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Chicago Fabulous Blog

Chicago Fabulous Blog is Celebrity News and Gossip updated daily with exclusive pictures, video and audio of your favorite stars.

Monthly Archives: April 2011

Veteran Music Exec Sylvia Rhone Exiting Universal Motown

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*The one thing you can always count on in any business is change. Well, in the music/record business, change is guaranteed.

And in the latest change to go at the Universal Music Group means veteran executive Sylvia Rhone, president of Universal Motown, is making her exit. The news is courtesy of Johnnie L. Roberts at the wrap.com:

Under one scenario, according to two persons familiar with the situation, Rhone — perhaps the industry highest-ranking female and African-American executive — would be head a new production entity fully or partly financed by Universal.

“It’s just too early” to know the outcome of the talks, a confidante of Rhone told The Wrap.

Rhone — whose list of new and hit artists ranges from hip hop’s Busta Rhyme to Motown legend Stevie Wonder to R&B star Brandy and Erykah Badu — wasn’t immediately available for comment. Nor could a spokesman for Universal Music be reached.

In an industry where African-American talent has long been at the core, Rhone’s departure from Univeral Motown would leave the executive suite of major labels devoid of an African American presence at the industry top rungs.

Read/learn MORE at the wrap.

Uncle Luke Says He Took In More than $250 at Recent Fundraiser

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*Earlier this week it was reported that entertainer Luther Campbell, now a candidate for mayor of Miami-Dade County, participated in a fundraiser and only brought in only $250.

Well Uncle Luke wants you to know that information was wrong. He took in more. How much more? In the statement below sent to EURweb, he breaks it all down for you.

Recent reports online and on the radio claim that I raised “only” $250 during a fundraiser in support of my current bid for Mayor of Miami-Dade County. These reports are wrong, but not by a lot. My campaign is not rolling in dough. There are no lobbyists or special interest groups supporting me. My campaign runs on donations from everyday people of $5 dollars at a time. I never expected to raise $50,000 at a fundraiser. I raised close to two thousand dollars at the fundraiser in question, which can be checked with the Dade County Elections Bureau, but let’s say I “only” raised $250 on that day. That means fifty every day citizens believed enough in me to give me five dollars a piece, and I am okay with that. That makes me proud.

This is not the first time naysayers have shed negative light on the good I have done for the public. When I fought for freedom of speech, I made history. There were many who sat by the sidelines with their arms crossed, but guess what? I won that fight all the way up to the Supreme Court.

I remain a believer in the people and a believer in our rights, and that is why I am running for the mayor. This is my town. I grew up here. My family and friends are here, and I am truly working for the community. My winning will be because of the support I get from them. I’m with that type of history making. This is not a race about who is raising the most money; it is a race about helping and reaching those that live in Miami-Dade.

I am going door-to-door talking to individuals, gaining their respect all while I am growing in the polls. Recent polls in Miami are showing me in second place tying with Gimenez. 62% of the folks in Miami are still undecided and I do plan to win those votes. So you tell me what matters: the people or the money? When we win, I guess we will be called rocket scientists because we did it our way. I am the kind of politician that works for the people and not the man.

TyDolla$ Releases ‘All Star’ – Remixed for NBA and MLB teams

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*Just in time for the down stretch of the NBA playoffs, TyDolla$ (TD$) has released his debut solo single “All Star,” produced with West Coast bumpin’ bass and head-nodding rhythms featuring Swedish House Mafia and Joe Moses.

“All Star” was quickly picked-up by Los Angeles hip-hop radio station Power 106 FM and has received regular spins at more than 50 stations within its first month.

Sports fans at L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs basketball games enjoyed an early release of the energetic hit. In fact, TD$ has just completed team-tailored remixes – NBA versions for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma Thunder; and MLB versions for the L.A. Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamond Backs, Colorado Rockies and S.F. Giants. His remix for the Dodgers includes a shout out to centerfielder Matt Kemp.

The Los Angeles native achieved his most recent success with producing and featuring on Island Def Jam recording artist YG’s debut single “Toot It and Boot It.”  The explosive popularity of the song was a surprise, albeit pleasant, to TD$. “It was a 5 minute beat… 808s, the hi hats and a snap,” he explained.

The success has opened the door for him to share more of his talents. Big Jon, president of EMI, signed TD$ to a publishing deal earlier this year; “All Star” was released; and his new mixed tape experience, “House on the Hill” will drop on May 2, 2011.

TD$’s musical history can be traced back to his days as a toddler.

“I’ve got photos from when I was 2 years old, just beating on the pillows with drumsticks. There’s also recordings of my beats back then,” said the self-taught musician. “I can play almost every instrument except horns- guitar, drums, bass, keys.”

TD$ continues a family legacy. His father, Tyrone Griffin, played keyboards and provided background vocals with the ’70s phenom group Lakeside.

Although undeniably West Coast, it’s obvious that you can’t put this artist into a box.

“I’ve never really adapted to a certain style, I just want to give the fans what they want.”

To that end, he believes that the future of hip-hop and rap will be fan driven.

“When they want more dance and house, it will be driven there. If they want to go back to drums and sampling, then it will go there. It’s whatever they want it to be.”

We expect big things from TD$ as he stretches his art.

Tydolla$ign – All Star Dodgers by EURnews