Jermaine Dupri Presents SoSo R&B Experience in ATL

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Legendary Music Mogul Jermaine Dupri Presents A SoSo R&B Experience, an unforgettable night of R&B music on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Wolf Creek Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia. The star-studded lineup features live performances from today’s hottest R&B artists including Muni Long, DVSN, Eric Bellinger, Vedo, and Jermaine Dupri himself with special surprise guests and a “Ladies Love R&B” presentation from songwriters and producers Bryan-Michael Cox and Keith Thomas rounding out the evening.

“R&B music is making a huge comeback, and I wanted to put together a show to celebrate that,” said Jermaine Dupri, music legend and CEO of SoSo Def Recordings. “A SoSo R&B Experience is going to be an amazing night of intimate performances and collaborations from some of the genre’s brightest stars.”

As founder of SoSo Def RecordingsJermaine Dupri, a Grammy Award winner, has worked with and developed many of music’s biggest stars including Mariah Carey, Usher, TLC, Xscape, and more. His imprint, SoSo Def, has been instrumental in launching the careers of artists like Jagged Edge, Bow Wow, Kris Kross, and Anthony Hamilton. His ability to stay connected to the cultural zeigiest is why he continues to remain relevant and develop new talent which is evident with the recent success of Ari Lennox’s “Pressure” becoming her highest charting solo single and Muni Long’s global and viral smash “Made for Me.”

Tickets for the SoSo R&B Experience are on sale now at VarietyEnt.net. starting at $55 and gates open at 3 p.m. with the show starting at 5 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to experience an unforgettable night of R&B music from some of the genre’s hottest stars and today’s reigning hitmakers. For more information, visit VarietyEnt.net.

A SoSo Def R&B Experience arrives on the heels of Jermaine Dupri announcing an exciting, new SoSo Def Internship in partnership with Emory University. Dupri made the announcement during the keynote session of the inaugural Ideas Festival on Sept. 20.

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Elite Break Dancing & Redman Performance: World’s Largest Breaking Competition Takes Over Venice Beach

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On Saturday, September 28, the prestigious global breaking competition (known as breakdancing), Red Bull BC One, concluded its 2024 U.S. season with its Cypher USA held in Los Angeles.

For the first time in Red Bull BC One history, Venice Beach set the stage as breakers from across the country—both legends and rising stars—gathered to leave their mark on the nation’s most distinguished breaking competition. B-boys and b-girls were judged by a panel of elite breakers: Olympic Gold Medalist Ami Yuasa (B-Girl Ami), Olympian Lee-Lou Demierre (B-Boy Lee) from the renowned crew The Ruggeds, legendary B-Girl and former Team USA coach Bonita Saldana (B-Girl Bonita), and East LA native Ronnie Ruen (B-Boy Ruen), who determined who would go on to claim the coveted Red Bull BC One Championship titles. The competition followed two regional cyphers in Denver and Philadelphia.

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Following breaking’s debut on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the event delivered an authentic, real, and raw representation of breaking culture. Against the stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop, 2700 attendees crowded the boardwalk as regional champions and wildcard invitees faced off in a high-energy, 16-bracket knockout tournament, showcasing the creativity, explosiveness, and joy that define world-class breaking.

After a fierce final battle, B-Girl La Vix claimed victory over A+. In the b-boy bracket, Icey-Ives triumphed, beating out Hijack in the final round.

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Both La Vix and Icey Ives will represent the United States at the 21st edition of the Red Bull BC One World Final in the vibrant heart of Rio de Janeiro, where they will have a chance to etch their names in breaking history.

At the event, two-time Red Bull BC One World Champion and Olympic medalist B-Boy Victor (Victor Montalvo) was surprised with a Certificate of Recognition by the City of Los Angeles and the 11th Council District. The honor was presented on stage by Juan Fregoso on behalf of Los Angeles City Councilmember, Traci Park, for his career accomplishments. 

Leading up to the National Final, the Los Angeles community came together for the Red Bull BC One Camp USA, featuring three days of workshops, exhibition battles, panels, and activities. The lineup included an immersive hip-hop dance workshop, a Footwoorkerz battle, and an epic 2v2 mixed-style showdown featuring both breaking and popping.

With a legacy that spans over two decades, Red Bull has been involved in the breaking community since the start. It all began with the trailblazing Lords of the Floor, a competition resurrected this year ahead of breaking’s debut on the global sporting stage. Today, Red Bull BC One stands as the premier platform for competition, mentorship, cyphers, community jams, and programming—continuing to nurture the art form and support its community as they evolve and push new boundaries.

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Mary J. Blige Unveils “The For My Fans Tour” Dates

Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige announced her 2025 “The For My Fans Tour” with special guests NE-YO and Mario. The tour comes on the heels of her new album “Gratitude,” releasing on November 15. The tour and album are a celebration of the love and gratitude that Mary has towards her life, family, friends, and her beloved fans.
 
Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour kicks off on January 30 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC making stops across North America in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and more before wrapping up in Boston, MA at TD Garden on April 14.

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“I am so excited to kick off this tour. I have amazing fans and am so grateful for all of the love and support they have given me throughout the years,” said Mary J. Blige. “This tour is for them, and I cannot wait to be able to travel to all these cities and see everyone. I am in such a place of immense gratitude and peace at this moment, so also having the chance to release my new album “Gratitude” on November 15th ahead of this tour is really special to me.”

Blige will release her new studio album, “Gratitude,” on Friday, November 15th, through her own Beautiful Life Productions and in partnership with 300 Entertainment. In August, she dropped the first single off the album, “Breathing” featuring Fabolous.

Ahead of both the album release and tour, Blige will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the class of 2024 on October 19th in Cleveland.

MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES:
Thu Jan 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Fri Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Mon Feb 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Thu Feb 06 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sat Feb 08 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Tue Feb 11 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Fri Feb 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Tue Feb 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Fri Feb 21 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Tue Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sat Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
Fri Mar 07 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Sat Mar 08 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Wed Mar 12 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Fri Mar 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sun Mar 16 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Wed Mar 19 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Sat Mar 22 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Mon Mar 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Wed Mar 26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Fri Mar 28 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
Wed Apr 02 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Fri Apr 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Sun Apr 06 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Thu Apr 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Apr 11 – Elmont, NY – UBS Arena
Mon Apr 14 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

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SOURCE SPORTS: Boxer Mylik Birdsong Shot And Killed In Drive-By Shooting In South Central L.A.

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Screenshot 2024 09 30 at 10.35.08 AM

The boxing world is saddened and shocked after the news was confirmed that top welterweight division fighter “King Mylik” Birdsong was shot and killed in L.A. in what appears to be classified as a drive-by shooting over the weekend.

Officers responded to the shooting around 4:50 pm on Sunday at West 87th Street and Denker Avenue, south of West Manchester Avenue in South Central, according to reports from the LAPD. According to the report, Birdsong was standing outside a vehicle with his girlfriend inside when another vehicle approached. Police describe the suspects as five men in a black SUV.

“The victim then ran towards his residence [when] two suspects from the vehicle started chasing him while shooting at him,” said an LAPD spokesperson to local reporters. Birdsong fell to the ground in the driveway, the spokesperson said. First responders arrived and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Birdsong, 31, was a professional boxing contender known as “King Malik”, who at one time was known for his undefeated record. He had a record of 15-1-1 with 10 knock-outs and was the reigning World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight champion. 

The L.A. native’s next scheduled fight was set for Oct. 26 against Gor Yeritsyan at the Commerce Casino. 

 

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Bilal Drops ‘Adjust Brightness’, His First Album In Eight Years

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Screenshot 2024 09 30 at 9.42.22 AM

Today, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bilal makes a triumphant return with his first album of new music in eight years, Adjust Brightness, out now on all major streaming platforms. His long-awaited release features 11 brand-new tracks that showcase Bilal’s visionary approach to blending soul, funk, jazz, and futuristic electronic elements, offering listeners an immersive and boundary-pushing sonic experience. Following the success of his June Black Music Month project, Live at Glasshaus, which featured musical heavyweights like QuestloveCommonRobert Glasper, and more, Bilal’s Adjust Brightness takes his artistry to new heights. The album is a bold step forward in his evolving sound, continuing to defy genre conventions and highlight his unmatched vocal and musical prowess.

Reflecting on his new album, Bilal shares, “I wanted to create music that challenges the digital age — music that confuses the algorithms and speaks to our humanity. Adjust Brightness is about love, warmth, and intimacy. It’s an intimate, human record that speaks to the heart in an era of cold, digital sounds.

Eight years following 2015’s In Another Life, a collaboration with Adrian Younge that drew from the psychedelic verve of vintage funk, Adjust Brightness marks a bold new chapter for Bilal. This album is a giant step forward, as Bilal merges his organic, soulful roots with experimental electronic influences inspired by artists like Aphex Twin, Stereolab, and Jai Paul.

The creation of Adjust Brightness was deeply inspired by a period of musical and visual experimentation. Bilal began to approach his music much like a painter approaches a canvas, focusing on moods, textures, and atmospheres rather than traditional song forms. His experiences with experimental jazz and live performances fed into this avant-garde direction and tracks like “Sunshine” and “Humility” highlight his innovative use of atmospheric grooves, intricate beats, and sonic manipulation.

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Keegan-Michael Key Reflects on Drift from Jordan Peele: “It’s a Tragedy”

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Comedian Keegan-Michael Key has opened up about the changing dynamic between him and his former comedy partner, Jordan Peele, admitting that they don’t see each other as much anymore—a situation Key calls “a tragedy.”

Speaking with People, Key, 53, fondly recalled the early days of his partnership with Peele, 45, which began when they both starred on MADtv in 2004. “It was a thrilling time in my life,” Key said. “We were sharing a mind.” The two bonded over their mutual comedic influences and their time at Chicago’s Second City, which created a unique synergy that would later fuel their Emmy-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele.

“When we were on camera, it was alchemy,” Key explained. “It was just like, ‘Why is this working?’”

However, in the nearly ten years since Key & Peele ended its run in 2015, their paths have diverged. “We don’t see each other that often anymore, which is, to me, a tragedy,” Key revealed. While they’ve reunited for projects like the 2016 action-comedy Keanu and voiced characters together in Toy Story 4 and Wendell & Wild, life has taken them in different directions. Peele has found success in horror, while Key has pursued more dramatic roles.

“His desire was to start exploring the horror genre, and my desire was to do more dramatic work,” Key said. With Peele based in Los Angeles and Key living in New York City, the physical distance also plays a part in their separation.

Despite this evolution, Key acknowledged that the foundation they built with Key & Peele was crucial for both of them: “We needed that first platform.” Although their personal and professional journeys have led them down different paths, their collaborative magic remains a huge part of both their legacies.

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Happy 62nd Birthday To Legendary Producer DJ Marley Marl!

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Screenshot 2024 09 30 at 8.51.30 AM

Born Marlon Williamson this date in 1962 in NYC, the DJ, producer, and record label owner known as Marley Marl is a trailblazer of Hip Hop’s ever-evolving sound, being one of the first to use sampling as a means to gather elements for a song.

Starting with his days as the DJ for WBLS’ Mr. Magic in the early 80s, Marley used that leverage to break new artists and eventually form his own group known as the legendary Juice Crew. Based in his Queensbridge Housing apartment, “Marley’s House” became an epicenter for many Hip Hop legends in the early stages of their career including Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, and the Queensbridge Queen herself, Roxanne Shante. Marley’s production credits go on for eons, however, some of his most memorable work includes  Craig G’s The Kingpin, Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane, Biz Markie’s Goin’ Off, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Road to the Riches, MC Shan’s Down By Law and Born to Be Wild and Roxanne Shante’s only album Bad Sister.

Salute to Marley on his 62nd born day and wish him many more to come!

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SOURCE SPORTS EXCLUSIVE: Former A’s Catcher Says Owners Allowed Closing Of Oakland Coliseum

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Screenshot 2024 09 29 at 11.21.31 PM

As it has been sadly reported, the Oakland Coliseum, the place that the AL West Oakland A’s baseball team have called home since 1968, has closed its doors for good and many fans and baseball critics have made it known that no one is happy about it. Some of the most interesting perspectives have come from Oakland A’s players themselves, both past and present, who feel like the move to Las Vegas was more about money than the game.

The A’s, who they will now be called when they move the show to Sacramento, played their last game in the Oakland Coliseum this past Thursday in a win against the Texas Rangers, but the bittersweet win was overshadowed by the loss of the stadium, with fans taking bases and bottles of dirt from the field as tearful pieces of memorabilia. Oakland, where legendary players such as Reggie Jackson and Rickey Henderson once called home, closed the doors to the Coliseum where the Athletics have played since 1968. The A’s followed the lead of the Raiders, who left Oakland for Las Vegas just three years ago.

Fans turned up at the Coliseum early in the day in full green and gold regalia. Chants of “Let’s go, Oakland” soon roared throughout the stadium, as did some chants of “Sell the team” in a reference to Oakland A’s owner John Fisher. Despite reportedly being instructed to leave the field immediately following the game, players stayed to honor and pay homage their fans.

Some of the players, current and former, were not at all thrilled or surprised by the move from Oakland and former A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell believes that the move to Vegas will literally hurt the morale of a city that is still reeling from sports team losses.

“Removing the A’s from Oakland is ripping the heart out of Oakland!” exclaims the German-born 33-year-old who made his MLB debut in Oakland in 2016. “So much history that belongs to Oakland. Your goal is to win in sports and if that is not your goal, you shouldn’t be allowed to own a team,” Maxwell says referencing Fisher. “Ownership has shown that they are more focused on saving money than winning. It’s sad for the people of Oakland that it’s happening like this.”

The A’s will be moving to Sacramento for three seasons to Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, starting in 2025, with an option for a fourth season, the team announced in April. In the spirit of the Raiders, the plan is to move the A’s organization to Las Vegas by 2028. As for closing the doors to the Coliseum, Maxwell echoed the sentiments of the A’s fans. “It’s bad for Oakland and it’s bad for baseball.

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Kim Porter’s Father Speaks Out Amid Diddy’s Arrest: “The Truth Will Come Out”

Kim Porter Was Reportedly Battling Pneumonia for Weeks, Treated With Saline and Vitamins Before Death

Kim Porter Was Reportedly Battling Pneumonia for Weeks, Treated With Saline and Vitamins Before Death

Jake Porter, the father of the late Kim Porter, has broken his silence following the recent arrest of Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Mail, the 78-year-old shared his thoughts on the swirling rumors surrounding his daughter’s death and her relationship with Diddy.

Speaking from his home in Georgia, Porter addressed the arrest, saying, “The truth will come out. It always does in the end.” Although he declined to comment directly on the charges against Diddy, he acknowledged that he was “aware of them from the news.”

Porter was particularly candid when discussing a video showing Diddy’s alleged abuse of former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, which resurfaced after the mogul’s arrest. “When I saw the video of what he did to Cassie, I was disgusted,” Porter stated. “I don’t really have much to say beyond that.”

Regarding growing calls for the investigation into Kim Porter’s death to be reopened, Jake Porter dismissed the previous investigation as “a load of c**p.” Kim Porter, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 47, was found to have died from lobar pneumonia, and her death was ruled natural.

While Jake Porter did not explicitly call for a new investigation into his daughter’s passing, his comments reflect a lingering distrust in the original findings. For now, he remains resolute, waiting for what he believes to be the inevitable unveiling of the truth.

As rumors continue to swirl around Diddy’s legal troubles and the circumstances surrounding Kim Porter’s death, her father’s words add another layer to the ongoing saga.

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Al B. Sure Sends Cease-and-Desist Over Alleged Kim Porter Diary on Amazon

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Screen Shot 2024 09 29 at 10.17.59 PM

Last week, R&B singer and songwriter Al B. Sure spoke out against the controversial book claiming to be the late Kim Porter’s memoir, slamming it as “calculated fiction” and “fabricated BS.” Now, the “Nite and Day” singer has taken legal action, sending a cease-and-desist letter to both the book’s publisher and Amazon.

According to Page Six, Al B. Sure, born Albert Joseph Brown III, is attempting to block the sale of the self-published book titled Kim’s Lost Words. The book, allegedly written under the pseudonym “Jamal T. Millwood” — which conspiracy theorists have speculated could be an alias for the late rapper Tupac Shakur — was published by Todd Christopher Guzze and quickly became a best-seller on Amazon.

The cease-and-desist, issued by Sure’s attorney Robert J. Hantman, claims the book falsely portrays Brown in a defamatory light, particularly accusing him of engaging in sexual relations with Kim Porter and her ex, Sean “Diddy” Combs. In the letter, Al B. Sure demands that the book’s sale be halted, and that Guzze, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos issue a public apology.

The letter also warns, “Should you fail to comply with these demands within ten days, we will have no alternative but to pursue all legal remedies available, including filing a lawsuit for defamation.” Sure expressed his disgust, calling the allegations “the most disgusting, heinous lie I have ever heard of in my life.”

As Al B. Sure seeks to clear his name, the saga surrounding Kim’s Lost Words continues to draw attention.

Thoughts?

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