Black Music Notes Nov. 16

• 11/12/09: Darius Rucker
  Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker has solidified himself – again – as a force to be reckoned with in country music. At the 2009 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, the Charleston native picked up the award for Best New Artist – making him the first black person to ever win the honor. In 1971 and 1972, country music pioneer Charley Pride made history by taking home awards for 'Entertainer of the Year' and 'Male Vocalist of the Year,' respectively. No other African American has won in those categories since. Rucker made headlines last year when his country music opus, 'Learn to Live' debuted at the top of the country music charts. The critically acclaimed project has now sold over 1 million copies.
  
  
  
  

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• 11/12/09: K-Os
  With Canadian acts such as Melanie Fiona and Drake currently making their mark today's music scene, another Toronto native is also readying his return. Multi-instrumentalist/rapper K-Os is set to digitally release his third studio album, titled 'Yes!', on Nov. 23. The project features K-Os' current single '4,3,2,1' in addition to 'Burning Bridges,' 'I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman,' and 'Uptown Girl.' Following in the veins of artists in the past and more recently 50 Cent, the platinum selling artist plans on releasing the actual physical album later -- it's set to arrive in stores Feb. 23.
  
  
  
  

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• 11/9/09: Whitney Houston
  Whitney Houston is heading to Russia. The best-selling vocalist will headline two concerts that will launch a tour of Europe and Asia, the Russian Entertainment Academy announced last week. On Dec. 9, the Grammy Award winning diva will play the Olympisky Stadium in Moscow, and will had to the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg on Dec. 12. The concerts will be Houston's first since the Aug. 31 release of her new studio album, 'I Look to You.' According to her rep, the Europe-Asia dates represent the first tour for Houston in 11 years. Following the dates in Moscow, Houston has five nights of performances in Japan, followed by five dates in the U.K. beginning April 8 and eight cities in Germany.
  
  
  
  

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• 11/9/09: Aretha Franklin/Stevie Wonder
  The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin will join Motown Records legends Stevie Wonder and The Temptations in celebrating the historic record label's 50th anniversary in the city where it all began – Detroit. On Nov. 21, the black tie gala – titled 'Live It Again!' – will take place at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center. Actor/Comedian Sinbad will host the festivities, which will also include memorial tributes to Michael Jackson, the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs and producer/songwriter Norman Whitefield. The events will benefit the Motown Historical Museum, which is located in the company's original Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters in Detroit's midtown section.
  
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Janet Jackson
  Janet Jackson will sit down with Robin Roberts for an exclusive television interview to air as an ABC News special. The intensely private pop star, who was known to be extremely close with her brother, Michael Jackson, will allow cameras into her Malibu home for the first time ever. The show is titled "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Janet Jackson" and will air Nov. 18 at 10:00 p.m. on ABC.
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Kanye West
  While it seems Kanye West may have drifted off into a self-imposed exile, the rapper's close friends are reporting he is staying proactive. "Kanye's taking a bit of time away from the limelight. But he keeps telling me all these ideas he has for songs and fashion bits," DJ A-Trak told British newspaper the Daily Star. As for what type of sound the fans can expect on West's forthcoming effort, his protégé Mr. Hudson explained it will be a "old-school" hip hop record. "He might make an old-school record on a tape deck, like the Beastie Boys used to do," Hudson told the paper. "Just a drum machine, ghetto blaster and a microphone."
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Thelonious Monk
  HBO2 will debut the compelling story of British socialite Pannonica Rothschild and pianist-composer Thelonious Monk in 'The Jazz Baroness.' The documentary weaves together archival footage and interviews with family members, friends, jazz historians and luminaries, among them Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones, The Duchess of Devonshire and Clint Eastwood. In addition to footage of the groundbreaking Thelonious Monk Quartet playing such classics as 'Straight, No Chaser,' 'The Bolivar Blues' and 'Nutty,' 'The Jazz Baroness' chronicles this unlikely, controversial and interracial relationship between the two. It premieres Nov. 29 at 8 exclusively on HBO2.
  
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Pastor Shirley Caesar
  On Nov. 24, gospel music legend Pastor Shirley Caesar will release her newest album, titled 'A City Called Heaven,' on Shu-Bel/Light Records. For the new project, the 'No Charge' singer's "take-you-straight-to-church" signature style of music is infused with new sounds for all generations. According to her rep, gospel music dynamo J. Moss collaborated on the first single, titled 'Nobody.' Other stand out tracks includes the party jam 'Celebration,' the tried and true 'Been So Good' and the David Frazier-penned mid-tempo 'Favor.'
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Jay-Z
  From his World Series performance to Beanie Sigel attacking his character in the media. Jay-Z has managed to keep his cool and move 'On to the Next One' with the announcement of his 2010 North American Tour. Hov will begin the second leg of his Live Nation-produced tour alongside Young Jeezy on Feb. 22 in Houston and it will wrap up Mar. 26 in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale beginning Nov. 13 at LiveNation.com.
  
  
  
  

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• 11/6/09: Mia X
  After a ten year hiatus, female MC Mia X is ready to make a return to the rap game this Feb. with her new effort, 'Betty Rocka Locksmith.' The former No Limit Records rapstress made a brief return to the music scene in 2006 and 2008 by appearing on mixtapes with her track, 'Verbal Assault.' In addition to a few songs on C-Murder's 'Screamin' 4 Vengeance,' 'Betty Rocka Locksmith' features the singles '1 Life 1 Love,' and 'Get Da Paper.'