VIDEO: Legendary Blues Singer Etta James Dies in California
Despite the reputation she cultivated, she would always be remembered best for 'At Last'
2012-01-20
Robert Jablon The Associated Press
In real life, little about James was as genteel as that song. The platinum blonde's first hit was a saucy R&B number about sex, and she was known as a hell-raiser who had tempestuous relationships with her family, her men and the music industry. Then she spent years battling a drug addiction that she admitted sapped away at her great talents. Read the complete article
Portland rising hip hop star Cassow talked to The Skanner about life, music and what's next. 
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Newly engaged queen of soul Aretha Franklin is headlining this summer's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, and its other top performers include Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson and Keyshia Cole. 
NEW YORK (AP) -- Lil Wayne is offering a literary tour of his prison days. 
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If the U.S. Supreme Court is willing to listen, rocker Steven Tyler has something "old school" to say about nudity and profanity on broadcast TV. 
NEW YORK (AP) -- Through a rap verse, Jay-Z has confirmed the birth of "the most beautiful girl in the world" - his newborn daughter.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- U.S. album sales rose more than 3 percent last year for the first gain since 2004 - a sign that rising digital sales are finally stemming the decade-long decline of compact discs. 
Ndour, who made the announcement late Monday on his private radio and TV stations, joins some 20 other candidates already running against President Abdoulaye Wade. 
AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The editor of a Dutch fashion magazine has been fired after the publication used a racial slur to refer to Barbados-born Rihanna, setting off a social media furor and prompting an outraged response from the singer.