On this day in Black history, February 29: — In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first Black person to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. She remained the only Black woman to be awarded the Best Supporting Actress until Whoopi Goldberg took home the trophy 50 years later, in 1990.…
Monica Schipper/Getty Images Angela Bassett has been named one of People‘s 2024 Women Changing the World — a list of eight honorees making a “major difference” with their “groundbreaking work.” The honorary Oscar winner is highlighted by the magazine for her advocacy and work in heart health. Bassett’s mother, Betty Jane, who had Type 2 diabetes, died…
Courtesy GAZEBO Festival Jack Harlow has frequently made sure to perform live in his home state of Kentucky, but now, he’s taking that dedication to the next level. The “Lovin On Me” rapper has announced a music festival, GAZEBO, which will take over his hometown of Louisville’s Waterfront Park on May 25 and 26. He’ll headline along…
Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage Looks as if Ja Rule will not be traveling to the U.K. for his Sunrise Tour. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to air grievances about being denied entry into the country just days before he was expected to perform. “I’m so devastated I can’t believe the UK won’t let me in,”…
ABC/Maarten de Boer Actress Gabourey Sidibe and her husband, Brandon Frankel, will soon be parents of twins. On Tuesday, the couple shared a joint Instagram post announcing the news. “Twin Delivery coming soon! Twinty Twinty Four!!” she wrote in the caption. “I’m pregnant!” Sidibe continued. “We thought it was time to give our cats some responsibility so we’re giving them…
ONE Musicfest/ Live Nation Urban One MusicFest has launched a new sister festival of hip-hop and R&B artists coming to Dallas, Texas, this summer. In partnership with Live Nation Urban, TwoGether Land will be a two-day music event taking place in Dallas’ Fair Park on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26. Lil Wayne, Summer Walker,…
On this day in Black history, February 28: — In 1704, Frenchman Elias Neau established the first school open to Black people in New York City, which originally began as visits to homes of the enslaved community. — In 1943, renowned musical Porgy and Bess opened on Broadway with Anne Brown and Todd Duncan in starring roles.…
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Two men from Queens have been found guilty on all counts in the October 30, 2002, murder of Jam Master Jay, a member of the iconic hip-hop group Run DMC. Karl Jordan Jr., also known as “Little D” and “Noid,“ and Ronald Washington, also known as “Tinard,“ were charged with one count of…
Burak Cingi/Redferns Latto has been tapped by AT&T to headline the NCAA Final Four Super Saturday Concert, taking place this spring. The “Big Energy” rapper is set to take the stage on Saturday, April 6, a day ahead of the Women’s Final Four Division I championship game in Cleveland, Ohio, April 7. The event is free to…
Paramount+ The new Paramount+ film As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial explores more than just the criminalization of rap lyrics in courtrooms in the United States. Director J.M. Harper tells ABC Audio that with the documentary, he intended to highlight the decadeslong weaponization of Black art dating back to slavery. Harper describes a scene in which rapper Kemba, who narrates and interviews prominent rap…