business

Essence Fest adds major artists to its 2025 celebration

The Essence Festival of Culture has announced an expansive musical lineup for its 2025 concert series. The lineup features iconic headliners and special collaborative performances that promise to make this year’s festival one of the most memorable. The Essence Festival

Anthony Edwards

NBA’s new generation at center of conference finals

A fundamental shift has taken root in the NBA landscape as Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson lead a transformative movement reshaping professional basketball’s power structure. The era defined by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant

Rap icons bring ‘Kings of the West’ tour to the Midwest

A lineup of legendary West Coast hip-hop artists will perform at the Iowa Event Center for the “Kings of the West” concert on Friday, July 11. Bobby Dee & Wynn Records presents the show, featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, E-40, Too $hort,

Slick Rick adds to hip-hop legacy with ‘Victory’ release

In a momentous convergence of musical legends, hip-hop’s most revered storyteller, Slick Rick, has emerged from a 26-year recording hiatus to collaborate with acclaimed actor and artist Idris Elba on “Victory,” a visionary visual album that transcends conventional boundaries. The

En Vogue Photo credit: Chris Haston/WBTV

En Vogue: 35 years of funky divas redefining R&B

Celebrating 35 years of harmonious excellence, En Vogue is one of the most influential female vocal groups in contemporary music history. The Oakland-formed quartet revolutionized R&B in the 1990s with its sophisticated harmonies, elegant style, and feminist messages, which continue

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson to receive ICON Award, perform at 2025 AMAs

Janet Jackson will receive the prestigious ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, honoring her remarkable four-decade career and profound influence on music and culture worldwide. The ceremony will air live Monday, May 26. The 11-time American Music Award

Queens Tour debuts to packed houses in Vegas, Oakland, LA

Four of music’s most revered vocalists brought decades of soul, R&B, and pop mastery to the West Coast as The Queens Tour launched with three packed-out performances that transformed concert venues into celebrations of musical excellence. Audiences responded with multiple

Brynne Crockett takes center court with the Minnesota Lynx

Minneapolis native Brynne Crockett, known professionally as BdotCroc, steps into the spotlight as the Minnesota Lynx’s new in-arena host at Target Center for the 2025 season. The award-winning rapper and radio personality brings her magnetic energy to WNBA audiences as

Holifield designs dream events while building on-air empire

Kimberly Holifield commands attention in every room she enters, leveraging her exceptional talents as a premier event strategist and magnetic on-air personality. With razor-sharp business acumen and infectious energy, she has transformed Glamlife Events & Parties from a local Minneapolis

Phillip McGraw transforms pain into healing mission

Phillip McGraw transforms lives through his unique approach to healing, drawing from personal experience to guide others toward lasting peace and self-acceptance. As a father of four committed to breaking generational cycles, McGraw combines expertise in holistic practices with powerful

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Master P attends the BET Experience Celebrity Basketball Game on June 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for BET)

Hip-hop mogul Master P takes final bow at Essence Festival

Hip-hop entrepreneur Percy “Master P” Miller announced his retirement from the music industry after a groundbreaking career spanning more than three decades. The No Limit Records founder will take his final bow during the 2025 Essence Festival in his hometown

Fantasia delivers powerful performance of ‘Have Your Way’

Grammy-winning singer Fantasia Barrino-Taylor is answering a long-ignored calling with her upcoming eighth studio album, pivoting to gospel music after years of success in R&B and soul. The former “American Idol” winner revealed in a recent Instagram post that she

Hip-Hop royalty set to converge at Rock The Bells 2025

Hip-hop’s most celebrated festival returns as Rock The Bells announces its highly anticipated 2025 lineup. On Saturday, June 28, Rock The Bells will unite generations of rap royalty under one roof at Newark’s Prudential Center. This year’s festival, themed “Class

Kendrick Lamar and SZA Kick-Off Grand National Tour

On Saturday night, hip-hop and R&B powerhouses Kendrick Lamar and SZA kicked off their highly anticipated Grand National Tour at US Bank Stadium. They delivered an electrifying performance that captivated the crowd for nearly three hours. The festivities began earlier

Music icons to headline Essence Festival’s evening concerts

The Essence Festival of Culture has announced its first wave of musical performers for the 2025 evening concert series, which will run from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6. Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson will host the concert series

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards leads Wolves against veteran Lakers squad

It’s Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves against Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers, as each team begins its quest for an NBA championship. The Lakers are chasing an 18th title, hoping to tie the Boston Celtics

Ann Nesby (Photo courtesy of It’s Time Child Records)

Grammy winner Ann Nesby returns with ‘ANNiversary’ album

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ann Nesby marks her triumphant return to the music scene with ANNiversary, her eighth studio album and first full-length release in over a decade. The former lead vocalist of Sounds of Blackness delivers 10 new tracks with

Chenelle DeLoach (Photo provided Tahjon O'Daniels)

Chenelle DeLoach transforms personal trauma into freedom

Chenelle DeLoach embodies the modern renaissance woman, seamlessly blending her entrepreneurial vision with heartfelt advocacy as she guides women toward organization and empowerment through her company, Che Pressed Designs & Stationery, where her custom-crafted planners, journals, and motivational stationery products

Chris Brown

Broccoli City, Live Nation partner for Breezy Bowl XX tour

Broccoli City returns to the District this August with a three-day festival that highlights music, culture and community engagement. The weekend festivities begin Friday, Aug. 8, with the Trap Karaoke party. This immersive night of popular anthems and sing-along moments

Halle Berry

The journey of Black leading women in Hollywood

In the glaring spotlight of Hollywood’s highest honor stands Halle Berry, who in 2002 became the first and only Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her victory for Monster’s Ball was meant to signal a breakthrough,