Robert Gordy, Motown Executive and Brother of Label Founder Berry Gordy, Dead at 91

Robert Gordy Courtesy Universal Music Enterprises

Music executive Robert Louis Gordy Sr. — the younger brother of Motown founder Berry Gordy ­— has died.

Motown Records' parent company, Universal Music Enterprises, shared the news in a release Sunday. It stated that the 91-year-old, who transformed the label's publishing division into an industry powerhouse, passed away from natural causes Friday (Oct. 21) at his home in Marina del Rey, California.

Berry Gordy (92) confirmed the news, which comes a little over a year after Robert's eldest son, Robert Jr., died of natural causes from a non-specific disease at 67.

“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my younger brother, Robert,” Berry Gordy said in a statement. “He was absolutely the best lil’ brother anyone could ever hope for. His ability to succeed at whatever he attempted or that I threw his way, amazed me over the years. I will miss his love, his support, and his loyalty.”

Motown Museum mourns the passing of Motown alumnus Robert Gordy.

"He was absolutely the best lil’ brother anyone could ever hope for," said Berry, "I will miss his love, his support, and his loyalty."

More from @freep. https://t.co/2MrjZolOah

— Motown Museum (@Motown_Museum) October 24, 2022

Robert was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1931. The youngest of eight children, he followed his big brother into boxing and later music.

Using the pseudonym Bob Kayli, he had a minor hit in 1958 with a song he co-wrote with his brother. The single, "Everyone Was There," peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned the artist a chance to perform it on "The Dick Clark Show."

Robert continued to release music as Kayli, but his follow-ups did not enjoy the same success. By the early sixties, his career as a recording artist was over. His impact on Motown, however, had just begun.

He took over Jobete Music Publishing in 1965 at the age of 34. Over the next twenty years, he turned the division into one of Motown's most valuable assets and, according to the release, moved it from being a holder of song copyrights into a profitable international publishing company with a catalog of over 7,000 classic songs.

Kanye West Dumped by Balenciaga in Wake of Antisemitic Comments

Photo courtesy Balenciaga

French fashion brand Balenciaga has ended its relationship with embattled billionaire Kanye West.

The move comes in the wake of antisemitic statements and other offensive comments he made on multiple media platforms in the past month.

"Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist," Kering — the parent company of the fashion house —informed Women's Wear Daily in a statement.

The announcement came in response to a query by the magazine, on Thursday, following the publication of the company's third-quarter results.

Balenciaga did not elaborate on the reasons for severing the relationship with Brown. It is safe to assume that the media firestorm enveloping his recent actions played a part.

The musician and fashion mogul worked closely with Balenciaga and its mononymous artistic director Demna for the past two years. 

That relationship was still strong as early as the begging of this month when West opened the summer 2023 Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week.

Balenciaga and Demna, who previously told Vogue in an interview that West is one of a few people who understand his work, seemingly have had enough of the mercurial artist.

It is unclear what the decision means for the businesses' relationship with West's ex-wife. Kim Kardashian has appeared in advertising campaigns for the brand after being introduced to it by West.

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BET Announces 2022 Soul Train Award Nominees

BET revealed the host and nominees for the 2022 Soul Train Music Awards on Thursday.

Actor and comedian Deon Cole will handle emcee duties for the event, which will be filmed on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcast on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET and BET Her.

“Hosting the ‘Soul Train Awards’ is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” Cole said in a statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead all nominees with seven nods apiece. Ari Lennox has six. Chris Brown and Lizzo are tied at five apiece and Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy each have four nominations to round out the top contenders.

See the complete list of nominations below:

Best New Artist
CKay
Coco Jones
Dixson
Doechii
Fireboy DML
Muni Long
Steve Lacy
Tems

Certified Soul Award
Chaka Khan
Charlie Wilson
Diana Ross
Mary J. Blige

Maxwell
PJ Morton
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
T-Pain

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CeCe Winans
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Major.
Marvin Sapp
Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Lizzo
Mary J. Blige
SZA
Tems

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Charlie Wilson
Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton

Album of the Year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best Collaboration
“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine