Gospel music, a powerful thread in Black culture, continues to shape Black identity and inspire generations. As Black Music Month begins, it’s clear gospel’s influence on faith and music endures.
Category: ENTERTAINMENT
Posted inBlack History
Bailey and Martell: Honoring the legends who shaped country music’s past, present and future
DeFord Bailey is known as a pioneer who helped shape country music, even though he and other Black artists were often sidelined. Their contributions challenge the idea that country music was ever a homogeneous space.
Posted inBaltimore News
Cherry Hill Festival returns July 4 to unite Baltimoreans in shared celebration
The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival returns to Baltimore on July 4 at Middle Branch Park, featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, and a custom drone show. The event, now in its ninth year, will partner with the city’s Inner Harbor festivities to offer an all-day celebration of art, culture and community.
Posted in!Front Page Arts and Entertainment
Snapshots of sound: A look at the icons who shaped Black music
Black Music Month celebrates the achievements, activism, and work of Black creatives across various genres, including country, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel, while also recognizing Black music icons who shaped the music industry and American culture.
Posted inMusic
Words that echo: The lasting impact of song lyrics on Black communities
Hip-hop lyrics have long served as a reflection of the Black experience, from messages of unity and resistance to today’s dominant themes of money, violence and survival. As the music industry continues to shape what gets heard, artists and scholars are questioning how modern rap lyrics are influencing identity, values and the well-being of Black communities—especially among youth. Many are now calling for a return to more empowering narratives.
Posted inMusic
Death and hip-hop: The toll of drill rap and pushes for positive music
The rising deaths linked to drill rap have sparked urgent conversations about whether the music reflects harsh realities or fuels ongoing violence among youth. Community advocates like Sajda “Purple” Blackwell are working to promote positive rap as a powerful alternative that uplifts rather than harms.
Posted inBaltimore News
The Pikes Studio Cinema: Bringing big-screen culture back to Pikesville
Pikes Studio Cinema is more than a movie house — it’s a community-driven space where themed films, local partnerships and free weekly screenings bring people together. Owner Michael Eugene Johnson is on a mission to make cinema meaningful again in Pikesville.
Posted inBaltimore News
Star power and local pride shine at AFRAM 2025
Day One of AFRAM 2025 brought over 150,000 people to Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park for a celebration of Black culture, music, and community featuring stars like JT, Stefflon Don, and Juvenile. The festival also introduced a new stage for local talent and showcased everything from food and fashion to art and wellness.
Posted inHair
Black Follicles Matter Expo 2025: A safe space for curls, coils and conversations
The Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo will host “Black Follicles Matter” on June 28, 2025, spotlighting natural hair, cultural pride, and community wellness. Led by salon founder Malaika Tamu-Cooper, the event offers workshops, live demos, and a marketplace promoting Black beauty, health, and empowerment.
Posted inEntertainment
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is unlikely to testify as judge says jury could get case next week
Sean “Diddy” Combs is unlikely to testify in his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, with his defense expected to conclude within days and the jury possibly beginning deliberations next week. The trial, marked by explicit testimony and video evidence from former partners, hinges on whether the encounters were consensual or coerced, as prosecutors and defense attorneys present starkly opposing narratives.
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRAM 2025 to feature Patti LaBelle, Juvenile and Saweetie
Patti LaBelle and Juvenile will headline this year’s AFRAM festival on June 21-22 at Druid Hill Park. The free event will also feature Saweetie, Teedra Moses, Amerie, and Vedo, celebrating Black culture with music, food, and vendors. AFRAM attracts over 100,000 attendees annually.
Posted inBUSINESS
Beyond the recording studio: Musicians turned business moguls
For generations, Black musicians have shaped American culture while battling an industry that often denied them fair compensation. Today, many are reclaiming power by turning their art into platforms for business ownership and generational wealth.