motown
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City of Los Angeles Names Intersection 'Berry Gordy Square' in Honor of Motown Records Founder
Berry Gordy’s name will forever be remembered; not only for founding the storied Motown Records label 60 years ago, but the Detroit-born trailblazer now has an entire section of streets named after him in Hollywood. On Monday, local government officials and Motown luminaries gathered for a special ceremony to dedicate the Los Angeles intersection of…
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AAFCA and TCM Team Up to Discuss Classic Motown Films Mahogany, The Last Dragon, and Lady Sings the Blues
Two champions of film, The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) are partnering up again to discuss our favorite black ass films. AAFCA Presents: Motown Productions will feature AAFCA member Christopher Witherspoon in conversation with TCM host Alicia Malone to discuss classic films, The Last Dragon, Mahogany and Lady Sings…
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Berry Gordy Announces His Retirement at 89
After six decades in the entertainment industry, Berry Gordy is calling it quits. According to the Detroit Free Press, the 89-year-old music mogul made the surprise announcement on Sunday during Motown’s 60th-anniversary Hitsville Honors ceremony at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall. After accepting the Motown Legacy Award from filmmaker Lee Daniels, Gordy made the big reveal during…
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Watch the Never-Made Music Video for Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’
Editor’s note: The Root was a media sponsor of this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference event and panel discussion exploring the marriage of art and activism. When Motown Records came up with the idea to celebrate its 60th anniversary by creating visuals for songs that preceded the music video era, perhaps no other…
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30 Days of Musical Blackness With VSB, Day 18: The Temptations 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)'
As a child, I grew up hearing The Temptations, but I don’t recall really listening. Of course, I knew of Motown and thus I knew some of their biggest songs, some by heart, even if I wasn’t entirely up on game. “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” and “My Girl,” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,”…
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30 Days of Musical Blackness With VSB, Day 16: Gladys Knight & the Pips ‘Daddy Could Swear, I Declare’
Happy Father’s Day! You know what’s difficult to find? Positive songs about black fathers. I’m not saying there aren’t any, I’m just saying that the genre, as it were, could stand some more entries. So today, I decided to go with a song by Gladys Knight & the Pips. The song celebrates dads, or Gladys’…
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ASCAP to Honor Motown Records’ 60th Anniversary, T.I. Will Receive Special New Award
From Hitsville to the Rubberband Man! The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will be hosting its 32nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Awards this summer and both Detroit and Atlanta have hometown honorees to celebrate. In honor of its 60th anniversary, Motown Records will be presented with the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage…
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Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud Is a Rousing, Joyful Nod to Black American Life and Legacy
I have had the good fortune to have seen many a Broadway play (also quite a few off-Broadway, for that matter). But only a very few over the years have stayed with me—a short list would include Fela! The Mountaintop. Choir Boy. The House That Will Not Stand. Denzel Washington in Julius Caesar. The new Broadway musical Ain’t…
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Ain't No Diva Big Enough: Diana Ross' Diamond Birthday Celebration Was Every Bit as Extra as We'd Expect
If Beyoncé sings you “Happy Birthday” (and she didn’t give birth to you), you’re probably a pretty big deal. However you may be feeling about Diana Ross these days, post-MJ comments (or Barbra Streisand, or Stephanie Mills… we’re sensing a generational trend here), it’s undeniable that the woman is a iconic diva with a legendary…
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Exclusive: Diana Ross Speaks on the 'Magic' of Her Children and Her Most Famous Concert in Diana Ross: Her Life, Love and Legacy
The date was March 26, 1944 when a true diva strutted into the world. Seventy-five years later and Ms. Diana Ross is not only a diva—she’s now a diamond diva. Celebrating her diamond anniversary, Ms. Ross and Fathom Events are presenting a special two-night screening of Diana Ross: Her Life, Love and Legacy featuring Diana…