More from Mesfin Fekadu
The War and Treaty on Seeing Cotton Plant in Their Music Festival Dressing Room: “It’s a Safety Issue Now”
Though Black artists have made major strides on the recent country music scene — with Beyoncé and Shaboozey launching No. 1 hits and acts like Brittney Spencer and Tanner Adell marking breakthroughs — racism in the genre still exists. For Americana-country husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty, it came last week at the Coca-Cola Sips […]
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BET Apologizes to Usher, Says “Audio Malfunction” Led to Portions of His Speech Being “Inadvertently Muted”
When Usher received the Lifetime Achievement Award during Sunday’s BET Awards, a good amount of his speech was muted. But BET has apologized to the singer, adding that an “audio malfunction” led to portions of his 13-minute speech being “inadvertently muted.” Usher received the honor at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles during his 30th […]
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BET Awards: Will Smith, Killer Mike and Victoria Monet Receive Standing Ovations
In between the explosive performances and touching speeches, the BET Awards were evangelized with an emotional performance by Will Smith, a killer speech by Killer Mike and host Taraji P. Henson reminding viewers to get out and vote in the upcoming presidential election. Performing in a circle of fire backed by the Sunday Service Choir […]
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Apple Original Podcast on Iconic Mexican Singer Juan Gabriel to Debut July 1 (Exclusive)
Apple TV+ is launching an original podcast — in English and Spanish — told through the lens of the late iconic Mexican singer Juan Gabriel. The first two episodes of My Divo will debut July 1 and the superstar performer, also known as El Divo de Juárez, will serve as a guide for host and […]
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How ‘Cowboy Carter’ Changed My Life: Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer and Tiera Kennedy on Seminal Beyoncé Album
When Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” hit the top spot on Billboard’s Hot country songs chart, she became the first Black woman to achieve the feat in the chart’s 80-year history. The tune blending elements of country, Western music, pop and soul reigned supreme for 10 weeks as her Cowboy Carter album emerged as a cultural […]
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From ‘Bad Boys’ to “Baby Boy”: Sean Paul on Collaborating With Will Smith and Beyoncé
Sean Paul says he usually writes songs for women, but when Will Smith called him to collaborate on a song for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, he needed him to turn up his inner bad boy. “He sent me the song with him on it already and basically asked me to do a verse, and […]
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R.E.M., Timbaland Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame; SZA, Diane Warren Earn Special Honors
Kevin Bacon reprised his role in Footloose to honor the title track’s songwriter, R.E.M. reunited after calling it quits 13 years ago and SZA said winning an honor for her songwriting “validates my entire career.” All this and more occurred at a jam-packed and starry Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards gala Tuesday night, […]
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Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge’ Tells the Story of Reena Virk — and The Notorious B.I.G.
In the first episode of Hulu’s Under the Bridge, Reena Virk is trying to fit in with a new group of friends. Her way of bonding? Playing The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 opus Life After Death. That album — his second — was released 16 days after the rap icon was gunned down to death. Virk, […]
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Chris Brown Gets Stuck Suspended in Air During Concert
Chris Brown was technically over the influence during a concert on Tuesday night, after the R&B star got caught suspended in the air mid-song after his wires malfunctioned. The Grammy-winning star glided across the stage on wires at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, while performing his song “Under the Influence.” Brown seemed to […]
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Critic’s Notebook: The J. Lo Bubble Burst — How (Un)Likability Ruined Her Tour
Five years ago, Jennifer Lopez was on a white-hot tour, selling out arenas like Madison Square Garden and performing her popular hits from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Lopez is a multifaceted entertainer, but the stage is where she truly shines. She will give you slick choreography, dazzling costumes and bright, beaming lights. For her, being onstage […]
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How ���Abbott Elementary’ Changed a 72-Year-Old Actor’s Life Since His Failed ‘Friends’ Audition
Abbott Elementary’s Mr. Johnson typically makes you laugh. This time, he made folks cry. In the season three finale of the Emmy-winning series, the janitor and Quinta Brunson’s Janine Teagues have a short but serious talk about pursuing life and living with regrets. “It’ll be all right, trust me,” he reassures her. “I got a […]
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Taraji P. Henson to Host the 2024 BET Awards
Taraji P. Henson is returning to host the BET Awards. The Oscar-nominated actress will host the June 30 event, airing live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. “I am thrilled to be returning as the host of the BET Awards for the third time. I am also looking forward to celebrating my peers and […]
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