He ran a highly successful booking agency, but his secret contacts with college athletes led to convictions (later reversed) for racketeering and fraud.
Category: Rhythm and Blues (Music)
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Les McCann, a Jazz Pianist and Singer, Dies at 88
He released more than 50 albums but had his greatest commercial success with “Compared to What,” a recording that came together at the last minute in 1969.
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Amp Fiddler, Versatile Keyboardist, Singer and Mentor, Dies at 65
A mainstay of Detroit’s soul, funk and electronic music scenes, he also offered guidance to young hip-hop and electronic music aspirants, notably J Dilla.
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10 New Christmas Albums for 2023
Our critics on 10 new holiday albums from Cher, Robert Glasper, Sabrina Carpenter and more.
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Chatting About the Best Songs of 2023
The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs.
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Hear the Best Albums and Songs of 2023
A playlist of 124 songs from our three critics’ lists to experience however you wish.
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Best Songs of 2023
Seventy-one tracks that asked big questions, found new kinship between genres and helped us see the good in Ken.
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Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Movie Bonus, and 9 More New Songs
Hear tracks by Hurray for the Riff Raff, Tyla, Lana Del Rey and others.
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Best Albums of 2023: SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, 100 gecs and More
Many of the LPs that made an impact this year, including SZA’s “SOS” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts,” came from looking inward.
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Jean Knight, Who Struck Platinum With ‘Mr. Big Stuff,’ Dies at 80
Her anthem of female strength topped the Billboard R&B chart and reached No. 2 on the pop chart in 1971. Its appeal has endured.
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Cassie Settles Lawsuit Accusing Sean Combs of Rape and Abuse
The R&B singer Casandra Ventura and the music mogul did not disclose terms of the settlement, which came one day after Ms. Ventura filed an explosive complaint.
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George Brown of Kool & the Gang Dies at 74
Mr. Brown kept time for a group that combined funk, disco, R&B and jazz to create some of the most memorable pop songs of the 1970s.