Monday, June 12, 2023

Feud Between Anita Baker and Babyface Intensifies After Social Media Tirade by Quiet Storm Queen

The R&B community is abuzz with the recent clash between Anita Baker and Babyface as Baker firmly stands against what she perceives as disrespectful behavior from her tour mate and his fervent fan base.

On Monday, the 65-year-old singer accused Babyface, 64, of breaching their tour contract by exceeding his allotted performance time, encroaching on her headlining set.Baker took to Twitter, stating, "Dearest one. You are not privy to The Contracts. Yes, Babyface is a special guest/support act on my tour. This false narrative of a co-headliner is creating unrealistic expectations and aggression from his fans towards me. He should tell you guys the truth."Known as the quiet-storm queen with hits like "Giving You the Best That I Got," Baker has faced backlash from fans who believe she hasn't given Babyface the recognition he deserves.

The controversy is especially heightened as their tour, "The Songstress Tour," aims to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Baker's debut album.

Fans of Babyface, referred to as "Kenny's Crazies" by Baker, have allegedly escalated tensions between the two artists, with some reportedly resorting to threatening her.Addressing the issue on Twitter, she wrote, "Some of his fans are not accepting the reality that he is contracted as special guest support on my tour. Some even want to hurt me... Crazyyyy. Town."

The friction between Baker and Babyface intensified when Babyface's opening set was unexpectedly cut from their May 10 concert in New Jersey. Despite Babyface's explanation that technical difficulties, specifically a malfunctioning video screen, led to the shortened set, disappointed attendees expressed their dissatisfaction with the show online.Taking to social media, Babyface sought to clarify the situation and express remorse. In a tweet, he stated, "I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at @PruCenter. I was asked not to perform to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety."

As the public eagerly follows this R&B feud, the music world awaits a resolution to the conflict between these iconic artists. The future of their collaboration remains uncertain, leaving fans wondering if harmony can be restored.
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Friday, June 9, 2023

Watch: Babyface Mesmerizes in Captivating Performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series

Babyface, the renowned singer, producer, and songwriter, mesmerized audiences with a captivating performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series Friday.

In honor of June's Black Music Month, the legendary artist showcased his massive catalog of hits in a stripped-down setting, delivering a performance that left fans heaping praise on the star on social media.


"Charlie Wilson & Babyface in one week! Tiny Desk is showing out for Black Music Month," one fan Tweeted.

Another added, "This Babyface Tiny Desk is UNREAL."

With the iconic NPR Washington, D.C. studio as his stage, Babyface, also known as Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, took center-mic for a memorable performance that lasted nearly 30 minutes.

The intimate concert featured a collection of the 64-year-old's greatest hits, both self-penned and crafted for other music superstars. From his 1989 love ballad "Whip Appeal" to Whitney Houston's powerful anthem "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and Tevin Campbell's heartfelt track "Can We Talk," Babyface brought each song to life with his signature smoothness and undeniable talent.

Opening the set with "Two Occasions," a classic he originally performed with his former group The Deele, Babyface set the tone for a concert filled with nostalgia and soulful melodies.

During the performance, he took a moment to pay homage to Whitney Houston, whom he considered "one of the greatest artists ever." Reflecting on their collaboration for the 1995 film "Waiting to Exhale," sharing the story behind "Exhale" and Houston's initial uncertainty about singing on the track.

He revealed, "For the longest time, I hadn't started to write this song because I didn't know whether she was going to sing. And then finally she said she was going to sing, and that kind of explains why on the chorus there's no real lyrics, because I hadn't gotten to that part yet."

The concert featured special guest performances by R&B singers Tank, Chanté Moore and Avery Wilson, adding an extra layer of magic to the proceedings. Babyface's band, comprising music director Erskine Hawkins III on keyboards, Antoine Porter on guitar, Walt Barnes Jr. on bass and Reggie Regg on drums, provided the perfect musical backdrop for the star as he reeled off classic-after-classic.

With each song, Babyface showcased his versatility as an artist, effortlessly transitioning between heartfelt ballads and soul-stirring R&B anthems.

Click on the video above to watch the entire performance.
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Watch: Tupac Shakur Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in Posthumous Tribute

Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, solidifying his status as an icon whose influence continues to reverberate through the generations.Ana Martinez, the producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, expressed the impact of Shakur's legacy, stating, "Tupac Shakur was a rapper, actor, activist, poet, and revolutionary. This iconic artist has remained part of the zeitgeist for decades after his passing and will continue to be an important cultural figure for many years to come. As one of L.A.'s own, Tupac's star will surely join the list of the most visited stars."

The star unveiling ceremony, hosted by emcee Big Boy, featured filmmaker Allen Hughes, director of the acclaimed docuseries "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur." Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, his sister, accepted the star on behalf of the family.Shakur, known internationally for his multifaceted talent, transcended the boundaries of art and activism. In his brief but prolific career, he sold over 75 million records worldwide, solidifying his status as one of hip-hop's most iconic figures. Both his albums, "All Eyez on Me" and "Greatest Hits," achieved Diamond certification, with sales surpassing ten million copies each.


Shakur's legacy extends beyond music, as he made a significant impact in the film industry with memorable performances in movies such as "Juice," "Poetic Justice," and "Above The Rim," showcasing his versatility as an actor.

His cultural impact has been recognized through various museum exhibits, including the Grammy Museum's "All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur" and the thought-provoking museum experience "Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Free" in Los Angeles.

Watch the video of the star unveiling ceremony below.

 

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