Rest in Power Dexter Wansel Blacktronika and ArtPhilly send strength, love, and heartfelt condolences to the family of Dexter Wansel during this time. Grammy Award Winning producer, Dexter Wansel was one of the most important composers and electronic music innovators in modern music, particularly within Black musical traditions. Joining Philadelphia International Records in 1973 as a keyboardist, he became one of the label’s key creative forces, introducing synthesizers such as the ARP 2600, EMS VCS3, and Oberheim Six Voice into its recordings and sonic vocabulary. His 1976 masterpiece, Life on Mars, remains one of the most groundbreaking and visionary works in the Philadelphia International catalog. Expansive in scope and fearless in imagination, the album opened new possibilities for listeners, merging futurism, spirituality, and electronic experimentation in ways that continue to resonate today. As a composer, Wansel helped shape some of the label’s most enduring recordings, working with artists ranging from Lou Rawls to The Jones Girls, including the timeless classic “Nights Over Egypt.” His legacy has been expanded by everyone from Rick Ross to Cole to Mobb Deep through sampling. For the past several months, we had been planning to honor Mr. Wansel with the inaugural Blacktronika Icon Award and a special performance celebrating his extraordinary contributions. The event on June 24 will now serve as a celebration of his life, creativity, and love. He was our hero, mentor, and guiding light. He now joins the ancestors, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to inspire generations to come. See you in the cosmos, Mr. Wansel. blacktronika.com/dexterwanse…

RIP Juan. Your legend will continue to inspire us. youtu.be/6LVu6ank2TE?is=VwlU…

"The outrageous engineering behind P-Funk’s Mothership Fifty years after its spectacular debut, George Clinton’s smoke-spewing spaceship remains a marvel of live-music technology and Afrofuturist imagination scientificamerican.com/artic… | @sciam

Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Tony Williams. (Live at Monteux, June 23, 1972. Captain Marvel ) #Jazz

Rest in peace, Bill Nunn. 🕊️ A beloved American actor, Bill Nunn left behind an unforgettable legacy through his memorable performances in film, television, and theater. He was best known for portraying Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed film Do the Right Thing. His powerful performance, particularly the iconic “Love and Hate” speech, became one of the most memorable moments in the movie. Beyond that role, Nunn was widely recognized for playing Joseph “Robbie” Robertson, the Daily Bugle editor, in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, starring alongside Tobey Maguire. He also appeared in popular films such as New Jack City, Sister Act, Regarding Henry, Mo’ Better Blues, He Got Game, The Legend of 1900, and Runaway Jury. On television, he was known for playing Terrence “Pip” Phillips in The Job and Cash in the comedy series Sirens. He also appeared in Chicago Hope, The X-Files, and The District. Throughout his career, Nunn became a respected character actor, particularly through his collaborations with filmmaker Spike Lee. He also supported young performers through the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project, helping bring theater opportunities to students in Pittsburgh. Born October 20, 1953, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bill Nunn passed away on September 24, 2016, at the age of 62, following a battle with leukemia. Though he is gone, his unforgettable performances and the characters he brought to life will continue to entertain and inspire audiences for generations to come. Thank you for the memorable performances, the iconic characters, and the lasting legacy you left behind, Bill Nunn. Rest easy. You will never be forgotten. 🕊️

52 years ago today, Labelle's "Lady Marmalade" was released as a single.

Rest in Power Juan Atkins 🕊️💜🕊️

A clip from Full Blacktronika x Masters at Work interview from 2021 blacktronika.com/mastersatwo…

Weather Report performing "Cannonball" live at Montreux, July 8, 1976.  Joe Zawinul – Keyboards, piano, and synthesizers, Wayne Shorter – Saxophones (soprano and tenor), Jaco Pastorius – Electric fretless bass, Alex Acuña – Drums, Manolo Badrena – Percussion and congas

A look back at how Columbia Records introduced Head Hunters to the world in 1973. And over five decades later, the album still sounds as fresh and funky as ever. Listen here: lnk.to/HHHeadHunters 🎹

Yesterdays New Quintet - Sound Directions (Live). Shot and edited by @flyinglotus back when he was a #StonesThrow intern.

Two true electronic music bosses!

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Clip from interview with Osunlade @blacktronika

Full Theo Parrish x Blacktronika interview blacktronika.com/theoparrish

Herbie Hancock x Blacktronika [full interview] blacktronika.com/herbiehanco… ✨👑✨

Jenifer got up with some of our faves in the industry telling us to take our asses out and vote. 😂👏🏾