—with…