City Motown Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Motown singer Bertha Barbee McNeal has died at the age of 82.

Bertha Barbee McNeal, whose Motown group The Velvelettes had hits with“Needle in a Haystack” and “(He Was) Really Saying Something,” died Thursday in hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 82 and had colon cancer.

Marvin Gaye's ex wife Janis Hunter Gaye has died aged 66. The late Motown legend's second wife passed away on Saturday (03. 12.

EXCLUSIVE: Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul who recorded hits such as Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through The Grapevine, is gearing up for a scripted mini-series about her life.

A star studded lineup is set for the Critics Choice Association’s 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema and Television taking place in Los Angeles on Monday December 5, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

DEALSYoungBoy Never Broke Again has signed a new record deal with Universal Music’s Motown, according to Billboard. He moves over from Warner Music’s Atlantic label.

Tito Puente continues living in the hearts of millions of Latinos and Hispanics worldwide. Recently, Google honored the musician, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer with a special Doodle and a short. As a celebratory gesture during Hispanic Heritage Month, the late Puerto Rican descent star, widely known for his dance-oriented mambo and Latin jazz compositions, including his most famous song, “Oye Como Va,” is now part of the Google Doodle history for his contributuons to music.

If you’re planning a wedding right now, we know how stressful it can be. So, to help, we’ve rounded up some brilliant venues, photographers, and other professionals to ensure your special day is as stress-free and memorable as possible.

Next month Quavo and Takeoff will share Only Built For Infinity Links, a collaborative album that pointedly doesn't include fellow Migos member Offset. It's unclear quite what is going on with the Atlanta trio but Quavo and Takeoff have been busy dropping new music together and today brings another taste of their project in the shape of "Nothing Changed." Make what you will of that title and take a listen below. Speaking with GQ in July, Quavo insisted that Migos are just spreading their individual wings: “I feel like every group member has to establish themselves.

vague Instagram posts featuring a road and a steering wheel, Bruce Springsteen announced today that he’ll be dropping a new album of soul covers, “Only the Strong Survive,” on November 11. This will be the ageless rocker’s 21st studio album, which “celebrates 15 soul music gems from the legendary catalogues of Motown, Gamble and Huff, Stax and many more,” according to the announcement.In a video message posted on social media, Springsteen said his latest project will also put his vocals front and center — something he said has always played “second, third or fourth” to other elements in his music like composition, arrangements and melodies. “In my own memoir, I gave my voice a little short shrift by saying I i didn’t think I had much of one,” he said in a video announcing “Only The Strong Survive.”“I decided to do something I had never done before, make some music that is centered around singing, around challenging my voice.

There’s a new Bruce Springsteen album on the way.

Bruce Springsteen has announced his new album, ‘Only The Strong Survive’ – listen to his cover of Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ below.After teasing the announcement yesterday (September 28), Springsteen has now confirmed that his next record, billed as a collection of “15 soul music greats”, will be released on November 11 via Columbia (pre-order here).In an announcement video shared this afternoon (September 29) that you can watch below, Springsteen told his fans that the record will celebrate an array of soul music classics from such catalogues as Motown, Gamble and Huff and Stax.“I wanted to make an album where I just sang,” Springsteen said. “And what better music to work with than the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies?“I’ve taken my inspiration from Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin, the Iceman Jerry Butler, Diana Ross, Dobie Gray and Scott Walker, among many others. I’ve tried to do justice to them all — and to the fabulous writers of this glorious music.“My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor With lead vocals by Springsteen, “Only The Strong Survive” features songs from the catalogs of Motown and Stax Records, the songwriting duo of Gamble and Huff and more. This album, Springsteen’s 21st studio outing, will also feature guest vocals by soul great Sam Moore, as well as contributions from the E Street Horns, string arrangements by Rob Mathes, and backing vocals by Soozie Tyrell, Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Curtis King Jr., Dennis Collins and Fonzi Thornton. Bruce Springsteen commented: “I wanted to make an album where I just sang. And what better music to work with than the great American songbook of the Sixties and Seventies? I’ve taken my inspiration from Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Jimmy Ruffin, the Iceman Jerry Butler, Diana Ross, Dobie Gray, and Scott Walker, among many others. I’ve tried to do justice to them all—and to the fabulous writers of this glorious music. My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it.”

Lil Baby has shared a new single titled ‘The World Is Yours To Take’, heavily sampling Tears For Fears’ 1985 classic ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’.The song is shaped around the lead melody of the Tears For Fears track – one of the Bath outfits most iconic – with Lil Baby rapping about ambition and personal triumph over it. In the first verse, he spits: “I’m by far one of the hardest workers / Real firm believer in “practice make perfect” / You can gather all the water, stay thirsty / Took a lot to get us here / We broke curses.”It comes as part of a collaboration between Lil Baby and American beer brand Budweiser, and was released as the latter’s official anthem for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Thania Garcia In spring 2020, the U.S. came to terms with its role in racial inequality on the heels of a tragedy: the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. That singular moment compelled many, including those in the music business, to pledge funds and action. It also gave birth to the Black Music Action Coalition, a collective of Black creators, activists and change-makers who have diligently kept the issue in the headlines and on the minds of corporate parents.  On Sept. 22, the organization — whose leadership includes industry veterans Damien Smith, Caron Veazey and Shawn Holiday, among others — celebrates its second annual Music in Action gala in Beverly Hills, where honorees include Lil Baby, Sony Music Publishing chairman Jon Platt, 300 Elektra Entertainment’s Kevin Liles and 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones. It promises to be a gathering of heavies, as last year’s inaugural fete — Variety is a media sponsor — drew the Weeknd, Motown chairwoman Ethiopia Habtemariam and attorney Ben Crump. 

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, Music Gordan Dillard is trading SALXCO, management home to Doja Cat, for Capitol Music Group where he joins as executive vice president of A&R and artist development. The Los Angeles-based Dillard, who plans to maintain a “strong presence” in New York, reports to CMG chair and CEO Michelle Jubelirer and is tasked with signing and developing artists across the pool of Universal Music Group labels. His start date was Sept. 19. Dillard will continue to manage Doja Cat alongside Lydia Asrat, Josh Kaplan and SALXCO founder/CEO Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, who noted: “SALXCO is about building a culture of young entrepreneurs to watch them grow into some of the industry’s most powerful players. I am so proud of Gordan and all his success.”

Marva Hicks, a Broadway actress and recording artist, has passed away.

Marva Hicks, the singer and actor who made her Broadway debut in 1981’s Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music and most recently appeared in 2013’s Motown The Musical, died in New York City on Sept. 16.

Emily Longeretta Great American Family is continuing to rollout their slate of original holiday movies. Jessica Lowndes, Paul Greene and seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight will star in “Someday at Christmas,” set to premiere this November. Production begins today on the film, which marks the reunion of Knight with former Motown chief, writer-producer Suzanne de Passe. “Great American Christmas,” the network’s franchise, will return with a new slate of original holiday movies premiering every Saturday and Sunday on October 21. Christmas movies will air all day and all night through the end of 2022. This marks Greene’s first appearance on Great American Family. The “When Calls the Heart” star is a staple on Hallmark Channel, leading nine of their movies since 2015. This year, he will also appear in CBS’ holiday movie, “Fit for Christmas,” alongside Amanda Kloots.

Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset changed the face of rap music from the streets of Atlanta, but as 2022 developed, rumors and speculation surrounding the future of Migos as a trio continued to swirl. Things kicked off in May when Quavo and Offset shared "Hotel Lobby," a new single which conspicuously did not include Offset (the song was subtitled "Unc & Phew" – Quavo is Takeoff's uncle.) The following month, Migos dropped out of a performance at Governors Ball in New York.

Quavo and Takeoff have shared details of their debut album ‘Only Built For Infinity Links’.The rappers, who comprise two-thirds of Migos, have announced that their album is released on October 7 via Quality Control/Motown.It follows the pair sharing their debut single ‘Hotel Lobby’ in May and later the Birdman-featuring ‘Big Stunna’ as well as ‘Us Vs. Them‘ with Gucci Mane.Quavo and Takeoff, who are uncle and nephew respectively, released their fourth album as Migos with Offset (who is Quavo’s cousin) in 2021 called ‘Culture III‘.There appears to have been some animosity between the duo and Offset, the latter of whom unfollowed the pair on social media when they announced ‘Hotel Lobby’.It initiated rumours that Migos have split or are on the verge of doing so.At the time of the debut single release in May, Quavo and Takeoff announced that their joint project was called Unc and Phew.

Lil Baby has announced his third studio album, ‘It’s Only Me’ – listen to new single ‘Detox’ below.The record, which will follow on from 2020’s ‘My Turn’, is due to arrive on October 14 via Motown.“I know it’s been a long time coming but I’m coming harder and harder,” Baby wrote on social media to share the news of the forthcoming LP, adding the hashtag “#worththewait”. He also posted the official artwork for ‘It’s Only Me’.The painting-style cover depicts the present-day Lil Baby sitting in front of a Mount Rushmore-esque mountain face that boasts carvings of the artist at four different stages of his life.

A saddening loss. Margaret Josephs revealed that her ex-husband, Jan Josephs, recently died at age 74.

Jan Josephs has died at 74.

Margaret Josephs is mourning the death of her ex-husband, Jan Josephs. The 55-year-old star took to Instagram on Monday to share the sad news of Jan's passing in a touching birthday tribute.«Today would have been Jan’s 75th birthday, he passed away unexpectedly last week and a piece of us died with him,» she wrote alongside an old, black-and-white photo of Jan.

Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax and later worked with Ray Charles, died Aug. 25 at her home in Los Angeles. Her nephew, Kevin John, confirmed the death, but did not give a cause. She was 91.

Offset has sued the label to which his group Migos are signed – Quality Control Music – accusing it of interfering in his current solo output, and in doing so breaching an agreement that was reached last year.According to Rolling Stone, a lawsuit filed this week states that Offset’s original deal with Quality Control as part of Migos was very wide-ranging, giving it control over any of his recordings, whether they were made as part of Migos or otherwise, as well as an interest in all his publishing.However, it claims in January last year a deal was done in which Quality Control gave up any claims to Offset’s solo material, in return for “valuable consideration paid by Offset to Quality Control”.But, it then says, when Offset released his new solo single ‘54321’ last week via an alliance with Universal Music’s Motown label, Quality Control became “hostile” and demanded that Motown list it as “holding an ownership interest” in the new track.“Offset now brings this action to vindicate his rights and make it clear to the world that Offset, not Quality Control, owns Offset’s music”, the lawsuit then states, seeking as it does court confirmation that Quality Control has no claim over any of the rapper’s solo releases.Quality Control is yet to formally respond to the new litigation, although its CEO Pierre ‘P’ Thomas referenced it in a since deleted tweet, where he basically complained about having to deal with “this lame shit”, and adding: “Everyone knows the real problem”.Hitting back on Twitter, Offset responded: “I paid millions to get my rights back … you blackballed me”.

Offset has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Quality Control – the record label of Migos – over ownership of his solo recordings.According to court documents obtained by Variety, Offset alleges that Quality Control is claiming ownership over his recent solo work despite his claim he bought back the rights to the music last year.In the complaint, the rapper claimed that the label’s alleged hold as “wrongful” and that it “knowingly violates Offset’s rights to his own music.”As reported in Pitchfork, Offset is reportedly seeking a judgment to ensure that Quality Control maintains no rights, title, or interest in his solo work.Offset is claiming that Quality Control violated their settlement by asserting ownership over his recent, Baby Keem-produced solo cut “5 4 3 2 1.”The rapper alleges that Quality Control demanded that Motown “publicly (though falsely) list Quality Control as holding an ownership interest in the recording of ‘5 4 3 2 1,'” according to reports.NME has reached out to representatives of Offset and Quality Control for comment.Meanwhile, rumours of Migos’ breakup have been reported for some time following the release of ‘Hotel Lobby’, when it was reported that Offset had unfollowed both of his bandmates on Instagram.Less than a month later, in June, Migos pulled out of their scheduled performance at the 2022 Governors Ball festival, with organisers for the event saying they would no longer appear “due to circumstances out of [their] control”.‘Us Vs. Them’ was Quavo and Takeoff’s second collaborative release earlier this year, following the May release of ‘Hotel Lobby’ (which they dropped under the moniker Unc And Phew).

Ethan Shanfeld Amid longstanding rumors that Atlanta rap trio Migos is breaking up, the group’s Offset is suing its record label Quality Control, which he says continues to claim ownership of his recent solo releases despite the rapper buying back the rights in a 2021 deal, for which he “paid handsomely,” according to the complaint. Quality Control continues to hold interest in Migos as a group, but Offset alleges that the label’s ownership claim over his solo recording and songwriting is “wrongful and knowingly violates Offset’s rights to his own music.” The rift has apparently been present for some time, as the other two group members, Quavo and Takeoff, have been performing without Offset and are set to perform as Migos — but without him — on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Gordon Cox Theater EditorThe new musical “American Prophet” is now in the midst of its world premiere run at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Next stop: Broadway?Listen to this week’s “Stagecraft” podcast below:That’s the goal, according to the show’s star, Cornelius Smith Jr., speaking on the new episode of “Stagecraft,” Variety’s theater podcast. “I hope the next stage is that we get to Broadway and we get to New York,” he said.

Selome Hailu Sasha Hutchings has been cast in a recurring role in “Demascus,” AMC’s upcoming sci-fi comedy from Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm.Hutchings will play Budhi Banks, Demascus’ (Okieriete Onaodowan) tech-smart girlfriend of 3 years. She’s committed to making their relationship work despite Demascus’ hang-ups.

Rod Stewart shared a heart-warming tribute to Motown legend Lamont Dozier who tragically died aged 81.

Lamont Dozier, legendary Motown songwriter and producer, died at age 81 on Monday.  The Detroit-born musician wrote and produced popular hits such as "You Can’t Hurry Love" and "Heat Wave" while collaborating with his brothers Brian and Eddie Holland in the 1960s.The Holland-Dozier-Holland team created iconic hits for artists like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye.  Lamont Dozier, legendary Motown songwriter and producer, died at age 81.  (Getty Images) Dozier died "peacefully" Monday at his home near Scottsdale, Arizona, according to a statement issued by his family.The cause of death was not immediately determined. Duke Fakir, a close friend and the last surviving member of the original Four Tops, called Dozier a "beautiful, talented guy" with an uncanny sense of what material worked best for a given group.

The Supremes, The Four Tops and The Isley Brothers, has died at the age of 81.Dozier’s son, Lamont Dozier Jr, confirmed the news in an Instagram post shared earlier today (August 9), writing: “Rest in Heavenly Peace, Dad!

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLamont Dozier, one-third of the legenday “Holland-Dozier-Holland” songwriting and production trio who wrote many of Motown Records’ biggest hits for the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas and others, has died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by his son Lamont Dozier Jr on social media; no cause of death has been released as yet.Hits written and produced by Dozier with siblings Brian and Eddie Holland read like a greatest-hits of Motown’s early years: “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Stop! in the Name of Love,” “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You),” “Baby Love,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “You Keep Me Hanging On” and many others.

Tuesday Instagram post by his son Lamont Dozier Jr.“Rest in Heavenly Peace, Dad!” Dozier’s bereaved progeny wrote in the post along with a picture of himself and his late father, who’s cause of death is not known at this time. Born 1941 in Detroit Michigan, the pioneering songwriter first gained acclaim after joining the legendary Motown Records in 1962 along with songwriting brothers Brian and Eddie Holland.