The Isley Brothers

Rudolph Isley, Founding Member of The Isley Brothers, Dead at 84

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Rudolph Isley, Founding Member of The Isley Brothers, Dead at 84

Rudolph Isley, one of the Isley Brothers’ founding members, died at the age of 84.

According to TMZ, Rudolph Isley died in the state of Illinois and is believed to have suffered from a heart attack.

Rudolph Isley and his brothers O’Kelly, Ronald, and Vernon established The Isley Brothers at the beginning of the 1950s. Initially, the group, which had its roots in gospel music, subsequently switched to the rhythm and blues style and enjoyed significant financial success and critical acclaim. Rudolph’s combined contributions to the group—as a vocalist and a percussionist—significantly influenced the distinctive musical identity of The Isley Brothers.

The Isley Brothers released several number-one singles throughout their career, including timeless standards like “Twist and Shout,” “Shout,” “It’s Your Thing,” and “Between the Sheets.” The distinctive musical style of the group was greatly influenced by Rudolph’s melodic voice and musical talent.

The impact of Rudolph Isley’s efforts on the music business is immeasurable. As a crucial part of one of the most recognizable acts in the genre, he continues to be honored and recognized for his significant contribution to influencing the sound of soul and R&B music.

The post Rudolph Isley, Founding Member of The Isley Brothers, Dead at 84 first appeared on The Source.

The post Rudolph Isley, Founding Member of The Isley Brothers, Dead at 84 appeared first on The Source.

Rudolph Isley, A Founding Member Of The Isley Brothers, Is Reportedly Dead At 84

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Rudolph Isley brothers 1969
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Rudolph Isley, a founding member of The Isley Brothers, is dead at 84 years old, TMZ reports. The publication says he passed away in Illinois on Wednesday, October 11. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Isley was born on April 1, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alongside brothers O’Kelly “Kelly” Isley Jr. and Ronald Isley, he co-founded the musical trio The Isley Brothers in the late-1950s, with the group later expanding to include additional Isleys. The group reached its commercial peak in the ’70s and had its first No. 1 album with 1975’s The Heat Is On. The band is known for songs like “Twist And Shout” (which was famously later covered by The Beatles), “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You),” and “It’s Your Thing.”

Isley left the group in 1989 to become a Christian minister. In 1992, The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

Rudolph was in the news earlier this year when it was reported he had sued his brother Ronald over a trademark issue. Rudolph claimed Ronald improperly registered the “The Isley Brothers” trademark as a sole individual, which legally excluded Rudolph from equal ownership over the asset. Rudolph claimed he was “unaware of the degree to which Ronald exploited the Mark, the licenses and/or other transactions that Ronald entered into.”

Photo Recap: Usher, Lauryn Hill, Fugees, Lil Uzi Vert & More Perform at Roots Picnic 2023

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This past weekend witnessed an extraordinary event as The Roots took the stage as hosts and co-headliners for the grandest edition of the Roots Picnic to date. Held at The Mann in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA, it was a magnificent tribute to culture, art, music, and the renowned city of brotherly love.

Kicking off the festivities on Friday, June 2, the excitement soared as Dave Chappelle made his much-anticipated debut alongside The Roots for a truly unforgettable evening of stand-up comedy and musical brilliance at the Wells Fargo Center. As the show commenced, the audience was thrilled by an unexpected bonus set from the renowned comedian Jon Stewart. The irresistible combination of these two iconic figures, representing the pinnacle of comedy and hip-hop, left the crowd in Philadelphia absolutely captivated and craving for more. The stage was set for an unforgettable “Roots Picnic” weekend, culminating in a mesmerizing lineup of co-headliners—Usher, The Roots, and the incomparable Ms. Lauryn Hill. This triumphant trio delivered awe-inspiring performances that left the audience in awe, solidifying the event as a true highlight of the music scene.

Throughout the weekend, the electrifying atmosphere continued to soar as Lil Uzi Vert, a beloved hometown hero, took the stage and pumped up the audience with his dynamic performance. Adding to the excitement, Eve returned triumphantly during Black Thought’s Live Mixtape set, joining forces with Busta Rhymes, as their voices seamlessly blended with the legendary rappers. DJ Drama elevated the energy even further by bringing out Fat Joe, who delivered an unforgettable performance of his greatest hits.

Featuring an impressive lineup of leading hip-hop, R&B, and soul artists, the Roots Picnic showcased an array of phenomenal talents. Ari Lennox, GLoRilla, Lucky Daye, Syd, and many others graced the stage, delivering electrifying and showstopping sets that left the audience in awe. The event was a testament to the incredible diversity and artistry within the music world, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

You can see images from the weekend below.

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The post Photo Recap: Usher, Lauryn Hill, Fugees, Lil Uzi Vert & More Perform at Roots Picnic 2023 appeared first on The Source.

Sibling Rivalry Brewing Between The Isley Brothers Over Trademark Registration

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Rudolph Isley, one of the members of the legendary Isley Brothers, is suing his brother Ronald for filing a trademark registration for the Isley Brothers solely under his name. 

Rudolph claims that even though the name “The Isley Brothers” is  owned by both of them, Ronald alone filed for a federal trademark of the name in 2021. The United States Patent and Trademark Office approved Ronald Isley’s registration for sole ownership of the Isley Brothers brand in August.

Rudolph is claiming that despite the name “The Isley Brothers” being jointly owned by both, Ronald filed for a federal trademark of the name in 2021 by himself. In their claim, Rudolph’s legal team states “The Isley Brothers” trademark is “jointly owned” by both him and Ronald “equally”. Furthermore, they are asking the judge to require Ronald to pay him his “share of all proceeds” earned from it.

It appears that a separate fight for money has also begun. “Upon information and belief, [Ronald Isley] has within the past year offered goods and services in commerce to the public under the [trademark] within this judicial district and in other locations, without the authorization or approval of [Rudolph Isley], and has failed to account to or make payment to [Rudolph Isley] in connection with such exploitation of the [trademark],” the court filing reads.

Rudolph stopped working with the group in 1986. Based off of this information, Ronald’s team argues that “the owner of a trademark is the person … who is actually and actively using the mark in commerce during or near the time of registration,” They further claim that Rudolph Isley no longer qualifies for partial ownership of the band name.

“Rudolph is unaware of the degree to which Ronald exploited the Mark, the licenses and/or other transactions that Ronald entered into for the use of the Mark, or the revenue Ronald garnered through such exploitation,” the suit stated. As a result, Rudolph is asking that his brother “account for and pay over” his “rightful 50 percent share of all results and proceeds of the past exploitation of the Mark.

The Isley Brothers received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame last June.

The post Sibling Rivalry Brewing Between The Isley Brothers Over Trademark Registration appeared first on The Source.

N.O.R.E Slammed For Seemingly Baiting The Isley Brothers Into Shading Beyoncé

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N.O.R.E. recently had the Isley Brothers on Drink Champs, though some fans feel as though they didn’t get the respect they deserve. Even if it’s sometimes salacious and controversial, N.O.R.E dives into the topics that are on everyone’s mind, which undoubtedly helped Drink Champs become one of the leading podcasts in hip-hop. However, The Isley Brothers are legends who many feel should be treated as such. So when N.O.R.E. brought up Stephanie Mills’ comments about Beyoncé, some felt as though he was trying to set up the Isley Brothers for a viral moment.

The comments N.O.R.E referred to during the Isley Brothers interview stemmed from Mills’ interview with DJ Vlad. Stephanie Mills explained during an interview that Diana Ross and Beyoncé in comparable. Mills said that they share the common aspect of “glamor” but she considered Ross R&B and pop while Beyoncé, who previously sang “Happy Birthday” to Diana, leans towards “hip-hop.” “I consider Beyonce Hip-Hop. And I consider Diana, R&B and Pop, and just … I consider her royalty. I’ve always wanted to be like Diana,” she explained. Though N.O.R.E admitted that he understood what Mills’ said, he explained to the Isley Brothers that Beyoncé’s loyal following began to leap at Stephanie Mills.

The Isley Brothers Remain Mum

Unfortunately, N.O.R.E summoned the BeyHive with his comments. As the Drink Champs host explained to the Isley Brothers that “you can not say nothing about the B,” he described the BeyHive as a “mafia” who are ready to pounce on anyone in defense of Bey. However, throughout N.O.R.E’s speech, the Isley Brothers remained tight-lipped and quietly nodded along. Eventually, N.O.R.E. said they’re lucky that they didn’t come up in a social media era where negativity thrives.

Prior to discussing Stephanie Mills’ comments, The Isley Brothers discussed their relationship with Beyoncé’s family. Ronald Isley told the Drink Champs host that Tina Knowles cried when they reached out to record the remake of “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” from their latest album. “I mean, she’s so talented. I think the people know that. But she works so hard, man. We’re just blown away with the record,” Isley explained. “Her mother cried about it. Her favorite song is ‘For the Love of You.’” Though the Isley Brothers didn’t identify as being part of the BeyHive, there’s evidently a deep mutual appreciation between Beyoncé and the iconic soul group. Check out the comments above. 

Twitter Slams N.O.R.E.

The Isley Brothers Announce New Album ‘Make Me Say It Again, Girl’ for Sept. 30

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Following the “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” remake with Beyoncé, The Isley Brothers have announced a new album of the same name. According to The Isley’s Instagram page, the album will release on Sept. 30.

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The original single was from the 1975 album The Heat Is On. The remake was released days after Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance.

The new Isley Brothers album will feature “Friends and Family,” which features Snoop Dogg.

You can hear both singles below.

The post The Isley Brothers Announce New Album ‘Make Me Say It Again, Girl’ for Sept. 30 appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Legendary Actor Kevin Bacon Performs Beyoncé’s ‘Heated’ With a Guitar on His Farm

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Legendary Actor Kevin Bacon Performs Beyoncé's 'Heated' With a Guitar on His Farm

Beyoncé’s new album has everyone swooning, including Kevin Bacon. While sitting on his farm with his goats, Bacon pulls out his guitar and performs an acoustic version of “Heated” from the Renaissance album.

“Hot day, hot song. The goats and I are feeling Heated, @Beyonce. Loving this track. #GoatSongs #Renaissance,” Kevin Bacon wrote online.

You can enjoy the video below.

If you need more Beyoncé, she has teamed with R&B legend Ronald Isley and The Isley Brothers for “Make Me Say It Again, Girl.” The single is a remake of the Isley Brothers classic from 1975’s The Heat Is On album.

You can hear a preview of the single below and stream it in full on your streaming service of choice.

The post [WATCH] Legendary Actor Kevin Bacon Performs Beyoncé’s ‘Heated’ With a Guitar on His Farm appeared first on The Source.

Beyoncé Joins Ronald Isley On ‘Make Me Say It Again, Girl,’ A Modern Rework Of An Isley Brothers Classic

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Beyoncé’s Renaissance came after a long break between projects, as it was her first solo album since 2016’s Lemonade (although she did drop The Lion King: The Gift in 2019 and her and Jay-Z’s Everything Is Love the year before). Now that she’s back in the swing of things, though, the music isn’t stopping. Along with Renaissance, Beyoncé shared a surprise “Break My Soul” remix EP followed by a standalone “Queens Remix” version of the song with Madonna.

Today, she returns with even more new material: Beyoncé joined Ronald Isley for a new duet rendition of “Make Me Say It Again Girl, Pts. 1 & 2,” originally from the 1975 Isley Brothers album The Heat Is On. The new version is titled “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” and will appear on a new Isley Brothers album that’s set to drop later this year.

On the Renaissance front, the era has been going swimmingly for Beyoncé. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, while “Break My Soul” rose to the top of the Hot 100 following the album’s release. It hasn’t been stumble-free, though, as she’s changed the album due to issues with samples and lyrics.

Listen to “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” above.

Beyoncé Teams with Ronald Isley for “Make Me Say It Again, Girl” Remake

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Beyoncé Teams with Ronald Isley for "Make Me Say It Again, Girl" Remake

Just days after teaming with Madonna for a “Break My Soul” remix, Beyoncé has teamed with R&B legend Ronald Isley and The Isley Brothers for “Make Me Say It Again, Girl.” The single is a remake of the Isley Brothers classic from 1975’s The Heat Is On album.

You can hear a preview of the single below, and be sure to tune into iHeartRadio for the full single.

This Beyoncé run may be her best yet. With Renaissance already sitting on top of the Billboard 200, Beyoncé now has taken control of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Break My Soul.” Pulling off a trifecta, Beyoncé also holds the top spot on the Artist 100 chart.

Beyoncé’s reign at the top of the Artist 100 is a first since the start of the chart in 2014. The Renaissance album is the seventh No. 1 for Beyoncé and bowed with 332,000 equivalent album units.

“Break My Soul” jumps from No. 6 to No. 1, giving Beyoncé her eighth No. 1 single. All 16 tracks of the Renaissance album are placed in the Hot 100.

Beyoncé is the fifth woman to lead the Artist 100, Hot 100, and Billboard 200 charts at the same time. The other four are Taylor Swift, Adele, Ariana Grande, and Camilla Cabello.

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