Who is Timothy Bloom? Aside from being a chocolate adonis, he is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has worked with legends (Smokey Robinson) and a few contemporary hit makers (Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson). One thing is for sure, he isn’t stepping out from behind the shadows without a splash.

In support of his EP “The Budding Rose” due March 8th, Bloom has released a video for his first single, “Til’ the End of Time”. Directed by David Rodriguez, the video is a minimal, yet moving, erotic showcase for the voices (and bodies) or Bloom and V. Bozeman—a budding vocalist, who is featured on the track.

Bloom’s  full length project “In Full Bloom” will be out later this year.

Centric Select’s Artist Marsha Ambrosius and Melanie Fiona will be headlining BET’s Music Matters Tour 2011, which kicks off in New Orleans on March 18th. With Ambrosius new album, “Late Nights, Early Mornings” out next week and the release of Fiona’s “The MF Life” fast approaching, this tour is a definite must see.

3/18: House of Blues- New Orleans, LA

4/4: Theater of Living Arts-Philadelphia, PA

4/7: Rams Head Live!- Baltimore, MD

4/12: Irving Plaza- New York, NY

For more information visit Ticketmaster.com

Dressed in a red-feathered onesie, bejeweled headpiece and oversized sunglasses; Cee-Lo Green was one part old school Elton John and one part funk as he performed “Forget You”—the severely censured version of his take that anthem “F**k You”—at tonight’s Grammy Awards. Always the flamboyant one, Green performed his set backed by a colorful bunch of Muppets. Interesting right? Well things were turned up a notch when Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, dressed in a body-hugging jumpsuit, sang the second verse of the hit. Laying out on the piano and emoting with Green, it looked like Paltrow got some pointers from her superstar bestie Beyonce Knowles, who was in the audience.

Could tonight’s performance mean a future collaboration between Cee-Lo and Gwyneth.

Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, and B.o.B took to the stage of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards to perform some of their biggest hits. The artists, who all are signed to Atlantic Records, were brilliant as a collective. B.o.B performed his hit “Nothing On You” backed by Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars on the hook.

The spotlight turned to a bouffant rocking Bruno Mars and his rat pack of background singers as he performed a 50’s inspired version of his #1 hit single “Grenade,” complete with black and white camera effects. The doo-wopping Mars was a hit with his sharp choreography, but it was Monae who stole the show.

The pint-size musical wonder performed her latest single, “Cold War,” with Mars on drums and B.o.B on the guitar. Clad in her signature cape and black tuxedo, Monae had more moves than James Brown and she even manage to crowd surf unscathed. Her energetic performance moved the crowd to give her a standing ovation. And it was indeed well deserved.

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While Aretha Franklin’s recent health ailments might have proved just cause to finally celebrate her achievements, the Grammy Awards tribute to the legendary Queen of Soul was long over due, yet a welcomed grand gesture. Christina Aguilera,Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Florence Welch and Yolanda Adams soulfully performed Franklin’s biggest hits including “Ain’t No Way,” “Respect,” “Spirit in the Dark,” and “(You Make Me Feel) A Natural Woman.”

Collectively the ladies scored, but all eyes were on Aguilera, who was indeed in need of redemption following her “Star Spangled Banner” fumble at the SuperBowl.

A noticeably thinner Franklin thanked the crowd via video message for their support and she promised that she would be at next year’s event.

Franklin has been suffering from an undisclosed illness since late last year that forced her to stop all touring until this Summer.

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—Justin Dwayne Joseph/Monica Williamson

This Black History Month just got “richer.” New York’s legendary Apollo Theater has partnered with the Museum of the City of New York to present “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment,” an exhibition that provides a panoramic view of the venue’s history and present day role in pop culture.

The exhibit, which opens February 10th, will kick off with “Apollo Legends”—an intimate discussion featuring Tony award-winning actress/singer Leslie Uggams and multi Grammy award winning singer Dionne Warwick.

While it remains a launch pad for some of today’s rising stars,  The Apollo Theater has come along way from its days as a segregated burlesque hall in the 1920’s. Later under the ownership of the late businessman and civil rights pioneer Percy Sutton, the theater became a symbol of the Harlem community—in which is located—and a beacon of hope for the talent of not only people of color, but abroad.

“Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment” will be on display at the Museum of The City of New York from February 10th- May 1st.

This Sunday, February 6th, would have marked the 66th birthday of reggae legend Bob Marley. Since his death in 1981, at the age of 36, Marley’s contributions to the world of music have remained strong through his family—not to mention a series of posthumous compilation albums and some strategic licensing deals. The latest of the latter, comes in the form of a new release entitled “Live Forever.”

The project features previously unreleased tracks and footage from Bob Marley and the Wailer’s last recorded concert in support of 1980’s “Uprising,” his final album before his death.  The collection contains a two disc CD, DVD and three piece vinyl set.  The DVD features not only performance footage, but interviews with his wife Rita Marley, and several of his offspring including Stephen, Damien, Julian, and Cedella—all of whom have become successful in their own right.

Widely imitated but never duplicated the power impact, and influence his music is beyond measure. Bob Marley’s mission to spread love continues through the Bob Marley Foundation, which will host the 7th annual Africa Unite Youth  Symposium held in Marley’s homeland of Jamaica and Ghana, West Africa on February 5 – 7, 2011.

The famed Apollo Theater—”where stars are born and legends are made”— will pay tribute  to the legendary Stevie Wonder by inducting him as a name on the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame. Wonder, who was first introduced to the theater’s audience in 1962 at the of 12, has amassed over 50 Billboard Top 40 hits including “For Once in My Life,” “Sir Duke,” and the classic ballad, “Ribbon in the Sky.”

Launched in May 2010, the walk of fame has honored Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Little Richard and James Brown.

Wonder will be officially inducted into the Apollo Walk of Fame in a special ceremony in New York City on June 13th.

The name Darlene Love might not ring instant bells for the average music listener, but for the true music savant, Darlene Love is the name of a talented vocalist whose career has spanned over five decades. While her recognition hasn’t been as overt as that of Aretha Franklin or Tina Turner, Love will get her just due, as she will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony.

Discovered singing in a local church gospel choir, the California native transitioned to contributing vocals to the works of various artists and groups including Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The Papas, Sonny and Cher and producer Phil Spector. In 1962, she scored her first Billboard chart topping hit, “He’s A Rebel, ” which would lead to other hits including 1962’s  “Zip-Pa-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love.” Read the rest of this entry »

(New York, NY) Legendary singer/songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson and dynamic musical duo Ashford and Simpson (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “I’m Every Woman”, “Solid”) will grace the Apollo Theater stage for a special benefit concert. The mini Motown reunion show, set for February 15th, will support the Sheridan Arts Foundation and the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

Robinson, who has remained a fixture in music over five decades, has two recent records out now “Times Flies When Your Having Fun” and “Now and Then” (the latter of which is only available at Cracker Barrel restaurants nationwide) .