Archie Eversole, Rapper of Popular Sports Anthem 'We Ready,' Dead at 37

Courtesy Atlanta United 

A day after Georgia radio station Hot 107.9 FM announced his death citing "close sources" to the family, authorities confirmed the death of Atlanta-based rapper Archie Eversole, Thursday.

According to a statement released by the DeKalb County Police Department, the musician born Arthur Eversole, 37, and best known for his 2002 hit single "We Ready," was shot on March 25 in Decatur, Georgia, and was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"On March 25, 2022, Officers responded to the Chevron at 4410 Snapfinger Woods Drive in reference to a person shot," the statement reads. "Upon arrival, they located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound," the statement read. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries on April 3, 2022."

The police went on to say that officers had located the suspect at the location of the incident and taken him into custody and that he had been identified as Alexander Kraus, Eversole's brother. Kraus was initially charged with aggravated assault, but his charges were upgraded to murder after Eversole died.

A veteran of the Atlanta rap scene, Eversole's 2002 collaboration with Bubba Sparxx, "We Ready," rocketed up the charts and became the hip-hop stadium anthem of choice for multiple sports teams and leagues following its release.

The man who gave us “We Ready, the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old.
Rest In Peace Archie Eversole.
Prayers up to his family and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/Y4q55WzgWt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2022

The track which heavily sampled the 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam, helped his debut album, recorded when he was just 17-years-old, "Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style" to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

While he never matched the success of "We Ready" he continued to record, contribute and participate in the local rap community.

In 2018, he was chosen by Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United to create an anthem for the fledgling team. The result was “United We Conquer,” a rousing piece popular with supporters. Following the announcement of his death, the club released a statement saying, "we are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Archie Eversole."

"A staple in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, Archie adopted Atlanta United before our first season and continued to be one of our club’s most fervent supporters," it read.

Club statement on the passing of Atlanta hip-hop artist Archie Eversole. pic.twitter.com/PuT8xQUuUg

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 14, 2022

"In addition to his decorated musical career, his voice will long live in our supporters’ minds as ‘We Ready’ billows through the speakers for kick-off at Atlanta United matches. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.”

Fans and friends also took to social media to memorialize the fallen artist.

Former NFL Player Robert Griffin III summed up a lot of their sentiment on Twitter writing, “The man who gave us ‘We Ready,’ the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old. Rest In Peace Archie Eversole. Prayers up to his family and loved ones.”

Rap Legends and R&B Diva Added to National Recording Registry

A seminal album from the pioneers of alternative hip-hop, the definitive album from rap's Staten-Island-based supergroup and the work that introduced pop superstar Alicia Keys to the world, while earning her five Grammys, are among the 25 recordings to be inducted this year into the National Recording Registry.

Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced Wednesday that a Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 sophomore LP "The Low End Theory," the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 studio debut "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and Keys’ 2001 debut "Songs in A Minor" were chosen to be preserved for their historical importance.

“The National Recording Registry reflects the diverse music and voices that have shaped our nation’s history and culture through recorded sound,” Hayden said. “The national library is proud to help preserve these recordings, and we welcome the public’s input. We received about 1,000 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.”

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian of Congress, with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, selects 25 titles each year that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old.

 

There were several other notable albums joining those of the hip-hop and R&B legends on the list, including the Cuban musical ensemble's Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled debut, Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-winning “Nick of Time," and Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre,” a musical tribute to her Mexican-American roots.

Other non-musical recordings on the list include the complete presidential speeches of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an interview with comedian Robin Williams, WSB-Atlanta's coverage of Hank Aaron's 715th home run and radio accounts of the 9/11 attacks.

Find the entire list of this year's selections below:

National Recording Registry, 2022 Selections

(chronological order)

“Harlem Strut” — James P. Johnson (1921)

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-1945)

“Walking the Floor Over You” — Ernest Tubb (1941) (single)

“On a Note of Triumph” (May 8, 1945)

“Jesus Gave Me Water” — The Soul Stirrers (1950) (single)

“Ellington at Newport” — Duke Ellington (1956) (album)

“We Insist!  Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” — Max Roach (1960) (album)

“The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole (1961) (single)

“Tonight’s the Night” — The Shirelles (1961) (album)

 “Moon River” — Andy Williams (1962) (single)

 “In C” — Terry Riley (1968) (album)

 “It’s a Small World” — The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964) (single)

 “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” — The Four Tops (1966) (single)

 Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)

 “Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen (1975) (single)

 “Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey (1981) (single)

 “Canciones de Mi Padre” — Linda Ronstadt (1987) (album)

 “Nick of Time” — Bonnie Raitt (1989) (album)

 “The Low End Theory” — A Tribe Called Quest (1991) (album)

 “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” — Wu-Tang Clan (1993) (album)

 “Buena Vista Social Club” (1997) (album)

 “Livin’ La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin (1999) (single)

 “Songs in A Minor” — Alicia Keys (2001) (album)

 WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001)

 “WTF with Marc Maron” (Guest: Robin Williams) (April 26, 2010)

The Digital Media Association, a member of the National Recording Preservation Board, has compiled a list of some streaming services with National Recording Registry playlists here: dima.org/national-recording-registry-2022-inductees/.

Monica Makes Country Music Debut

Courtesy CMT

Country music awards shows are not usually the place to get the latest and greatest news on R&B icons, but that was the case at Monday night's 2022 CMT Music Awards.

Monica, one of the medium's greatest talents, as well as the first artist to top the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart over the span of three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s), made her country music debut as well as confirmed her upcoming entry into the genre, "Open Roads."

Arriving on the red carpet at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium, the star made her intentions clear as she was interviewed.

"I'm here working on my country album "Open Roads," executive produced by [renowned country singer] Brandi Carlile, which is unbelievably amazing," she said. "So these things have just been aligning themselves. God's been good to me."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fan Page (sofresh105) (@monicasofresh105)

While it is no secret that the singer had ambitions of making a country album, the statement by the artist made it clear that it may be coming sooner than thought after she first announced the project in 2021.

“I grew up loving country music and my stepfather, who raised me, is a Methodist minister, but he also drove buses and he would take us to Nashville, Gatlinburg and Dollywood in Tennessee,” she told Billboard at the time of her reasons for pursuing the project.

“I became a really big fan of Dolly Parton, at about 8 or 9 years old. That was my real introduction to country music. Shortly after, it was Kenny Rogers. I started listening to the depth of the songs and the fact that they were unafraid to say whatever it was they felt. I felt like this was a great time for me to really step into an area that I’ve always admired and loved. We’re just getting started, but I have so enjoyed it and been welcomed with open arms.”

Later that night, the audience got its first taste of Monica's take on country. Her collaborative ballad, "Pray," with country music stars Jimmie Allen and Little Big Town, seemed to be well received.

The song, a call for prayer, faith, and a return to religion for healing during the world's current state of upheaval, showcased Monica's resonant tenor that meshed well with both the arrangement and the voices of Allen and Little Big Town.

Watch the performance below.