Category: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Afrika Bambaataa, a DJ from the Bronx, influenced hip-hop culture in the 1980s. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Several men are accusing hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, whose 1982 hit “Planet Rock” helped launch the burgeoning art form into a global phenomenon, of molesting them during their teens. Bambaataa—who was born Kevin Donovan but changed his name […]

A Ghana-based hit webseries, dubbed the African equivalent of “Sex and the City,” has found a large following while challenging stereotypes of women across the continent. The YouTube series “An African City” was created in 2014 by Nicole Amarteifio, and tackles bold topics such as sex, love, politics, skin bleaching and “natural hair” on an […]

Well into its current fifth season of corruption, politics and tantric love affairs, the creator of ABC’s hit series “Scandal” recently hinted that the show may be drawing to a close. ABC renewed the show in March for the 2016-2017 season, but its 7.92 million viewers may be closer than they think to saying goodbye […]

Mutulu Shakur (left), stepfather of late rapper Tupac Shakur (right), has been denied parole from his federal prison sentence. (Courtesy Photos) MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — The stepfather of late rapper Tupac Shakur has been denied parole from his federal prison sentence for leading a revolutionary group responsible for the slayings of an armed guard and […]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prince was unresponsive in an elevator when the musician was found by sheriff’s deputies who had been called to his suburban Minneapolis compound, a Minnesota sheriff says. Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said deputies responded to a medical call about 9:43 a.m. Thursday. Medical personnel tried CPR, but couldn’t revive the 57-year-old […]

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s only April and already 2016 is a terrible year for music. That’s not to slight Kendrick Lamar, Sturgill Simpson, Beyonce or some unknown creator working in a basement to turn the sounds in their head into a file for everyone to hear and enjoy. But any year that silences the […]

After kissing his fingers, a fan touched Prince’s star on the wall of First Ave., Thursday, April 21, 2016. Prince, widely acclaimed as one of the most inventive and influential musicians of his era with hits including “Little Red Corvette,” ”Let’s Go Crazy” and “When Doves Cry,” was found dead at his home on Thursday, […]

Author Diane McKinney-Whetstone. (Courtesy Photo) Celebrating the 20th anniversary this year of her national bestselling novel, Tumbling, Diane McKinney-Whetstone returns to her Philadelphia roots to bring us a new Black historical novel.  Set in 19th Century post-Civil War era, it is laced with secrets, love, loss, and healing that intersect at the legendary Lazaretto—America’s first […]

In this Nov. 22, 2015 file photo, Prince presents the award for favorite album – soul/R&B at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Authorities are investigating a death at Paisley Park, where pop superstar Prince has his recording studios. Jason Kamerud, Carver County chief sheriff’s deputy, tells the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the investigation […]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been constantly looking at the sky and closely monitoring weather forecasts as Friday’s start of one of the city’s largest outdoor events looms. Meteorologists say scattered rain likely will fall Friday, but it shouldn’t be much, and then predict sunshine […]

The Essence Festival has added three artists to its summer lineup: Puff Daddy & The Family, Rapper Common, and Andra Day. (AP Photos) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Essence Festival has added three artists to its summer lineup: award-winning rapper Common, Puff Daddy & The Family and new artist Andra Day. Organizers said Wednesday that […]

NEW YORK (AP) — “I love it,” Oprah Winfrey shouted, pumping her fist in the air. In this image made from a video, Oprah Winfrey attends “Greenleaf” premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in New York. Winfrey said that she was ecstatic that Harriet Tubman’s portrait would replace Andrew Johnson on the […]