By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com In 2005, Jeri Lynne Johnson, founder and artistic director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, became the first Black woman to win an international conducting prize when she received the prestigious Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, an award offering women conductors intensive coaching and mentorship as they develop their […]
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inArts & Culture
Coca-Cola® announces all-star lineup and cultural experiences for the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture®
Coca-Cola is celebrating its 31st year of partnership with the ESSENCE Festival of Culture with performances from Destin Conrad, Coi Leray, and Mario, as well as community activations, HBCU programming, and immersive experiences.
Posted inMusic
Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history at BET Awards
By Jonathan Landrum Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience June 28 with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic “Ex-Factor” after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award, before closing the show with “Everything Is Everything.” Introduced by Ice […]
Posted inMusic
How Black artists shaped rock and roll—and how that story was reframed
Rock and roll is often associated with artists like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, but its origins trace back to rhythm and blues created by African-American musicians. Scholars and industry figures say that history has often been reframed, obscuring the genre’s Black foundations.
Posted inMusic
Usher says stadium tour with Chris Brown is a statement for R&B
Usher says his upcoming stadium tour with Chris Brown is about elevating R&B and proving the genre belongs on the biggest stages. While acknowledging Brown’s controversies, Usher emphasized their shared commitment to fans and hopes the collaboration will pave the way for more major joint tours.
Posted inArts & Culture
Black leaders in Baltimore share AFRAM memories as festival turns 50
The Afro-American Festival, or AFRAM, has been a celebration of Black culture in Baltimore for 50 years, and is a beloved tradition for many Baltimoreans who have watched it grow and evolve over the decades.
Posted inBaltimore Community
Beyond the main stage: AFRAM’s vendor marketplace fuels Black artistry and entrepreneurship
Though AFRAM is best known for the R&B, hip-hop and soul artists who headline the festival each year, the Baltimore tradition also doubles as a vibrant marketplace for visual artists, fashion designers and other creatives from across the East Coast. As thousands gather for the music, artisans use the weekend to share work rooted in Black culture, identity and storytelling.
Posted inBaltimore Community
AFRAM at 50: A Baltimore tradition of culture and community
AFRAM, the African American Festival, has been a Baltimore tradition for nearly five decades, celebrating Black culture, creativity and community with music, food, art, health screenings, and more.
Posted inBaltimore Events
Homegrown sound: Local artists reflect on AFRAM’s enduring influence
AFRAM, a Baltimore-based festival, has been a platform for local artists to showcase their talent and gain confidence for 50 years, with this year’s event featuring both major celebrities and local performers.
Posted inMusic
Peabo Bryson, known for duets from Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ has died at 75
Grammy-winning R&B legend Peabo Bryson, whose powerful voice helped define romantic ballads and Disney classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” died June 2 at age 75 following a stroke. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Bryson earned international acclaim through hit solo recordings, celebrated duets and stage performances, leaving behind a musical legacy that touched generations of fans.
Posted inTV and Film
The Ebony Canal’ tour stops at Morgan State University
Wellpoint and Nadia Care hosted a screening of “The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” at Morgan State University on May 8. The documentary, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by Viola Davis, tells the story of four mothers navigating maternal health and, for some, first time motherhood. The film was inspired by Nina Simone’s song “Four Women.”
Posted inObituaries
Rob Base, pioneer of ’80s and ’90s rap, dies at 59
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock achieved mass appeal with their fast-paced, catchy music that combined infectious grooves, scratching, and hooks, paving the way for ’80s and ’90s rap to become universal pop music.
