Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg

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Rap Gospel: 'Snoop Dogg Presents Bible Of Love'

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The Long Beach rapper makes an artistic inroad for gospel
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 28, 2018 - 4:31 pm

Released March 16, Snoop Dogg Presents Bible Of Love lets us see Snoop Dogg in another new musical persona, one some might compare to his tour of reggae as Snoop Lion on his 2012 album Reincarnated. While gospel might seem far afield from gangsta rap and reggae, as the hook goes in lead single "Words Are Few," featuring B-Slade: "Church all my life."

With 32 tracks and a host of guest artists, Snoop even steps back and gives his guests the spotlight for many songs. His guests include GRAMMY winners Faith Evans, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary,  and Tye Tribbett. Also featured on the album are past GRAMMY nominees Kim Burrell, Mali Music, Marvin Sapp, and Charlie Wilson.

The March 31 Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart saw this fresh chance to give thanks come in at No. 1, with three tracks – "Blessing Me Again," feat. Rance Allen, "Saved," feat. Faith Evans and 3rd Generation, and "You," feat. Tye Tribbett – currently trending upwards on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa

Photo: Joseph Okpako/WireImage.com

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Wiz Khalifa Releases Latest Album 'Rolling Papers 2'

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Stepping up to the reputation of his 2011 album 'Rolling Papers,' the challenge with himself is on
GRAMMYs
Jul 13, 2018 - 4:52 pm

On Friday July 13, as Snoop Dogg looks on from the couch, Wiz Khalifa lights up some kung Fu fighting, dropping his album Rolling Papers 2 with a video for its title track. "Because a man gonna be a man, and do what he got to do, baby, this is Rolling Papers 2."

The album's 25 tracks have their own stories concluding with his "Something New" featuring Ty Dolla $ign. Out since the end of last summer, the song reached No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other titles include "Gin And Drugs" with Problem, "Rain" featuring PartyNextDoor, "Late Night Messages," and "Bootsy Bellows." Snoop Dogg is on the track "Penthouse" and Swae Lee's feature is "Hopeless Romantic." GRAMMY winners Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are featured on the track "Reach For The Stars."

"The collaboration that's most memorable to me is definitely the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony collaboration because of how big of a fan of theirs I am," the rapper said. "I listened to their music growing up, from second grade 'til now. I have a tattoo of them on my leg. … That was a dream come true."

Other guest artists on Rolling Papers 2 include Chevy Woods, Curren$y, Darrius Willrich, Hardo, Jimmy Wopo, Lil Skies, and TheMxxnLight.

The first Rolling Papers appeared in 2011 containing Khalifa's epic single "Black And Yellow" for which he was nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 54th GRAMMY Awards. He followed with the albums O.N.I.F.C. and Black Hollywood before revisiting the Rolling Papers' winning namesake.

If you want to catch some of the new tracks in action, Khalifa and Lee's duo Rae Sremmurd go on the road co-headlining the Dazed & Blazed tour beginning July 21 in Detroit.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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The Killers, Bruno Mars, Muse Set For BottleRock Napa Festival

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Billed as "the first taste of summer," high cuisine and top-shelf artists come together for the May 25–27 Napa Valley extravaganza
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 8, 2018 - 3:33 pm

Tickets go on sale Jan. 9 for this summer's BottleRock Napa Valley music festival, which combines music, food, wine, and brew for "the first taste of summer" May 25-27, and the lineup is quite enticing. Announced this morning, top headliners for the festival's sixth year will be the Killers, Bruno Mars, and Muse.

Additional performers for 2018 are The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Incubus, and Snoop Dogg. But that's only a few items still at the top of 2018's extensive menu. The fest's Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage complements the feast for the ears and has included many artists participating in cooking demonstrations.

"The theme this year is very fun and upbeat," said CEO Dave Graham. "There's going to be a lot of dancing this year and we're delighted with what we're delivering."

Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Idol, and electronica duo Thievery Corporation add some familiar favorites to the bill while Lukas Nelson (son of Willie Nelson) will be on hand with his band Promise Of The Real to provide next-generation country/rock flavor. Local fans are bound to support their Napa Valley Youth Symphony, the existence of which testifies to the community's cultural appetites while visitors from all over will be sure to sample the dozens of emerging artists scheduled to play this May, some bound to leave festival goers wanting more.

11 Must-Attend 2018 Music Festivals: SXSW, Coachella, Lollapalooza & More

Kirk Franklin speaks onstage in 2017

Kirk Franklin

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Music Festivals 2018: Kirk Franklin To Host Exodus Music & Arts Fest

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First-of-its-kind gospel festival to debut over Memorial Day weekend in 2018 and feature two stages of performers
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Dec 1, 2017 - 8:06 am

He's a 12-time GRAMMY winner with a deep-rooted passion for gospel music. So who better than to host and headline the first Exodus Music & Arts Festival than Kirk Franklin?

Kirk Franklin Praises Shirley Caesar

Taking place at Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Dallas over Memorial Day 2018 weekend, this new festival promises to be a spiritual-based music fan's dream. The fest will feature gospel choirs and two stages with a stacked lineup of performances by not only Franklin but the likes of fellow GRAMMY winners Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, and Tye Tribbett, with more to be announced.

"I don't believe anyone loves gospel music more than I do on this planet," said Franklin, who was among the artists taking part in the recent "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" PBS special. "The level of talent, skill set and spirit makes it a genre that others have taken their cues from since a young Mahalia Jackson entered the scene decades ago. But the genre has never owned a spot in the pantheon of music festivals that have global behemoths like Coachella or Essence until now!

"It will deliver a weekend of performances, collaborations, humor, and hope that will only be curated at Exodus. Memorial Day weekend you will discover. The wait was well worth it!”

Tickets for the inaugural Exodus Music & Arts Festival are on sale now.

More Music Festivals: Paramore Announce 2018 Parahoy! Cruise

 

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson

Photo: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty Images

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Janet Jackson To Headline Tom Joyner Foundation's 20th Fantastic Voyage

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More GRAMMY winners cruising on the "party with a purpose" include Shirley Caesar, Maxwell and Smokie Norful
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Feb 22, 2019 - 4:05 pm

On April 7–14, the 20th cruise of the Tom Joyner Foundation's Fantastic Voyage will ship off from Miami and tour the Caribbean with wide-ranging activities and an incredible array of musical performances planned. Headlined by Janet Jackson, the "party with a purpose" also includes Shirley Caesar, Fantasia, Maxwell, Chrisette Michele, Smokie Norful, and Fatman Scoop.

In addition to concerts, enriching activities and fun, as well as Fantastic Voyage's fundraising for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), this year a Filmmaker's Scholarship Program in partnership with Denny's will spotlight the work of a half dozen HBCU creatives who've made movies on the reality of hunger at the community level. Through the years, the Tom Joyner Foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in scholarships, also including support for K-12 students.

"I'm proud of a lot of things we've accomplished on the Tom Joyner Morning Show," said Joyner, "but I think I'm most proud of all the students we've helped stay in school for the last 20 years, and our biggest fundraiser for HBCUs is the Fantastic Voyage cruise."

With 13 GRAMMY nominations, R&B/Gospel singer Charlie Wilson stands out among the previous nominees in the announcement. Others include Kem, Mase, MC Lyte, Sheila E., War, and Brian Courtney Wilson.

Check out the full list, which includes emerging DJs and many more memorable artists such as Biz Markie, Midnight Star and the S.O.S. Band.

Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814': For The Record