NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Beyonce answered critics of her Inauguration Day performance the best way she could — with another sterling performance of the national anthem. The difference? On Thursday, it was live: She admitted during her Super Bowl news conference that when she performed for President Barack Obama and the nation, she decided to […]
Author Archives: Nekesa Mumbi Moody
AP Music Writer
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Whitney Houston Funeral Begins, Bobby Brown Arrives and Then Leaves
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Clapping hands and swaying to gospel hymns in the church where Whitney Houston’s powerful voice once wowed her congregation, the biggest names in entertainment sang along with the choir to remember the pop superstar at her hometown funeral Saturday. We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God’s strength we […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Whitney Houston Funeral: Alicia Keys, BeBe Winans, Kevin Costner and others Extol Houston Tribute
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Clapping hands and swaying to gospel hymns in the church where Whitney Houston’s powerful voice once wowed her congregation, the biggest names in entertainment sang along with the choir to remember the pop superstar at her hometown funeral Saturday. “We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God’s strength we […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Aretha, Stevie Wonder to Sing at Houston’s Funeral
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at the private funeral of Whitney Houston on Saturday in what promises to be a very musical service. Publicist Kristen Foster also confirms that invitations went out to Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown; her co-star in “The Bodyguard,” Kevin Costner; and Oprah Winfrey. Houston’s longtime […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Whitney Houston, Superstar of Records, Films, Dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48. Houston’s publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rev. Jackson Enters Fray over Grammy Awards Cuts
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson is entering the fray over The Recording Academy’s cuts to its Grammy categories: He’s asking to meet with the president of the organization and has raised the possibility of protests with the awards less than two weeks away. The civil rights activist sent a letter to Neil […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Songwriter Nick Ashford Dies of Throat Cancer At 70
NEW YORK (AP) — Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned elegant, soulful classics for the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye and funk hits for Chaka Khan and others, died Monday at age 70, his former publicist said. Ashford, who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote […]