In today’s blog post, I share my interview with six-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Yola. The British singer talks about standing for herself, what it means to be musically genre-fluid, and playing the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Lurhmann’s new Elvis biopic. It’s hard to imagine anyone would ever discourage the amazingly talented singer …
Today on the blog, entertainment journalist Allison Kugel shares her interview with singer-songwriter Skip Marley! By Allison Kugel Singer-songwriter Skip Marley, born to the late Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley and David Minto, was thrown into the deep end of the Marley music legacy when, at thirteen, his Uncle Stephen Marley brought him on stage …
By Allison Kugel The first thing I noticed when I sat down with Jewel was her beautifully sculpted cheekbones and trademark smile, but I was instantly redirected toward her glow; a warm and welcoming glow emanating from that same place where, no doubt, her poetic music and lyrics originate. I wanted to learn more. It …
By Allison Kugel Sitting among carved mahogany wood paneled accents and with displayed awards gathered from an unrivaled multi-hyphenate career, Master P began our conversation by allowing me to take the floor. Not surprisingly, he is a master delegator with a brilliant sense of when to shoot the ball and when to pass it. One …
As leader of the legendary multi-platinum selling rap group, The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, or Bobby, as he is known to close friends and colleagues, had a particular way of putting beats to razer-sharp lyrics that made you feel part of a song’s creative process. Fans feel RZA’s music, both from Wu-Tang and his solo and …
When I first met hip hop artist Mahogany Jones, it was July 2017 at a hip hop celebration event in Southwest Detroit. I remember it well because I was super pregnant with Zephaniah (baby #5). She probably doesn’t remember this, but I had passed by her while walking into the Southwest Detroit Welcome Center and …
TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ life is one filled with overcoming insurmountable odds and finding blessings in unexpected places. Watkins was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of seven and spend much of her childhood in and out of hospitals due to episodes with the potentially fatal condition. She was told she wouldn’t make …
Anthony T. White, the choir director of the Detroit Youth Choir, talks America’s Got Talent and inspiring Detroit youth.
On Sunday, Travis and I attended Jazzin’ at the Vanity in the Jefferson-Chambers neighborhood in Detroit. The music event was a free two-day jazz and blues festival that featured live performances from many talented music artists, delicious food from local vendors, a small marketplace, live art, and a kids’ zone for the little ones. Jazzin’ …
For the past three months, I have been exploring new and seasoned music. From genres like hip hop and Neo Soul to indie music and even classic rock, I have kept an open mind in my music discoveries. I’m not sure why exactly I’ve been on this music kick, but it has turned into a …
I’m sitting in my basement on the phone with new, up-and-coming Detroit singer Charles “C3” Laster III. The singer reached out to me via Instagram to share his new song “Games”. After listening to it one time on Spotify, I immediately DM’d C3 to ask if he’d like to do an interview for the blog. …
SPECIAL NOTE: This piece was updated on 4/7/20 to reflect the date change of the new Clark Sisters movie, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, which will premiere on Lifetime on April 11, 2020. If you haven’t heard of break out star Sheléa, then you don’t know what you’re missing! She’s a beautiful person …
By Allison Kugel Melanie Brown aka Mel B has reigned supreme as the spiciest of her bandmates since bursting onto the entertainment scene as Scary Spice in 1996 with the group’s #1 hit Wannabe. With her wild hair, piercings and a raucous personality to match, she instantly began making headlines, and she never stopped. Her …
By Allison Kugel David Guetta has become a music impresario, churning out beat banging, genre-busting pop songs that have been topping the charts for nearly a decade with mega-hits like Titanium featuring Sia; Where Them Girls At featuring Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj; Club Can’t Handle Me featuring Flo Rida; Who’s That Chick featuring Rihanna …
By Allison Kugel In this personal and eye-opening interview with Nick Cannon, the multi-hyphenate and truly self-made multi-millionaire television personality – actor – musician – deejay – media mogul opens up about transcending his childhood circumstances to become one of the most successful forces in all areas of the entertainment industry. As a …
This Wednesday (8/15) I’m taking the teens to see music artists Sebastian Olzanski and Wesley Stromberg perform at The Pike Room at The Crofoot in Pontiac, Michigan. Michala is so excited to go to the concert because she’s a big music lover (hello #BTSArmy). I had the chance to catch up with Sebastian and Wesley to …
By Allison Kugel Gwen Stefani spent her childhood and adolescence in Anaheim, California, a suburban girl living just a stone’s throw from Disneyland. It was her older brother, Eric, who founded No Doubt, the hybrid ska/punk/rock band that would help Stefani make her way into the musical limelight with their 1995 breakout album, …
Hey, guys! Today on the blog, I’m sharing an interview with Los Angeles-based country music singer Jason Hawk Harris. If you’re a big fan of country or folksy music, then I think you will really love Jason’s sound. In our interview, Jason shares which country music legends inspire his music, how he incorporates classic literature …
Do you like to watch Christmas TV specials during the holidays? I think what makes the holidays so much fun is there are so many festive activities and events for you to attend. From attending holiday craft shows to viewing Christmas lights in the city, there is always something to do to celebrate the holidays. …
When I arrived at the Basement Burger Bar in Downtown Detroit, Apropos– Detroit-based singer and songwriter– greeted me with a hug. It was my first time meeting the singer, but it was like we had been longtime friends. He was friendly and eager to share with me his story about his new solo career in …