LOS ANGELES — Quincy Jones, whose sweeping influence in music spanned jazz, pop, film, and television, has died at 91. Known for his genre-defining collaborations with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and countless others, Jones was a singular force in American entertainment. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones passed peacefully on Sunday night at his Bel Air home.

The producer, arranger, and composer reshaped the American musical landscape over a career that lasted more than seven decades. A pioneer not only in jazz but also in mainstream pop, Jones produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller—still the best-selling album of all time—and led the historic recording of “We Are the World” in 1985. Gathering nearly 50 leading artists, from Bruce Springsteen to Cyndi Lauper, Jones produced the charity single to support relief efforts during Ethiopia’s famine.

Jones’s extraordinary career, recognized with 28 Grammy Awards, also included landmark achievements in cinema and television. He composed scores for In the Heat of the Night, The Color Purple, and The Italian Job, and helped launch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which became a cultural touchstone. His collaborations with Sinatra, like the innovative swing rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon,” revealed his versatility and prowess in transforming popular music.

Reflecting on Jones’s legacy, playwright Jeremy O’Harris called him an “unlimited cultural contributor,” noting his groundbreaking status as the first Black artist nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score. Jones’s impact on American music and culture is celebrated not only in his discography but in the influence he held over the industry as a producer and entrepreneur.

Jones is survived by his seven children, including producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones. The family, in a statement, expressed both their sadness and pride, celebrating the life of a man whose work and influence are unlikely to be matched.

Kat Heats Up With 44 Against Miami

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Andrew Rosario

It was not the start Karl Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks envisioned when they opened the 2024-2025 season last Tuesday in Boston. The Knicks had to watch the Celtics raise their 18th NBA Championship banner in front of a sold-out crowd. Boston then went and tied a record with the Milwaukee Bucks connecting on 29 3-pointers as they routed New York 132-109. Towns had a pedestrian 12 points. Said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau “It’s not one guy. Obviously, we have to be better. So, we’ll look at the film and the adjustments we have to make.”

The Knicks made adjustments when they hosted the Indiana Pacers in their home opener last Friday night. The same Pacers team that eliminated New York in last year’s Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Towns scored 21 points in the 123-98 win. Captain Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points. Josh Hart finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds said, “we kind of knew this would be a good game for us. When you get your butt kicked on national TV, the next game, you step it up,”

The Knicks took a step back when they faced the Cleveland Cavaliers blowing a second half lead in the 110-104 loss. Although New York had 6 players in double figures, led by Brunson’s 21 points, they could not hold off the Cavs who were led by Darius Garland and his 36 points. Brunson had to leave the game at one point going to the locker room after landing awkward in the third quarter. He returned to start the fourth. The same could not be said for Hart as he had to leave the game late in the fourth quarter when he banged his right leg with Caris LeVert. Said Brunson seeing Hart leave the game, “of course, anybody that doesn’t finish the game it’s hard to see and you want your brothers out there finishing the game with you.”

Hart did return when the Knicks traveled south to face the Miami Heat. Hart finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds but the night was all about Karl Anthony Towns. He finished the night with 44 points and 13 rebounds in the 116-107 win. New York had to overcome a 13-point deficit as Kat scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in the fourth quarter. Said Towns after his performance, “I just wanted to win. I wasn’t even thinking honestly, I just didn’t realize the time, either. I was just trying to make the winning play so you get to those last minutes, you kind of get lost in the game.”

Two nights later the road trip continued when New York traveled to Detroit to visit the Pistons. In the 128-98 win, Brunson exploded for 36 points as once again 6 players scored in double figures with Towns and OG Anunoby chipping in 21. Said Brunson of the shared scoring, “we were just trying to make the right play at the right time while still trying to stay aggressive. Any given night, we have a bunch of guys who can have big nights on the stat sheet.”

The 2-game road win streak came to an end Monday night when the Knicks took on the Houston Rockets. It was a case of New York not making shots when they need to and could not get a stop when they needed to either in the 109-97 loss. The Knicks would get within 3-points late in the game only to allow Rocket baskets as Houston ended the game on a 11-2 run putting the game away. Brunson finished with 29 points but had to play 42 minutes. Rockets center Alperen Sengun led Houston with 25 points. Said Brunson of the loss, “we missed shots. We didn’t get stops. We weren’t together on the defensive side. So, let one slip away.”

The Knicks hosted Milwaukee Friday night and will host the Pacers Sunday night.

There were positives and negatives in the first 6-games of the New York Knicks season. Towns showed he can be a force on both ends of the court. Brunson can light it up on any night. Defense is something that Thibodeau stresses every night. They need to be more consistent in that area.

Dodgers Soak Up Fans Love

Photo: Joshua Garcia

By Joshua Garcia

They did it. They finally did it. After years of “I’m ready to be hurt again” memes and jokes about how the Dodgers always choke and how the 2020 covid-season Championship didn’t count, the Los Angeles Dodgers are real deal champs for the first time since 1988. 

Countless people at Friday’s Championship Parade near City Hall downtown, were either too young to remember or not even born in 1988 the last time the City of Los Angeles held a ticker-tape fiesta for the Dodgers. The Lakers have done this many times, the Kings after beating the Devils and Rangers from the New York City area have hoisted a Stanley Cup in front of their fellow Angelenos twice in the last decade, but this was special, because it’s the Dodgers. 

Although the Dodgers spent their first 74 years in the Borough of Brooklyn, for 66 years the team has been the soul of Los Angeles and hasn’t had the still waters that the Lakers and other franchises in the same metropolitan area enjoy. Voice of the franchise and Broadcasting Legend Vin Scully always said, “It didn’t come easy, but in the history of the Dodgers both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, nothing has ever come easy.”

So when the beloved Dodgers fought their way through the hated division rival Padres, who many had favored to win the World Series, the up and coming New York Mets, and finally the big bad New York Yankees with MVP Aaron Judge,  on a run to a world championship, oh it feels different. Walker Buehler, who grabbed the last out in the World Series, immediately ran to a microphone to tell the world and in particular the haters and naysayers of the 2020 MLB  champions, to somewhat politely, shut their mouths after now winning a second ring in the span of 5 years. 

Over a million people attended the raucous parade in downtown Los Angeles near City Hall and it all got kicked off with a huge party at Gloria Molina Park, where the double-decker buses were set to take off, filled with Dodger players, coaches, and families. Hearing a crowd of thousands of people sing Happy Birthday to Iconic Pitcher and Announcer Fernando Valenzuela was the emotional and energetic start the big party deserved. People hugged, cried, took video, sang their hearts out, and then were ready party for the first time since 1988. 

As the buses pulled in front of Los Angeles City Hall and what felt like half the town, Dave Roberts lifted up the trophy as he pulled a fat billow of smoke out of his fine cigar, like Tony Soprano. The Dodger coaches soaked in every minute, Roberts enjoyed a quick chuckle at all the times his job was in question, his decisions were second guessed, his acumen as a manager debated, all leading him to this World Series trophy he held. 

Coach Mark Prior not far behind Manager Dave Roberts, should also be applauded for his use of the pitching staff throughout the playoffs and his tremendous contribution to their success. The Dodgers would not be where they are without Prior, and will have to fight off offers from other organizations to make him a manager, but first, let him enjoy his champagne and celebration. 

The DJ dropped “You know how we do it” by Ice Cube, and the buses with the Dodger players entered, a fan held a big sign that could be seen for blocks saying, “Thanks for not stopping Freddie.” In response to a sign a fan held up at Yankee Stadium during Game 5 in New York. Freddie Freeman in fact, did not stop, in 20 at-bats in 5 World Series he posted a .300 average, with four home runs and drove in a ridiculous 12 RBI in his five games. Freeman was named MVP and the crowd bursting with over a million people total, chanted his name as it echoed throughout downtown, “FREDDIE-FREDDIE-FREDDIE!”.

Los Angeles is synonymous with the music it produces, it always has and always will represent LA. At the celebration at Dodger Stadium, team leader and fire starter, Kiké Hernandez, let it be known that when Ice Cube took the stage before Game 2, and even more when Fat Joe took the stage in New York, they knew the series was the going to go the Dodgers’ way. And although it was a subtle jab to the New York and it’s rap, the two rappers signified how the series went, and it’s no coincidence in the year of Kendrick Lamar, the Dodgers are the champions. 

With the King of the City Kendrick Lamar, coming off his epic summer concert, being named to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and the Dodgers winning their first full-season ring since 1988, can you blame Los Angeles for feeling like, “They not like us”?

BROOKLYN — Legendary hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Kenyatta Blake, famously known as Buckshot from the influential group Black Moon, was reportedly attacked in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood on October 31, leaving the music community shaken. The assault, which left him “beaten half to death,” has prompted an outpouring of concern from fans and industry colleagues.

Initial news of the incident surfaced through a now-deleted Facebook post by Sista Asia Wildenboar, who shared a photo of herself with Buckshot, asking for prayers after the attack. Soon after, social media users circulated video footage showing the aftermath, with Buckshot bloodied and lying on the ground. Though he was hospitalized, he has since been released and is reportedly recovering at home, confirmed by his Black Moon bandmate, DJ Evil Dee.

Buckshot rose to prominence in the early 1990s with the release of “Who Got da Props,” a hit single that set the tone for a gritty new wave of hip-hop known as “backpack rap.” Black Moon’s 1993 debut album Enta da Stage became a landmark record, paving the way for Buckshot and DJ Evil Dee to found Duck Down, an influential label and management company. The label played a central role in promoting other New York-based groups like Smif-N-Wessun and Heltah Skeltah, forming the Boot Camp Clik collective.

Buckshot’s influence extended beyond his own career, with Duck Down later signing major acts such as KRS-One and Talib Kweli. Through Duck Down, Buckshot solidified his status as a pioneering artist-entrepreneur in hip-hop, known for fostering talent and championing independent rap.

As police continue investigating the attack, fans and peers alike are sending their support to Buckshot, a celebrated figure in both hip-hop and Brooklyn’s cultural history.

WASHINGTON — As the nation’s capital braces for the upcoming presidential election, heightened political tension poses unique threats to Washington, D.C.’s unhoused residents, who are some of the most vulnerable in this politically charged environment. At Washington Circle, near the Foggy Bottom Metro, tents mark the encampments of those displaced in recent months, underscoring the growing need for safety as Election Day approaches.

Christy Repress, President and CEO of Pathways to Housing DC, leads the city’s largest outreach initiative for individuals experiencing homelessness. She and her team are preparing for potential unrest with protocols refined over years of navigating inaugurations and major protests. “This population is particularly vulnerable due to decades of racial disparities in housing and employment,” Repress explained. “The threat is compounded by the city’s racial demographics, where 83 percent of those without housing identify as Black or African American.”

Recent data underscores the heightened risks. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 97 violent attacks against unhoused individuals were documented between 2019 and 2022, nearly half of which were fatal. Repress notes that the numbers reflect only reported incidents, with many more likely unrecorded. Adding to the concern, a recent Supreme Court ruling, Johnson v. Grant Pass, clarified that “the U.S. Constitution does not protect homeless people against cruel and unusual punishment,” a decision advocates fear could embolden acts of aggression.

To address these risks, Repress and her team are intensifying education and outreach efforts aimed at the unhoused. Pathways has coordinated with city agencies to use real-time text alerts, notifying individuals about potential hazards, closures, and other critical updates. “Lack of access to these resources can mean missing life-saving information,” she emphasized, noting that the absence of timely updates often means lost documents or missed opportunities to seek shelter, compounding the dangers.

For Washington’s most vulnerable, Election Day symbolizes more than just a political event; it is a moment of heightened uncertainty and potential danger. Local advocates are doubling down on efforts to protect and inform, hoping that their vigilance can mitigate some of the risks facing the city’s homeless population in an election year marked by tension and division.

Jones Throws First TD At Home Since January 2023

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

The New York Giants were a touchdown away from a win, but did not have the ball and ran out of time as they fell to the Washington Commanders in a 27-22 loss on their home turf MetLife Stadium.

The Giants found some success running the ball. New York picked up yards as quarterback Daniel Jones rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but more points, including two missed 2-point conversions, were needed.

“Competitive game,” Coach Daboll said. “In the end just didn’t make enough plays to get the outcome we want. Gave up some big plays there, right before the two minute (warning) and at the end of the half.”

New York also missed quarterback protection. Jones was sacked and lost a fumble in the game.

New York trailed 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Jones sent a 2-yard pass to tight end Chris Manhertz for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Giants trailed 21-7 at halftime. McAtamney kicked a 31-yard field goal for the Giants in the third quarter. The next points for New York came in the fourth quarter as Jones rushed for a touchdown. “Try to do what you can to get into the end zone in those situations,” he said.

However, New York missed the 2-point conversion.

Jones later completed a 35-yd pass to tight end Theo Johnson for a touchdown, but missed the 2-point conversion.

He hoped for improvement before the next game. “Obviously a turnover was critical,” he said. “Look to see where we can do a better job there.”

Jones completed 20 of 26 passes for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels who could not get the team into the end zone the last time they faced each other finished his day completing 15 of 22 passes for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Giants are now 2-7 in the NFC East to take on the Panthers November 10th in Germany. It is the first time in 24 games that the Giants are favored.

Sports Editor Andrew Rosario contributed to this article.

Rodgers Helps Break Losing Streak

Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon

MetLife Stadium

By Shara Talia Taylor

The New York Jets had a turnaround performance on Halloween as they came from behind to defeat the Houston Texans 21-13.

The win was a big treat for fans in costume enjoying the team on an unusually warm October night, but it was especially sweet for Jeff Ulbrich to mark his first victory as interim head coach and the end of five straight losses. New York’s defense stopped any trick plays and allowed only one touchdown in the first half, while the offense came alive after halftime with three touchdowns, including two thrillers by wide receiver Garett Wilson who caught both passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers with one hand.

“Really cool game for this team after three weeks of a lot of adversity, a lot of setbacks, some self-imposed,” said Coach Ulbrich. “For them to have the resiliency to come back and play the way they did against a really good opponent, I was proud of them.”

The Jets overcame a rocky start to the game and pushed ahead. Neither New York nor Houston scored in the first quarter. Rodgers tossed the ball to (WR) Malachi Corley, who ran for a touchdown in the second quarter. However, he dropped the ball short of the goal line in celebration, and it was ruled a touchback.

“Definitely frustrated, to be honest, and angry at the same time, but what an amazing opportunity for this kid to learn and grow from,” Coach Ulbrich said.

New York trailed 7-0 at the end of the second quarter, but returned from halftime ready to work.

“Just keep communicating,” Rodgers said he told his teammates at halftime. “Talked to the line about what runs they like, talked to receivers about a couple different things that were there before, but we just had to stay positive and had to believe.”

Rodgers passed to Wilson for a touchdown when 9:09 minutes remained in the third quarter. The attempt for the extra point by Riley Patterson, New York’s newly acquired kicker, was good. (K) Greg Zuerlein was placed on the injured reserve list for a knee injury early last week. Patterson joined the team to replace him and added to the active roster.

“I was really proud of him,” Coach Jeff Ulbrich said about Patterson’s play. “He came out on Wednesday and we did a little kicking competition and he won it and the team had some confidence in him.”

Rodgers heaved a 26-yard deep pass to Wilson for a touchdown with about 13:01 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The kick by Patterson was good for the extra point.

Rodgers later connected with (WR) Davante Adams for a 37-yard touchdown pass with about 3:02 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Patterson then added an extra point.

Rodgers completed 22 of 32 passes for 211 yards. The Jets’ defense made eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 64 combined tackles and assists.

Houston’s (QB) C.J. Stroud completed 11 of 30 passes for 191 yards. The Texans defense made two sacks, four quarterback hits and 52 combined tackles and assists.

The Jets next travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. — A Halloween parade float in a small Pennsylvania town has sparked widespread outrage after photos surfaced showing a depiction of Vice President Kamala Harris being led in chains behind a Trump-themed vehicle. Images of the float, which featured people dressed as Secret Service agents with what appeared to be a rifle mounted on top, were quickly shared on social media, drawing condemnation from local residents and civil rights groups.

The float was part of a parade in Mount Pleasant, a town in Westmoreland County, where the local volunteer fire department later apologized for allowing the display. “We do not share in the values represented by those participants,” the department stated on Facebook, acknowledging the harm the portrayal had caused within the community.

Civil rights organizations, including the NAACP Pittsburgh branch, condemned the imagery as racially offensive and evocative of a violent past. In a statement, NAACP Pittsburgh President Daylon A. Davis expressed his dismay, calling the depiction “a harmful symbol that evokes a painful history of violence, oppression, and racism.” He urged local leaders to establish guidelines to prevent such displays in future public events and to publicly commit to anti-racist principles.

The incident has intensified scrutiny on the political rhetoric surrounding Trump rallies and MAGA events, where chants of “Lock her up” have frequently targeted Harris, echoing past chants aimed at Hillary Clinton. Critics argue that these events create an environment that fosters intolerance, particularly towards women and people of color.

With Trump’s campaign still reeling from backlash over other recent incidents, including a comedian’s racist remarks at a rally, this latest display has only deepened concerns about the divisive language often associated with MAGA events. Civil rights advocates continue to call for greater accountability, underscoring the importance of leaders distancing themselves from such displays of hate.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richard Moore, who is set to be executed on Friday for the 1999 killing of a convenience store clerk, awaits a decision from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on a clemency plea that could save his life. Moore, who confessed to killing James Mahoney during a confrontation over a minor purchase, has gained support from former jurors, family members, and a former state prison director, who all argue he should spend his life in prison rather than face execution.

In a series of heartfelt appeals, Moore’s children and grandchildren spoke of the positive role he continues to play from behind bars. His daughter, Alexandria Moore, described her father’s presence in her life as enduring, despite his incarceration. She noted the impact he’s had on her and her child, saying, “Even though my father has been away, that still has not stopped him from making a big impact on my life.”

Governor McMaster, who has yet to grant clemency during his tenure, is weighing a rare decision for South Carolina, where no governor has intervened in a death penalty case since its reintroduction in 1976. The governor stated that he would review all information carefully and issue a decision shortly before the scheduled execution time. Moore, now 59, expressed regret for his actions in a recent interview, saying he prays for forgiveness and wishes he could change the past.

Supporters of clemency, including Moore’s trial judge and former prison director Jon Ozmint, argue that Moore’s case does not meet the “worst of the worst” standard typically associated with capital punishment. They point to other cases in the state, like that of Todd Kohlhepp, who committed multiple murders but received a life sentence. Ozmint and others assert that Moore, who arrived at the store unarmed, acted in the heat of the moment and now demonstrates remorse and positive influence within the prison system.

As the hours wind down, the plea for clemency has become a collective push to offer Moore a life sentence without parole, allowing him to continue mentoring fellow inmates and remain connected to his family. In a video message accompanying his petition, Moore’s supporters stress his transformation, describing him as a man who has become a devoted Christian and a peacemaker in his prison community.

A landmark $10 million endowment from the Ford Foundation will secure the leadership role at the Studio Museum in Harlem for years to come, marking a significant investment in one of the nation’s foremost institutions for artists of African descent. The endowment will formally establish the position of “The Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator,” a role currently held by Thelma Golden, who has led the museum through a period of growth and influence.

The announcement was made by Ford Foundation president Darren Walker at the museum’s annual gala, where he acknowledged the institution’s impact on art and culture over the past half-century. Under Golden’s nearly 20-year leadership, the Studio Museum has become a leading platform for Black artists, opening up critical new avenues for creative expression and scholarly exploration in the visual arts. The museum’s new building, set to open in 2025, aims to expand these efforts, creating space for a wider audience and enhanced programming.

Walker underscored the Ford Foundation’s commitment to addressing inequality through philanthropy, a mission he said aligns deeply with the Studio Museum’s goals. “The Studio Museum has nurtured the careers of extraordinary artists while fostering appreciation and scholarship in African American art,” Walker noted, adding that the endowment reflects the Ford Foundation’s belief in the museum’s role as a cultural leader.

Golden expressed her gratitude for the Foundation’s support, which has been crucial to the museum’s growth and resilience over the years, especially amid recent challenges in the arts sector. “Darren Walker’s transformative leadership has ensured that organizations like ours can continue to thrive and serve our communities,” she said, adding that she was honored to hold the new title supported by the Foundation’s gift.

Located on Manhattan’s West 125th Street, the Studio Museum is undergoing an ambitious expansion that includes a larger Artist-in-Residence program, broader educational initiatives, and expanded exhibition spaces. The new facility promises to continue the museum’s pioneering work, showcasing artists of African descent while enriching the cultural fabric of Harlem and beyond.