News
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Remembered in TV One Special ‘Unsung Presents: Music & The Movement’ Airing Jan. 18
TV One shines a light on Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron’s work to rally support to establish a holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. in the two-hour, two-part special Unsung Presents:…

TV One shines a light on Stevie Wonder and Gil Scott-Heron’s work to rally support to establish a holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. in the two-hour, two-part special Unsung Presents: Music & The Movement airing Monday, January 18, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET/7C.
In the documentary that provides a timeline denoting how music from Black artists served as the soundtrack to the Black experience in America, civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton describes the impact of Wonder’s 1980 MLK tribute “Happy Birthday,” tour featuring Scott-Heron, and historic rally at the Washington DC monument in 1981.
Sharpton recalls former President Ronald Regan initially opposing creating a holiday in honor of King and Wonder and Scott-Heron helping to bring more attention to the cause. “The president at that time was saying, ‘That’s absurd we’re not going to do that,’” Sharpton says in the television special. “In fact, Ronald Regan had called Dr. King at some time a communist at some point in his life. As those of us in the King movement started to petition, Mrs. King was out front. All of a sudden there was a rhythm set to that movement, Stevie Wonder, Gil Scott-Heron, and the movement blew up, and it became a cultural phenomenon to accompany the political aspirations.”
In November 1983, three years after the release of Wonder’s King tribute, President Regan signed a bill to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day an American federal holiday.
King received the support of numerous Black musicians, including Aretha Franklin, says Unsung Presents: Music & The Movement Co-Executive Producer P. Frank Williams. “People think of her as the greatest singer ever, but Aretha’s a very political woman,” Williams says. “And she actually funded part of Martin Luther Kings’ marches. She was always a part of it.” Williams, an Emmy and 8-time NAACP Image Award-winning producer, has also produced shows like American Gangster on BET and Who Killed Tupac on A&E. She is the former Executive Editor of The Source Magazine. Her company, Prophet From It Entertainment, recently produced an upcoming Black History Month social justice series and a hip-hop game show for Viacom.
Unsung Presents: Music & The Movement tells the stories of dozens of Black musicians including Billie Holiday, Curtis Mayfield, Public Enemy, and Beyonce, their music, and the impact they have had in fighting for equality and justice.
The post Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Remembered in TV One Special ‘Unsung Presents: Music & The Movement’ Airing Jan. 18 appeared first on The Source.
Artist Spotlight
Yella Beezy Shuts Down Speculation After Photo With G$ Lil Ronnie’s Murder Suspect Surfaces

Dallas rapper Yella Beezy is speaking out after a photo of him with one of the suspects linked to the murder of Fort Worth artist G$ Lil Ronnie and his young daughter began making the rounds online. On Wednesday, Beezy posted on Instagram to clarify that he had no idea who the person was when the photo was taken. He pointed out that taking pictures with fans and strangers is just part of his life as a musician. “Don’t associate my name with any of that nonsense,” Beezy wrote in his Instagram Story. “I take tons of pictures every day with people I don’t know; it’s part of my job. It’s ridiculous to use a photo of me in a situation like this. Don’t mess with my image, especially when it involves kids. Straight up. Rest in peace to Chuckie and his little girl.”
Beezy’s response came after some social media users suggested he might have a connection to the tragic incident where G$ Lil Ronnie and his daughter lost their lives in a shocking act of violence. Speculation grew after the photo emerged showing Beezy alongside one of the accused. However, the rapper quickly set the record straight, denying any false claims and expressing his strong stance against violence, especially towards innocent children. His fans and friends in the music industry quickly supported Beezy, acknowledging how difficult it can be for public figures to interact with fans.
In today’s social media world, where people often jump to conclusions based on limited information, Beezy’s message serves as a reminder that just because an artist appears in a photo with someone does not mean they are connected in any way. As the tragic news of G$ Lil Ronnie’s death continues to affect the Texas rap community, Yella Beezy’s words highlight an important point that being photographed with someone doesn’t imply guilt or involvement. While investigations into this heartbreaking case continue, Beezy is dedicated to protecting his reputation and ensuring his name isn’t wrongly involved in untrue rumors.
Artist Spotlight
T-Pain Credits Snoop Dogg for Making Auto-Tune “Cool”

T-Pain is often considered the face of Auto-Tune, a vocal effect that became hugely popular in the 2000s. He produced some of the biggest songs of that time using this technology, but he recently clarified that he wasn’t the only one responsible for its success. In a thoughtful conversation on The Big Pod with Shaq, T-Pain explained that Snoop Dogg played a crucial role in making Auto-Tune acceptable and cool for listeners. T-Pain shared that there was a lot of resistance to Auto-Tune at first, with some people thinking of it as just a gimmick. But when Snoop Dogg started using it, everything changed. T-Pain remarked, “Snoop did it, then it was totally fine.
Everybody was like, ‘Okay, I guess we can listen to it.'” This shift in attitude allowed Auto-Tune to break into mainstream music beyond just T-Pain’s songs. Songs like Snoop’s “Sexual Eruption” showed that Auto-Tune could be a big part of many artists’ music styles, solidifying its place in both rap and pop. Interestingly, Snoop also recognized T-Pain’s influence on his own music, praising him during an episode of his show, Nappy Boy Radio. This connection between the two artists highlights how they support and inspire each other in expanding the music landscape.
Today, Auto-Tune is everywhere in music, from trap hits by Future to the catchy flows of Lil Uzi Vert. T-Pain’s effect on the music industry is clear, but his recent comments emphasize the importance of collaboration and approval in artistry. Ultimately, T-Pain acknowledges that while he revolutionized Auto-Tune, Snoop Dogg was the one who helped make it popular for everyone to enjoy. It’s heartwarming to see these music legends celebrate each other’s contributions as the industry grows and changes.
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