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[Detroit, MI] (Updated) The Clark Sisters have been singing in churches and packing music venues across the country for nearly five decades. The entire country has had their eyes on these five women the whole time, and now Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Missy Elliott are bringing their story to television screens all over the globe.

The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel was set to air on Lifetime on Easter Sunday, but will air tonight at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). According to Lifetime, the movie will chronicle how the five ladies that make up The Clark Sisters have had to actually live and depend on the life that they have been singing about for nearly five decades. The movie is going to tell of their struggles of not only being very young women in the gospel music business but also how they had to, at times, go against some of the teachings of the Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C). Kierra Sheard will be playing the role of her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard, along with Christina M. Bell as Twinkie Clark, Shelia Frazier as Dorinda Clark-Cole, Aunjanue Ellis as Mattie Moss Clark, Angela Birchett as Jacky Clark-Chisholm and Raven as Denise Clark-Bradford Gospel Recording artist Donald Lawrence is the movie's gospel music director.

Detroit has been blessed with some of the best gospel music recording artists in the world and will always be home for gospel legends Aretha Franklin, The Winans Family, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, just to name a few. The Clark Sisters is one of the first female gospel groups to have their music cross over from the gospel music genre to mainstream dance music when "You Brought the Sunshine (into my Life)" hit number 8 on the US Gospel Chart, #16 one the US R& B Chart and # 27 on the Hot Dance Club Chart. You Brought the Sunshine was certified gold. The Clark Sisters have won three Grammy awards and released 20 studio albums generating millions of dollars in sales, making them the highest-selling female gospel group in history. They are widely known for their gospel music hits like "Expect your Miracle," "Name It! Claim It!" and "Trust in Him" with Rance Allan. Expect your Miracle remains one of the most popular gospel music songs played and sung in churches across the country.

The Clark Sisters just recently released their newest single, "Victory."

Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, was a renowned gospel recording artist in her own right and one of the best choir directors in the country. She's known for hits like " A Building Not Made by Hands," "He'll Understand and Say Well Done," and " I Tried Him and I know Him." Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg would play these songs on her popular radio broadcast "Inspiration Time." Dr. Clark died in 1994 from complications of diabetes.

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[Pontiac, MI] Detroit Rapper and Eminem protégé Obie Trice, 42, was arrested early Friday morning, December 6, 2019, and taken to the Oakland County Jail on allegations of felony assault. According to the news outlet TMZ, Trice allegedly got into a heated dispute with his girlfriend whom he has been living with at their home in Commerce Township, MI, causing her son to get involved in the altercation, that's when a gun went off, causing non-life-threatening injuries to the 18-year-old male. He was taken to Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield and was listed in stable condition.

Oakland County Sheriff deputies also told Local 4 News in Detroit that Trice had the gun in his hand when they arrived and was intoxicated with alcohol. He was then ordered to drop his weapon and hit the ground. The gun used in the altercation was a 9mm semi-auto Ruger.

Trice is also being held on a $16,900 bond for violating a friend of the court warrant for child support payments.

Trice has come face-to-face with a gun before. In 2006, his car was shot up with bullets while he was driving on M-10, The Lodge Expressway, where he was lucky enough to escape with his life after doctors were unable to remove the bullet that is still lodged in his skull today because it would simply be too risky to remove.

In 2010 Trice launched his record label, Black Market Entertainment. Before that, he worked closely with rapper Eminem. Trice spent eight years with Eminem's record label, Shady Records. The two have collaborated on a host of projects, including the soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile. Trice released his fifth studio album titled "The Fifth" back in August. No word on when Trice will have to face a judge.

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[MSN Entertainment]: Detroit-Born Motown Records is turning 60, and the Grammys is throwing a big birthday celebration next week.

Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder will represent the Motor City during a star-studded evening on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, to record Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration hosted by Robinson and co-hosted by comedian Cedric the Entertainer.

The Easter bunny is coming early this year for Motown, so some other popular Motown artists will get little sleep following the Grammy Award show on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Guests, including John Legend, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Chloe x Halle, Ciara, Pentatonix, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town, Ne-Yo, Pentatonix, and Meghan Trainor, are also set to appear, performing songs made famous by Hitsville.

The original recording studios now occupy two homes in Detroit's New Center Area and serve as a very popular museum.

Lady Detroit holds a special place in both music and black history.

It was right here in Detroit where Berry Gordy sealed the deal to record Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Walk to Freedom in Detroit recorded live at Cobo Arena on June 23, 1963, just a couple of weeks before he gave the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech at the Great March on Washington. Dr. King requested that the royalties from the album's sale go to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Gordy was deeply humbled and agreed.

Former Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves, Valerie Simpson, Thelma Houston, Mickey Stevenson, and the songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland will also be there. The Motown celebration, coming as the company marks its 60th anniversary, is the latest in a recent tradition of Grammy-presented tribute concerts, including shows devoted to Wonder, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra.

Robinson and Wonder were both here in Detroit, Michigan, to attend the funeral of their dear close friend Aretha Franklin who died August 16, 2018, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Just last month, a tribute concert was recorded to honor the Queen of Soul. It is scheduled to air next month.

Mark your calendars and set your DVR because you don't want to miss out when CBS will air the Motown show on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019.

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[MSN Entertainment]: Rock star Ozzy Osbourne, 70, is in the hospital as he battles the combination of the flu and bronchitis.

His wife, Sharon Osbourne, revealed on Twitter on Wednesday. The news comes a week after Ozzy announced to fans that he would be postponing his No More Tours 2 tour following his flu diagnosis.

"As some of you may have heard, Ozzy was admitted to hospital following some complications from the flu. His doctors feel this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery," Sharon explained. "Thanks to everyone for their concern and love," she added.

Just last week, someone from his team announced that he is under doctor's orders to halt his "Live" performances for now, so that he can focus on his full recovery.

"After seeing his physician again, OSBOURNE has been diagnosed with a severe upper-respiratory infection which the doctor feels could develop into pneumonia given the physicality of the live performances and an extensive travel schedule throughout Europe in harsh winter conditions," read the statement.

Ozzy released a personal statement to his fans about the situation, writing on Facebook, "I'm completely devastated for having to postpone the European leg of my tour. It just seems that since October, everything I touch has turned to s**t. First, the staph infection in my thumb, and now coming down with the flu and bronchitis."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly.

Strict medical treatment is imperative in Ozzy's case because the CDC says adults over the age of 65 face a greater risk of increased illness complications.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications. Always talk to your doctor and pharmacist about your medical history to best determine if the flu shot is right for you.

In 2006, he was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler.

His website reports that his tour dates will be rescheduled after he recovers.

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[Yahoo]: Balancing social media and multi-tasking can be quite a task for most of us today, but for singer Michael Bolton it looked like he fell asleep "Live" On-air.

Grammy-Winning Singer/songwriter Michael Bolton, 65, was doing a "Live" television interview with the host of Australia's Morning Show to kick off the release of his newest 50th-anniversary album, A Symphony of Hits.

Bolton is well-seasoned when it comes to dealing with things that can go wrong during a broadcast or recording session, but this time he looked sleepy and exhausted. His eyes appeared to be shut, and his posture was slouched. When The Morning Show's anchors introduced Bolton, he could not hear them, so he had no idea that he was on the air. It is not uncommon for this to happen in the broadcast. Even as they checked in again, the singer did not flinch and remained in the same position.

"Maybe he's just updating Instagram," joked host Larry Emdur, as the awkward silence continued.

"What time is it in Florida?" co-host Kylie Gillies asked

"Cocktail time," Emdur joked.

At one point, Bolton sat up straight and appeared to open his eyes to announce, "It's gone silent," before returning to his slumped position. The hosts were ultimately unable to catch the crooner's attention and explained that they would "check the technical side of things."

When they were finally able to get the connection working, the hosts acknowledged the "technical difficulties," before welcoming Bolton to the program and conducting the interview as originally planned.

"I can hear you perfectly," the singer told the hosts, which prompted Emdur to pump his fist in victory.

Bolton continued with the interview, only confirming that he could the anchors talking to him, but he later explained via Twitter what happened.

"I got my first record deal when I was 15, and I haven't slept since!!" Bolton joked, alongside a GIF of him wearing pirate attire from his "Jack Sparrow" music video with The Lonely Island.

"In all seriousness, there were technical issues with the live feed, and they caught me tweeting!" he added. "We had a great interview once they fixed the glitch. #FakeNews #50thAnniversary #SymphonyOfHits”

The city of Detroit, MI, has a special place in Bolton's heart.

Bolton said that beyond his love of Motown and Hitsville USA, he was moved by all the ways Detroit's people are working to bounce back following the Great Recession, which nearly crippled the once-powerful city.

Said Bolton, "For about five years, we started following people and places and witnessing the determination of the city as a whole — made up of diverse, amazing individuals from all walks of life — to create opportunity out of a challenge, to make art from its scars."

As for why the New Haven, Connecticut, native says the citizens of Detroit means so much to him, "These people have become my heroes," said Bolton. "I was so immediately and irresistibly inspired by this relentless will because it renews the spirit for me of the American Dream that I grew up with, and that fueled me to chase my own dream."

Bolton fans will enjoy his rerecorded and remastered greatest hits, along with a full symphony orchestra.

Bolton has won 6 various American Music Awards, 2 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.

Symphony of Hits drops Friday, February 8, 2019.

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[Chicago, IL]: The State of Illinois threw a huge curveball in the Pied Piper of R&B singer R-Kelly's performance schedule. R-Kelly, 52, won't be stepping in the name of love at the Illinois State fairgrounds anytime soon after the state denied a permit that would have allowed him to perform at a spring break festival. Kelly was scheduled to perform for the Spring Break Jam Festival in April, but the state says they simply can't afford the extra security that would be needed to protect both the community and Kelly following the tremendous public outrage following the "Surviving R-Kelly docuseries. Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) spokeswoman Denise Albert made it clear that the rejection was based solely on security and not on any allegations made against Kelly. "Because of the public outcry stemming from the docuseries, Spring Break Jam organizers could not meet the criteria including reasonably foreseeable problems with security caused either by the nature of the usage or the identity of the proposed lease or his/her patrons" and "The welfare of the general community" necessary to obtain the fairgrounds permit, she said.

Festival organizers have the option to reapply for the fairgrounds permit and get approved if they removed Kelly from the festival lineup of performers, she added.

The Spring Break Jam is scheduled for April 6, 2019.

While no criminal charges are pending against the singer, RCA/Sony Music has decided to drop Kelly from their label after the protest erupted outside of their New York Studios. His music is still available, but right now, Kelly is without an active recording contract. He's been recording with RCA/ Sony since 2012. Misconduct allegations have followed the singer for over a decade. He was cleared of all 21 counts of child pornography charges back in 2002, and he's been in the headlines for sexual abuse and/or misconduct numerous times since then.

Kelly has become a well-known R&B artist in the urban community since he released the hit album 12 Play in 1993 that included the hits "Bump and Grind" and "Sex Me." He has sold over 30 million records earning him the title of one of the best-selling music artists in the United States.

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[Detroit, MI]: Attorney Mike Morse has filed a civil lawsuit against singer Trey Songz on behalf of photographer Andrew Potter and former Detroit Police Sgt. Robert Avery for the injuries they sustained following a concert at Joe Louis Arena in 2016. The lawsuit claims that both the police officer and the photographer suffered great bodily harm after Songz became extremely upset after his microphone stopped working. He then went off the deep end, cursing, trashing stage props, and throwing sound equipment all around. Avery says he came under attack while placing Songz under arrest. That's when he was punched in the face with Trey Songz's fist. Morse told WDIV Local 4 News that when Avery was attacked, "he went down, went down hard injuring his hip along with a serious brain injury, and because of these injuries he will never be able to work again as a police sergeant. He went on to add that the photographer was injured after he was hit with a microphone stand thrown by Songz. Last year Songz agreed to a plea agreement where he pled guilty to reduced charges of disturbing the peace. Songz has since apologized for his outburst. He was sentenced to 18 months' probation and ordered to complete anger management therapy.

Morse also told Local 4 News that damages are set at the federal court minimum of $75,000 for now, but that figure is likely to increase. "Presumably, we'll ask for a lot more than $75,000, depending on how the proofs come in and depending on everything," Morse said. "But with Mr. Avery not being able to be a sergeant again, the damages will be great."

Morse expects the case to be settled out of court but says that it could take a year or more if it goes to trial, and the damages could reach a million dollars.

Mr. Avery served on the Detroit Police Department force for 22-years. Attorneys for Songz have not yet responded to the civil lawsuit.

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[Spin]: Hip-Hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar, 29, has won a whopping twelve Grammy Awards, and now he will add the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music to his list of accolades. He was presented with his award at Columbia University in New York City during a private ceremony. The award was for his album Damn, which the committee that bestowed the award on him called his album "a virtuosic song collection unified by vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life." Lamar received a standing ovation when he accepted his award. He is the first non-jazz or classical recording artist ever to win a Pulitzer Prize. Lamar is no stranger to winning not only Grammy Awards but also civic awards. Back in May of 2015, he was awarded the California State Senate's Generational Icon Award. When he addressed the California Senate, he told legislators that he is honored to use his musical platform to give back to the very community and neighborhoods where he once played (The City of Compton, CA). The following year Lamar was given the key to the city for a new vision for his hometown. He has received top honors from both Rolling Stone and Billboard magazine. He is regarded as one of the "Top 20 Best Rappers in their 20's." Last year Lamar had two singles to take top ten positions on the United States (U.S.) Billboard Music Charts. His single "Humble" and "DNA" took the number one and fourth position, respectfully, followed this year by "All the Stars," taking position number 7 back in March. He is currently on tour. The Pulitzer Prize recognizes the achievements of professionals whose work appears in newspapers, magazines, online journalism, literature, and music. The recipient also gets a $15,000 monetary reward.

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[Billboard]: Janet Jackson, 52, has been performing on television since the '70s, and she's still in Control with no plans of stopping. Billboard Music presented her with the prestigious Icon Award during the 2018 Billboard Music Awards program. Jackson hasn't performed on television in nearly nine years. She performed a montage of some of her top hits. She now joins some of her fellow superstars, such as Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Cher, and Prince. The awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and Bruno Mars presented her with the award. Her mom was there to witness her get her award. She was sort of emotional when she accepted the award, and she used her spotlight moment to recognize women and their supporters who stand up against any type of abuse. Jackson has been enjoying being a full-time mother after she had her first child in January of 2017. She is well known for hits like Control, What Have You Done for Me Lately, and Miss You Much, just briefly describing her vast music catalog. The Icon Award is presented to recording artists who have made great contributions to the recording industry. Neil Diamond was first to receive the award in 2011. Click on the link below to watch the standing room only performance by Jackson.

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[Billboard]: Grammy Award Winner Beyonce Knowles-Carter, 35, has made a promise to the people of Houston, TX, the city that loved her before she took the world by storm with her sexy dance moves and that voice that can belt out anything from soulful ballads to hardcore rap, to do whatever she can to help the people of the Lone Star State recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The singer issued this statement:

"My heart goes out to my hometown, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave and determined to do so much to help," she said in a statement to the Chronicle.

"I am working closely with my team at BeyGood as well as my pastor ( Rudy Rasmus at St. John's in downtown Houston) to implement a plan to help as many as we can."

Beyonce was born and raised in the Houston area, where she got her start singing and dancing before joining the group Destiny's Child. The 35-year-old star has over 22 Grammy Awards under her belt, and she's sold over 100 million records. In 2014, she took the honor of being officially listed as one of the highest-paid black musicians in history. Now she's going to use some of that wealth to help the city she loves as they love her back. Her non-profit charity BeyGood serves as the conduit from which she is able to help many young minority girls and women reach their goals of selling themselves on themselves through educational scholarship and mentoring programs all around the world. To join or learn more about BeyGood, click on the following link.

Bey is not alone in her pledge to help the people of Texas. Her husband, rapper and music producer Jay-Z, has answered the call put out by the actor and comedian Kevin Hart for the movers and shakers of Hollywood to do what they can after he put up some $50,000. "Let's help! Let's really really try to save some lives," he said.

Harvey, a category four hurricane, hit the State of Houston on August 25, 2017. It left a path of devastation sending many residents heading for cover as it packed a wind speed of over 70 miles per hour according to the cable news network (CNN), and it dumped over 18 inches of rain an hour. Over 33 people were killed (some of the first responders), and hundreds more were injured during the storm. These preliminary numbers are only expected to rise. To learn how you can help the people of Houston, TX, click on the following link to the Red Cross.

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[Deadline]: Sammy Davis Jr. fans will now be able to watch a documentary for the very first time about the life of Sammy Davis Jr. The title of the film is "I've Gotta Be Me," which will give fans a never-before-seen look at the barriers the singer had to face to make it as an African-American entertainer at a time when Blacks were often denied the chance to perform before all-white audiences, and the opportunity to perform on Broadway was nearly impossible. Davis was an actor, comedian, singer/songwriter, and, most importantly, a civil rights activist. He also was a master tap dancer. The biopic also chronicles how he embraced Judaism. Davis holds a special place in Detroit after he wrote and performed the song "Hello Detroit," where he sang about our city lady Detroit's wonderful gems. Detroit natives fell in love with this song after radio announcer John Mason would play this song at exactly 6:00 am telling the listeners that it was time to get up, rise and shine, wipe the dust from your sleepy eyes every day on WJLB- FM 98. The film is produced by recording artist Lionel Richie. It is set to open at the Toronto International Film Festival. No word on when it will hit the big screen nationwide. Click on the link below to watch the official film trailer along with "Hello Detroit." Davis Jr. died in 1995 after a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

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Usher Fights $20 Million Herpes Lawsuit

[ACESHOWBIZ]: R & B recording artist Usher is not just letting it burn this time. The singer didn't exactly dispel the accusations of exposing two women and one man to the sexually transmitted disease (STD) herpes. Usher claims that one of the women's story lacks credibility because she very well may have had the STD before their relationship and not have known about it because she wasn't tested.

Usher had this to say in official court records:

"A previous sexual partner very well may have already infected her," Usher said in his new legal documents. He further claimed that the woman could have been infected after their alleged encounter, saying that she assumed the risk of getting herpes by having" casual, unprotected sexual intercourse and/or oral sex."

He is no stranger to this sort of lawsuit. In 2012, the singer was not dancing to his hit single "Yeah"; instead, he said Yeah, I would pay you. He paid big time. 1.1 million dollars to be exact, to settle a lawsuit brought on by his then-partner after she claimed he exposed her to herpes.

This lawsuit claims that two women and a man were exposed to the STD after the singer had vaginal and oral sex with them. The lawsuit is asking for payment for damages, including but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, and complications of childbirth.

Another woman is thanking her lucky stars and glad that her test came back negative, but she still feels violated because she would have never consented to have sex with him had he been upfront with her, she said.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that the use of condoms is a highly effective way to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases, like herpes and that when in doubt, couples should never engage in unprotected sexual activities.

According to the CDC, the herpes virus (HSV-2) is spread primarily through sexual contact. People infected with the disease may not show signs of infection until they have an outbreak, which is characterized by painful blister-like sores on the genitals and anus. The disease may go through periods where it is dormant. Data that goes back to 2014 indicate that just under 300 thousand cases sent patients to their doctors' offices. There is no cure for HSV-2, but treatment with medications can reduce the disease's severity and help prevent spreading the disease. The CDC website provides information on all STDs.

Usher was a judge on the popular television series "The Voice" during the show's fourth and sixth season, but now he is asking a judge to show him mercy by dismissing the case.

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The city of brotherly love will pay tribute to some recording artists from many music genres at the 2017 Philadelphia Music Alliance (PMA) Gala. Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, McFadden & Whitehead, and gospel legend Rosetta Tharpe will join the ranks of Phyllis Hyman, Boys II Men, and Maze ft. Frankie Beverly, just to name a few on the Philadelphia Walk of Fame. The PMA will honor Bob Pantano with the 2017 Broadcaster Award and Anne Ewers with the Platinum Award. Each year the PMA honors recording artists and other media professionals from the Philly area who have made outstanding commitments to the music industry. The gala will take place on October 4, 2017.

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[Spin]: Singer and songwriter Faith Evans will never let her music fans and those who grew up loving rap music forget how much she loved her late husband Notorious B.I.G aka Biggie Smalls and the way he used to love her. She just released a new video that includes a track titled "Take Me There," where the track is from her album The King & I. It's another Biggie duet. The video shows the young couple's throwback footage making music and simply having fun in the recording studio. It's ironic to hear the vocals that relate to Snapchat, people voting for Hillary Clinton, and former United States President Barack Obama actually becoming the President, and all of those things were far from becoming a reality. You'll have to wonder what music would have been made had he lived to see his vision actually come true. Evans' album' "The King & I" is set to be released on May 19, 2017. Evans' beloved husband, "Biggie" was shot and killed in 1997 at the all too young age of 24-years old. Warning: Lyrics may be graphic to some listeners.

 

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[Billboard]: Detroit's very own Diana Ross will join a host of female artist like Mary J. Blige to kick off the 2017 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, LA is in full swing this entire 4th of July weekend from June 30 through July 2, 2017, at the Superdome. Michelle Ebanks, Essence President, says, "This year's festival lineup puts women at the forefront of an incredible weekend of entertainment featuring more than 40 performers." While the final performer lineup has yet to be determined, Ross and Blige are scheduled to be joined by singers Erykah Badu, India Arie, Yuna, Jazmine Sullivan, Lalah Hathaway, Solange, Chaka Khan, and John Legend, just to name a few. Get your tickets fast at ticketmaster.com. For more information on the festival, visit essence.com. The Essence Music Festival has been entertaining music fans for 23 consecutive years.

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[Amsterdam News]: The family of Cuba Gooding Sr. is planning to hold a public memorial for the soul singer, who was the lead vocalist for the group "Main Ingredient." You might remember some of the popular songs Gooding Sr. The group was best known for songs such as "Everybody Plays a Fool" and "I'm So Proud," just to name a few. His wife Shirley Gooding said, it is only fitting that he would return to the Apollo Theater one last time because the people of Harlem loved him, and during the 1950s, he often performed before large crowds on Amateur Night at the Apollo where the audience was known for their tough standards. If they didn't spot talent, performers were often loudly Booed off the stage, but Gooding received a standing ovation after performing "Who Can I Turn To." Gooding Sr. died on April 20, 2017, and is the father of Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. The family is asking the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

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Cape Girardeau, MO (AP): Kerry Turman, 59, has performed as a bassist for the Motown group The Temptations for decades. The Cape Girardeau County coroner says his body was found in his hotel room. His death is believed to be from natural causes. The Temptations are touring with the Beach Boys.

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[Billboard]: A biopic is on the way after a long court battle to celebrate the life of the extremely talented rapper and actor Tupac Shakur. The movie gets its name from his famous All Eyez on Me album, which included hits like "I Ain't Mad at Cha," and "Picture Me Rollin" according to Benny Boom, the film's director, no part of the Shakur lifestyle, will be left out. "Fans will be surprised to see the very soft side of Shakur, he says. "Fans will see everything from the thug life to his poetic side, which he often shared with the women he loved through poems that he would often write to them. On the other side, fans will see his fight for social justice for the black community that he loved. He naturally came by it because his mother, Afeni Shakur, 69, was a Black Panther during the civil rights movement. She died last year after suffering a heart attack. Shakur was fatally shot and killed after attending a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas in 1996. His killer is still unknown. Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in April. All Eyez on Me hits the big screen on June 16, 2017, nationwide. June 16th happens to be Shakur's birthday, where he would have turned 46. Click the link below to watch the trailer from the movie.

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[Detroit Free Press]: Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, is cruising down the freeway of retirement, but she's saving her best and final performance for Detroit, the Motor City. Franklin will showcase the Detroit Music Festival, which kicks off in the heart of Detroit's theater district. A gala at the Detroit Opera House will celebrate Franklin's more than fifty years of recording and performing. The concert runs June 8 - 11. Some of the festivities will be for sale. Tickets go on sale next month. The singer says while she won't be performing anymore, she will still be available for a limited, more scaled-back schedule for special shows and charity events.

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Taylor Swift Releases New Album "Reputation"

[Twitter]: Country singer Taylor Swift announced on Twitter that her new album release "Reputation" will be fully available in November. Amazing how time flies! "Reputation will be the pop star's sixth studio album since her self-titled album back in 2006. "You Belong with Me" from her "Fearless" album peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart, making it the highest-charting single and the top-selling album in the United States in 2009. She is also doing something that no other recording artists have ever done. She's teamed up with the United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) to promote the release of her album, making this the first time people have seen anything other than brown and gold on a big brown truck. Fans that are lucky enough to snap a selfie with the big brown truck adorned with her album art photo, and then send it to her by way of Twitter at #TaylorSwiftDelivery, and they take advantage of pre-ordering her album just might get more than just a package delivery when the big brown truck comes. Fans will go into a drawing where they can win all kinds of goodies that range from t-shirts to concert tickets, all personally hand-delivered by Swift herself.

Swift is now $1 million richer after she sued former radio personality David Mueller for groping her back in 2013. Click on the link below to watch the video "Look What You Made Me Do" from her upcoming album.

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Billboard]: The Multi-talented R&B singer Mary J. Blige, 47, now joins the ranks of many well-accomplished singers. Hollywood presented her with her own star on the Walk of Fame. She has truly worked hard to earn it. She has a whopping total of nine Grammy Awards under her belt, and ever-growing roles in movies and she even played the wicked witch of the west in the "Live" recording of the remake of the iconic "The Wiz" and sung the song "Don't You Bring Me No Bad News." She is well known for being very open and honest about her personal and professional life struggles and still overcome the challenge. The singer became emotional when she recalled when just last year she was among the homeless. "I am truly thankful for my friends who took me in and worked with me to get me back on my feet," she said. Her fans will never forget when she took the music industry by storm with her debut album "What's the 411," where her song Real Love hit the top 10 on the music charts in 1992. She's been topping the charts ever since. Her star is number 2,626. The Music Industry is very proud of Blige. She now joins recording artists like New Edition, music producer Quincy Jones, Michael and Janet Jackson, Patti Labelle, and "Babyface," just to name a few. The broadcast industry is very proud of her accomplishments. Every year the wall continues to grow as it adds entertainers who leave extraordinary marks on the recording industry. Sean Diddy Combs was even on hand to show his support of the recording artists as it was truly emotional for her she says that she is truly honored and humbled to have this honor. Click on the link below to watch her emotional tribute:

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[Billboard]: For Mariah Carey, 48, fantasies seem to come true for her music career that spans three decades.

Carey's new hit single "With You" just claimed the No. 10 spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary radio airplay music chart. It's her first AC top 10 as a lead artist since another holiday hit, "Oh Santa!," became her seventh No. 1, reigning for four weeks in 2010-11.

Plus, "With You" is Carey's first non-holiday, original song to reach the AC top 10 since "We Belong Together," which hit No. 3 in 2005. In between, she notched one other non-holiday top 10: a remake of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" (No. 10, November 2009).

The AC chart measures total weekly plays, as tabulated by Nielsen Music, among its reporting panel of 84 adult contemporary stations.

Carey ups her career count to 23 AC top 10s. Having first reached the region with her debut hit and first No. 1, "Vision of Love," on July 7, 1990, she extends her mark for the most top 10s by any artist since then. Celine Dion is next with 21 top 10s in that span, followed by Elton John (19) and Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart (18 each).

"With You" is from Carey's album Caution, which debuted as her 18th top 10 (at No. 5) on the Billboard 200 chart and eighth No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in December.

On the Adult R&B Songs airplay chart, "With You" holds at its No. 3 high. It's Carey's highest rank on the survey since 2006, when "Fly Like a Bird" spent six weeks at No. 1.

While "With You" continues to be promoted to AC and adult R&B, "A No No" will be the next radio single released from Caution.

Carey has won five Grammy Awards along with a very long list of other music awards.

According to her website, Carey is scheduled to perform at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI, on March 8, 2019. Prices start at about $50.00.

 

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[Yahoo]: Ariana Grande, 25, will not be attending the 2019 Grammy Award Show this Sunday.

Grande was scheduled to perform for the award show, but a battle with Grammy producers over what songs she was supposed to sing has caused her to cancel her attendance and performance.

Understandably, Grande wanted to perform her hit new single "7 Rings" from her latest album, Thank U Next. Producers would only allow her to sing the song if it were part of a medley of her songs. They wouldn't even let her pick the medley's songs, so now Grande feels "insulted" and informed the Grammys to delete her invitation.

Grande's 2018 LP, Sweetener, is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, while her song "God Is A Woman" is up for Best Solo Pop Performance.

"7 Rings" just hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, becoming her second single in a row (and overall) to top the charts. It also made Grande the third female artist with multiple number-one debuts behind Mariah Carey (3) and Britney Spears (2). Click to watch her new single below:

 

Grande was personally invited by the family of The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin to perform for the funeral services at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI, after they saw her moving tribute and performance on "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon of Franklin's1967 hit song "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

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[Billboard]: Hip-Hop Rapper DMX, 48, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has been in the Federal Slammer since last year for income tax evasion, and now he's a free man. His attorney says he wasn't supposed to be released until Sunday, but since his release day fell on the weekend, the Federal Bureau of Prisons decided to let him out of the slammer a couple of days early. Murray Richmond, DMX's attorney, confirmed his release when he said, "I spoke to him; he's very happy, looking forward to being home. He's never been hotter than now—people have been seeking him all over. He's terrific; he's been terrific," he said.

He's not totally off the hook, though. He'll have to pony up a whopping $2.3 million to the government, but he'll be on a payment plan based on his gross yearly income. His plans include a new album and possibly a biopic, which will help him repay his debt to the feds.

Once released, he'll be on supervised release for a period of three years. That may not be easy for him since he is no stranger to clashes with the Law for crimes ranging from drug possession to animal cruelty, and he served time in the slammer for a probation violation. DMX has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has won two American Music Awards for favorite rap/hip-hop artist. His career includes both music and television. His last single was in 2017.

DMX will have to be careful how he celebrates his newfound freedom while "Partying Up," which earned him a hit record that may not be in his best interest right now.

He spent a year in the Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in Glenville, West Virginia.

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[Billboard]: R&B dance diva Thelma Houston, 72, is sharp as a tack, still performing, and she has no plans of stopping any time soon. Now she no longer has to sport a smashed Grammy Music Trophy. Houston's award from 1979 was badly smashed when an earthquake registering a whopping 6.7 on the Richter scale shook the City of Northridge, CA, leaving her crying "Don't Leave Me This Way," for real. The song was her version of the same song made popular by R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Ft. Teddy Pendergrass, and it became a hit all over the globe, taking the number one spot on the Billboard U.S R&B/Pop Dance Charts.

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[Billboard]:( Updated) Adorned in a beautiful all-white dress and grey ankle-length boot Gladys Knight, 74, may not have been on "The Midnight Train to Georgia" that he sang about in her hit song, but in 2019 she came back home to sing at the Super Bowl. Knight saved her overtime for the National Anthem, causing one betting company to have to pay up a substantial amount of money. She sang the Star-Spangled Banner (America's National Anthem). The bet was that the song was supposed to end at 1:50 from the start, but Knight did what she does best. She hit the high note on "Brave" several times during her performance, bringing the song to a total of 2:00 minutes. BetOnline.ag said that because of the confusion, it would pay out both sides. Knight is a seven-time Grammy Award-winner who said she's honored to have the chance to use her voice to unite and represent our country in her hometown of Atlanta. She also told the people of Atlanta via Twitter that she's coming back home.

Gladys Knight and The Pips are well known for hits that include "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Love Overboard," just to name a couple. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 1996.

Maroon 5, Big Boi, and Travis Scott are scheduled to perform for the half-time show.

Knight was last in Detroit, MI, for the funeral of The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

CBS will broadcast the 2019 Super Bowl on February 3, 2019

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