Goldenvoice recently revealed the lineup for it’s forthcoming Lovers & Friends Festival, scheduled to take place in Carson, CA on May 9 at Dignity Sports Park, and it’s an impressive one. Ms. Lauryn Hill, Ludacris, TLC, Lil Jon and Usher will take the stage in what promises to be an event to remember. Saweetie, Megan Thee Stallion and Summer Walker will also appear. Tickets will be available tomorrow, with the general public having an opportunity to purchase tickets on Friday at 10 a.m. PT. General admission tickets to the May 9 event start at $145 with VIP tickets available for $250 and Super VIP going for $450 plus fees. Payment options are being offered starting at just $19.99 down.

This song is the property of eOne Music.

Ryan Daniel Montgomery, known professionally as Royce Da 5’9, is an American rapper/songwriter. Montgomery started rapping at age 18, having been influenced by Ras Kass, Redman, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Esham, Detroit’s Most Wanted and N.W.A. He was introduced to Eminem by manager Kino Childrey on December 9, 1997. The two formed a working relationship and teamed up as a duo, Bad Meets Evil, releasing several tracks together. He later joined the Detroit based rap ensemble D12, parting ways with the group a short time later.  As a solo artist, Montgomery has released the albums “Rock City” (2002), “Death Is Certain” (2004), “Independent’s Day” (2006), “Street Hop” (2009), “Success Is Certain” (2011), “Layers” (2016) and “Book Of Ryan” (2018).

This song is the property of DistroKid

Meagan McNeal is a rising R&B singer based in Chicago, IL. She rose to fame as a contestant on the NBC reality television series “The Voice.” She was also featured on musician Brandon Williams’ album “XXI.” Her latest single, “Roses”, offers a different love message. It’s more like a call to action. McNeal urges listeners to not wait to give loved ones their roses and to also love themselves like never before. Fans can expect more from McNeal in the future. She’s definitely one to watch.

Happy Birthday

Singer/songwriter/producer William “Smokey” Robinson 80

Singer Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel 57

Rapper Mark “Prince Markie Dee” Morales (The Fat Boys) 52

Remembering singer Robert “Bobby” Rogers (February 19, 1940-March 3, 2013-The Miracles)

Singer/songwriter/musician Steve Ray Ladson is an artist on the rise. His roots are firmly rooted in gospel music, having performed in his father’s church and with other family  members in a group that opened for such acts as The Canton Spirituals and The Mighty Clouds Of Joy. Ladson loves any genre that allows him to flex his vocal and instrumental skills. When not touring, Ladson spends time in the studio. His 2016 single, “Keep Pushing”, consisted of blazing contemporary blues, similar to his work with Robert Randolph and The Family Band. Ladson’s affinity for classic R&B also resonated with his cover of the William DeVaughn hit ‘Be Thankful For What You Got.” For his latest single, “Do You Know”, Ladson delves into an old school R&B/pop tale of a warm feeling inside discovering a forever love. Ladson utilizes his falsetto along with female background vocals on the hooks. The instrumentation provided by his backing group, The Ray Band, provides a warm setting that never overpowers this sweet, soul soundtrack. And the accompanying music video accentuates the song perfectly. Check out “Do You Know.”

Congratulations to rapper Post Malone are in order. For the 10th week in a row, his latest single, “Circles”, sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Songs radio play chart, marking a milestone in the rankings history. The song is the first by a male solo artist and no accompanying acts to have logged as many as 10 weeks at No. 1 on Pop Songs, dating to the chart’s inception in 1992. It passes Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” and Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose”, both of whom spend 9 weeks at No. 1. Overall, six songs have spent more than 10 weeks at No. 1, including Nelly’s “Over And Over”, featuring Tim McGraw, which spent 11 weeks at No. 1.

Happy Birthday

Singer Veronica “Randy” Crawford 68

Singer/guitarist Carl McIntosh (Loose Ends)

Rapper/producer/entrepreneur Andre “Dr. Dre” Young 55

Singer Herman Santiago (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers) 79

Remembering singer Bobby Taylor (February 18, 1936-July 22, 2017-Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers)

This song is the property of Epic Records.

Mario Sentell Giden Mims, known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper from Memphis, TN. Mims began his career at age 14, rapping under the moniker Lil Yo, affiliated with DJ Sound and his crew. Between 2000 and 2006, Mims released several independent albums, including “From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game” (2000), “Self Explanatory” (2001), “Life” (2003) and “Black 2 Da Basics” (2006). After several delays, Mims released his full length debut album “Live From The Kitchen” on January 10, 2012. Mims has also released the albums “I am” (2013), “The Art Of Hustle” (2016), “I Still Am” (2017) and “Untrapped” (2020).

This song is the property of Force MDs Music.

Force MDs are an American R&B vocal group from Staten Island, New York. Formed in 1981, the group was initially called the LDs, then became the Force MCs before finally settling on Force MDs, which stood for Musical Diversity.  Although they weren’t as recognizable as other New York R&B acts when they started, they were among the first R&B vocal groups to intermix doo-wop-affected singing with and sometimes over hip hop beats. The band’s original lineup consisted of brothers Steven “Stevie D” Lundy, Antoine “TCD” Lundy and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy along with their uncle Jessie Lee Daniels. A short time later, friends Trisco Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson joined the group. The group scored several R&B hits throughout the 1980s, including “Tears”, “Tender Love”, “Here I Go Again” and “Love Is A House.” Charles “Mercury” Nelson died of a heart attack in 1995. Trisco Pearson died on September 16, 2016, after a bout with Stage 4 cancer. Today, Force MDs consist of Zieme Capers, Steven “Stevie D” Lundy and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy. They have released the albums “Love Letters” (1984), “Chillin” (1985), “Touch And Go” (1987), “Step To Me” (1990), “Moments In Time” (1994) and “The Reunion” (2000).

My introduction to Black History Month began with viewing the PBS documentary “Eyes On The Prize” as a child. It was there that I learned about the trauma blacks suffered during Jim Crow and the enormous sacrifices made during the Civil Rights Movement. The back stories of Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, Stokley Carmichael, Rosa Parks, The Black Panther Party and others made it clear who paved the way for future generations, and how much more work needs to be done in terms of race relations in America.  No life was lived in vain. No work was done in vain. I stand proudly on their shoulders, and I will do my part to strengthen and empower my community. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of songs that in my view, perfectly capture the joy, pain, fears, hopes, dreams and aspirations of the black community. They lift the spirit and sooth the soul

1. To Be Young, Gifted And Black Donny Hathaway
2. Someday We’ll All Be Free Donny Hathaway
3. What’s Goin On Marvin Gaye
4. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised The Last Poets
5. Keep On Pushing Curtis Mayfield
6. Choice Of Colors Curtis Mayfield
7. Black Seed Keep On Growing The Main Ingredient
8. Winter In America Gil Scott Heron
9. (For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People The Chi-Lites
10. Inner City Blues Marvin Gaye