What better way to celebrate your 20th anniversary in the game than to premiere your latest video on MTV’s TRL? Currently on a national and international tour, Grammy Award Winning Artist, Mýa, took a detour to MTV’s TRL to world premiere her new video, “Damage” with Sway on July 23rd. Th e video also digitally premiered on Complex.com
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, recently announced a signifi cant expansion in French-speaking Africa, with the launch of a new strategic division within French-speaking Africa markets with a focus on discovering and supporting local music talent in-order to maximize the commercial opportunities for artists and labels throughout French-speaking Africa to reach audiences globally.
Several notable celebrities, community leaders and entertainers descended on the city of New Orleans once again to attend the 15th Annual McDonald’s 365Black Awards, held recently at the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans. They were joined by attendees from across the nation who converged to recognize this year’s recipients of the distinguished awards, including popular Political Commentator Symone Sanders, renown actress/activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, Black Girls CODE CEO Kimberly Bryant and next generation McDonald’s Owner/Operator Monique Vann-Brown.
The Hyde Park Youth Symphony (HPYS) recently announced the appointment of Sarah Kim as String Orchestra and Preparatory String Director for the HPYS. In this position, Kim will be responsible for rehearsing the organization’s two string ensembles which focus on beginning and intermediate young musicians from area grade and middle schools.
They say the neon lights are bright off Broadway! The new production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, officially opens on Sunday, July 22.
revolutionary is that it isn’t just about Black suffering. Beginning at suffering, and ending at empowerment, “the geometry of being Black” is a journey about healing racial trauma.
Longtime Village of Homewood resident, Keya Trammell, also known as Gifted Keys, recently headlined the Community Stage at Mamby on the Beach music festival. The south suburban artist creates music that she labels as a fusion of jazz, soul and funk.
Season 13 of NBC’s America’s got talent recently premiered and episode three featured an audition from Village of Dolton resident Kathryn Granberry, known on the show as Ms. Trysh. The 57-year-old singer received a yes from all four judges after performing her rendition of If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight.
“At its root, hip-hop is the voice and it’s an insight into what’s going on in an artist’s neighborhood or city. I think the commercialization of rap changed the culture so now there is a lot of need for instant gratification now. With platforms like Sound Cloud, it creates instant fame and people aren’t concerned with the voice anymore,” said Price
The publication of a work of fiction, a supernatural thriller, by international film and television action star Wesley Snipes, along with co-author Ray Norman, entitled Talon of God, is a non-stop contemporary fantasy adventure that’s sure to please readers with its suspense and compelling drama. The novel’s leading role, Lauryn Jefferson, is a beautiful young doctor dragged into an apocalyptic battle between Heaven and Hell – and at her right hand is Talon Hunter, a spirit warrior and legendary man of God.
Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 44th season, opening with Curve of Departure by Rachel Bonds and directed by BJ Jones.
“The Lake Meadows Art Fair continues to celebrate the richness of the African-American and African heritage and culture. Through the beauty of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, wearable art clothing, and handmade jewelry, the talented artists are given the opportunity to share and sell their work to an appreciative audience,” said Helen Y. West, curator and executive producer of the Lake Meadows Art Fair. “Holding the Lake Meadows Art Fair during the Father’s Day weekend is our way of honoring fatherhood and inviting families to join us for a fun and creative weekend outdoors,” she added.
Superfly - the film that helped define a genre in its characters, look, sound, and feel - is reimagined with Director X, director of legendary music videos (Drake, Rihanna),
introducing it to a new generation. The screenplay is by Alex Tse.
As an activist, Stevie also spearheaded the realization of “Martin Luther King Day” as a national holiday. His participation in the “We Are The World” fundraiser for hunger in Africa was a music industry milestone while his involvement to put an end to apartheid in South Africa is legendary. He is the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and is a Commander of France’s National Order of Arts and Letters.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the full music lineup for the 38th Annual Taste of Chicago.