Will Smith channeled the adversity of recent years into a return to music, using self-reflection to fuel his first album in two decades, “Based on a True Story.” The Oscar and Grammy winner, embracing faith and personal growth, is also set to embark on his first-ever headline tour while preparing for upcoming film projects.
Category: !Front Page Arts and Entertainment
A topsy-turvy Oscar season concludes today. Here’s what to look for at the show
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien hosting for the first time. The ceremony will feature performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah.
Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning ‘Killing Me Softly’ singer with an intimate style, dies at 88
Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist, died at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of music and activism.
Baltimore holds its first Black History Month Parade
The inaugural Black History Month Parade in Baltimore City, held on Feb. 17, celebrated the rich history of Black trailblazers and Black achievements in Charm City, and highlighted the importance of Black history being taught in schools.
Kendrick Lamar’s big Super Bowl moment
Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming performance at the Super Bowl 59 halftime show is expected to be a powerful and culturally significant moment, as he continues his unflinching critiques of racial injustice and systemic inequality.
Beyoncé announces 2025 ‘Cowboy Carter’ stadium tour, fresh off Grammy wins
Beyoncé is set to bring her Grammy-winning “Cowboy Carter” album on tour this spring, starting in Los Angeles and making her way to cities across the U.S. and Europe.
Beyoncé wins album of the year at the 2025 Grammys for ‘Cowboy Carter’
Beyoncé won the album of the year award for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 Grammys, becoming the first Black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century. Kendrick Lamar won song and record of the year for his diss track “Not Like Us,” and the Weeknd mended his relationship with the Grammys with a surprise performance of his new single, “Cry For Me.”
The Grammys are here with Beyoncé leading all nominees at a show shaped by the LA wildfires
The 67th Grammy Awards will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Feb. 2, with a dramatically different tone this year, as the Recording Academy seeks to raise awareness and drive donations to funds that benefit wildfire victims.
Backlash for Snoop Dogg’s performance is getting louder
Snoop Dogg performed at the Crypto Ball during the 60th presidential inauguration ceremonies for Donald John Trump, causing a stir on social media due to his previous criticism of Trump supporters.
Baltimore poet and author Mecca Verdell stars in ‘Once Again (For the Very First Time)’
Mecca Verdell, a local poet and author, stars in Boaz Yakin’s new film “Once Again (For the Very First Time)”, which explores the fusion of battle rap, poetry, and dance, and pays homage to the creative vibrancy of the community.
AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper highlights work of Dr. Carl J. Murphy in new book, ‘Prayer and Pen’
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and CEO of the AFRO-American Newspapers, has released a new book honoring her grandfather, Dr. Carl J. Murphy, and his contributions to the AFRO, including his prayers and legacy as a publisher.
National Hip-Hop Museum honors Kool Moe Dee, Lords of the Underground, among others at Hip-Hop Holiday Honors
The National Hip-Hop Museum honored hip-hop legends at the Hip-Hop Holiday Honors, held at the historic Bethesda Theater, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the movie “Beat Street”.

