Tag: Faith Evans
LEGENDARY R&B SONGTRESS FAITH EVANS TELLS ALL ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF UNCENSORED
TV One's original auto-biographical series UNCENSORED highlights R&B Singer/Songwriter Faith Evans on Sunday, November 10 at 9 p.m. ET/8C. The edgy docu-series explores the private lives of some of today's most notable personalities.
Faith Evans, the First Lady of Bad Boy, has enjoyed a successful music career spanning almost three decades and is widely known as the widow of the late rapper, The Notorious B.I.G. She is a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter, New York Times best-selling author, autism advocate, and most importantly – a mother.
Evans discovered her voice at just three-years-old, but a lack of confidence as a child almost derailed her destiny. Influenced by her mother, Helene Evans, a professional singer and “trailblazing renegade," and inspired by the harmonies of the Clark Sisters, Evans honed her gift in the Baptist church.
Her formative years were spent in Newark, New Jersey, where she began to rebel as a teenager. She would sneak out of her grandmother’s home and trek to New York for studio time, where she eventually matured as an artist, and developed her skills as a vocal arranger, producer and songwriter.
While attending Fordham University on a full scholarship, the unexpected happened - Evans discovered she was pregnant. Fearful of disappointing her strictly religious family, she contemplated having an abortion but the child’s father strongly opposed. The teenage couple moved to Los Angeles, California and embarked on a new life together but betrayal and infidelity rocked the relationship. Pregnant and alone, Evans fled back to New Jersey.
Nicknamed “the Doctor,” Evans ultimately found her confidence in the booth, providing background vocals and pinning hits for Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure! In need of a female voice for a track, a chance encounter with Sean “Puffy” Combs would forever change her life. Slipping into the vocal booth, Evans rearranged melodies, captivating the room with her smooth, gospel-infused soprano. Combs was mesmerized and offered Evans the opportunity to write for Mary J. Blige and Usher, as well as a recording contract with his pioneering label, Bad Boy – making her the first female artist to sign.
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Notorious B.I.G. To Be Honored At 30th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 30th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The exclusive event will honor hip-hop legend, Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, with the esteemed ascap Founders Award upon the 20th anniversary of his death. His mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace, his wife, singer/songwriter Faith Evans, his children, and his former managers and estate consultant Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts will accept the award. ascap will also honor its songwriter and publisher community with awards for the most performed ascap songs of the past year on the R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
The ascap Founders Award is ASCAP's most prestigious honor and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius that will enrich generations to come. Previous recipients include: Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Berry Gordy Jr. & Motown Industries, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS, Ricky Skaggs, Elliot Goldenthal, Carly Simon, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Melissa Etheridge, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Neil Young and many more.
"Biggie was a legend in his own time and his legacy lives on through his music," said ascap President Paul Williams. "Like all songwriters, he was a master storyteller, but it was the realism in his rhymes that captured so many."
The Notorious B.I.G. is widely known as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time. The Brooklyn-bred rapper released his critically acclaimed debut album Ready to Die in 1994, which is certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). At a time when West Coast hip-hop was immensely popular, the success of the album led Biggie to be credited with reviving the East Coast hip-hop scene. He immediately saw pop chart success with his first single "Juicy/Unbelievable," followed by songs such as "Big Poppa," which soared to #1 on the rap charts; and "One More Chance," which sold over one million copies. Biggie was also featured on gold and platinum selling singles, "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money," released by his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A, which included Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease.
In 1997, after Biggie's death, his second album, titled Life After Death, was released. It hit #1 on the Billboard charts and was certified with diamond status in 2000, the highest RIAA certification given to a solo hip-hop album. The album spawned #1 hits on Billboard's Hot 100 charts including the lead single, "Hypnotize," as well as follow-up "Mo Money, Mo Problems," featuring Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Mase.
The Notorious B.I.G.'s legacy continues to survive and inspire countless other artists who have sampled his music. On May 19th, two days before what would have been his 45th birthday, Faith Evans released a tribute album titled, The King And I, featuring duets between her and her husband.
During the ascap ceremony, awards will also be presented for ascap Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriters/performers, and will be attended by some of the top names in the music and entertainment industry.
REVOLT TV is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 ascap Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
Over 540,000 Attendees Descend Upon New Orleans for the Essence Festival
