Showing posts with label artist death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artist death. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Simply the Best: Tina Turner's Iconic Voice Silenced at 83

Tina Turner, the renowned singer and performer who rose to fame alongside her husband Ike Turner in the 1960s and '70s before achieving solo success with the iconic hit "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at the age of 83.

According to a statement from her manager. Turner, a Swiss citizen for the past decade, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich after battling a long illness.

Born Anna Mae Bullock in segregated Tennessee, Turner overcame tremendous obstacles during her career. Despite enduring physical abuse, emotional devastation, and financial ruin throughout her tumultuous 20-year marriage to Ike Turner, she defied the odds by establishing herself as a solo superstar in her 40s and remained a highly sought-after live performer for many years.

Turner's repertoire spanned various genres, including pop, rock, and rhythm and blues. Her hits, such as "Proud Mary," "Nutbush City Limits," and "River Deep, Mountain High," as well as '80s chart-toppers like "What's Love Got to Do With It," "We Don't Need Another Hero," and her cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," captivated audiences worldwide.

Known for her distinctive wigs and raspy contralto vocals, Turner sold over 150 million records worldwide, won 12 Grammy Awards, and received inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first as part of Ike and Tina Turner in 1991 and later as a solo artist in 2021.

In 2005, she was honored with a tribute at the Kennedy Center, with accolades pouring in from notable figures including Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey.

Turner's indelible impact on music history, both as part of Ike and Tina Turner and as a solo artist, as well as her bravery in sharing her life story through various mediums, solidified her legacy as the Queen of Rock & Roll.

She also left her mark on the silver screen, making an iconic appearance as Aunty Entity in the 1985 film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," showcasing her talent as an actress alongside her musical prowess.

"In Memoriam: Two-time Inductee Tina Turner worked hard to reimagine the role of a Black woman in rock & roll—one that was firmly placed front and center. During her time in the duo Ike and Tina Turner (inducted in 1991), her electric onstage presence forever raised the bar for live performance," tweeted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"Their hits 'River Deep–Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary' endure to this day. But this Queen of Rock & Roll went on to make music history again with her solo career (for which she was inducted again in 2021) and with her bravery in sharing her life story as a book, film, and Broadway musical. There was nothing her deep, robust voice couldn't do, as displayed on her solo hits like 'What's Love Got to Do with It' and 'Private Dancer'."

No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Reggae Legend Calton Coffie, Voice Behind 'Bad Boys' Theme Song for 'COPS,' Dies at 68

Reggae singer Calton Coffie, renowned for his tenure as the lead vocalist of the legendary Jamaican reggae group Inner Circle, has died at the age of 68.

Coffie's daughter, Eruth Spencer, confirmed his death to the Caribbean-based site DancehallMag. She stated that he passed away on February 2, 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The exact cause of his death was not disclosed, but Coffie had been battling diabetes for several years, according to Spencer.


"My dad always had diabetes... he started to get sick when he was with the band Inner Circle, which is what caused him to leave," she told the publication. Spencer added that Coffie had continued to struggle with diabetes, and despite efforts from family members to reach out to him, they had not received any response since January. They learned of his passing on February 2nd.

Coffie played a pivotal role in Inner Circle as the lead singer, percussionist and keyboard player from 1986 to 1994, contributing significantly to the band's success during his tenure.

Inner Circle's "Bad Boys," featuring Coffie's powerful vocals, became widely recognized as the theme song for the popular TV series COPS. The track was part of Inner Circle's album "Bad To The Bone," which was later re-issued as "Bad Boys" in the United States.

The album achieved notable success on the Billboard 200 chart, spending 49 weeks and peaking at No. 64. The song's popularity transcended television, finding its way into films such as "Bad Boys" (1995), starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, as well as Tom Cruise's "Minority Report" (2002).

The band received its first Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album with "Bad Boys" in 1994. The following year, their album "Reggae Dancer," featuring Coffie as the lead singer, earned a second Grammy nomination in the same category.

Coffie's talent also shone on Inner Circle's hit song "Sweat (A La La La La Long)," which recently received Gold Certification in the United Kingdom, with over 400,000 copies sold, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

After leaving Inner Circle, Coffie pursued a solo career under the name Hot Cup of Coffie, gaining recognition in the United Kingdom music scene.

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Activist and Music Legend Harry Belafonte Passes Away at Age 96

Manfred Werner-Tsui, via Wikimedia Commons
Harry Belafonte, the iconic performer and civil rights activist, died on Tuesday at his New York home at the age of 96 due to congestive heart failure, according to his publicist Ken Sunshine. Belafonte's wife, Pamela, was reportedly with him at the time of his passing.

Belafonte was one of the first Black performers to achieve mainstream success in the entertainment industry, with chart-toppers such as "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" that sold millions of records. However, his impact went beyond music. In the 1960s, he emerged as a leading activist and humanitarian, forging a unique bond between Hollywood, Washington and the civil rights movement.

Belafonte's commitment to social justice saw him go beyond participating in protests and benefit concerts. He organized and raised funds for them, working closely with his friend and peer, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. His activism continued throughout his life, and he appeared in Spike Lee's 2018 film "BlacKkKlansman," portraying an elder statesman schooling young activists about the country's past.

Belafonte was also a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, winning a Tony Award in 1954 and becoming the first Black performer to receive an Emmy five years later. He co-starred in the all-Black cast of "Carmen Jones" and starred in the banned-in-the-South film "Island in the Sun." Belafonte's album "Calypso" became the first million-selling album by a solo performer, sparking a national fascination with Caribbean rhythms. Though nicknamed "the King of Calypso," he shunned the title.

Belafonte was a force in politics as well. John F. Kennedy sought his support during the 1960 presidential campaign, and Belafonte later became an advocate for Kennedy's civil rights agenda. He challenged segregationists, liberals, and even President Barack Obama, who he famously recollected had asked him and fellow activist Cornel West to "cut him some slack" during the first Black president's first term. Belafonte replied, “What makes you think we haven’t?”


Beyond the entertainment industry and politics, Belafonte set high standards for younger Black celebrities, mentoring Usher, Common, Danny Glover, and many others. He also scolded Jay Z and Beyonce for failing to meet their "social responsibilities."
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Legendary R&B Singer Bobby Caldwell Passes Away at 71

Legendary R&B singer Bobby Caldwell, known for his chart-topping hits "What You Won't Do For Love" and "Open Your Eyes," has died at the age of 71.

Caldwell's wife Mary confirmed his death on Wednesday via his official Twitter account.

"Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years," she wrote.

Caldwell had been suffering from health issues for the past six years after experiencing an adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, a condition known as "floxed," according to treatment center Regenerative Medicine LA.

Born on August 15, 1951, in New York City, Caldwell was known for his unique ability to blend jazz, R&B and pop into his music.

His soulful hits, including "What You Won't Do for Love," "My Flame" and "Coming Down From Love," earned him worldwide recognition and numerous accolades, including a 1978 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

Caldwell's music has been sampled by a wide range of artists, including 2Pac, Aaliyah, Kendrick Lamar, the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Nas X.

Perhaps his most famous track, "What You Won't Do For Love," appeared on his double-platinum self-titled debut album.

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Wayne Shorter, Legendary Jazz Composer and Saxophonist, Dead at 89

Tom Beetz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jazz icon Wayne Shorter, a renowned saxophonist and composer with a career spanning more than 50 years, has died at age 89.

A publicist at Blue Note Records, Cem Kurosman, confirmed his passing on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Shorter, a 12-time Grammy Award winner, was born on August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. He gained recognition as a composer and saxophonist while performing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers after studying music at New York University in the mid-1950s. 


In the mid-1960s, he joined the Miles Davis Quintet, playing alongside renowned musicians such as pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams.

Throughout his storied career, Shorter's music evolved from hard bop to experimental jazz and rock-influenced jazz. His innovative sound inspired countless musicians and continues to influence jazz today. 

Shorter even contributed saxophone solos to two soft rock hits, Steely Dan's "Aja" and Don Henley's "The End of the Innocence," which reached the US Top 10. He also played on the Rolling Stones' 1997 album "Bridges to Babylon."

Shorter received numerous accolades for his contributions to the music world, including the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Jazz Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Davis' Second Great Quintet in 2006.


The news of Shorter's death has elicited an outpouring of grief and tributes from musicians and fans alike, who celebrated his immense talent and lasting impact on jazz music.

Fellow saxophone great and composer Charles Lloyd best summed up the general mood while expressing his condolences on Twitter.

"It has been a deeply sad morning to learn that my brother and fellow explorer of the Inner and Outer Universe @Wayne_Shorte has left town," Lloyd wrote. "The Maestro was a visionary, a great composer, and a friend with whom I shared a love for the Eternal Now."

No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Chuck Jackson, "Any Day Now" Hitmaker, Passes Away at 85

Wand Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Chuck Jackson, the legendary R&B and soul singer known for hits such as "Any Day Now" and "I Don't
Want to Cry," has died at the age of 85.

The sad news was confirmed by Ady Croasdell, of UK-based Kent Records, who wrote on social media: "There are confirmed reports that one of the very greatest soul singers of all time, Chuck Jackson, died on February 16th. His passing will be deeply felt around the world." No cause of death was given.



Jackson had an impressive career spanning over six decades, starting in the 1950s as a member of The Del-Vikings before becoming a solo artist and signing with Wand and Scepter record labels. He released over 30 singles throughout his career, including hits such as "Tell Him I'm Not Home," "Beg Me," and "Since I Don't Have You."

In 1962, Jackson released his most famous hit, "Any Day Now," written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard. The song earned him a contract with Motown Records and was later covered by Ronnie Milsap. Jackson's "I Keep Forgettin'" was also covered by Michael McDonald and David Bowie.

Croasdell reflected on Jackson's impressive career and legacy in a statement on Kent Records' official website. "No artist had more releases or titles issued on Kent records than Chuck Jackson," he said. He also credited the company's first compilation featuring Jackson's work, "Mr Emotion" (Kent 033), with helping to revive interest in his Wand recordings, which had largely been forgotten about by the 80s.


"Throughout his career Chuck worked hard with his acclaimed live appearances and he continued to sing in great voice up until quite recently," Croasdell said. "He got a terrific reception at the Great Yarmouth soul weekender in 1990 and appeared around Europe on several occasions afterwards — as well as being in constant demand in his home country."

Dionne Warwick, a friend and collaborator of Jackson's, issued a statement about his death, saying: "Another heartache has come my way. Chuck Jackson has made his transition. He was my label mate on Scepter Records and was like a big brother to me."

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Eric Holder Jr. Sentenced to 60 Years to Life for Murdering Nipsey Hussle

Photo Courtesy LAPD
Eric R. Holder Jr., the man who murdered Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle, was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday.

Hussle, born Airmiess Joseph Asghedom, was fatally shot in 2019 outside the Marathon Clothing store he owned in South LA.

Holder, who was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter for shooting two other men at the scene, was sentenced to an additional 10 years for assault with a firearm.

Hussle was a leading advocate against gun violence and a community leader who worked on developing his neighborhood and creating opportunities for kids. 

Prior to his death, he was scheduled to meet with LA Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff and LA Police Chief Michel Moore to discuss ways to stop gang violence across the city. 

After Hussle's death there was an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, fellow artists and public figures. His funeral was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, drawing thousands of mourners.

In August 2021, Hussle was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on what would have been his 37th birthday.
No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

R&B Pioneer Huey 'Piano' Smith Dead at 89

Legendary R&B pianist and early rock 'n' roll pioneer Huey "Piano" Smith has died at the age of 89.

Smith passed away in his sleep on Tuesday at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His daughter, Acquelyn Donsereaux, confirmed the news to the New Orleans Times-Picayune/Advocate.

Smith was best known for his boogie-woogie piano style and recorded with many New Orleans musicians in the 1950s, including Little Richard, Lloyd Price and Earl King.

His most famous recording, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu," was a minor hit in 1957 but had a lasting influence on music for decades to come.

The track was covered by many artists, including Johnny Rivers, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, John Fogerty, the Beach Boys, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett and the Grateful Dead.

Smith also wrote and recorded the 1958 single "Sea Cruise," which became a platinum-selling hit the following year when Frankie Ford replaced Smith's vocals on the track.

Smith's band, the Clowns, recorded several other popular tracks, including "Don't You Just Know It," which was inspired by a catchphrase often used by their then-driver Rudy Ray Moore.

Moore, an entertainer and vocalist, went on to create the persona of Dolomite, leaving a lasting impression on the world of hip-hop and Black cinema as the driving force behind the creation of "blaxploitation" films.

In the early 1980s, Smith moved to Baton Rouge and mostly left music behind. However, in 2000 he returned to the stage to perform at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation gala in New York City.

He received the foundation's Pioneer Award, which recognizes "the artistic contributions and excellence of legendary Rhythm & Blues artists who have impacted the world through their music."
No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Sunday, February 12, 2023

De La Soul’s Trugoy the Dove Dies At 54


Trugoy the Dove, one-third of the influential hip-hop group De La Soul, has died at the age of 54.

The news was confirmed by a representative of the group after first being reported by AllHipHop.

While no official cause of death has been announced. Trugoy, also known as Dave and Plug Two, was open about his struggles with congestive heart failure in recent years.

In the "Royalty Capes" video by De La Soul, Trugoy, whose passion for music and performing never waned despite his medical woes, spoke of his love for the stage, saying, "I miss that. I love traveling. I love being around my guys and I want that back."



Born David Jude Jolicoeur, Trugoy formed De La Soul in 1988 alongside his high school friends, rappers Posdnuos and Maseo in Long Island, New York.

The group's Prince Paul-produced debut album, "3 Feet High and Rising," was released in 1989 and solidified De La Soul as one of the genre's most influential groups.

Trugoy was notably absent from the recent Grammy's hip-hop tribute performance by the group.
No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, January 30, 2023

Barrett Strong, Motown's First Star, Dies at 81

Courtesy Photo Motown Museum 
Barrett Strong, the man behind Motown Records' first hit and a gifted singer and songwriter who helped create some of the legendary label's classics has died. 

The Motown Museum announced his death, at the age of 81, on social media Sunday.

"It is with great sadness that we share the passing of legendary @ClassicMotown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong," the Museum wrote on its official Twitter account. 

Born in West Point, Mississippi on Feb. 5, 1941, and raised in Detroit, Strong was the voice behind Motown's first hit, "Money (That’s What I Want)."

Recorded when he was just 18, Strong played piano and provided the vocals for the Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford penned song, in 1959.

Within a year the record had become the label that would come to be nicknamed Hitsville's first smash, selling over a million copies and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart (No. 23 on the Billboard 100).

Gordy, who founded Motown, offered high praise for his departed colleague in a statement, even though the men had butted heads over the years after Strong claimed he co-wrote the song along with Grody and Bradford.

"Barrett was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner Norman Whitfield, created an incredible body of work," he said. 

Ultimately, Barrett was denied a writing credit but that did not damage his relationship with Motown.

Along with Whitfield, he was the driving force behind some of its signature hits, such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "War" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."

He was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which cited him as "a pivotal figure in Motown's formative years," in 2004.

 
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Lisa Marie Presley, Singer-Songwriter and Elvis' Only Child, Dead at 54


Lisa Marie Presley, a singer-songwriter who was the only child of Elvis, the man many people regard as the king of rock n’ roll and who was married briefly to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 54.

She passed away Thursday after being rushed to the hospital earlier in the day for treatment after going into cardiac arrest at her Calabasas, California, home.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” her mother, Priscilla Presley said in a statement Thursday evening. “She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”

Presley was eager to follow in her footsteps earlier in her career, releasing three albums. Her debut effort in 2003, "Whom It May Concern," reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and was certified gold. Her second release "Now What" peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2005.

While critics heaped some praise on her songwriting ability and her voice, Presley's music career stalled after her third release "Storm & Grace" in 2012.

In addition to being the only heir of one of the most famous men in music, and retaining ownership of his legendary estate Graceland, Presley's short marriage to Jackson further cemented her standing as music royalty and sparked the curiosity of the world.
 


The duo was married from 1994 to 1996. Together they weathered child molestation accusations against Jackson, before the constant attention and Jackson's health issues led Presley to file for divorce in 1996, citing irreconcilable differences.

She later revealed in a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey, that she and Jackson — who died of a drug overdose in 2009 — had attempted to reconcile on and off for four years following their divorce, and that she had traveled to different parts of the world to be with him.

Presley was married three other times: musician Danny Keough (1988-1994), actor Nicolas Cage (2002-2004) and guitarist Michael Lockwood (2006-2021).

The unions produced four children: Actor Riley Keough, her brother Benjamin Keough who committed suicide in 2020 and twins Finley Lockwood and Harper Lockwood.
No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, January 9, 2023

Gordy Harmon, Co-Founder of R&B Hitmakers the Whispers, Dies At 79


Early promotional material for the Whispers featuring Gordy Harmon. 
The Whispers, and fans of the acclaimed California-bred R&B group, are in mourning following the death of one of its founding members.

Singer Gordy Harmon, who co-founded the quintet in Watts, California, with twin brothers Wallace and Walter Scott, Marcus Hutson, and Nicholas Caldwell in 1964, has died at the age of 79.

No cause was given for Harmon’s death, but his family confirmed the news to ABC 7. The media outlet reported that the musician died peacefully in his sleep at his Los Angeles home on Thursday (Jan. 5). 

The surviving Whispers shared their condolences on social media. 

“We are saddened by the passing of one of the founders and former member of the Whispers,” the group captioned a collage of photos during Gordy's time with it on its official Instagram page. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and his memory and his contributions will never be forgotten. Much love.”

Before leaving the band in 1973, after his larynx was damaged in a driving accident, Harmon helped lay the groundwork for the group's future success. 

He sang on early hits like 1969's "The Time Will Come," which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard R&B chart, and “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong” which became the group's first top 10 R&B entry in 1970.


Harmon was replaced by, Leaveil Degree, formerly of Friends of Distinction, and the Whispers went on to enjoy even greater success.

During the eighties and early nineties, the group scored multiple hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts, putting out five gold and two platinum-certified albums. 

In 1987, their signature hit "Rock Steady" peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100, while taking the top spot on the R&B chart. 

The Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, the Soul Music Hall of Fame in 2012 and the R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Fred White, Earth, Wind & Fire Percussionist, Dead at 67

Fred White via EWF Instagram screengrab

Fred White, the man that kept the beat for one of the best-selling bands of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire — which has sold over 90 million records and won six Grammy Awards in its 50-plus years of existence — has died at the age of 67.

His brother and fellow bandmate Verdine White, the group's bassist, shared the news of the drummer's death Sunday on Instagram.

"Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene 'Freddie' White," he captioned a series of images of Fred playing the drums and posing with the other members of the group.


A cause of death for the percussionist was not given.

Founded in Chicago in 1969 by Fred's older brother, co-lead singer and chief songwriter Maurice White (who died in 2016), Earth, Wind & Fire has been recognized as one of the most important bands of its era. Rolling Stone declared it the band that "changed the sound of black pop."

In 2000, the group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Fred as a member.

He joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974 as a teenager after making his name in Chicago clubs and playing as a drummer for Donny Hathaway. During Fred's time in the band's rhythm section, featuring fellow drummer Ralph Johnson, he laid the foundation for some of its biggest hits, including Earth Wind & Fire's signature song, "September."

Fred played on all six of the group's most notable albums during its heyday, beginning with 1975's "That's the Way of the World" which reached No. 1 on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts and was followed by five more consecutive releases that reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 1, 2023

R&B Star Anita Pointer Dies at 74

Anita Pointer

R&B superstar Anita Pointer has died at the age of 74 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Pointer's publicist Roger Neal delivered the news on Twitter Sunday.

"Sad to report my client Grammy Winner Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters has passed away after a heroic battle with cancer her family was around her at the time of her death she passed peacefully," he posted.  


Neal added in a statement to the media that Pointer passed away Saturday at her home in Los Angeles.

Pointer was an original member of the Grammy Award-winning group The Pointer Sisters.

Initially consisting of her and three of her siblings, the group had 13 top-20 hits in the U.S. between 1973 and 1985 and has won three Grammy Awards — the first coming in 1974 for their crossover hit “Fairytale,” which won for Best Country Vocal Performance.

“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace,” Pointer’s family said in a statement. “Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”
No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Three 6 Mafia's Gangsta Boo Dies at 43

Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Memphis rapper Gangsta Boo has died at 43.

A longtime member of the legendary underground hip-hop collective Three 6 Mafia, the Memphis native — born Lola Mitchell — was reportedly found dead on her porch Sunday at 4 p.m.

Her passing was confirmed by Memphis' Fox 13 after reports began circulating online of her death. The news outlet said three independent sources verified the news.

No cause of death was given, but tributes have begun to pour in for the star from the hip-hop community.

Three 6 Mafia co-founder DJ Paul shared a picture of her deejaying, and several members of the rap fraternity voiced their lament for her loss in his mentions.

“Mannnn😢,” 2 Chainz wrote.


Krayzie Bone added, "Cannot believe this bro 😢tuff one."

Lil Jon said, “MAN WE WAS JUS TOGETHER 3 WEEKS AGO 🥲 REST WELL QUENN 🙏🏽”

The second woman to become a full member of the Academy Award-winning group, which has sold nearly six million albums since first forming in 1991, Gangsta Boo was added to its roster in 1994 at the age of 15.

She left the group in 2001 to pursue a solo career but came together with five other original members to form Da Mafia 6ix in 2013. It was a short-live experiment.

Gangsta Boo left the Da Mafia 6ix in 2014, but a Three 6 Mafia reunion in 2019 and the success of the subsequent performances before it was halted by the Covid pandemic, spurred rumors that the group was working on new music.

Recently her adlibs on fellow female rapper GloRilla's hit “F– The Club Up,” a reimagining of Three 6 Mafia’s hit “Tear Da Club Up,” had put her back in the music spotlight.

No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Pelé, Soccer Legend and Singer-Songwriter, Dead Following Long Battle With Cancer

El Gráfico, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Following a long battle with colon cancer, Pelé, who rose from the slums of Brazil to become the man many fans regard as the greatest soccer player to ever take to the pitch, died Thursday. He was 82.

His official Instagram page confirmed his passing.

"Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today," it captioned a black-and-white photo of the icon dressed in a suit and flashing his familiar smile. "On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love."

The news he died of multiple organ failure because of cancer was not altogether surprising. Pelé had undergone treatment for colon cancer since 2021 and had been hospitalized since November, but that did not stop it from sending tremors across the sports world and beyond.

Fellow Brazilian soccer star, and one of the few players worthy of being mentioned in the same circles when it comes to greatness in the sport, Neymar said Pelé changed everything.

"He transformed football into art, entertainment,” the legend wrote on Instagram. “Football and Brazil elevated their standing thanks to the King! He is gone, but his magic will endure. Pelé is eternal!”

Former president Barack Obama shared a picture of himself with Pelé on Twitter alongside a touching tribute to the man he called "one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game."


"He understood the power of sports to bring people together," Obama wrote. "Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him."

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé was one of the most dominant forwards to ever play.

He made his debut on the world stage at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as a 17-year-old. The youngest player to ever compete in the tournament — he scored two goals to lead Brazil to a 5-2 victory over the host country and a legend was born.

Over the next 20 years, he would help Brazil to two more world titles and become one of the most prolific scorers in the game during stints with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.

In addition to his soccer career, Pelé was an ambassador for the sport, helping popularize it in the United States with a brief sojourn as a player for the New York Cosmos of the fledgling North American Soccer League in the late '70s.

He served as Minister for Sport in his native Brazil from 1995 until 1998 and enjoyed many roles as an actor in local and international movies and television productions.

Other than soccer, however, it was his lifelong love of music that defined his career.



The singer-songwriter wrote and released several singles and albums, starting with 1977's "Pelé." In 2016 he even released an anthem in honor of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, the powerful pagode (a derivation of samba) song “Esperança.”

“I didn’t want the public to make the comparison between Pelé the composer and Pelé the football player,” he told The Guardian in 2006 of his musical aspirations. “That would have been a huge injustice. In football, my talent was a gift from God. Music was just for fun.”

A funeral is planned for Monday and Tuesday. According to the Associated Press Pelé's casket will be carried through the streets of Santos, the coastal city where his career began, before his burial.

No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)

Slider[Style1]

Trending