Spartan Echo

    NEW YORK (AP) — There was a time when most of the songs played on the radio came from Broadway. Now some popular hit makers like Cyndi Lauper and Sting are finding it still feels like home. “Look, they don’t break your balls that much here,” Lauper said of the experience of composing [...]

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aretha Franklin is taking off the month of June. A spokesman for the 71-year-old singer says Franklin will reschedule two shows and resume her touring schedule in July. Publicist David Brokaw provided no other details Tuesday. Franklin announced earlier this month that she would cancel scheduled performances in Chicago [...]

  With the latest lists coming out recently MTV’s Hottest MC and XXL Freshman class, we at the Spartan Echo decided to come up with our own list of   “new” artists to look out for the rest of the year and beyond. 1. Luke James NOLA native Luke James first started off writing for stars [...]

  Sevyn is one of Chris Brown’s new artist, and has been featured on Chris’s album F.A.M.E and written for Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys and Brandy among others. The Spartan Echo had a chance to catch up with her and chat it up, check out the interview below:   Echo: You’re considered by many to [...]

  NEW YORK (AP) — Rick Ross has formally apologized for lyrics some have called pro-rape. Thursday’s apology — in the form of a tweet — came the same day a women’s group, UltraViolet, planned a protest outside of one of his sponsors, Reebok, in Manhattan. In Rocko’s song “U.O.E.N.O,” Ross raps about giving a [...]

  NEW YORK (AP) — Call it satisfaction: The Rolling Stones have announced a nine-city tour. The veteran rockers said Wednesday their “50 and Counting” tour will kick off in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. The date will be announced later. The second show is in Oakland, Calif., on May 5. The tour will [...]

  It’s been said that music majors can have a tough time finding work after graduation.  Not so…if they position themselves correctly for today’s media marketplace.  Spartan Echo entertainment editor Tony Batchler, Jr. looks into Norfolk State University’s music program to see how their students make practical use of their education after graduation.      

   Lil Wayne, “I Am Not a Human Being II” (Cash Money/Young Money/Universal Republic) Lil Wayne’s “I Am Not a Human Being II” album opens with a familiar sound — someone’s flicking a lighter. It’s Weezy’s sonic signature, a long-running nod to the weed, women, booze and bravado that has shaped so many of his [...]

   Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience” (RCA Records) Boy did he test our patience. But boy, is he rewarding us for the wait. After seven years, Justin Timberlake has finally released his third album, “The 20/20 Experience,” and it’s a brilliant piece of work that plays like a musical movement. The 10 tracks (which average [...]

  NEW YORK (AP) — In just four years, Justin Bieber has gone from fielding innocuous questions about his haircut to denying that he’s in desperate need of rehab. Bieber’s grown up and into tabloid territory, with his recent troubles making some question whether he’s just the latest teen star gone wild. In what could [...]

  iTunes’ Official Music Charts for the week ending March 18, 2013 Top Songs: 1. “Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz),” Ryan Lewis, Macklemore 2. “When I Was Your Man,” Bruno Mars 3. “Stay (feat. Mikky Ekko),” Rihanna 4. “Suit & Tie (feat. JAY Z),” Justin Timberlake 5. “Just Give Me a Reason (feat. Nate Ruess),” P!nk [...]