As the summer heat begins to rise in New Orleans, so does the anticipation for one of the most iconic cultural celebrations in America. ESSENCE Communications has just dropped the second wave of performers for the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola®. And This year’s theme? Made Like This. […]
After the steamy success of their first collaboration, MARIAH. and Grammy-winning soul singer Raheem DeVaughn are back and they’re turning up the emotional intensity. Their latest single, “Hold On Me” (Act 2), arrives this Friday, May 16, giving fans a fresh and intimate look at the love story they began in […]
AFRO PREAK is back and bigger than ever. As it enters its fourth year, the cultural powerhouse returns to Baltimore with events from May 15–17, aligning with the 150th Preakness Stakes, while bringing a bold celebration of Black culture, community, and economic empowerment. Since launching in 2022 by LaRian Finney and […]
Renowned actor and recording artist Keith D. Robinson will be making waves in daytime television after officially joining the cast of the #1 rated CBS soap opera, Beyond The Gates. Beginning May 15, Robinson steps into the role of Dr. Ted Richardson, a skilled plastic surgeon whose arrival is sure to […]
Hip-hop meets high art this July as rap icon Nas takes the stage with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a one-night-only performance that promises to shake the pillars of the classical world. On July 23 at Baltimore’s Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the legendary emcee will perform his debut album, Illmatic, this […]
“Love Me in the Light” is a film set “against the dystopian backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown” where its two characters, Zaire (a Black trans woman) and Marcus (a bisexual Black man) “endure workplace woes, family nuances, and loneliness – leading them to connect on a dating app.” I sat with […]
Emmy-winning multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer returns with her honest and personal new single “My Confession,” which addresses the infamous Las Vegas incident at Usher’s residency and posts from her child’s father that garnered viral attention. Originally crafted by R&B legends Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, and Usher Raymond, the song takes on a […]
In a heartfelt tribute to mothers everywhere, R&B sensation J. Brown has released his rendition of the timeless classic, “A Song for Mama,” just in time for Mother’s Day. Directed by @Timmywiththecamera, the music video beautifully captures the emotional state and gratitude embedded in the song. “I recorded this song as […]
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, radio personality, and humanitarian Raheem DeVaughn is celebrating a milestone birthday in true trailblazer fashion. As he turns 50, the R&B visionary celebrates his legacy with the forthcoming release of “The Beat Jack” Mixtape Mystery Pack (Vol. 1)—a return to a format he helped pioneer. in […]
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Eric Roberson continues to leave an indelible mark on the independent R&B and soul scene with the release of his latest single, “Where You Gonna Go,” with BJ The Chicago Kid. The track is a stirring reflection on resilience and inner strength, written by Roberson alongside Bryan James Sledge […]
“This ain’t a country tour, it’s a Beyoncé tour” was displayed on a shirt at the opening night of the Cowboy Carter tour — and it couldn’t be more accurate. Cowboy Carter on opening night at Sci-Fi stadium was the Beyoncé I grew up watching on TV. The performer, the different […]
Ari Lennox gifted fans on her birthday with her new track “Soft Girl Era,” then proceeded to go on vacation—a true testament to self-care. Produced by the powerhouse duo Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, “Soft Girl Era” reflects Ari Lennox’s desire to embrace peace and balance in life, opening up to […]
Andscape, the Black content studio from Disney & ESPN, will premiere “The Quincy Avery Effect,” a documentary that tells the powerful true story of Quincy Avery’s rise from homelessness to becoming one of the NFL’s top quarterback coaches. The documentary, which reflects a powerful story of faith and resilience, is directed […]
GRAMMY®-nominated singer and songwriter Tamar Braxton is back with a bold anthem that speaks directly to the ladies with “You On You.” The single marks her return to the spotlight and sets the stage for her highly anticipated EP, coming Summer 2025. “My new single is about embracing the strength it […]
The SRG-ILS Group proudly welcomes its new signee, singer-songwriter and producer KEITHIAN, to its growing roster. Keithian will be releasing his new LP, Human x Sinner, later this summer under his deal with the label. “I’m incredibly proud and excited to join the SRG-ILS family,” Keithian said. “It’s an honor to […]
