african american music

The dates for the 20th anniversary W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival have been set for June 12-19 in downtown Henderson. Events include live music in several venues, a barbecue celebration and Mardi Gras-style parade. The W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival, which began in 1991, was recently recognized by the Kentucky Main Street Program as the number one outdoor festival in Kentucky and was voted "One of the Top Ten Festivals" by the Kentucky Tourist Commission.  

Every year at SXSW we get a serving of great music. This year the spotlight was on Raphael Saadiq. Think Marvin Gaye meets Prince.  

The wee band is the quartet of trumpeter Henry Lowther, guitarist Jim Mullen, bassist Dave Green and drummer Stu Butterfield, and "great" is a fair description of it. Eight pieces, including the unlikely title track, played with all the poise and unity of purpose that makes for perfect small-band jazz . Only the very best and most mature musicians can achieve this degree of simplicity, in which every tiny nuance counts.  

Having successfully endorsed his presence in the entertainment industry, top local hip hop DJ, Master P, has secured a lucrative deal with a newly opened clothing shop, OFF THE HOOK. This will be in a form of clothing sponsorship, where 'OFF THE HOOK' will be responsible for dressing him up when he goes to perform in major shows. Off The Hook is a newly opened clothing shop situated at The Gables and is under the directorship of Princess Ncengencenge.  

The melodies emerging from the Claflin University Jazz Studies Program are stronger these days. Dr. Mitchell Butler, director of jazz studies, believes the program is fast becoming a leading destination for future jazz musicians in the state and beyond. "It's definitely going to be something that grows. I see it growing right now from student interest alone," he said.  

Singer Chris Brown is calling on his fans to help revive his career because radio stations aren't playing his music. Brown pleads to his fans and goes into detail why he needs there support. "I ain't never really did this but right now I need all of my fans help. A lot of radio stations aren't playing my records," says Brown.

I ain’t never really did this but right now I need all of my fans help. A lot of radio stations aren’t playing my records   -Chris Brown

 

The infectious, authentic funk and soul of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings always inspired crowds to party like it's 1969. And it's no surprise that each of the bands SXSW gigs stood out as one of the day's not-to-miss shows. Fresh off three showcases in two days, Jones and all nine Kings brought down the house one last time at the Austin Music Hall (March 19), and our cameras were there to soak up the band's retro vibes.  

Four years ago, a young man of 22 emerged from the estates of east London with an album in 'Who Needs Actions When You Got Words', that was as genre-crossing as it was foul-mouthed. Plan B , aka Ben Drew, had made what was predominantly a rap album in debt to his hero, Eminem , yet he also included curious passages of finger-picked acoustic guitar that if not quite John Fahey, was at least a subtle acknowledgment of a world beyond the London hip-hop and grime he found himself immersed in. The title of h

I've been a songwriter from day one and used to be a soul singer   -Ben Drew

 

Drake has claimed that his collaboration with Jay-Z on his debut album Thank Me Later is "real rap". The hip-hop star, who worked with Jay-Z on the song 'Light It Up', has revealed that he would also be singing as well as rapping on the record. Speaking with MTV , the 23-year-old said: "It's just me and Jay both rapping on it for an extended period of time. It's real rap. It's real rap. I do sing on it, but it's just on the hook - but it's rap. It's great.  

Kelly Rowland is changing her direction on her next solo album - she will be making dance music. After the success of her collaboration with David Guetta on dance-pop hit 'When Love Takes Over', Rowland is planning a big shake-up of her sound. "I'm trying to take a page from the amazing books of Donna Summer and Diana Ross," Kelly explained about her new recordings.

I'm trying to take a page from the amazing books of Donna Summer and Diana Ross   -Kelly Rowland