Raphael Saadiq Reunites With Tony! Toni! Toné! After Quarter-Century Hiatus

Raphael Saadiq unveiled a momentous revelation on Tuesday. With an absence spanning close to a quarter-century, the revered R&B ensemble Tony! Toni! Toné! is poised for a renaissance.

Saadiq, a sonic maestro, and his cohorts—his brother D'Wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley—emerged as architects of musical ingenuity, fundamentally shaping the hip-hop and soul soundscape of the 1990s.

Their upcoming "Just Me & You Tour," an auditory odyssey orchestrated by Live Nation Urban, marks an extraordinary resurrection for Tony! Toni! Toné!, a testament to their musical legacy.

The highly-anticipated tour is scheduled to commence on Sept. 21 at the BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham, AL. From there, Tony! Toni! Toné! will embark on a coast-to-coast journey, gracing major markets including New York, Chicago, Nashville, TN, and Los Angeles.

The tour will culminate with two performances in the Bay Area: at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA, on Nov. 14, and The Masonic in San Francisco on Nov. 17.

Tony! Toni! Toné! burst onto the musical landscape of the late 1980s, mesmerizing audiences with an alchemical fusion of R&B, funk and soul. Their audacious and groundbreaking new jack swing compositions served as a transformative force, ushering in the heralded era of neo-soul that would indelibly define the melodious tapestry of the 1990s.

Songs like "Feels Good," "Anniversary," and "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" became popular anthems, captivating a generation and etching the group's name onto the hallowed walls of musical history.

Yet, despite their meteoric ascent, the ensemble eventually disbanded, leaving a void in the hearts of their devout followers, who longed for a reunion.

Now Saadiq is answering that call and fulfilling their wishes.

"I've always wanted to put my family back together," Saadiq said in a statement. "Playing with the Tonys again is a thank you to the fans, the Super Tonians, for supporting all my musical efforts. Without those who were with us from Day One, where would I be? But the main reason is that my father, Charlie Wiggins, would've wanted it this way–to see me, D'Wayne, and Tim playing together again."

Saadiq has crafted an indomitable presence in the vast realm of music since the group's dissolution, ascending to stratospheric heights in his solo career. His collaborations with luminaries such as Beyoncé, D'Angelo and Solange highlight his ability to seamlessly blend timeless sophistication with audacious innovation and have earned him effusive acclaim — accompanied by a slew of coveted awards.

"The Just Me & You Tour" setlist will encompass Tony! Toni! Toné!'s greatest hits, taking audiences on a nostalgic journey through their iconic discography. Additionally, Saadiq will showcase his solo material, including tracks from his highly acclaimed albums and hits he wrote for other notable artists.

Fans eager to secure their spots can take advantage of the artist presale, beginning Wednesday. Live Nation and Spotify will also offer presales on Thursday, with general ticket sales beginning Friday. For more information go to RaphaelSaadiqMusic.com.

"The Just Me & You Tour" Dates:

Thu, September 21: Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall

Fri, September 22: Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium

Sun, September 24: Washington, DC - The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Tue, September 26: Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House

Thu, September 28: Philadelphia, PA - The Met

Sat, September 30: New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall

Sun, October 1: Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center

Thu, October 5: Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre

Sun, October 8: Cleveland, OH - State Theatre

Tue, October 10: Louisville, KY - Louisville Palace

Wed, October 11: Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

Thu, October 12: Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

Fri, October 13: Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre

Thu, October 19: Greensboro, NC - Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts

Fri, October 20: Columbia, SC - The Township Auditorium

Sat, October 21: Jacksonville, FL - Moran Theater

Sun, October 22: Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre

Thu, October 26: Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre

Fri, October 27: New Orleans, LA - Orpheum Theatre

Sat, October 28: Dallas, TX - Music Hall at Fair Park

Sun, October 29: Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

Fri, November 10: Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort

Sat, November 11: Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater

Mon, November 14: Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre

Fri, November 17: San Francisco, CA - The Masonic

Houston Rapper Big Pokey Dies After Collapsing on Stage

Screengrab Instagram/@BunB

The rap world is mourning the loss of Big Pokey after the Houston hip-hop star collapsed on stage during a performance in Beaumont, Texas. It was confirmed on Sunday that Big Pokey, whose real name was Milton Powell, passed away at St. Elizabeth Hospital after losing consciousness at Pour 09 Bar late Saturday night. He was 45.

Justice of The Peace Tom Gillam III confirmed the rapper's death to KFDM, though the cause of death remains unknown pending an autopsy.

The news sent shockwaves through the internet as fans, friends, and fellow artists took to social media to express their grief. UGK rapper Bun B shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, calling Big Pokey "one of the most naturally talented artists in the city" and praising his humility and impact on the music scene.

Fellow rapper Trae Tha Truth also expressed his sorrow, sharing a post on Instagram where he described his disbelief and promised to honor Big Pokey's memory.

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Big Pokey gained prominence as a member of the Screwed Up Click, a collective of artists associated with influential DJ Screw and his distinct chopped-and-screwed style of music. Known for his deep, gritty voice and captivating delivery, he made significant contributions to Houston's vibrant hip-hop scene.

Big Pokey released several solo albums, including "Hardest Pit in the Litter" and "Da Sky's Da Limit," which showcased his lyrical prowess and street storytelling.

Celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth With Rare Music From Jazz Icon Nat 'King' Cole in New Digital Collection

Nat King Cole "From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)" artwork

Nat "King" Cole fans have reason to celebrate this weekend as Capitol/UMe released a highly anticipated digital-only collection of rare music from the iconic jazz musician, "From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)," today.

The collection features 14 timeless tracks, with 12 of them being available on streaming platforms for the very first time just in time for the upcoming Father's Day and Juneteenth celebrations.

According to a statement from Capitol/UMe, "From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)" showcases Cole's "velvety-smooth" voice, capturing him at his most engaging. The album spans a variety of musical styles, from the dramatic and lilting "Little Child" (1951) to the charming romantic waltz of "You Will Never Grow Old" (1952).

Cole's playful side is revealed through tracks like "The First Baseball Game" (1961), while the bossa nova and samba rhythms of "More and More of Your Amor" (1964) add a touch of summer vibes. Notably, Cole's jazzy rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" breathes new life into the beloved American standard.

This compilation also features the thought-provoking track "We Are Americans Too" (1956), which carries a poignant Civil Rights message. Echoing the spirit of Juneteenth and the pursuit of equality, Cole's lyrics shed light on the struggles faced by fellow Americans, emphasizing their contributions and aspirations for a better future.

Born in 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, Cole's career spanned several decades, and he became known for his rich baritone voice and masterful piano skills. He achieved great success with hit songs like "Unforgettable" and "The Christmas Song," leaving an indelible mark on popular music.

Beyond his musical achievements, he is remembered as a loving father to his five children. His daughter Casey Cole expressed her pride, stating, "We are so proud that our father touched the soul with his voice and was a quiet leader in the arts. He believed that he could bring harmony among people with his music. We want to continue that dream in a time when we really need it."

The tracklist for "From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)" includes:

"Little Child" (1951)*

"You Will Never Grow Old" (1952)*

"You Are My Sunshine" (1955)

"True Blue Lou" (1956)*

"We Are Americans Too" (1956)

"This Holy Love" (1958)*

"Peace Of Mind" (1958)*

"Steady" (1960)*

"The First Baseball Game" (1961)*

"Goodnight Little Leaguer" (1961)*

"The Right Thing To Say" (1962)*

"Nothing Goes Up (Without Coming Down)" (1962)*

"More And More Of Your Amor" (1964)*

"Wanderlust" (1964)*

(*Denotes tracks available for the first time on streaming platforms.)