Gladys Knight a 2022 Kennedy Center Honoree

Courtesy of the Kennedy Center

Soul legend Gladys Knight will join an elite field of performers and artists being honored for their contributions to American culture this December at the Kennedy Center Honors Gala.

Recipients of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors were announced Thursday. The gospel, soul and R&B star is joined by actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian pop singer Amy Grant; Pulitzer Prize-winning Cuban-American composer Tania León and the rock band U2 in receiving recognition.

“I’m humbled beyond words to be included amongst this prestigious group of individuals, both past and present. You could never have told me as a young girl starting my career that I would be honored on a stage such as this, with artists and humanitarians such as these—it just wouldn’t have seemed possible," said Knight of her selection in a statement released by the organization.

The seven-time Grammy winner added, "It would have been the dream of all dreams. I have been blessed with so much in my life and this certainly stands with those achievements at the top of that list. To be honored as a Kennedy Center Honoree is among the highlights of my career. I stand here with my fans, my family, my friends, my team, and my faith in accepting such an amazing distinction. It is dedicated to all those who paved the path for me to be able to accomplish the wonderful blessings I’ve been able to receive. The Kennedy Center’s commitment to the arts is unparalleled and I am so very grateful for this moment.”

Nicknamed the "Empress of Soul," Knight has enjoyed decades of success in the music industry, both as the frontwoman of the Pips and as a solo artist. Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

The Kennedy Center Honors Gala, which is a major fundraiser for the Kennedy Center, will take place on December 4 and be broadcast later on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

Iconic New Jersey rapper, Dupré 'DoItAll' Kelly, Represents His Home as First Platinum-Selling Hip-Hop Artist Elected to Office

Nearly 50 years after its founding, hip-hop has put its first platinum-selling artist into elected office.

The claim is made by the campaign of Dupré "DoItAll" Kelly, one of the founders of iconic New Jersey rap group Lords of the Underground.

Kelly, along with Al’Terik “Mr. Funke” Wardrick and Bruce “DJ Lord Jazz” rose to prominence in the 1990s with the release of the group's debut album "Here Come the Lords." Named one of the "The 50 Best Rap Albums from 1993" by Spin magazine, it reached No. 66 on the Billboard 200 and produced two Top 10 singles on the rap charts in "Chief Rocka" (which reached No. 1) and "Funky Child" (No. 2).

It was a big victory for the 51-year-old, who said his long journey into politics began with a conversation with legendary rapper Tupac Shakur over two decades ago.

"I had a conversation with Tupac Shakur about this day. I wish he could be here to see me this day," said Councilman Kelly during his inauguration ceremony on July 1."

He continued, "Over 25 years ago, he and I had a conversation in an Orlando hotel room, and he said that we shouldn't move from our cities, dude. He said we should come back and create nonprofits and create youth initiatives and youth programs. We might also need to do some things that we may not want and that means running for office."

Now Kelly will serve his hometown as a city council member in Newark, NJ, just four years after suffering a devastating defeat in his first attempt to win an at-large seat for the same council as an independent.

A release from his campaign stated that the newly elected official "promises to move the West Ward forward with a revitalization plan that includes youth education and employment initiatives that young people find interesting."

Kelly is familiar with the district, having been raised by a single mother there. He attended 13th Avenue Elementary School and continued to Newark Tech (now Essex County Vocational & Technical School), where he excelled in baseball and basketball.

Michael Henderson, Legendary Bassist For Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder, Dies at 71

JPRoche, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Acclaimed bassist and R&B vocalist Michael Henderson, who had been admitted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta in early July for an undisclosed illness, is dead. He was 71.

The jazz legend's family broke the news on his official Facebook page Thursday.

“Singer, Songwriter, Bass Innovator, Music Producer, Father and Son Michael Henderson has peacefully made his transition surrounded by family and loved ones today at his home, Atlanta Georgia…," the post read in part. "Bless his heart and soul… He touched the lives of many and returned that love through his many live concerts, music recordings, social media, interviews and incessant touring which he loved …”

Considered to be one of the most notable bass guitarists of the jazz fusion era, Henderson played and recorded with some of R&B's greatest acts —including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. He is perhaps best known, however, for his work with jazz titan Miles Davis.

After a chance meeting with the superstar in the early 1970s, while he was playing for Marvin Gaye, Henderson teamed up with him in a partnership that lasted nearly a decade. His work helped set the pace on Davis' early fusion albums, "Jack Johnson" (1971), "Live-Evil" (1971) and "Agharta" (1975).

The bassist later recalled that he was playing for Wonder at New York City’s Copacabana when Davis made a bold proclamation after the show that changed the course of his career.

"He said to Stevie, “I’m taking your f—ing bassist.” Henderson told All About Jazz. "I don’t think Stevie heard him because he talked like that (Henderson’s best Miles impression). The next thing I knew, I got a call from Miles and I asked my friend, “What do you know about this Miles guy?” He said, “If Miles Davis is calling you, you better get your bass guitar and run.” I showed up at his house, he flew me in that day. Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, and John McLaughlin were in the house along with Herbie. They were getting ready to do a session the next day, which was Jack Johnson. That was my first record with Miles, Jack Johnson in 1970."

Dangit, we lost one of the Real One's our Bass brother Mr. Michael Henderson (July 7, 1951-July 19,2022) was an American bass guitarist and vocalist. He was known for his work with Miles Davis, Dramatic's, Stevie Wonder & many others. Prayers going out to his family & friends!🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZzUFztEKfL

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) July 20, 2022

Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Henderson was an accomplished vocalist as well. He moved to Detroit in the '60s to begin his career as a session musician, but by the mid-'70s he began releasing solo albums of his own.

His soulful tenor vocals during guest spots on jazz drummer Norman Connors’ R&B hits: 1975’s “Valentine Love,” alongside singer Jean Carn, in addition to 1976’s “We Both Need Each Other” with Phyllis Hyman and “You Are My Starship,” grabbed the attention of music fans nationwide.

"You Are My Starship" reached number five on Billboard's US R&B chart and number one on the Jazz chart. Henderson's solo debut, "Gold," was also released that year, earning him a hit with a cover of the Dramatics’ “Be My Girl.”

Henderson went on to produce seven more albums, scoring hits like “Take Me I’m Yours," “In the Nighttime,” “Wide Receiver (Part 1)” and “Can’t We Fall in Love Again” along the way. His final solo album was 1986’s "Bedtime Stories."