Motown Legend, Lamont Dozier, Dead at 81

Philkon Phil Konstantin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lamont Dozier, a prolific music writer and producer who helped define the Motown sound, is dead at 81.

His death was confirmed Tuesday by Paul Lambert, one of the producers of a stage production of the musical "The First Wives Club" that Dozier participated in as a writer, and the Motown Museum in Detroit's chief executive, Robin Terry.

Neither specified a cause for the death, but the news quickly rippled through the music world and set off a wave of mourning — led by some of its greatest luminaries.

Lamont Dozier passed this morning. Lamont was part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown sound and countless hit records by The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Four Tops and The Isley Brothers. pic.twitter.com/IWtFxyyHi9

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 9, 2022

"Lamont Dozier passed this morning," Beach Boys co-founder and singer Brian Wilson posted on Twitter. "Lamont was part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown sound and countless hit records by The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Four Tops and The Isley Brothers."

Legendary singer-songwriter Carole King added, "Gerry [first husband and co-writer Gerry Goffin], & I respected Holland Dozier Holland over at Motown. Striving to keep up with them made us better songwriters. Rest In Peace and power Lamont Dozier."

Along with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, Dozier wrote dozens of hits for Motown — including signature songs such as the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" and the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving."

RIP Lamont Dozier.

Without Holland-Dozier-Holland, there’s no Motown as we know it.

This is just a starter list. More at https://t.co/SF59mvlioF pic.twitter.com/0GIBSYceP9

— The '60s at 60 (@the_60s_at_60) August 9, 2022

The trio was officially known as the Holland-Dozier-Holland team. Their greatest success came in the 1960s. During a four-year run from, 1963-1967, they wrote more than 25 top 10 songs for the label.

RIP Lamont Dozier: My favorite interview with Lamont explaining the story of how The Supremes got "Where Did Our Love Go"....#RIPLamontDozier pic.twitter.com/GA6eywCyZI

— JR's World Of Soul (@JrWorldOfSoul) August 9, 2022

Nicki Minaj to get Video Vanguard Award, Perform at MTV Awards

Photo Courtesy Universal Music Group

Nicki Minaj is taking home one of the top honors at this year's MTV Video Music Awards.

The network announced on Monday that the "Super Bass" rapper will be the 35th recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

First established in 1984 — it was renamed to honor Jackson in 1991. MTV said the award is presented to artists for "their outstanding contributions and profound impact on music video and popular culture."

“Nicki has broken barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative artistry,” said Bruce Gillmer, chief content officer of music at Paramount+ and president of music, of the reasons for her selection.

I’m receiving the Video Vanguard Award at the 2022 #VMAs! You don’t want to miss my performance – Sunday August 28 at 8p on @MTV Aaaahhhhhh😫🙏🏽💕🎀♥️🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄csfxffvmmkbdsavgkmkkevhvjj pic.twitter.com/dPGgXe2gZA

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 8, 2022

He added, “She has shifted the music industry and cemented her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and continuing to be unapologetically ‘Nicki.'"

Consisting of a gold-plated version of the Moon Person, the VMAs trophy mascot presented in silver to other category winners, the Vanguard Award puts Minaj in rare company. Legends David Bowie, The Beatles, and director Richard Lester shared the inaugural honor at the first VMAs in 1984. Other notable recipients include Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, and Missy Elliott.

Minaj will receive the award on Aug. 28, at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. when she is also scheduled to perform at the VMAs. She joins previously announced performers Anitta, J Balvin, Marshmello x Khalid and Panic! at the Disco

In addition to her Vanguard Award, the five-time MTV trophy winner has a chance to take home the trophy for Best Hip-Hop Video. Minaj scored her seventeenth nomination for her single “Do We Have a Problem?” — which features fellow rapper Lil Baby.

If she gets the win, it would be her first since 2019, when Minaj won for Best Power Anthem (“Hot Girl Summer”).

Russian Court Gives WNBA Star, Brittney Griner, 9 Year Prison Sentence

(Source: Russia 24/CNN)

WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug possession and drug smuggling by a Russian judge on Thursday.

The conviction came with a nine year prison sentence and she was fined 1 million rubles ($16,590).

Griner offered an apology for her behavior ahead of the sentencing.

"I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them," she said. "I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home."

She added: “I made an honest mistake, and I hope in your ruling it does not end my lifeHope in your ruling it does not end my life."

The two-time Olympic champion testified that she inadvertently placed cannabis cartridges into her bag while “stress-packing” for her trip to Russia, where she was contracted to play basketball for a local team during WNBA’s off-season.

“I want the court to understand that this was an honest mistake that I made while rushing, under stress, trying to recover from COVID and just trying to get back to my team,” Griner said.