Category : Industry Passings
Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
Son of Sugar Hill Records Founder Dies: Rhondo Robinson
Rhondo Robinson, son of Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson, died at 43 from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. He served as VP handling royalties amid...
Radio PD Kris Kelly Found Dead, Industry Condolences
Former WGCI Program Director Kris Kelly (LaVonne R. Battle) was found dead at 47 in her Philadelphia apartment. Industry colleagues share memories and condolences....
Former Urban/KMOJ DJ Killed After Police Taser Him
Former KMOJ Radio DJ Quincy Smith, 24, died after Minneapolis police used a Taser during his arrest for domestic assault. Five officers were placed on...
WVAQ DJ Loray Robinson Found Dead, Midday Host for 20 Years
WVAQ radio DJ Loray Robinson was found dead at her home during a welfare check. The longtime midday host served listeners for over 30 years...
Soul Train Creator Don Cornelius’ Funeral Program
Soul Train creator Don Cornelius' funeral program reveals the remarkable life and career of the iconic TV host who revolutionized music television....
James “Big Jim” Wright Found Dead
James 'Big Jim' Wright, prolific producer and songwriter who worked with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, died at 52. He contributed to hits by Janet...
Colonel Abrams Health Crisis: Crowdfunding Launched
House music legend Colonel Abrams, known for hits like 'Trapped,' faces serious health issues and homelessness. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help the...
Atlanta Radio Pros Gather for Kenny Diamond Memorial
Atlanta radio legends gathered to honor Sidney Wood aka Kenny Diamond, who recently passed away. The memorial brought together iconic radio personalities to pay tribute...
RIP Gary Jackson (Urban Network, HITS and BRE Magazine)
Gary Jackson, veteran music industry executive known for his work with Urban Network, HITS and BRE Magazine, has passed away. He was a key figure...
104.5 MeTV FM In Rip City launch new Portland Affiliate
104.5 MeTV FM launches in Portland, Oregon, targeting baby boomers with classic hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond on KXXP-FM....
Jessye Norman Homecoming Service Set for 4 Days
International opera star Jessye Norman's homecoming service will be held October 12, 2019 in Augusta, GA, featuring four days of celebrations with tributes from Audra...
LaShawn ‘Big Shiz’ Daniels Dies At 41
Grammy Award-winning songwriter LaShawn 'Big Shiz' Daniels has died at 41. He wrote hits for Michael Jackson, Destiny's Child, Brandy and Monica throughout the 90s...
Hasbro’s eOne Deal Signals Growth
Hasbro's acquisition of Entertainment One includes Death Row Records, the iconic 90s hip-hop label. The toy giant plans to collect royalties while expanding its entertainment...
Veteran Radio Personality Guy Brody Memorial�
Veteran radio personality Guy Brody, known for his morning show and developing Baton Rouge's first FM hip-hop station WEMX-Max94, passed away August 6th, 2019....
Industry Vet Guy Brody Succumbs to Cancer
Veteran radio DJ Guy Brody passed away Monday after a brief battle with brain cancer. The popular 80s personality worked across major markets including New...
Nipsey Hussle Shot Dead Outside LA Store
Rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside his Marathon store in LA's Hyde Park. The community activist was known for building black-owned businesses....
Industry Vet Bob Slade has Died
Bob Slade, legendary NYC radio personality who served WBLS, Hot 97, and WLIB for over 40 years, has died after battling kidney disease. The Harlem...
PD Dies from Complications of Massive Stroke
Former radio PD and station owner Cliff Fletcher passed away from stroke complications. He owned Charleston's Z93 JAMZ and launched multiple stations including Hot 98.9....
Radio Host Fatally Hit By Train While Jogging
Conservative talk radio host Michael 'Doc' Thompson was fatally struck by an Amtrak train while jogging in Haltom City, TX on February 5th, 2019....
REPORT: Rasheed Constantine Najm of Nappy Headz has Died?
Rasheed Constantine Najm of R&B group Nappy Headz has reportedly died after battling health issues for over a decade. The group member had been on...
Zealous Sheryl Underwood’s Plan to Leave Her Mark on Radio
Sheryl Underwood expands beyond The Talk into syndicated radio with four shows targeting HBCUs and urban markets, combining traditional radio with digital innovation....
Black Music Honors Celebrates Music Legends
The 3rd Annual Black Music Honors celebrated iconic artists Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Whodini, and Stephanie Mills with tribute performances....
Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert on August 30
A star-studded musical tribute to Aretha Franklin will be held August 30 at Detroit's Chene Park Amphitheatre, featuring over 20 artists including Gladys Knight and...
Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Passes Away at 76 in Detroit
Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, passed away at 76 in Detroit from pancreatic cancer. The first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll...
Gravely ill: Aretha Franklin’s Family Asking for Prayers
Aretha Franklin is gravely ill in a Detroit hospital with family at her bedside. The Queen of Soul's family is asking for prayers for the...