Entertainment
Soul Beach Music Festival 2026 Hosted by Curaçao Unveils Star-Studded Lineup Babyface, Jodeci, and Deon Cole: Paradise Awaits - Come Feed Your Soul
Prepare for a sensory takeover where the pulse of the soul meets the heart of the Caribbean. From May 20–25, 2026, the Soul Beach Music Festival Hosted by Curacao beckons the global elite into a sun-drenched haven of island fluidity and poise. Leading this year's ethos awakening is the legendary 13-time Grammy winner and singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Babyface, a songwriter, producer, and one of the most celebrated creative forces in music history. He is the only producer to win the 'Producer of the Year' category four times, three times of which was in consecutive years (1995-1997); a record he holds to this day. Kenny is also co-founder of the legendary record label LaFace, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and P!nk. Prepare for a nostalgic journey through the hits that shaped a generation. Adding a surge of heat to the 2026 lineup, Jodeci is ready to ignite the shores of Curaçao. Consisting of members DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo, the quartet revolutionized the genre by famously blending soulful gospel-rooted harmonies with a gritty hip-hop edge. With over 20 million records sold worldwide and three consecutive #1 albums on the Billboard R&B charts, Jodeci's signature sound—defined by hits like 'Forever My Lady,' 'Come and Talk to Me,' 'Stay,' and 'Cry For You'—continues to shape the landscape of modern R&B. Following a series of sold-out reunion tours and a high-profile Las Vegas residency, the group remains one of the most influential groups in music history. Infusing the Comedy night with a sharp, brilliant precision is two-time Primetime Emmy nominee and star of Black-ish and Grown-ish, Deon Cole. Bringing his fearless, shape-shifting brand of humor to headline comedy night and coming off the massive success of his latest Netflix special, OK, Mister, Cole brings a signature blend of razor-sharp screenwriting wit and high-caliber performance to the international stage. The energy only intensifies when the sun dips below the horizon. Our "vibe architects" for 2026 are nothing short of iconic: the world-renowned DJ Jazzy Jeff and Spinderella are set to amplify the sonic landscape, ensuring the merriment keeps going long after the final curtain falls. This Memorial Day Weekend promises to be equal parts sophisticated and sultry – an undeniable invitation to synchronize with the endless glow of Curaçao.
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Announces 2026 International Jazz Vocals Competition in Paris in Partnership with Fondation Louis Vuitton
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz announced that its renowned International Jazz Competition will spotlight jazz vocals in 2026 and, for the first time in its history, will take place outside of the United States—in Paris, France, in partnership with the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
BET LAUNCHES THE CREATOR STUDIO WITH "THE JASON LEE SHOW" AS FLAGSHIP SERIES FROM NEW DIGITAL-FIRST PLATFORM
BET announced the launch of the BET Creator Studio, a dedicated space where culture-forward creators come to amplify their content with the power of the BET brand behind them. THE JASON LEE SHOW will serve as the marquee series, which was launched Wednesday, April 8, on BET.com and BET's official YouTube channel.
RUN THE MILE YOU'RE IN
New York City entrepreneur and debut author Kettia Etienne Ming is set to release her memoir, RUN THE MILE YOU'RE IN: One Founder's Journey Through Success, Loss, and Reinvention (Evergreen House Press; 979-8-9946392-1-4), a gripping account of what it actually costs to build something extraordinary, lose it all, and come out whole. Kettia's debut book is set to release on May 5, 2026.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Names Teyana Taylor as Chief Curator for 2026 to Shape the Elevation of Excellence Across its Programming
ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® today announced that Teyana Taylor and her creative team, The Aunties, have been named Chief Curator for the 2026 festival, set for July 3–5 in New Orleans. In this newly created role, Taylor will bring her signature lens rooted in Black culture, feminine power, and intentional creative storytelling to shape the programming experience across the festival’s most celebrated stages and spaces.
Yasmin Levy Brings “One More Night with Yasmin Levy” to Chicago on Her US Tour After 10 Years
Internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter Yasmin Levy will open her long-awaited return to the United States with the tour “One More Night with Yasmin Levy” in Chicago on April 18th, marking the first concert of the tour. The journey will then continue through Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C., before culminating in a special final evening at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Raheem DeVaughn Releases Visuals To His Classic Song "YOU"
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Raheem DeVaughn’s song, “You,” he has recently released visuals to the song. The 20th Anniversary edition of the classic song "YOU" is lifted from Raheem's recently released 10th studio album, "The Quiet Storm Lover" (Volume 1), The already fan-favorite album is globally available now on all steaming and download platforms, minus (SPOTIFY). In early February, Raheem released the album exclusively via a direct-to-consumer approach through his partnership with Even.Biz. "This is a special album for me and a special time in my life. I am able to enjoy two of the things that I love the most, I love singing and I love being a radio personality. There can't be love in the bedroom without the Quiet Storm vibes," chuckles Raheem.
Nia T. Hill Launches ODX Studios with Inaugural Immersive Movie Experience
Nia T. Hill, Founder and CEO of ODX Studios, announced the entertainment company will launch its inaugural immersive movie experience in Detroit, featuring Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Oscar®-winning film Dreamgirls.
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS MILESTONE 2026 SEASON, FEATURING THE INAUGURATION OF THE UPDATED AND REDESIGNED HUNTER PAVILION
Ravinia Festival today announced its highly anticipated 2026 season, heralding a bold new era for North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival. Running from June through September, the season highlights the ongoing renewal and enhancement of Ravinia’s historic 36-acre park, led by the opening of the updated and redesigned Hunter Pavilion, honoring Maxine M. and Thomas B. Hunter III.
NATION'S LARGEST OUTDOOR DELTA MUSIC AND CULTURE GALLERY OPENS
n the final Friday of Black History Month's centennial year, Pine Bluff unveiled the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Blues & Wellness Plaza—the nation's largest outdoor gallery dedicated to Delta music and culture—before a gathering of blues royalty that spanned four generations. Southern-soul blues legend Karen Wolfe ("The Queen of Soul Blues") headlined an assembly of masters including Blues Hall of Fame inductee Jerry "Boogie" McCain, Sonny Payne Blues Excellence Award-winner Manis "Detroit Johnny" Johnson, and blues guitarist-vocalist Joe Pitts. The February 27, 2026 ceremony also honored the legacies of blues pioneers no longer living, with Mary Bohlar representing her father, the late Chicago blues icon James Lacey "Tail Dragger" Jones, and additional family members ensuring their loved ones' contributions to America's musical heritage would be permanently celebrated in the Arkansas Delta where the blues was born."
BronzeLens 2026 Superstars Weekend Pays homage to CBS' "Beyond the Gates"
BronzeLens 2026 Superstars Weekend honors CBS' groundbreaking daytime soap opera "Beyond the Gates" for excellence behind and in front of the lens, March 6-8 in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is the first daytime soap opera with a majority-Black ensemble cast, produced by CBS Studios. "This year, we want to give special attention to "Beyond the Gates" because of its historic imprint on our community and beyond," said Kathleen Bertrand, BronzeLens Executive Producer.
HOW SWEET THE SOUND™ to Air Nationwide in February 2026 Through Broadcast Television Syndication
How Sweet The Sound™ will air nationwide in February 2026 through broadcast television syndication, reaching audiences across the United States during Black History Month. The one-hour special will be available on major broadcast television networks and affiliates, offering viewers a powerful celebration of gospel music, faith, and cultural legacy.
SOULSVILLE FOUNDATION AND STAX MUSIC ACADEMY PRESENT 'SOUL OF AMERICA
Stax Music Academy announced the release of SOUL OF AMERICA, a companion study guide and video experience created for educators and students nationwide. Developed by Stax Music Academy students, Soul of America provides educators with a collection of engaging, curriculum-aligned activities that place American music history within a rich sociocultural context.
Kerry Washington Honored with Elevate Prize Catalyst Award at Sundance
The Elevate Prize Foundation presented the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award to Emmy Award–winning actor, producer, director, author, and activist Kerry Washington during the Sundance Film Festival today. The honor recognizes Washington's career-long commitment to using storytelling as a powerful force for democracy. For more than a decade, Washington has advanced that mission through Simpson Street Productions, the award-winning company she founded to expand whose stories are seen, heard, and valued on screen with past productions including Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere and HBO's Confirmation.
