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Ari Lennox, Muni Long Perform; Xscape, Morris Day Honored at Soul Train Awards 2022

Living up to its tagline as “the feel-good party of the year,” Soul Train Awards 2022 delivered two hours of impactful performances and special tributes focusing on R&B’s multigenerational appeal.

Taped earlier this month at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and premiering Saturday evening (Nov. 26) on BET, the festivities opened with singer-songwriter Muni Long. The newly minted Grammy nominee’s performance featured an onstage re-enactment of her seductive breakthrough hit “Hrs and Hrs” together with single “Plot Twist” about a cheating former lover, co-starring a cast that included DC Young Fly.

Between running gags about not being able to read the teleprompter and working to keep the show on schedule, comedian/actor Deon Cole kept the audience laughing throughout his debut as the show’s host. Welcoming “all Nick Cannon’s kids” during his initial remarks to the audience, Cole also paid tribute to Migos rapper Takeoff and other fallen artists due to gun violence.

An ensuing string of potent performances by both OG’s and next-gen artists underscored Cole’s declaration that “R&B ain’t dead at all,” beginning with a captivating turn by Ari Lennox on “Waste My Time.” Tank and J. Valentine heated up the stage with their sensuous hit “Slow,” while SiR performed his new single “Nothing Even Matters.” Celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut album, Precious, Chanté Moore treated the audience to a hits medley that included “Love’s Taken Over,” “Chanté’s Got a Man” and a stirring “It’s Alright,” which elicited audience cheers when Moore hit and held a high soprano note during that performance.

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The award show’s traditional Soul Cypher segment was helmed this year by producer/DJ D-Nice with artists Muni Long, Durand Bernarr, Alex Vaughn and gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard riffing and harmonizing on “Human Nature” in honor of the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. And in a nod to newcomers on the R&B scene, the BET Amplified Stage showcased artists Coco Jones (“ICU”) and Q (“Today”).

Jermaine Dupri presented the first of the evening’s two special honors: the Lady of Soul Award to Xscape. The songwriter-producer’s first encounter with the ’90s girl group — Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, LaTocha Scott and Tamika Scott — occurred when they sang at his birthday party. “It blew me away when they sang ‘Happy Birthday,’” he recalled. “I said, I’m going to sign you … but I had no record label.”

When Dupri eventually launched So So Def Recordings, the first act he signed was Xscape. “People didn’t have belief; thought I was crazy,” Dupri noted. “But 30 years later, we’re here.” Thanking God, Dupri, their moms, husbands and fans, the quartet delivered a crowd-pleasing performance spotlighting such singalong classics as “Just Kickin’ It” with Dupri, “My Little Secret,” “Who Can I Run To?,” ”Tonight” and “Understanding” — with their pristine harmonies still intact.

Morris Day & The Time, recipients of the Legend Award, closed out the evening with a rollicking set that had the audience partying in the aisles to “Cool,” “777-9311,” “Jungle Love” and, of course, “The Bird,” featured in the 1984 film Purple Rain. Actor/comedian J.B. Smoove presented the award to Day and his mirror-toting side man Jerome Benton.

“I remember seeing the movie and being struck by two things,” said Smoove referencing Prince’s heeled boots and “that light-skin dude with the smooth dance moves. He had all the ladies; he even took Prince’s girl … just for a minute. And the band Time was funky fun.”

“For the last 40-plus years, I’ve been living and breathing music,” said Day after Smoove’s presentation. “It’s been a hell of a ride.” Thanking family, business colleagues, BET/Soul Train and the members of Time — whose original lineup included Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis — Day added, “And thanks most of all, may he rest in peace, to my brother Prince. You all know what he meant to me.”

Additional presenters on Soul Train Awards 2022, which also premiered Nov. 26 on BET HER, LOGO, MTV2 and VH1, included Queen Naija and Lucky Daye. The Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Special preceded the formal ceremony. Tank, LeToya Luckett and Novi Brown of Tyler Perry’s Sistas served as co-hosts. Pre-show performances and appearances were made by Baby Tate, DIXSON, J. Holiday, FLO and Vedo.

Encore broadcasts of the Soul Train Awards 2022 are slated for Sunday (Nov. 27) at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Thursday (Dec. 1) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BET.

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‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Alums Ben Platt and Noah Galvin Are Engaged

Ben Platt and Noah Galvin are engaged, with the Dear Evan Hansen stars announcing the news on social media Friday (Nov. 25).

Platt posted a carousel of photos to Instagram to celebrate the engagement, adding the caption, “He agreed to hang out forever.” The post includes images of the couple embracing, along with Galvin showing off his engagement ring.

Galvin also shared the same images to his own Instagram account, along with the caption, “I said yeehaw and then cried for like 7 hours.”

Among those offering congratulations in the comments was Beanie Feldstein, Galvin’s co-star in Booksmart, who wrote, “I am so happy and havent stopped crying.”

Platt and Galvin are both known for playing the lead role in the Broadway production of musical Dear Evan Hansen. Platt, 29, won the Tony Award for originating the part before Galvin, 28, succeeded him in the role with a two-month run that ended in January 2018.

Galvin confirmed their relationship in May 2020 during an appearance on the Little Known Facts podcast, and Platt later explained that they had been friends for years before deciding to pursue a romance.

“We’ve been friends for like five years, and right before the pandemic, we finally decided to really give it a real shot,” Platt said on The Kelly Clarkson Show in June 2021. “We’ve kind of skated around it for a long time.”

Platt’s film credits include the first two Pitch Perfect movies, Ricki and the Flash, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk and the 2021 big-screen adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, and he also starred on the Netflix series The Politician. Galvin has appeared on such series as The Real O’Neals and The Good Doctor.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.

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Selena Gomez & BLACKPINK Are ‘Chillin’ in New Photos Together

Selena Gomez and BLACKPINK are together at last.

After collaborating on their sweet pop tune “Ice Cream” in 2020 — but filming the music video for the song separately, to be safe during the pandemic — Gomez and BLACKPINK have now crossed paths in person.

On Saturday (Nov. 26), Gomez shared a slideshow of photos of herself posing with Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie and Lisa, with everyone looking happy to be in each other’s company.

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“Selpink chillin,” Gomez captioned her pictures with BLACKPINK.

Gomez wore jeans with a black top and coat, while the girls of BLACKPINK — who have been on tour — dressed in cute, coordinating band merch.

See their photos together on Instagram.

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Beyoncé Wins Big at 2022 Soul Train Awards: Full Winners List

Beyoncé was the top winner at the Soul Train Awards, which aired on BET and BET Her on Saturday (Nov. 27). She won album of the year for the fourth time with Renaissance, song of the year for the third time with “Break My Soul,” and best collaboration for “Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” a pairing with Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers.

This is the fifth consecutive year that a female solo artist has won album of the year. Bey’s victory was preceded by wins for H.E.R.’s H.E.R., Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You, Summer Walker’s Over It and Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales.

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Beyoncé was not, however, present at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, where the show was taped earlier this month. The BET Awards are very much a show about performances and tributes, not awards. Just two competitive categories were presented over the course of the two-hour show.

Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Muni Long were also among the winners at the 2022 Soul Train Awards, which were hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole. Lizzo won best dance performance for “About Damn Time.” Blige received the Certified Soul award (formerly known as the Centric Award). Long took the Ashford & Simpson songwriter’s award for “Hrs & Hrs.” All three of these artists, as well as Beyoncé, were nominated in Big Four categories at the upcoming Grammy Awards.

Sullivan won best R&B/soul female artist for the second year in a row, beating Beyoncé, who has won in that category a record four times, but not since 2016.

Chris Brown took best R&B/soul male artist for the second time in three years. Giveon won the award last year.

Silk Sonic won video of the year for the second year in a row with “Smokin’ Out the Window.” The retro-soul duo took the award last year for “Leave the Door Open.” The duo’s Bruno Mars won in that same category for “24K Magic” (2017) and “Finesse” (remix featuring Cardi B, 2018).

Tems won best new artist, beating Long and the red-hot Steve Lacy, among others. The Nigerian singer is the first winner in this category who hails from Africa. Tems was featured on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence,” which won best collaboration last year.

Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin took the best gospel/inspirational award. It’s Franklin’s fourth consecutive win in that category – and his fifth overall.

Ari Lennox, who went into the show with six nominations, trailing only seven-time nominees Beyoncé and Blige, was shut out. Lennox nonetheless performed her current single, “Waste My Time” on the show. Four-time nominees Burna Boy and Lacy were also shut out.

Xscape became the second all-female group (following SWV) to receive the Lady of Soul honor. The award was presented by Jermaine Dupri, their producer and So So Def Recordings founder.

Iconic funk band Morris Day & The Time received the Legend Award, presented to them by JB Smoove.

Here’s the complete list of 2022 Soul Train Awards nominees, with winners marked:

Album of the Year

An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
WINNER: Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
WINNER: “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
WINNER: “Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best New Artist
CKay
Coco Jones
Dixson
Doechii
Fireboy DML
Muni Long
Steve Lacy
WINNER: Tems

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
WINNER: Jazmine Sullivan
LizzoMary J. Blige
SZA
Tems

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Charlie Wilson
WINNER: Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton

Best Collaboration

“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
WINNER: “Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine

Certified Soul Award
Chaka Khan
Charlie Wilson
Diana Ross
WINNER: Mary J. Blige
Maxwell
PJ Morton
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
T-Pain

The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
WINNER: “Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
WINNER: “About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

CeCe Winans
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Major.
Marvin Sapp
WINNER: Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Legend Award: The Time

Lady of Soul Award: Xscape

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Hovain Hylton, Hip-Hop Manager & Cinematic Music Group Exec, Dies

Jonathan “Hovain” Hylton, who was recently honored as one of Billboard’s 2022 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players, has died.

“It is with deep regret that we message to all family, friends and colleagues that Jonathan ‘Hovain’ Hylton passed away while at his home on Friday, November 25. He was a beloved and devoted father, husband, son, brother and a proud Brooklyn representative,” read a statement posted Saturday (Nov. 26) on Hylton’s verified social media accounts.

The statement continued, “We’d like to thank all of his close friends for all of the love and support that you have shown during this difficult time. We ask that you all continue to keep his family in your prayers and respect their privacy at this time.”

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A cause of death has not been disclosed.

On Friday morning, Hylton had last tweeted, “Good morning and thank GOD for another day,” a message he had been putting out into the world daily.

Hylton, a Brooklyn native who was a vp at Cinematic Music Group, was named alongside founder Jonnyshipes on this year’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list.

“I’ve always prided myself on just being a good person and a hard worker. Never was big on awards. The way I came in this game was the independent route so I always knew caring too much about the politics wasn’t going to help me. But it feels good to be honored as one of Billboard’s Power Players alongside my brother and partner @jonnyshipes,” Hylton wrote on Instagram on Nov. 17. He added, “I think the biggest lesson is this is you don’t have to be a sucka or do corny s— to be recognized. Just be a good person and do your job and God will make the rest happen on his time.”

Throughout his career Hylton helmed projects for prominent New York rappers including Cam’ron, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, and alongside Jonnyshipes at Cinematic Music Group worked with artists including T-Pain and Flipp Dinero.

Hylton was also a professor at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, where he taught “The Business of Music,” an eight-week course offering students in-depth knowledge on publishing deals, business positions needed for an artist’s success and more.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to come from where I come from and to be asked to teach at such a fine institute,” Hylton told Billboard in 2021, when the course launched. “To share my love for music with the young minds who are looking to learn [will be a great experience].”

The music community mourned the death of Hylton on Saturday.

“Maaannnn we lost my brother in drip @hovain love you brother you always showed nothing but love and positivity. My condolences to your family,” Fat Joe wrote on Instagram. “Till we meet again RIP.”

“Damn Hov… Rest Up… Appreciate your knowledge & your positive energy… May God Bless your family with peace. Love & Light from my family to yours. Long Live Hovain,’ T.I. wrote on Twitter.

“Hovain had just hit me up about doing some music with lloyd banks,” Hit-Boy tweeted. “God bless his family.”

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2022 Soul Train Awards: How to Watch Without Cable

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A celebration of soul and R&B. The 2022 Soul Train Awards, helmed by actor-comedian Deon Cole, will premiere Saturday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET.

The star-studded ceremony, which was pre-taped at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas earlier this month, will feature performances from Ari Lennox, Tank, SiR, Muni Long, Chante Moore and Tosha Cobbs Leonard.

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead this year’s nominations with seven nods each. Coming in a close second is Lennox with six nominations. Lizzo and Chris Brown nabbed five each.

Queen Bey and the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul face off for major awards such as the coveted album of the year category alongside Lizzo, Lenox, Brown, Silk Sonic, Jazmine Sullivan and Tank.

Read on for ways to watch and stream the show without cable.

2022 Soul Train Awards: How to Watch

The 2022 Soul Train Awards will premiere at 8 p.m. ET on BET. The ceremony will simulcast on BET Her, Logo, MTV2 and VH1. If you have cable, satellite or live TV, check your local listings for channel information.

If you don’t have cable, you’re in luck! You can stream the 2022 Soul Train Awards for free on Philo. The streaming service is celebrating Black Friday and Cyber Monday with a mega-deal that drops the price down to just $5 for the first month (regular price is $25/month). Use code: THANKS to redeem this limited promo offer which ends Nov. 30 (click here for more streaming deals).

Philo carries 70+ live channels, including BET, Lifetime, AMC, A&E, ID, OWN, TV One, Paramount Network, VH1 and Food Network.  

Philo

$5/month (with code: THANKS)

$25/month

80% off% OFF

Want more streaming options? Watch the 2022 Soul Train Awards live and on-demand through platforms like DirectTV Stream, Sling and FuboTV. Although they’re more expensive than Philo, they’re cheaper than your average cable package and most come with a free trial.

The 2022 Soul Train Awards will include tributes to iconic music groups such as Morris Day and The Time, who will receive the Legend Award, while Xscape will be honored with this year’s Lady of Soul Award.

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Lizzo Gets Candid About the Stigma of Pop Music: ‘Genre’s Racist Inherently’

Lizzo recently opened up about the stigma of pop music, explaining the difference between pop music and race music and how the latter was used to segregate Black artists.

“Genre’s racist inherently,” the Grammy- and Emmy-winning artist told Entertainment Weekly. “I think if people did any research they would see that there was race music and then there was pop music. And race music was their way of segregating Black artists from being mainstream because they didn’t want their kids listening to music created by Black and brown people because they said it was demonic and yada, yada, yada.”

She went on to explain that genres were created almost like code words, for example with R&B, which eventually led to the birth of hip-hop and rap.

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“I think when you think about pop, you think about MTV in the ’80s talking about ‘We can’t play rap music,’ or ‘We can’t put this person on our platform because we’re thinking about what people in the middle of America think’ — and we all know what that’s code for,” Lizzo continued.

Now that pop is a “well-oiled” machine, she pointed out that it’s important to remember that it has a “racist origin.” As music has evolved, Lizzo said she finds it “so cool” that hip-hop and rap artists have made their way into the pop music sphere. “Rap is running the game,” she added.

In that same conversation, the artist touched on the backlash that she’s faced about people thinking she and her music aren’t Black enough, explaining that she thinks people just have to get used to her.

“I think anything that’s new, people are going to criticize and feel like it’s not for them,” Lizzo said. “But once you get used to something, it might be for you. So for people who don’t like pop music or don’t like Black artists that make pop music, they may eventually like me.” She added, “You just gotta get used to me because I’m making good s—. You missing out.” 

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Manuel Turizo’s ‘La Bachata’ Rules Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Chart for 11th Week

Manuel Turizo’s “La Bachata” spends an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Nov. 19). It’s the longest reign for any song in 2022, and the fifth-most among all titles.
With Turizo adding another week at the summit, let’s look at the longest leads since the chart launched in 2018:

25 weeks, “Tusa,” Karol G & Nicki Minaj
16 weeks, “Entre Nosotros,” Tiago pzk, LIT Killa, Nicki Nicole & Maria Becerra
13, “Otro Trago,” Sech, Darell, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Anuel AA
12, “Hawai,” Maluma & The Weeknd
12, “Calma,” Pedro Capo & Farruko
11, “La Bachata,” Manuel Turizo

Meanwhile, Rosalía’s “Despechá” holds strong at No. 2 for an 11th nonconsecutive week. Bizarrap and Quevedo’s “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” rebounds to No. 3 for a fifth week after its eight-week atop the ranking, while María Becerra’s “Automático” dips 3-4.

Further, Argentinian Ysy A scores his 15th entry as every song from his latest album, Ysysmo, debuts on the tally. One song from the 12-track set, which released on Nov. 11 through Sponsor Dios, scores the week’s Hot Shot Debut: “Cómo Chilla Ella,” with Sponsor Dios and Evlay, at No. 5.

Here’s Ysy A’s complete takeover:

No. 5, “Cómo Chilla Ella,” with Sponsor Dios & Evlay
No. 13, “A Por Todo,” with Sponsor Dios & Oniria
No. 14, “Cuánto Vale Hacer El Amor?” with Sponsor Dios & Evlay
No. 16, “Cuántos Términos?” with Sponsor Dios & Baxian
No. 24, “Relojes Reventados,” with Sponsor Dios & Oniria
No. 29, “Uoh Oh Oh,” with Sponsor Dios & Baxian
No. 31 “Un Piso Más,” with Sponsor Dios, Club Hats & Koki
No. 33, “Cuál?” with Sponsor Dios & Rucci Vazquez
No. 36, “Pa Esta Soledad,” with Yesan & Sponsor Dios
No. 39, “Ser El Trap,” with Sponsor Dios & Baxian
No. 42, “Heridas Al Fuego,” Sponsor Dios & Oniria
No. 45, “Todo Pago,” Sponsor Dios & Halpe

Elsewhere, Bizarrap adds a 35th entry as his latest collab with Duki, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 50,” debuts at No. 11. With the new arrival, he ties with Anuel AA, Ozuna and Rauw Alejandro for the third-most, trailing only Bad Bunny’s 53 entries and J Balvin’s 49. Duki, meanwhile, adds a 34th appearance to his account.

La K’onga takes the Greatest Gainer honors of the week thanks to “El Mismo Aire,” which ascends 97-81. Lali collects her 14th entry as “Motiveishon” starts at No. 83. Lastly, David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” opens at No. 85.

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Zayn Covers Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Angel’ in Celebration of Late Guitar Icon’s 80th Birthday: Listen

Zayn is celebrating the musical legacy of Jimi Hendrix.

On Friday (Nov. 25), the former One Direction member shared a gorgeous cover of the late guitar legend’s 1971 song “Angel,” from his posthumous album, The Cry of Love. The 29-year-old singer’s unique rendition of the track arrived ahead of what would’ve been Hendrix’s 80th birthday on Sunday (Nov. 27).

“Being asked to collaborate to celebrate @jimihendrix 80th birthday was such an unexpected and huge honour,” Zayn tweeted alongside a link to the cover. “I have so much respect and admiration for Jimi, his music and fans. ‘Angel’ is out now – hope you love the track as much as I do. Happy 80th Jimi.”

Earlier in the week, Zayn teased a 15-second snippet of the collaboration, which features original music by Hendrix.

“We are pleased that Zayn has been inspired to use original music from Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Angel’ in his recording of the song,” the late guitarist’s estate Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. previously told Billboard. “We’re hopeful that this version of a Hendrix classic will enlighten a new generation of listeners about Jimi’s genius and further propel his continuing legacy.”

Hendrix, who is considered by many to be the greatest rock guitarist of all time, died on Sept. 18, 1970 at age 27.

After leaving 1D, Zayn bounced from his debut R&B-leaning Hot 100 No. 1 “Pillowtalk” to a sultry Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack collab with Taylor Swift (“I Don’t Wanna to Live Forever”), as well as songs with Sia, Nicki Minaj and Zhavia Ward — the latter a cover version of “A Whole New World” from the 2019 Aladdin reboot. He recently signed on to be a part of the voice cast for the animated kid flick 10 Lives.

Hear Zayn’s cover of Hendrix’ “Angel” in the video below.

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Charles Koppelman, Former Music Exec and Martha Stewart Living Chairman, Dies at 82

Charles Koppelman, former music executive and Martha Stewart chairman, died on Friday (Nov. 25). He was 82. A cause of death was not given at the time.

His son, showrunner Brian Koppelman, announced the loss on his social media, saying, “I’ll write more about my dad, Charles Koppelman, when I can. But the only thing that matters is how much I loved him. And how much he taught me about every single thing that matters.”

The Billions co-creator continued, “He lived exactly the life he wanted to live. And he spent his last days surrounded by those he loved the most. Pop, thank you.”

Koppelman began his career in entertainment as a member of musical trio The Ivy Three, which had a Top 10 hit in 1960 called “Yogi.” Shortly after, the singer and his bandmate, Don Rubin, joined Aldon Music’s songwriting staff alongside Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

From there, they went on to form Koppelman and Rubin Associates, an entertainment company that signed The Lovin’ Spoonful the same year it opened. When Commonwealth United purchased the company in 1968, the two business partners stayed on to run it, before Koppelman moved on to CBS Records where he held multiple positions. While there, Koppelman signed acts like Billy Joel, Dave Mason, Janis Ian, Journey and Phoebe Snow.

In 1975, he was ready for another change, creating The Entertainment Company with Martin Bandier and Bandier’s father-in-law, New York real estate developer Samuel LeFrak. Together, they administered and promoted song catalogs, as well as produced iconic artists like Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross and Cher. A few years later, his son, Brian, discovered Tracy Chapman in college and introduced her to his father, who then gave her a record deal.

Koppelman, Bandier and Stephen C. Swid took things to the next level in 1986 when they formed SBK Entertainment World, Inc., and bought 250,000 songs owned by CBS for $125 million. The company eventually became one of the biggest independent music publishers, playing a major role in the careers of Michael Bolton, Robbie Robertson, New Kids on the Block, Grayson Hugh, Icehouse and more.

In 1989, Koppelman and Bandier create a partnership with EMI Music Worldwide and begin their own label, SBK Records. One year later, they landed their first platinum album with Technotronic’s Pump Up the Jam. They went on to sign talent like Jesus Jones, Wilson Phillips, Waterfront and Vanilla Ice, to name a few.

Koppelman remained in the music business for quite a few years before becoming the chairman of Steve Madden in 2000, leading the company while its founder served jail time for securities fraud. In 2005, Koppelman moved on to Marth Stewart Living Omnimedia, where he also served as chairman.

He’s survived by his son Brian, daughter Jenny Koppelman Hutt and his wife, Gerri Kyhill Koppelman.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.