Aretha Franklin to Headline Essence Fest

New Orleans event in July will be one of nation’s largest gatherings of Black artists

2012-01-12

Chevel Johnson The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Newly engaged queen of soul Aretha Franklin is headlining this summer's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, and its other top performers include Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson and Keyshia Cole. Read the complete article

Steven Tyler to Supreme Court: Watch the Language

Aerosmith and ‘Idol’ star says creativity is lost when swearing becomes rampant

2012-01-10

Lynn Elber AP Television Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If the U.S. Supreme Court is willing to listen, rocker Steven Tyler has something "old school" to say about nudity and profanity on broadcast TV. Read the complete article

Jay-Z Raps About Birth of Daughter With Beyonce

The song "Glory" gives fans details on Blue Ivy, including the fact Beyonce had miscarriage at one point

2012-01-09

Nekesa Mumbi Moody AP Music Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Through a rap verse, Jay-Z has confirmed the birth of "the most beautiful girl in the world" - his newborn daughter.

Read the complete article

US Album Sales Rise for First Time Since 2004

Increase in digital avenues finally making up for drop in CD buying

2012-01-05

Ryan Nakashima AP Business Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- U.S. album sales rose more than 3 percent last year for the first gain since 2004 - a sign that rising digital sales are finally stemming the decade-long decline of compact discs. Read the complete article

VIDEO: Senegal Music Star Ndour Makes Bid for Presidency

The election is less than two months away, and the incumbent president has been in power for more than a decade

2012-01-03

Sadibou Marone The Associated Press

Ndour, who made the announcement late Monday on his private radio and TV stations, joins some 20 other candidates already running against President Abdoulaye Wade. Read the complete article

VIDEO: LA Coroner Says Heavy D Died of Natural Causes

Weight and a transcontinental jet flight were contributing factors

2011-12-27

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles coroner's office says Jamaican-born rapper Heavy D died of natural causes. Read the complete article

Editor Ousted Over Racial Slur Against Rihanna

Eva Hoeke, editor of "Jackie," and the magazine's publisher said in a joint statement on Facebook that they used the n-word - 'although without malicious intentions'

2011-12-22

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The editor of a Dutch fashion magazine has been fired after the publication used a racial slur to refer to Barbados-born Rihanna, setting off a social media furor and prompting an outraged response from the singer. Read the complete article

Judge Approves Pay Raise for Jackson Estate Execs

Branca and McClain have been earning close to 7 percent of the estate's entertainment-related earnings, as the estate has become a 'massive entertainment business enterprise'

2011-12-20

Anthony McCartney AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge approved a pay bump Monday for the executors of Michael Jackson's estate who turned the debt-ridden singer's portfolio into a business that has earned hundreds of millions of dollars since his death. Read the complete article

Grammy-Winning Singer Cesaria Evora Dies at Age 70

Her singing style brought comparisons to American jazz singer Billie Holiday

2011-12-19

Barry Hatton The Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- Cesaria Evora, who started singing as a teenager in the bayside bars of Cape Verde in the 1950s and won a Grammy in 2003 after she took her African islands music to stages across the world, died Saturday. She was 70. Read the complete article

Seattle's Shyan Selah Wins Reality TV Show on Hip Hop Network

Activist, artist and mentor to gang-affected youth hits screen in 2012

2011-12-17

Seattle’s Shyan Selah has officially signed a deal with the Real Hip Hop Network, the first ever 24 hour television network dedicated exclusively to "all things Hip Hop," to license a "behind the scenes" reality show on Selah's life, career and work in the global community. Production and filming of the show will begin January 2012. Read the complete article