In 2025, Questlove will flex his award-winning creativity by directing a documentary surrounding the iconic music group, Earth Wind & Fire. Today (September 21), Questlove took to his Instagram to announce the new.
“Coming in 2025…..the definitive story of the elements,” he wrote. “The story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts. Having been baptized in the afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly I’ve learned about and rediscovered myself in the process.”
Although Questlove hasn’t revealed any additional details surrounding the project (including title, release date, creative direction, etc.), he did express his gratitude to be leading the charge. “I’m so excited to be directing a documentary preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of soul, self & struggle,” he wrote. “This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery. This is Earth, Wind & Fire.”
Earth, Wind & Fire are giving fans a show to remember — even if it’s not on the 21st night of September. The legendary band has joined Lionel Richie on the Sing A Song All Night Tour. The tour kicked off last week in Knoxville, Tennessee and is set to continue through June 16, when it will wrap in Pittsburgh.
Both Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire have extensive catalogs, and both acts are delivering all the hits. In Earth, Wind & Fire’s setlist, they’ve included all of the fan favorites, like “Shining Star” and “September,” according to setlist.fm. The set also includes a couple of covers, on which the band offers their otherworldly touch.
Given the setlist, as well as fans’ responses to both acts’ sets, Earth, Wind & Fire’s portion of the tour looks to be exciting, promising, and nostalgia-inducing.
You can see the full setlist below.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Sing A Song All Night Long Tour Setlist
1. “Shining Star”
2. “Let Your Feelings Show”
3. “Serpentine Fire”
4. Verdine White bass solo
5. “Sing A Song”
6. “Got To Get You Into My Life” (The Beatles cover)
7. “Devotion”
8. “After The Love Has Gone” (David Foster cover)
9. “Reasons”
10. “That’s The Way Of The World”
11. “Fantasy”
12. “Boogie Wonderland”
13. “Let’s Groove”
14. “September”
Verdine White is the iconic bassist and founding member of the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. He has cemented his status as a musical luminary with a net worth of $20 million in 2024, as reported by Eric Singer. His contributions to music span decades, and his influence extends far beyond the stage. White has helped shape the landscape of funk, R&B, and soul music. His journey from humble beginnings to global acclaim is a testament to his unparalleled talent, dedication to his craft, and enduring impact on the music world.
Pioneering Sound & Influence
LOS ANGELES, CA – CIRCA 1987: American bassist Verdine White, of the American band. Earth, Wind & Fire, poses for a portrait with his guitar circa 1987 in. Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
As the driving force behind Earth, Wind & Fire’s distinctive sound, Verdine White’s basslines have become synonymous with funk and soul music. His virtuosic playing style has set the standard for bassists across generations. Further, White’s contributions to the band’s extensive discography include hits like “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.” They have earned him critical acclaim and a place in music history as one of the greatest bassists ever.
Moreover, Verdine White’s influence on popular culture is immeasurable. His flamboyant stage presence, elaborate costumes, and dynamic performances have captivated audiences worldwide. It has also helped define the visual aesthetic of Earth, Wind & Fire. White’s contributions to the band’s songwriting and production have also played a pivotal role in shaping their unique sound, ensuring their enduring relevance and popularity across generations.
Philanthropy & Community Engagement
TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 08: Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire performs during the. “Sing A Song All Night Long” Tour stop at Scotiabank Arena on. August 08, 2023 also in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)
Offstage, Verdine White is known for his philanthropic efforts and commitment to giving back to his community. Through various charitable initiatives and partnerships, he has supported causes related to education, music education, and youth empowerment, using his platform to make a positive impact on the lives of others. White’s dedication to philanthropy reflects his belief in the power of music to inspire change and uplift communities.
Continued Influence & Recognition
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 04: Philip Bailey, Lionel Richie, Ralph Johnson and. Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire backstage during the opening night of “Sing A Song All Night Long” with. Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire at Xcel Energy Center on. August 04, 2023 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Live Nation)
With a net worth of $20 million in 2024, Verdine White’s legacy as a musical pioneer and cultural icon is secure. As he continues to inspire audiences with his music and philanthropy, his influence on music and beyond is poised to endure for years. Verdine White’s contributions to Earth, Wind & Fire, and the broader music industry serve as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the enduring legacy of true musical legends.
Today is September 21, which means that, as is the case every year, Earth, Wind & Fire will be on a lot of minds: The band’s classic 1978 single “September” starts with the lyrics, “Do you remember / The 21st night of September? / Love was changing the minds of pretenders / While chasing the clouds away.”
The big question, though, is what’s so special about the 21st of September? What happened on that date? Why did the band choose it for the song? It turns out Allee Willis, who co-wrote the song alongside Al McKay and Maurice White, has already answered that question.
“We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth…,’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st. I constantly have people coming up to me and they get so excited to know what the significance was. And there is no significance beyond it just sang better than any of the other dates. So… sorry!”
In a Wall Street Journal interview in 2019, though, Willis noted she was told by White’s widow Marilyn that September 21, 1978 was the due due date of White’s son Kahbran, so that may have been a contributing factor to the lyric.
The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.
Humility is often painted as a superpower that has its strength in being a cornerstone for one’s success. For it to work best, it’s sad that other dominant qualities must be submissive in its presence. Confidence works hand-in-hand with it while pride takes a back seat. The alleged beauty behind humility has been professed in numerous ways by many for centuries upon centuries. Confucius called humility the “solid foundation of all virtues” while Rick Pitino said it’s the “true key to success.” Though these examples are not wrong per se, a more accurate one, arguably, can be credited to William Law who said humility is “nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves.”
The “right judgment” portion of that quote is as subjective as ever and on her new album Jaguar II, Victoria Monét declares her own judgment of self and the world around her. The irony here is that through the project’s 11 songs, Monét’s right judgment of self actually sheds the humility that has lived beside her in a career that’s lasted over a decade. For years, Monét was known for her songwriting as she penned records for Diddy, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony, Chloe X Halle, Blackpink, and more – all while working on her own music. It wasn’t until recently that the scales of both seemed to even out, something she wished for back in 2020. “[My] songwriting took off before my [own music] so it wasn’t like I made a decision, I was trying to do both,” she explained in Wonderland Magazine interview. “Now I’m just trying to even the playing field.”
Successful songwriters are often left to live in the shadows of the background making for a disconnect between that and their own releases. That hasn’t been the case as of late for Monét. If her 2020 EP Jaguar was the connection and spark, her debut album Jaguar II is the electric field and bright lights that rightfully resulted. Monét shines with blinding radiance on songs that find her as confident as ever from start to finish on her latest release. Whether it be through the shimmering dance number that is the Kaytranada-produced “Alright,” or the sexy and uplifting “Party Girls,” Monét finds a way to be simultaneously jaguar-like in her fearless approach and as sleek and classy as the luxury vehicle that shares her album’s namesake
At the very center of this album, comes multiple swipes at humility. Monét specifically calls out the extinction of humility in her world moments into “On My Mama.” She pierces through each line with unfiltered cockiness while allowing not an inch of doubt to creep into her statements so as to not invalidate them. More indirectly, we see Monét pop the collar of her fur coat on “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem) while mocking the idea that women can’t be pimps. The tone of disgust is prominent on “Stop (Asking Me 4Shyt)” as she’s in disbelief at the requests a man makes to her for money and other items. Lastly, in what is one of the best moments on the album, Victoria Monét paints herself as a flawless gem on “I’m The One,” perfect in all ways and specifically crafted for a lover who fails to see her as this fairytale love story. Humility often calls for a level of timidness and reservation in how one presents themselves, but for Monét this moment had been over a decade in the making. There isn’t room for dimming the light that she wired tirelessly to make shine.
The Victoria Monét that lives throughout Jaguar II isn’t new by any means. Her bold approach was at the center of Jaguar where records like “Ass Like That” and “Moment” marvelously presented her worth as a diamond in the rough. Much of the same is present on Jaguar II, just refined and crafted to a level that makes the multitalented singer’s artistry more pristine than ever. With heavy production from D’Mile, who has laced irresistible and pleasing records for the likes of Ty Dolla Sign, Snoh Aalegra, Lucky Daye, HER, Mary J. Blige, Silk Sonice, and more Victoria Monét had the necessary tools, both internal and external, to achieve that excellence that is Jaguae II. As she boldly proclaimed on her latest project, Victoria Monét is the one. So yes, humility to the wind and everything else like it. Her blinding radiance looks better and makes for the ideal ingredient in her recipe for success.
Jaguar II is out now via RCA Records/Lovett Music, Inc. Find out more information here.
Victoria Monét wowed with her 2020 EP Jaguar and now her long-awaited debut album, Jaguar II, is finally approaching. She revealed the cover art and release date (August 25) last month and announced last week that she’s going on tour. Now we know a bit more about he album: specifically, the tracklist.
Monét shared that today (July 17) and the 11-track album includes features from Lucky Daye; Buju Banton; Hazel Monét; and Earth, Wind & Fire; as well as a song produced by Kaytranada. Fans were excited about the collaborators, as Kaytranada and Earth, Wind & Fire were trending topics on Twitter after Monét’s reveal.
While unveiling the tracklist on social media, Monét wrote, “I present to you: The JAGUAR II TRACKLIST!!!! I’m so happy to finally share this with you!! Look at these FEATURES [crying emojis] screaming..what is life?! from the titles alone, which songs do you think will be your favorites? I’m so curious.”
I present to you: The JAGUAR II TRACKLIST!!!!
I’m so happy to finally share this with you!! Look at these FEATURES screaming..what is life?! from the titles alone, which songs do you think will be your favorites? I’m so curious pic.twitter.com/u21Va3YQae
1. “Smoke” Feat. Lucky Daye
2. “Smoke” (Reprise)
3. “Party Girls” Feat. Buju Banton
4. “Alright” (Prod. by Kaytranada)
5. “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)”
6. “How Does It Make You Feel”
7. “On My Mama”
8. “I’m The One”
9. “Stop (Askin’ Me 4Shyt)”
10. “Hollywood” Feat. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét
11. “Good Bye”
Jaguar II is out 8/25 via Lovett Music/RCA Records. Find more information here.
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died at 67. Verdine White, his brother and bandmate, shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, January 1. A cause of death has not been publicly revealed at the time of this writing. The band’s official Instagram account also confirmed the news.
Our family is saddened today
With the loss of an amazing and talented family member,
Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.
He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels! Child protégé, member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old! He was brother number 4 in the family lineup.
But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted!
He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! We thank you all for your love, blessings and support at this time. Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining [stars] and back!”There was an outpouring of support in the comments section. Lenny Kravitz wrote, “Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and the family. I was blessed to have been in his presence and blessed to have been influenced by him. A true king. Rest in power.” Questlove, Jimmy Jam, Dule Hill, and Loni Love were among others sending their love.
Brothers Verdine and Maurice White, the latter of whom died in 2016, founded Earth, Wind & Fire in 1970. Fred joined the band in 1974 (as noted by Entertainment Weekly), after having proven his drumming chops outside of the family with the likes of Donny Hathaway. Before leaving the group in the ’80s, White contributed to enduring Earth, Wind & Fire hits “September” and “Shining Star.”
The group was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In December 2019, Earth, Wind & Fire were recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. Ahead of the ceremony, Verdine, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson reflected on their iconic journey to that point with CBS Mornings. Watch the interview below.
NBA All-Star Weekend is about the finest talent professional basketball has to offer, but some of the biggest names in music popped up during the festivities, too. DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Gunna, Ludacris, Migos, and Mary J. Blige performed on Saturday, and yesterday’s actual All-Star Game featured more recognizable music figures taking the stage.
Machine Gun Kelly (who was born in Houston but spent some of his formative years in Cleveland, this year’s All-Star host city) helped introduce the game’s starting lineups by getting the crowd excited, thanking “all the hard workers of this town,” cracking a couple of jokes, and handing things over to DJ D-Nice before the team lineups were properly introduced. Kelly had his fingerprints all over the weekend, as he also played during the celebrity game.
Prior to tip-off, Juno Award nominee Ryland James sang the Canadian national anthem before Ohio native Macy Gray delivered a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Some people online noticed LeBron James seemed amused by Gray’s performance, as he was seen seemingly trying to suppress a smile as she sang.
As for halftime, the mid-game break was mostly focused on a celebration of the 75th anniversary team, although it did feature Earth, Wind & Fire performing their thematically appropriate hit “Shining Star.”
Meanwhile, Adele was spotted courtside (which makes sense given her relationship with sports agent Rich Paul) and caught the attention of the TNT broadcast crew, which prompted Charles Barkley to reckon he and Adele ought to duet. Barkley’s co-hosts quickly and definitively shot that idea down.
It’s September 21! Happy birthday and congrats to everyone who made it to today — it’s been a rough year, huh? Fortunately for us, comedian Demi Adejuyigbe, better known as Electrolemon, is back with his latest video celebrating the occasion, set as always to the funky tune of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
This time around, he goes for absolute broke, weaving in a goofy storyline about the musical Grease, performing a gravity-defying dance on the ceiling with a glittering disco ball, and having a blowout party in the front yard before hopping into a hot rod and soaring off into the sky. And even after all that, he saves the best for last, filling the credits sequence with video shout-outs from the band themselves, who congratulate him on his biggest and final “September” video.
Yup, that’s right. This is the last one — as he jokingly alludes to at the beginning of this year’s clip, he’s done this for a long time (to the point of feeling obligated to top himself every year) and he’s probably run of inspiration on this particular gag. We wish him well and thank him for his service, because these things have really brought a lot of hope and love into the world — especially as each one is accompanied by a charity drive for worthwhile causes.
This one is no exception. This time around, Demi is raffling off a painting of the Sept. 21 jersey he displays in the video, with proceeds going to Imagine Waterworks, West Fund, and Sunrise Movement. You can find out more at each respective website or at sept21st.com.
It’s September 21! Happy birthday and congrats to everyone who made it to today — it’s been a rough year, huh? Fortunately for us, comedian Demi Adejuyigbe, better known as Electrolemon, is back with his latest video celebrating the occasion, set as always to the funky tune of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
This time around, he goes for absolute broke, weaving in a goofy storyline about the musical Grease, performing a gravity-defying dance on the ceiling with a glittering disco ball, and having a blowout party in the front yard before hopping into a hot rod and soaring off into the sky. And even after all that, he saves the best for last, filling the credits sequence with video shout-outs from the band themselves, who congratulate him on his biggest and final “September” video.
Yup, that’s right. This is the last one — as he jokingly alludes to at the beginning of this year’s clip, he’s done this for a long time (to the point of feeling obligated to top himself every year) and he’s probably run of inspiration on this particular gag. We wish him well and thank him for his service, because these things have really brought a lot of hope and love into the world — especially as each one is accompanied by a charity drive for worthwhile causes.
This one is no exception. This time around, Demi is raffling off a painting of the Sept. 21 jersey he displays in the video, with proceeds going to Imagine Waterworks, West Fund, and Sunrise Movement. You can find out more at each respective website or at sept21st.com.
from the titles alone, which songs do you think will be your favorites? I’m so curious 
!