By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.” This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to […]
Category: Music
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Black culture didn’t just show up in 2025—it shaped the year
The past 12 months have been a beautiful display on Black excellence when it comes to music, fashion, the big screen and more. Take a look at some of the top moments in this year’s arts and culture timeline.
Posted inNational News
Remembering Black leaders and icons who died in 2025
As 2025 ends, the AFRO honors the Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers who passed away this year. Their legacies shaped culture, politics and society, leaving a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Recording Academy® Honors presented by the Black Music Collective returns, celebrating Grammy® Award-winning icons Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin
The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective will host the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors on Jan. 29, 2026, during GRAMMY® Week, celebrating the enduring impact of Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin. The event will recognize their genre-defying artistry, cultural influence and commitment to advancing Black excellence in music and beyond.
Posted inMusic
Darlene Love reflects on her enduring holiday classic, ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’
By Hillel Italie Darlene Love will never stop thinking of her holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” At this time of year, she couldn’t if she tried. “The post office, grocery store, elevator,” she says with a laugh, listing a few locations where she keeps hearing the song. “It just feels funny that my […]
Posted inArts & Culture
From the streets to the stage: ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ channels Alicia Keys’ roots into a Broadway triumph
Inspired by Alicia Keys’ life and music, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “Hell’s Kitchen” follows 17-year-old Ali’s coming-of-age journey through family, first love and finding her voice, anchored by powerful performances and reimagined songs. Led by Jade Milan and featuring rotating turns by Ne-Yo, Tank and Christopher Jackson as Ali’s father, the musical blends raw storytelling with electrifying choreography and soul-stirring vocals.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Is Black America reckoning with the end of hip-hop’s ‘Diddy Era’?
Despite Sean Combs’ long status as a controversial public figure, the Netflix documentary “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” has struck a nerve across Black America, dominating conversations about power, violence, and abuse in hip-hop. The series is prompting broader soul-searching about the culture that enabled Combs’ rise and the limits of accountability in the music industry.
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Youth bands set to compete during Go-Go Awareness Week in D.C.
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Go-Go Awareness Week kicked off Nov. 17 with a press conference held at the Go-Go Museum & Café in Southeast Washington, D.C. And while legends, including Rare Essence, E.U., Trouble Funk and “the godfather of go-go,” Chuck Brown, were essential in the evolution of the regional music style into […]
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Salt-N-Pepa blaze the stage and Outkast reunites in style at 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
Salt-N-Pepa celebrated their trailblazing legacy with a high-energy performance and message of empowerment, while Outkast reunited to reflect on their Atlanta roots during a star-studded 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction that also honored Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, and the White Stripes.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
‘Michael’: The King of Pop’s story returns to the big screen
Lionsgate has released the trailer and set an April 24, 2026, premiere date for “Michael,” the long-awaited biopic about Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring the pop icon’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson. The film promises to honor Jackson’s artistry and humanity, tracing his rise from child prodigy to global legend while focusing on his creative legacy beyond controversy.
Posted inMusic
Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 Grammy nominations
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammy Award nominations with nine nods, including three in the top categories of record, song and album of the year, while Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut follow with seven nominations each.
Posted inMusic
Maurette Brown Clark reflects on faith, music and finding her true calling
Gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark opens up about her journey from a traditional career path to answering God’s call through music. From her early doubts to a Stellar Award-winning career and a bold new season of freedom, Clark shares how faith shaped her voice and vision for the future.