Ice-T Honored With Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Rap icon and actor Ice-T, a pioneering force in hip-hop and acclaimed performer in film and television, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, one day after his 65th birthday.

Ice-T, whose real name is Tracy Lauren Marrow, was joined by his wife Coco Austin and their daughter Chanel for the celebration, attended by family, friends, co-stars and contemporaries on the world-famous stretch of sidewalk in Los Angeles.

One of the creators of gangster rap in the nineties, he was recognized for his contributions to the music and entertainment industries with the Walk's 2,747th star, located at 7065 Hollywood Blvd.

Speaking at the ceremony, Law & Order franchise producer Dick Wolf, who counts Ice-T among the stars in his long-running crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, praised the rapper's talent and character.

"Ice has appeared in more of my shows than anyone else on Earth. It goes back now 25 years," Wolf said. "I’m now gonna show how old I am by saying, ‘Ice is the coolest guy I have ever met,’ and I’ve said that to him. I don’t know what the term for it is — ‘the bomb’? I don’t know."

Law & Order: SVU co-star Mariska Hargitay called Ice-T the O.G. of friendship, emphasizing the rapper's deep impact on the music industry and the world at large.

"Your whole story runs so deep. It runs deep particularly here in L.A., and it runs deep around the world," Hargitay said. "You are a rapper and an actor and an artist. And at a time when people overuse words without thinking and wearing out the meanings, you are indeed the real O.G."

Fellow hip-hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy revealed he calls Ice-T Berg as a nickname "‘cause he’s so cool that he could sink the Titanic and raise it again," and praised the rapper's influence and power with words.

"He brought theater to hip-hop and rap, and you got frozen in the moment like he’s the Black rap Alice Cooper, without biting off the bird’s head," Chuck D said. "And he would hold you in the palm of his hand with words, wisdom, and wit."

When it was Ice-T's turn to take to the podium, the star expressed disbelief at the honor, saying, "I never thought I would get a star — really? I mean, the way my life was going, it was what can we come up in Hollywood and steal. We were really out here causing real problems. And this was just out of the question. Show business was just out of the question."

He also thanked his detractors for fueling his motivation to succeed.

"Last but not least," Ice-T said, "I want to thank the motherf— haters, ‘cause you really make me get up in the morning and be the best that I can be. All the naysayers, all the people that wanted to end my career, now I’m on the Walk of Fame ... and that’s the motivation! You’ve got to let the haters motivate you."

Motown Hit With Layoffs as it Loses Standalone Label Status

Motown Records, the iconic American record label founded by Berry Gordy in 1958, has laid off an unknown number of employees as it re-integrates under the Capitol Music Group umbrella.

The label, known for its chart-topping hip-hop and R&B artists, recently underwent a restructuring after becoming a standalone entity in March 2021.

A spokesperson confirmed the layoffs, stating that some positions had become duplicative as Motown returned to CMG.

"These employees are leaving the company, and our People, Inclusion, and Culture department is helping them find new opportunities - either within or outside of UMG," the statement read.

The future of the label was thrown into uncertainty after ex-chairwoman and CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam departed from Motown in November. Habtemariam oversaw Motown's move from New York to Los Angeles in 2014 when UMG dissolved the Island Def Jam Music Group and moved Motown to the Capitol Tower.

In 2015, Habtemariam signed Motown's partnership with Atlanta-based Quality Control, which brought top artists like Migos, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty and City Girls to the label. This partnership led to Motown becoming a standalone label before returning to the CMG umbrella.

The layoffs at Motown are similar to those made by other music companies in response to the uncertain global economy. Quality Control, Motown's partner, was recently acquired by HYBE America in a deal worth over $300 million, although its recordings remain within the UMG family.

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.

RIP #HueySmith whose trilling piano style was a major influence in New Orleans (and beyond) rock & roll in the 1950s. #RockinPneumonia #DontYouJustKnowIt, etc. Also had the original track for #SeaCruise snatched away to create a Frankie Ford hit. A godlike NOLA master... pic.twitter.com/gjCUuDBpP2

— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) February 15, 2023

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.

RIP #HueySmith: "Don't You Just Know it," 1958: https://t.co/Cy3zNX9oIh

— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) February 15, 2023

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.

RIP to Huey "Piano" Smith, legend of R&B who helped shape the sound of rock & roll.

Dr. John performed this Huey "Piano" Smith medley on his Gumbo album. https://t.co/wAJKbgnive

— Dr. John (@akadrjohn) February 15, 2023

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."

Diddy Reveals New Name for Business Empire

Hip-hop entrepreneur and Bad Boy Billionaire Sean "Diddy" Combs has unveiled his latest business venture, Combs Global, a rebranding of his parent company Combs Enterprises.

The company, which started in 2013 with brands such as Bad Boy Entertainment and Cîroc Vodka, has now expanded to include Empower Global, Our Fair Share, Love Records and a presence in the cannabis industry.

“Combs Global represents the next chapter in my journey as a business leader and a bigger vision to build the largest portfolio of leading Black-owned brands in the world,” Combs said in a statement on Tuesday.

"I've enlisted world-class teams of top executives, specialists and strategic partners to bring this new dream to life and put us in the best position to keep making history while leading another 30 years of dominance across industries.”

With the launch of Combs Global, there has been a complete rebranding of the website, social channels, and brand communications. The new visual identity coincides with plans to take the company and its business units international.

The new logo was unveiled in a Uber One Super Bowl commercial starring Combs where he dreams up a hit song for Uber One, a reminder of Combs' unrivaled success as a hitmaker.

Combs, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Bad Boy Entertainment, the 15th anniversary of his partnership with alcohol brand Diageo, the 10th anniversary of REVOLT — the first Black-owned multiplatform cable music network, now reaching over 80 million homes and 20 million monthly viewers digitally — shows no signs of slowing down.

This year has already been a busy one for Combs, with his acquisition of The Nile List and his $2M investment in creator platform REC Philly. He also expanded his Capital Preparatory charter schools to now include campuses in the Bronx, New York and Hartford, Connecticut.

De La Soul’s Trugoy the Dove Dies At 54

Sven Volkens, sven.volkens@wikipedia.de, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

De La Soul fought to get the rights to their music back for so many years. Just when they do, Trugoy the Dove aka Dave passes. De La Soul was an innovative force of creativity that changed the perception of what “rap” could be. A true pioneer and legend 🙏 Thank you, Plug 2. pic.twitter.com/Wr3vtWKU1s

— Eric Schwartz (@ericschwartz) February 12, 2023

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.

Quality Control Music, home of Migos, Lil Baby and City Girls, Sold to Korean Music Giant HYBE in $300 Million Deal

Photo credit: Eric Ray Davidson

Pictured (from L-R): HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk, QC CEO Pierre "P" Thomas, QC COO Kevin "Coach K" Lee and HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun. 

Quality Control Music, the Atlanta-based record label that is home to chart-topping artists Migos, Lil

Baby and City Girls, has been acquired by South Korean Music company HYBE in a deal worth $300 million.

HYBE America shared the news on Wednesday, and while the company did not mention numbers in its announcement, a filing with Korean regulators indicates the company is paying a $250 million purchase price for the company and issuing $50 million in new stock to its founders Kevin "Coach K" Lee and Pierre "P" Thomas.

"HYBE are perfect partners for Quality Control as we come together to take our story and work global," Thomas, CEO of Quality Control said. "This partnership will create a global platform for our artists, which has been our goal since day one for them."

HYBE America is led by Scooter Braun, who has played integral roles in launching the careers of several pop and hip-hop stars, including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. The move marks his first as CEO for the company, established in 2005 as Big Hit Entertainment, which is home to some of K-pop’s biggest acts including international superstars BTS.

Braun called Quality Control "one of the most significant independent labels in the world" and implied that the label would have some autonomy under the new arrangement.

"It's important to my team and me that P and Coach continue to have the freedom, and now our global resources, to continue to do what they do best," he said.

Quality Control Co-Founder and COO, Lee, who said he and Braun have cultivated real trust and a common way of looking at the world and culture over the years, added, "P and I are ecstatic about this partnership with Scooter and HYBE and are confident they can get us to our global ambitions we've had in our scope since the beginning of our company as nothing means more than our artists impacting world-wide."

Hip-Hop Stars Brand Power Shines in Trio of Super Bowl Ads

As Super Bowl LVI draws near, some of the most recognizable names in hip-hop are making an impact through commercials released ahead of the big event.

Diddy, Snoop Dogg, and Jack Harlow are among the stars appearing in these advertisements.

Ad space during the Super Bowl comes at a steep cost, with estimates putting the price tag for each 30-second ad slot at $7 million, excluding the talent's salaries.

Let's take a closer look at what these rap icons have in store:

Diddy, the CEO of Bad Boy Records, showcases his business expertise in an Uber Eats commercial. He's not only promoting the meal delivery service, but also his Love Records, CÎROC, and DeLeon Tequila brands.

In the ad the billionaire is on the hunt for the ideal jingle, which will feature remixed hits from artists like Montell Jordan, Donna Lewis, Kelis, Ylvis, and Haddaway.

Snoop Dogg brings his signature flair as the brand ambassador for Skechers Slip-Ins.

The vibrant spot feature fellow legends Martha Stewart, Howie Long and Tony Romo, and shows Snoop walking red carpets, performing at concerts, and cruising through L.A. on a beach cruiser, all while his hit song "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)" plays in the background.

The much-anticipated, following several teasers, Doritos commercial featuring Jack Harlow and Missy Elliott pulls out all the stops. The ad takes viewers on a journey through Jack's hypothetical career if he had incorporated Doritos into his stage performances, with appearances from Sway Calloway and Kelly Jackson of "Sway in The Morning" and a cameo from Sir Elton John.

Watch: Grammy Awards Tribute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop Sets Internet Ablaze

This year's Grammys had plenty of big moments, from Beyoncé becoming the most decorated award winner in Recording Academy history to a surprise win by roots-rocker Bonnie Raitt in the song of the year category.

HIP HOP TRIBUTE TONIGHT ON THE #GRAMMYs #HipHop50 ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Y4oVD6vonQ

— Grandmaster Flash (@DJFlash4eva) February 5, 2023

There was one moment on Sunday, however, that stood out above the others if the internet and media covering the 65th edition of music's premiere event are to be trusted.

The Recording Academy's celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, with a star-studded tribute directed by Questlove, has been the talk of the virtual water cooler today.

Introduced by LL Cool J, the electrifying set brought together a cavalcade of the art form's finest group and individual acts from across the generations.

50-year anniversary of hip-hop performance at the #GRAMMYs by some of the greats including RunDMC, LL Cool J, Salt N Peppa, Ice T, Queen Latifah, Wu-Tang, Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Nelly, Too Short, GloRilla, The Roots, and more... pic.twitter.com/HmGB0bvGZX

— Leon Carrington (@LeonCarrington) February 6, 2023

Hip-hop legends like Run DMC, Salt-n-Pepa, Flava Flav, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Method Man and Busta Rhymes shared the stage with some of its newest stars including GloRilla and Lil Uzi Vert.

For nearly 15 minutes the music world stood at a standstill as the artists acted as a jukebox and recreated some of hip-hop's biggest hits.

The tribute to the 50 years of hip hop is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen at the #GRAMMYs. Wow! pic.twitter.com/nUGRTZdjfa

— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) February 6, 2023

The three-part tribute included performances of "The Message," "I Can't Live Without My Radio," "Eric B Is President," "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” and "Lose Control" by the original artists along with a slew of other hits and collaborations.

Watch the performance below.