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MUSIC NEWS// James “Ice-Ice” Parker of the Zulu Nation Dies, Frank Ocean Talks His Early Release of Channel Orange, Keyshia Cole Talks Motherhood, Marriage and Music & More
Published by Blair Bedford on Monday, July 16, 2012 at 9:34 am.
1. Frank Ocean on Why He Released Channel Orange Early
Frank Ocean is the man of the hour after surprising fans earlier this week with the digital release of his debut album, Channel Orange, one week before it was scheduled to hit stores. In a rare new interview with Zane Lowe of BBC’s Radio 1, Ocean opened up about the release strategy, his live television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and more.
“It was the plan all along,” he said of releasing the album on iTunes a week early. “I wanted to kind of mirror what Jay and Kanye did with Watch the Throne and stagger the digital and physical release… to let the music speak for itself for a second and not be in a situation where the record leaks… me, my label and management went through a lot to make sure it went down seamlessly.” [MORE]
2. Keyshia Cole Says Marriage and Motherhood Has Affected Her Music
Keyshia Cole might have a way with spinning sad songs, but the singer says she’s now in a happier place and credits her new life milestones for it. During the Essence Music Festival, Cole was asked about her new album Woman to Woman and if marriage and motherhood have changed her music and she explained that it has, but that she hasn’t forgotten those who are still nursing a broken heart.
“It has,” she said, “because I’m in a happy place now. However, some of my fans are not. So I brought on a bunch of writers this time around…obviously. I’m not in that place to write those kinds of songs.” [MORE]
3. DMX Hospitalized After Four-Wheeler Accident
DMX is in a South Carolina hospital recovering from an ATV accident on Saturday [July 14] that left him with a concussion and a bruised rear end. [MORE]
4. James “Ice-Ice” Parker of the Zulu Nation Dies
James “Ice-Ice” Parker, a hip hop pioneer and member of Cosmic Force and the Zulu Nation, has died, according to statements from his friends. The cause of death is unknown.
Born in the Bronx, Ice-Ice rose to fame as a founding member of the early hip hop group Cosmic Force, which was an offshoot of Afrika Bambaataa’s Universal Zulu Nation. The group was perhaps best known for its classic song “Zulu Nation Throwdown” featuring Bambaataa. [MORE]
