Filed under: Music, News, Celeb Updates
For those of us who thought Aretha Franklin's big reveal would happen at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony tonight, we must think again.Though the undisputed Queen of Soul will be showered with a vocal Valentine's tribute by the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Christina Aguilera, she will not be present at the Staples Center festivities this year. Instead he taped a video to thank the Recording Academy for their honor.
Franklin, however, showed up to the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit to catch a game of basketball with her longtime friend Rev. Jesse Jackson on Friday night.
"I'm feeling really great," Franklin, who is recovering from an undisclosed ailment - which was rumored to be pancreatic cancer, told reporters. "Loving the game, loving the game."
That match-up was between the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons, and it is the 'Freeway of Love' singer's first public appearance since undergoing surgery Dec. 2.
According to the Associated Press, during a break in play in the first quarter, the big screen above the court showed the 'Freeway of Love' diva while a couple of her songs played over the P.A. system. Franklin, who lost 100 pounds over the past few months, waved as the crowd cheered.
With her 69th birthday coming up next month, the 18-time Grammy Award winner turn is already looking forward to getting back on the road to do more concert dates.
"Probably starting at Radio City, reschedule what I had to cancel," she said when asked during halftime about tour dates.
Black Music Notes Jan. 19
1/24/10: Kanye West
In the midst of promoting his forthcoming album, 'Watch the Throne' alongside Jay-Z, Kanye West has also announced details about his next solo effort. The 33-year-old superstar took to his Twitter page to reveal his big music plans for the next coming months. "I'll be back this summer," he wrote. "Watch the Throne coming in 2 months! My new album coming this summer." In addition, West is also set to close this year's annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 17.
1/19/10: Diddy / Janelle Monae
In celebration of this year's annual Grammy Awards Essence magazine and Sean "Diddy" Combs are teaming up to recognize Grammy nominee Janelle Monae at the 2nd annual Essence Black Women in Music. The exclusive, invite-only, event is scheduled to take place during Grammy week and is hosted by Essence.com Managing Editor Emil Wilbekin, Joy Bryant and Taraji P. Henson. "Janelle Monae is a remarkable creative force and a passionately talented young performer, who perfectly personifies ESSENCE as the 'voice and soul' of Black women," said Wilbekin. "As fans around the world continue to embrace Janelle's artistic vision, we are recognizing her tremendous influence among her peers with a salute to her contributions at the 2nd annual ESSENCE Black Women in Music event."
1/19/10: Snoop Dogg
Last month international hip hop star Snoop Dogg released his latest single, 'Wet' in honor of Prince William's engagement announcement. And this week the self-proclaimed "Doggfather" officially announced the release date of his 11th studio album, 'Doggumentary,' will hit stores on Mar. 29. In support of the forthcoming opus, Snoop will be hitting the road for the 'Get Wet' tour. The 'Get Wet' tour begins January 18 in San Francisco and concludes Feb. 25 in West Virginia.
1/12/10: Boosty Collins
Iconic Funk bassist Boosty Collins is set to release his first new studio project in five years, 'The Funk Capital of the World' on April 26. On Collins' latest effort he chose to tap into an all-star lineup of collaborators including former Parliament Funkadelic member George Clinton, rappers Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Ice Cube among others. "There are real messages on this album that I wanted to share," explains Collins, "whose soul-deep rhythms and layered melodies are punctuated by lyrics that range from meditations on the nature of truth and spiritual transcendence, to blissed-out joy."
1/12/10: Corinne Bailey Rae
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Corinne Bailey Rae is paying homage to some of her favorite musicians with the release of 'The Love EP.' The Grammy nominee's five track opus finds Bailey Rae covering Prince's 'I Wanna Be Your Lover,' Bob Marley's 'Is This Love,' Paul McCartney's 'My Love,' Sly & The Family Stone's 'Que Sera, Sera,' and Belly's 'Low Red Moon.' Corinne Bailey Rae's 'The Love EP' hits stores Jan. 25.
1/10/10: Janet Jackson
As previously reported by Black Music Notes, Janet Jackson is set to kick off her intimate 35-city 'Janet Jackson Number Ones, Up Close and Personal' international tour in Singapore on Feb. 7. In addition to Jackson's global trek, the platinum-selling singer will begin the North America leg on Mar. 7 in Chicago. During each show one lucky fan will have the chance to accompany Janet as one of her VIP guests. "I'm asking my fans and their friends, Parents, relatives, neighbors and teachers to nominate five people to qualify as one of the 20 under 20 in each place I will perform," she said in a statement. "At each concert the 20 people chosen and the person who nominated them will be VIP guests at my show. " Janet Jackson's North American tour concludes on April 23 in Las Vegas.
1/10/10: Rihanna
International Pop star Rihanna recently made history in the UK by becoming the first female artist to score five #1 singles in consecutive years. Her current single 'What's My Name' landed at the number one spot on the Singles Chart last week surpassing Elvis Presley, who previously held the record for his span of #1 hits from 1957 to 1963.
1/7/10: Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has overcome all critics and disbelievers of her debut opus, 'Pink Friday.' The critically acclaimed album has reached platinum status within six weeks of its release, outpacing Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' which was also released on Nov. 22. To date, 'Pink Friday' remains the #2 Rap Album and the #4 Album in the country on Billboard's 200 charts.
1/7/10: Cee Lo Green, Sade, Michael Jackson
In preparation of the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, set to take place on Feb. 13, comes the release of the 2011 Grammy Nominees album. The Jan. 25 release highlights 19 songs from various artists who are up for nominations this year including Cee Lo Green ('Forget You'), B.o.B ('Nothin On You'), Sade ('Babyfather'), and Michael Jackson ('This Is It') among others. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the MusiCares Foundation and the Grammy Foundation.
12/29/10: Janet Jackson
Good news for Janet Jackson fans of Southeast Asia. The multi-talented Pop singer will kick off her 35-city tour in Singapore on Feb. 7. Jackson will perform tracks from her 2009 greatest hits album, 'Number Ones' and plans on dedicating a song during each tour stop, which she promises will be "more intimate and more personal" than ever before. "It's not about effects, it's not an extravaganza, it's not about being as big as in the past," she said. "This one is all about you and me. I love you Singapore. Let's go!" Tickets for Janet Jackson Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour go on sale Jan. 7.