Entertainment

Producer Par Excellence, Quincy Jones, Dies at 91

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Eric

Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first Black executives to thrive in Hollywood and amassing an extraordinary musical catalog that includes some of the richest moments of American rhythm and song. For years, it was unlikely to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with his name on it, or a leader in the entertainment industry and beyond who did not have some connection to him.

Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders. He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural celebration and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity record for famine relief in Africa.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote “We Are the World” and was among the featured singers, would call Jones “the master orchestrator.”

In a career which began when records were still played on vinyl at 78 rpm, top honors likely go to his productions with Jackson: “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” were albums near-universal in their style and appeal. Jones’ versatility and imagination helped set off the explosive talents of Jackson as he transformed from child star to the “King of Pop.” On such classic tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” Jones and Jackson fashioned a global soundscape out of disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B and jazz and African chants. For “Thriller,” some of the most memorable touches originated with Jones, who recruited Eddie Van Halen for a guitar solo on the genre-fusing “Beat It” and brought in Vincent Price for a ghoulish voiceover on the title track.

“Thriller” sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone and has contended with the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits 1971-1975” among others as the best-selling album of all time.

“If an album doesn’t do well, everyone says ‘it was the producers fault’; so if it does well, it should be your ‘fault,’ too,” Jones said in an interview with the Library of Congress in 2016. “The tracks don’t just all of a sudden appear. The producer has to have the skill, experience and ability to guide the vision to completion.”

The list of his honors and awards fills 18 pages in his 2001 autobiography “Q”, including 27 Grammys at the time (now 28), an honorary Academy Award (now two) and an Emmy for “Roots.” He also received France’s Legion d’Honneur, the Rudolph Valentino Award from the Republic of Italy and a Kennedy Center tribute for his contributions to American culture. He was the subject of a 1990 documentary, “Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones” and a 2018 film by daughter Rashida Jones. His memoir made him a best-selling author.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones would cite the hymns his mother sang around the house as the first music he could remember. But he looked back sadly on his childhood, once telling Oprah Winfrey that “There are two kinds of people: those who have nurturing parents or caretakers, and those who don’t. Nothing’s in between.” Jones’ mother suffered from emotional problems and was eventually institutionalized, a loss that made the world seem “senseless” for Quincy. He spent much of his time in Chicago on the streets, with gangs, stealing and fighting.

“They nailed my hand to a fence with a switchblade, man,” he told the AP in 2018, showing a scar from his childhood.

Music saved him. As a boy, he learned that a Chicago neighbor owned a piano and he soon played it constantly himself. His father moved to Washington state when Quincy was 10 and his world changed at a neighborhood recreation center. Jones and some friends had broken into the kitchen and helped themselves to lemon meringue pie when Jones noticed a small room nearby with a stage. On the stage was a piano.

“I went up there, paused, stared, and then tinkled on it for a moment,” he wrote in his autobiography. “That’s where I began to find peace. I was 11. I knew this was it for me. Forever.”

Source: APnews

Entertainment

CNN’s Busari, Efex Confirmed for Mega Star Man of the Decade Awards

Published

3 days ago

November 18, 2024

Eric

Momentum is gathering ahead of (Megastar Man of the Decade Award (MMOTDA) organised by MegaStar Magazine, a renowned publication brand that celebrates People, Business and Events.

Holding on 1st December, 2024 at the Prestigious Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, an international broadcast journalist and tv host, CNN senior editor for Africa, Stephanie Busari has confirmed availability as the host. Also to feature as co-host is Dr Efex popularly known as Efex De Entertainer.

According to the organisers of the award, the decision to pick the experience host, compere, moderator and award winning journalist who has about 20 years in the industry is to give it the ambience of global outlook especially going by the categories of awardees that will be recognised that day.

The project director of Megastar Man of the Decade Award (MMOTDA) Adeniyi Ifetayo Moses while addressing journalists said Busari is a veteran broadcast journalist who has paid her dues in the industry has worked with some of the globally renowned media organizations, including the BBC.

According to him, proceeds from MMOTDA will be channeled to corporate social responsibility especially underserved communities in Abuja.

He said projects such as borehole, school renovation and furniture for schools within the FCT and other projects that will impact the society.

He said this is a way of improving lives of communities pursuant to the magazine’s corporate social responsibility.

Among those to be honoured include Senator representing Delta North, Sen. Ned Nwoko, founder Ovation magazine and veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, late Hosa Wells Okunbo, President Paul kegami, Nasarawa Governor Engr Sule Abdullahi, Dr Mike Adenuga, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Teni Makanaki, Davido and several other prominent Nigerians who have made immense contributions in the last ten years.

The lead host, Busari wields deep knowledge of Hosting and Moderation of Events and Conferences and Expertly facilitates engaging and impactful events.

Skilled in moderating panels and discussions with high-profile participants, Busari also facilitates Media Training for Senior Executives, Provides comprehensive training to enhance media presence and performance.

Additionally, she stands out as an expert in Personal Branding and Visibility Strategy, Develops customized strategies to boost personal and professional brand visibility, Focuses on leveraging strengths and unique qualities to stand out in competitive markets.

Efex De Entertainer also has years of expertise in event anchoring, moderation and the corporate MC.

He was once chief protocol to former Governor of Edo state adams Oshiomhole, An Harvard Alumni.

There would also be Megastar Man of the decade Posthumous for late Captain Hosa Okunbo for pioneering Private Marine security in Nigeria. Friends of Nigeria award category, designed for foreign nationals whose businesses or services to the Nigerian nation have made life easier and few Diasporans who have been good ambassadors to the country.

There would be a panel discussion with the theme SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA where bright minds will proffer solutions on how to improve the lives of our people and develop the nation.

Entertainment

Rocky Dawuni Rises to the Occasion with New Single

Published

1 month ago

October 19, 2024

Eric

By Samantha Ofole-Prince

He is the first Ghanaian artist to have ever been nominated for a Grammy award and is back with a new single just in time to be nominated for music industry’s biggest night.

Titled “Rise,” the single blends Afrobeat and highlife with Hip-Hop and is the first official release from his forthcoming album which will be distributed by Aquarian Records through Tuff Gong International, the label founded by Bob Marley and Rita Marley.

“Imagine what we could do if we organize? Imagine what we could do if we unify?” Dawuni sings with conviction in the video directed by Emmanuel and Samuel Appiah Gyan.

“Rise,” Dawuni says, “Is an anthem for overcoming adversity and celebrating life’s victories.”

A trailblazing performer who has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Ozomatli, Peter Gabriel and Angelique Kidjo, Dawuni was named one of Africa’s Top 10 global stars by CNN.

Entertainment

Glo-Sponsored African Voices Features Celebrated Singer, Rema

Published

1 month ago

October 12, 2024

Eric

Nigeria’s Afrobeat music star and multiple award-winner, Rema, will be featured this week on African Voices Changemakers, CNN International’s magazine programme, sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.

Born Divine Ikubor, the 24-year-old artiste from Edo State, discovered his passion for music as a church chorister and a rapper who entertained his peers in his secondary school, Ighile Group of Schools in Edo State.

Rema came into limelight after posting a viral freestyle on Instagram to D’Prince’s song “Gucci Gang”. Wowed by his rare talent, D’Prince flew him to Lagos and offered him a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records owned by music executive and producer Don Jazzy. His 2019 hit “Dumebi” was the first fruit of the contract.

His international breakthrough happened in 2022 with his single “Calm Down”, which led to a remix with American singer Selena Gomez. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and first on Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.

His talents have earned him several awards including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats Video and the Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Songs.

He was recognised for achieving 1 billion streams worldwide during his London concert on November 7, 2022 and he also performed at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Theatre du Châtelet in Paris, France on October 30, 2023.

The edition will be broadcast on Saturday at 8.30 a.m., with repeats at noon the same day. More repeats come up on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m.