DAILY MUSIC NEW WRAP UP: Proof, Ruben Studdard, Mobb Deep and more!
By Ivory M. Jones, BET.com Staff Writer
Posted April 26, 2006--
PROOF’S FINAL RESTING PLACE STIRS CONTROVERSY
The location of the final resting place of slain Detroit rapper Proof is drawing the ire of some. Proof, who was buried last week in Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, now rests in the same mausoleum where civil rights icon Rosa Parks can be found. Some who were close to Parks are speaking out against the arrangement, which they have deemed disrespectful. Parks’ nephew, William McCauley told The Detroit Free Press that he felt the arrangement was inappropriate. “I tell you, this is a lot to take in…She was a person of non-violence. And obviously this young rapper had a different creed when it comes to resolving issues,” McCauley said.
As previously reported, Proof was shot and killed in a Detroit nightclub on April following a dispute with Keith Bender. Proof, born Deshaun Holton, allegedly pistol-whipped Bender, before standing over him and shooting him once in the face. Bender died several days later on April 18. Despite the violent ending of the D12 member, Benjamin Chavis, co-founder of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, believes that Parks would not have turned the 32-year-old rapper away. “She sacrificed for freedom, justice and peace and she lived her whole life around those principles and I think it’s obvious she could not agree with discrimination in life or death,” Chavis said. Interscope Records spokesman Dennis Dennehy declined to comment.
“THE VELVET TEDDY BEAR” RETURNS
“American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard is hard at work on his third studio album which he has aptly titled The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear. He says he picked the album’s title after he found himself constantly fielding questions about his whereabouts. “Everybody just kept asking me, ‘Where are you?’ So I thought maybe I just need to name this album something to get their attention,” he told MTV.com. The cuddly singer was christened as “the velvet teddy bear” by singer Gladys Knight when she appeared on “American Idol” as a guest judge. The album, which is tentatively set for an August release, will feature guest spots by R&B group Mocha and rapper Gutter who are both signed to Studdard’s RCS Music Group. This time around, he’s also hoping to partner with fellow “American Idol” winner Fantasia. He has recording sessions lined up with newcomer Ne-Yo and producer Scott Storch. In between recording the new album and readying the launch of RCS, Studdard also revealed that he’s launching an organization to help underprivileged children. The after-school program called the Music Alternative Project.
MOBB DEEP HEADS OUT ON TOUR
Mobb Deep is prepping to hit the road to promote the release of their highly-anticipated G-Unit debut, Blood Money. The group’s seventh album hits stores May 2 and the tour kicks off two days later in Boston. Newcomer Ray Cash has been tapped as the opening act for the 23-city tour which makes the following stops:
May 4 - Boston Avalon
May 6 - Miami Radio One
May 7 - Dallas KBFB Car Show
May 8 - Philadelphia TLA
May 9 - Providence, R.I. Lupo's
May 10 - Norfolk, N.C. Norva
May 11 - Baltimore Sonar
May 12 - Cincinnati Bogarts
May 13 - Columbus, S.C. Newport Music Hall
May 14 - Detroit Saint Andrews Hall
May 16 - Grand Rapids, Mich. Orbit Room
May 17 - Chicago House of Blues
May 18 - Milwaukee Rave
May 19 - Minneapolis First Avenue
May 22 - Denver Gothic
May 23 - Albuquerque, N.M. Sunshine Theatre
May 24 - Las Vegas House of Blues
May 25 - San Diego 4th & B
May 26 - Phoenix Celebrity Theatre
May 27 - Los Angeles TBA
May 29 - San Francisco Mezzanine
May 30 - Portland Roseland
May 31 - Seattle Showbox
ATLANTIC RECORDS TO RELEASE SOUL COMPILATIONS
Atlantic Records has announced plans to release two compilations filled with previously unreleased songs by soul legends such as Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters and Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers will also featured tracks from lesser-known artists such as Judy Clay and Arthur Conley. The two single-disc compilations are set to hit stores June 6.