andPOP » Stevie Wonder

Christina Aguilera Performs ‘At Last’ at Etta James’ Funeral

@coltondaniel — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:42:20 +0000

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Christina Aguilera has noted Etta James as her inspiration many times and today she paid tribute once again by belting out the classic wedding song at the late singer’s funeral in Los Angeles.

“She was the one that cut right through my soul. So tonight, Etta, this song is for you,” the 31-year-old entertainer said before performing. James passed away last week of complications from leukaemia, aged 73.

Stevie Wonder also took the stage to sing “Shelter in the Rain” with a church choir accompanying, President Barack Obama wrote a letter and Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.

Rihanna: The Singer, The Fashion Icon, The Accessory

@coltondaniel — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:37:17 +0000

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Even since repeatedly pestering that poor DJ to turn the record up in 2005, Robyn Rihanna Fenty has been a chart-topping powerhouse representative of Def Jam Records. With her collaborations dominating the charts as of late, it seems that the recipe to Billboard success is a Rihanna hook. After all, she has the most digital number-one hits with eleven and counting.

That’s more number-one’s than Stevie Wonder or Janet Jackson. That’s two away from Michael Jackson and nine away from the untouchable Beatles. Are we talking quantity, not quality? It’s up for debate. How does she compare to the Gaga’s, Perry’s and Beyonce’s?

Turn on the radio. Open a music magazine. And if they’re on a break from their teen-preganancy programming, watch MTV. From Maroon 5 to Eminem to Coldplay to Lonely Island, there is that familiar sultry croon of the official ambassador of youth and culture for Barbados. She is considerably the most-featured female singer of this millennium. She’s no Fitzgerald, or Goulding for that matter, but it’s either she has a remarkable talent or impeccable timing. OK, maybe Jay-Z has a little something to do with it.

Going back to 2008, she was featured on two of the biggest songs of the year: Maroon5′s “If I Ever See Your Face Again” and T.I.’s redemption-song “Live Your Life.” Two opposing ends of the musical spectrum that equally delivered as hits in their respective genres.

Recently, her collaborations haven’t slowed down, they’ve been unescapable on the pop-charts. She duels with Nicki Minaj, harmonizes on Kanye’s “All of the Lights”and even trades verses with Chris Martin in Coldplay’s “Princess of China” In response to his appearance on “What’s My Name?”, Rihanna flourishes in the role of a wounded-love on the title track of Drake’s upcoming Take Care EP.

Her solo success should not be ignored. In Billboard’s 53-year-history, Rihanna is in a third-place tie with the legendary Whitney Houston for most chart-toppers, behind Mariah Carey and Madonna. That’s a fine line between jaw-dropping and head-scratching. She was also named Digital Song Artist of the Decade in 2009, passing Mr. West, Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

In a recent study, the most popular videos on YouTube are unsurprisingly, music videos that occupy an incredible 86% of the top 60 most-viewed. What’s even more mind-boggling is that a trifecta of pop-artists total a 25% of those 60 videos: Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. Bieber impregnates the rest of the pack with 1.664 billion views. Mother Monster rolls in with 842 million views and Rihanna clocks in with 715 million views.

With her new album Talk That Talk on the horizon (due out November 21), critical pop-singles are expected to stampede the airwaves. She took to Twitter on Tuesday to confirm that her mentor would appear on the title track: “Yes sir! Jigga man is on the title track #TTT.” What a clubhouse that must be, with Kanye and Jay meeting their female counterparts of Beyonce and Rihanna for an afternoon picnic.

Hova and Ri-Ri previously collaborated on her mega-hit “Umbrella” and he featured her on that Blueprint 3 power-house single, “Run This Town.”

She’s definitely beating Chris Brown’s success to death.

Michael Jackson Tribute Album in the Works

Vanessa Baker — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:28:47 +0000

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Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Robbie Williams are just a few of the superstars planning to record numbers for an upcoming Michael Jackson tribute album, reports the Daily Star. Whitney Houston, Usher and 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi of Britain’s Got Talent will also reportedly be featured alongside legends like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

“The idea came from the memorial concert,” said a source. “Many fans asked if cover versions would be released and it seemed a wonderful idea. Some of the biggest stars in the world have indicated they’d like to take part to pay their own respects and tribute to the King of Pop. This cover album is sure to be a massive worldwide hit with fans and could raise a fortune for Michael’s favourite charities.”

Jafargholi, who performed “Who’s Loving You” at the memorial held for Jackson in Los Angeles, will record that track, as well as the song “Ben.” Carey will be singing “I’ll Be There,” while Williams will perform “Man in the Mirror.”

Williams said his new studio album will also pay tribute to the late pop star. “It’s all so very sad,” he said. “I couldn’t get a lyric to fit on one of the new songs, so when Michael passed away I rewrote it with him in mind.”

Williams and Houston have been asked to perform some of the dates planned for Jackson’s 50 day run at London’s O2 Arena. A live concert involving the Jackson family and other guests is being planned at the venue for August 29, which would have been the singer’s 51st birthday.

Stevie Wonder To Be Honoured By Obamas

Eva Lam — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:57:43 +0000

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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host a concert at the White House later this month to honour Stevie Wonder.

The Motown legend is set to receive a Gershwin Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the Library of Congress at the Feb. 25 celebration.

The concert will be shown on PBS the next day as part of the network’s “In Performance at the White House” series.

Wonder’s classics “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and “Higher Ground” were mainstays of Obama’s presidential campaign soundtrack.

The musician also performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, when Obama accepted his party’s nomination, and at a concert during the week of Obama’s inauguration.

Wonder has sold more than 70 million albums and was awarded a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1996.

Obama Campaign Releases Compilation Album

Eva Lam — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:50:01 +0000

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John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Kanye West and Adam Levine are among the artists who have contributed songs to a compilation benefit album for U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama.

“Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” features 18 tracks, including the classic Wonder song “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” a cover of U2′s “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by Legend and a new collaboration between West, Maroon 5′s Levine and spoken word poet Malik Yusef titled “Promised Land.”

Speech excerpts from the Democratic nominee are also embedded throughout the project.

The disc, issued by Hidden Beach Recordings, is now available on the Obama campaign’s official website as both a digital download and a physical CD, with all proceeds benefiting the campaign.

A statement on the website reads: “Through their musical contributions, the artists seek to mobilize voters in the final stretch before the November election. Many of the artists involved will also be volunteering their time to promote voter registration. For more information on registering to vote or requesting an absentee ballot, go to: www.VoteforChange.com.”

The album will be released into the general marketplace following the election on Nov. 4.

Here is the tracklisting on “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement:”

1. Eternity – Lionel Richie
2. Signed Sealed Delivered – Stevie Wonder
3. Waiting On The World To Change – John Mayer
4. American Prayer – Dave Stewart
5. Battle Cry – Shontelle
6. Make It Better – Los Lonely Boys
7. Pride In The Name Of Love – John Legend
8. I Have A Dream – BeBe Winans
9. Am I All Alone – Suai
10. One Is The Magic # – Jill Scott
11. Love & Hope – Ozomatli
12. Looking East – Jackson Browne
13. Out of Our heads – Sheryl Crow
14. Promised Land – Malik Yusef with Kanye West and Adam Levine of Maroon 5
15. Hold On – Yolanda Adams
16. America The Beautiful – Keb’ Mo’
17. America – Ken Stacey
18. Wide River – Buddy Miller

Luther Vandross Remembered in a Star-Studded Ceremony

andPOP Staff — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 15:15:24 +0000

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R&B’s biggest stars came together yesterday to pay their final respects to eight-time Grammy winner Luther Vandross.

Family, friends, and fans of the legendary singer gathered at the Riverside Church for a stunning memorial service that concluded in an all-star performance of Vandross’ hit single, “Power of Love/Love Power.”

The mourners seated in the first few rows of the church read like a list of who’s who in the music business: current stars such as Alicia Keys and Usher were mere feet away from those who inspired them, like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle.

All were present to remember the 54-year-old Vandross, who died July 1 at a New Jersey hospital, two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. The soul singer had sold more than 25 million records throughout his illustrious career.

Vandross’ gold coffin sat at the foot of the altar, where a single, simple floral arrangement ? white lilies mingling with white and yellow roses ? had been laid. Seated in the front row was Vandross’ mother, Mary Ida, who was surrounded by the R&B icon’s nine nieces and their 11 children. LaBelle, a long-time friend, read a poem written by Ida, and said, “There are no sad faces here today. It’s not a mournful service. I’m celebrating because Luther would want us to.”

Despite heavy rains, mourners lined up for two city blocks before the church opened, but once inside, stirring musical tributes by Wonder, Franklin, and Cissy Houston made it all worthwhile.

Houston sang the gospel standard “Deep River,” while Wonder performed a moving rendition of gospel song “I Won’t Complain.” Franklin fought back a sore throat to bring the choir and clergy to their feet with “Amazing Grace.”

Before the funeral service, Vandross, a New York native, got to take one final tour through Harlem. A hearse carrying the singer’s remains made a stop outside the Apollo Theater, where Vandross first got his start.