By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr., AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony’s most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday’s show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honor. The Grammys spread its top awards among other artists, leaving Beyoncé off […]
Author Archives: Jonathan Laundrum Jr.
Associated Press
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs receives BET Award for lifetime of achievement
By Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press With a speech about his own inspirational dream for the Black community, Sean “Diddy” Combs channeled the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. while accepting the BET Awards’ highest honor on June 26. After Combs received his Lifetime Achievement Award, the music mogul said God put […]
Posted inMusic
Lupe Fiasco, 6lack highlight Apple Music Juneteenth playlist
By Jonathan Landrum Jr., AP Entertainment Writer Several artists including Bun B, Lupe Fiasco, 6LACK and Brittney Spencer have recorded songs honoring Juneteenth for Apple Music. Performers from different genres composed new tracks, while others recorded cover songs for the second annual “Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs” playlist, which launched June 10 on the streaming platform. […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
John Legend honored at Grammys’ Black Music Collective event
By Jonathan Landrum Jr., AP Entertainment Writer As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements April 2 — the night before the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that has shaped him and the wider world of music. Legend explained how Black […]
Posted inHBCU
Hezekiah Walker looks to bring gospel music center to HBCU
Hezekiah Walker poses for a portrait on July 7, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The multi-Grammy winner was tapped to lead the Hezekiah Walker Center of Gospel Music at the Historically Black College and University based in Richmond, Va. It’s being dubbed as the first academic center focused on gospel music at […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Eddie Murphy inducted into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame
In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Eddie Murphy accepts the lifetime achievement award at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Murphy will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame this month. The NAACP announced Thursday, March 11, 2021, that Murphy will be inducted during the March 27 […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister, who played Deebo in ‘Friday,’ dies
In this Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 file photo, Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister attends the Mike Tyson Standing United and the Tyson Ranch Celebrity Golf Tournament in Dana Point, Calif. Tommy “Tiny” Lister, a former wrestler who was known for his Deebo character in the “Friday” films, has died. He was 62. Lister manager, Cindy Cowan, said […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
B.A.P.S.’ star Natalie Desselle Reid dies at 53
Natalie Desselle Reid, who starred alongside Halle Berry in the 1997 film “B.A.P.S.” and on the sitcom “Eve,” died Dec. 7. She was 53. (Leonard Reid/Courtesy of Je’Caryous Entertainment via AP) By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Associated Press Natalie Desselle Reid, who starred alongside Halle Berry in the 1997 film “B.A.P.S.” and on the sitcom “Eve,” […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, Music
Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy Lives On
By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Associated Press The year since Nipsey Hussle was gunned down has not diminished the rapper’s legacy, but rather cemented it and continues to prove true his catchphrase, “The Marathon Continues.” March 31 marks the first anniversary of Hussle’s death and his popularity and influence pushes forward as strong as ever. He […]
Posted inUncategorized
Tyler Perry’s Studio Reveal
By Johnathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press Tyler Perry remembered shedding tears when he saw an Atlanta highway exit bearing the name of his television and film studio for the first time. The actor-director-writer believes he might have the same emotions during the grand opening of his massive state-of-the-art Tyler Perry Studios on Oct. 5. He’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, Music
Rapper 21 Savage Highlights Plight of Black Immigrants
By Johnathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press Rapper 21 Savage believes immigrants like him who lived in America illegally as children should automatically become U.S. citizens. The Grammy-nominated artist, who was held this year in federal immigration detention, told The Associated Press Oct. 3 that such immigrants also shouldn’t have to endure the lengthy process to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, TV and Film
Tyler Perry Says he Can’t ‘Up and Leave’ Filming in Georgia
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Perry said he cannot “just up and leave” filming in Georgia despite Hollywood’s backlash against the state’s “heartbeat” abortion law. The actor-director-writer made the remarks to The Associated Press on Friday while discussing the upcoming opening of his massive Atlanta-based studio. Some celebs […]