Happy Birthday: Linda Clifford

Happy 67th to veteran singer/songwriter Linda Clifford, former Miss New York State who started her singing career by fronting a trio in Jazz music before switching to Rhythm and Blues. She also has credit as an actress from playing minor roles in two major motion pictures. Unsatisfied with the roles, Clifford decided to concentrate more on her music. As of this year, her music career has spanned 40 years and took her on recording journeys through Disco and House music.

1973 brought about being signed to Paramount Records and releasing her first single "(It's Gonna Be) A Long Long Winter" which was a minor hit. Her moving to Curtom Records, headed by Curtis Mayfield, broadened her success by recording hit tunes such as; a dance cover of "(It's Gonna Be) A Long Long Winter", "Runaway Love", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "Red Light" (from The Right Combination duet album with Curtis Mayfield), "Shoot Your Best Shot" and "Don't Come Crying to Me".

After being switched to Capitol Records in 1980, she released I'll Keep on Loving You in 1982, that contained the original version of "All The Man That I Need", a collaboration with Luther Vandross. The same tune would be covered first by Sister Sledge, then Whitney Houston and finally by Vandross.

Rappers 2Pac/Tupac Shakur ("All Eyes On Me") and Nas ("Street Dreams") have sampled her "Never Gonna Stop" tune for their Hip-Hop records.

Dr. Dre + Snoop Dogg Live: Coachella 2012 (Tupac Hologram)

Not that i'm trying to get religious or anything, but i'm still in a bit of awe to see the resurrection of Tupac Shakur in the image of a hologram appear on stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival which happened over the weekend. According to San Diego based AV Concepts, creators of the hologram, they say that the idea for the project was all Dr. Dre's and it took several months to plan, along with an additional 4 months to create.

Here's the full set of the Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg show that featured 50 Cent, Eminem, Warren G, Kurupt, Wiz Khalifa and the now infamous 2Pac hologram. In case you want to get to the hologram image, skip forward to 32:25, sit back and be amazed. Enjoy!

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale
(August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011)
Singer/rapper Nate Dogg has passed away from congestive heart failure moments ago in Long Beach, California. Nate Dogg made his debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic after being heard on a 213 demo, a group that consisted of Nate, Snoop Dogg and Warren G. Nate would go on to record many tracks on Death Row Records with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, 2pac, as well as other collaborations with rappers from across the country.

As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles. He will be greatly missed, but will live on through his music. Rest In Paradise Nate!