Connect with us

Entertainment

Les McCann, jazz pioneer sampled by Diddy, Nas, dies at 88

Published

on

Les McCann, the trailblazing US pianist and singer who helped found the soul-jazz genre, has passed on at the age of 88.

Alan Abrahams, McCann’s manager, announced his demise on Monday.

Abrahams told NBC News that McCann died on Friday at a hospital in Los Angeles where he had been admitted with pneumonia.

McCann was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1935 and grew up in a family of musicians.

His career dates back to the 1950s, when he won a singing contest while serving in the US navy. During his stint in the navy, he also performed on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ the top variety program of its time.

After he was discharged, McCann formed a trio — with saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey — in Los Angeles. He signed with the Pacific Jazz label and first rose to fame with his 1960 albums ‘Les McCann Plays the Truth’ and ‘The Shout.’

The musician later signed to Atlantic in 1968 and dropped a cover of Gene McDaniels’ ‘Compared to What’ in 1969, marking one of the biggest releases of his career.

The song condemned war, greed, and injustice.

McCann released more than 60 albums from 1960 to 2018. Some of his albums included ‘Swiss Movement’ (1969), ‘Talk to the People’ (1972), ‘Layers’ (1973) and ‘Another Beginning’ (1974). The most recent being a deluxe reissue of his ‘Never a Dull Moment! Coast to Coast Live 1966-67’ album last month.

McCann was a pioneer in merging jazz with soul and funk.

His music has been sampled by hip-hop artistes such as Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Cypress Hill, Nas, De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, the Notorious B.I.G., and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

Entertainment

Crayon narrates how he was admitted to psychiatric hospital due to depression

Published

on

By

Crayon, the Nigerian singer, has recalled how he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital due to depression.

The singer, in an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, narrated that he was depressed in 2020 after none of his released songs gained traction.

He said the situation affected him mentally, made him start “acting out crazily” and eventually hospitalised.

Crayon also recounted how singer Rema and his label Mavin Records’ boss Don Jazzy were there for him during his trying times.

He said he became suicidal “at some point, I wanted to jump out of a moving car. It was that crazy. It was similar to Mohbad’s situation”.

“I went to a beach house party where we were chilling then I started reacting somehow,” he said.

“My manager noticed and I asked if I took anything. I told him I only took weed.

“I started acting out crazily so I returned home immediately and Facetimed Rema. All of a sudden, I started walking on the street and walked to Mavin Studios barefooted.

“I feel like I am God’s favorite because nobody recorded me, if I was filmed, it would have affected my confidence and career.

“So I got to the gate of Mavin Records, sat on the floor and said I was tired. I took off my shirt and smashed my phone.

“Calls started coming in and I kept saying I was really tired. Rema came, I lied on his lap and he said once I pass this stage, I will come out and this is the final battle I’m about to fight.

“I could not recognise anybody but I remember that word. At a point, I wanted to jump out of a moving car. It was that crazy. It was similar to Mohbad’s situation.

“I literally lost my mind, fighting wars nobody could see just you. So they took me to one of the psychiatric hospitals in Lekki, Lagos.

“After everything, I came back and went to Jazzy’s house but I was still not myself. I had the right people around, they didn’t publicise it but protected me.

“I have never seen my friends pray that deep. So to me Mavin is not just a label to me, it is everything to me. They took care of me in my darkest time.”

Crayon further said his career turned positive after overcoming the situation.

“When I got back I completely changed. I started seeing people differently, loving life more,” he added.

“I feel it is just God letting me know He got me. Then it was hit songs back to back, ‘Won da mo’, ‘Ijo Labalaba’”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

‘I’ll be back in 2025’ — TG Omori shares health update

Published

on

By

TG Omori, the ailing Nigerian music video director, has assured fans that he will make a comeback in 2025.

Omori, who has been battling kidney disease, underwent a transplant on August 26 at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos. Despite going through multiple surgeries, the transplant was not successful.

On August 30, the director expressed his determination to overcome his health challenges and revealed that he is recovering.

In a series of tweets on Monday via X, Omori posted a photo of himself and emphasised the importance of maintaining the right mindset, even in the face of illness.

“It’s mind over matter. If the mind is defeated, it’s only a matter of time before the body falls,” he wrote.

In another tweet, he stated, “Pain has no power over me”.

He also reassured his followers that he would be back in 2025. “I’ll be back in 2025. Stay in love!” he added.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Islamic singer Rukayat Gawat is dead

Published

on

By

Popular Nigerian Islamic singer, Rukayat Gawat Oyefeso has passed away.

She was well-known for her captivating voice and religious music that resonated with many in the Muslim community.

The news of her death was shared by popular Ilorin based cleric Alfa Aribidesi At-Tawdeeh Islamic Da’awah his official Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

Further details surrounding her death have yet to be fully disclosed.

Her loss is deeply felt among her fans and the broader Islamic music scene – with the news of her death widely shared.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...