top of page

ALL NEWS


T.I. Is Retiring From Rap, but Kill the King Is Really About Reclaiming His Time
T.I. says he is ready to retire from releasing rap albums, but the decision does not sound like an artist abandoning music in frustration. It sounds like someone reclaiming his time. The Atlanta rapper has identified Kill the King as his final solo album, closing a recording career that began when he was a teenager and helped define the commercial rise of Southern hip-hop. T.I. told People that he has lived a partially retired life since the pandemic and now finds greater ful
Jul 14


JAY-Z Celebrates 30 Years of Reasonable Doubt and Closes Yankee Stadium Run With a Star-Studded “Extra Innings”
“Extra Innings” Turns the Final Night Into a Career-Spanning Celebration The residency expanded beyond the anniversary presentations on Sunday, July 12, with JAY-Z Extra Innings, a third night built around major records, longtime collaborators and surprise appearances from across his career. The concert began shortly after midnight following a lengthy security delay. Roc Nation and Yankee Stadium said groups of people without tickets breached or attempted to breach security,
Jul 13


More Than 4,000 Music Professionals Receive Recording Academy Membership Invitations
The Recording Academy has invited more than 4,000 music creators and industry professionals to become part of its 2026 membership class. The invitations extend across genres, disciplines and professional backgrounds. Publicly announced invitees include Cash Cobain, EJAE, Lola Young, Raveena Aurora, Sleeping With Sirens and Sombr. Invitations must be formally accepted before recipients become members. The headline may sound primarily connected to awards, but Recording Academy
Jul 13


"Michael" Becomes the First Biopic to Cross $1 Billion Worldwide
The commercial reach of Michael Jackson’s music has now produced a box-office record no other biographical film has achieved. "Michael" has surpassed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales, becoming the first biopic to cross the milestone. The reported total stands at approximately $1.001 billion, including $371.8 million from the United States and Canada and $629.8 million from international markets. The film, which stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, has now passed both Bohemi
Jul 13


Future Lets Instinct Become the Story on "The Real Me"
Future has spent much of his career creating characters that feel too vivid to be separated neatly from the person performing them. On The Real Me, he does not solve that tension. He leans further into it. Released July 10 through Epic Records, Future’s 10th studio album contains 22 songs across 58 minutes. The project moves through boasts, relationship fragments, surreal observations, threats, humor and moments of melodic experimentation without forcing those ideas into a tr
Jul 13


Baltimore Leads the Weekend With Caribbean Carnival, Emerging Art and Ballpark Culture
Baltimore is not waiting for the weekend to begin. The Baltimore/Washington One Carnival launches its three-day celebration Friday at Druid Hill Park, placing Caribbean music, movement, food and community at the center of the city’s cultural calendar. Friday’s Wee Culture Runaway J’ouvert is scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. near Red Road and East Drive, with Pumpa promoted as the featured live performer. The Friday program is ticketed, while organizers say Saturday and Sunday will
Jul 10


Regina Hall Helps Anchor Peacock’s Friendship Drama The Five Star Weekend
Summer television frequently treats friendship as an accessory to romance, mystery or luxury. Peacock’s The Five Star Weekend places friendship closer to the center. The eight-episode drama follows Hollis Shaw, played by Jennifer Garner, a successful cook and author whose carefully managed public life begins to fracture following her husband’s death. Seeking a path through grief, she invites women representing different chapters of her life to spend a weekend together at her
Jul 10


TIDAL Will Stop Paying Royalties on Music It Identifies as Entirely AI-Generated
The music industry’s debate over artificial intelligence is beginning to move beyond ethics statements and into payment policy. Starting July 15, TIDAL says music it determines to be wholly AI-generated will receive an AI label and will not qualify for royalty attribution. The same standard will apply to music submitted through TIDAL Upload, where identified tracks will also lose eligibility for direct-to-fan monetization. The policy creates an important financial distinctio
Jul 10


Syd’s Self-Produced Era Is a Blueprint for Creative Confidence
Syd’s career has always been connected to the studio. Before audiences recognized her as the restrained, magnetic voice at the center of The Internet, she engineered sessions and helped maintain the recording environment where members of Odd Future developed their early sound. Yet technical experience does not automatically produce creative confidence—especially when someone’s work has been defined publicly through a group. Her forthcoming solo album, Beard, represents a sign
Jul 10


Sango Builds Two Sides of the Same Musical World on RHYTHM & MELODY
Producer albums often fail for the same reason blockbuster movies do: too many recognizable names and not enough unifying vision. Sango approaches the format differently on RHYTHM & MELODY. The 20-track project is organized as a two-part experience, separating—but never completely disconnecting—the physical drive of rhythm from the emotional pull of melody. The album reportedly contains 24 guest appearances, including contributions from Big Sean, Vic Mensa, Smino, GoldLink, B
Jul 10


Baby Rose Turns Longing Into Cinematic Soul on YEARNALISM
Baby Rose has never sounded like an artist interested in making emotion smaller for the sake of convenience. With YEARNALISM, the singer builds an entire creative statement around the feelings people are frequently encouraged to hide: desire, uncertainty, heartbreak, attachment and the uncomfortable space between moving on and still wanting something back. Released Friday through Secretly Canadian, the 12-song album explores several forms of love rather than restricting its s
Jul 10


JAY-Z Brings Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and “Extra Innings” to Yankee Stadium
JAY-Z is bringing a major New York moment to Yankee Stadium with three nights of music, legacy, and hometown energy from July 10 through July 12.
Jul 10


DJ Premier's Production Legacy Continues Influencing Generations
Few producers have influenced hip-hop as profoundly as DJ Premier. Known for signature chopped-sample production, hard-hitting drum programming, and unforgettable collaborations, Premier helped define the sound of East Coast hip-hop while producing classics for Gang Starr, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Common, Mos Def, Royce da 5'9", and countless others. In recent years, Premier has continued to stay active, working with both established artists and a new generation of t
Jul 10


Sherri Shepherd Continues Building One of Daytime TV's Most Authentic Voices
Sherri Shepherd continues proving that authenticity remains one of the strongest qualities in modern television. Since launching her nationally syndicated daytime talk show, Shepherd has blended celebrity interviews, pop culture conversations, comedy, and inspirational stories into a format that resonates with audiences across the country. Known for her approachable personality and genuine curiosity, she has become a trusted voice in daytime entertainment while creating a pla
Jul 10


Local Creatives Continue Building the Baltimore, DC, and DMV's Cultural Identity
Baltimore, D.C., and The DMV continues to be one of the nation's most influential creative regions, with the Baltimore metro area serving as the driving force behind much of its current cultural momentum. Across Baltimore, artists and entrepreneurs are building a thriving ecosystem that blends music, visual art, fashion, and media. From independent recording studios in neighborhoods like Station North and Hampden to photography collectives and podcast networks emerging throug
Jul 10


Artist to Know: Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae continues expanding the boundaries of contemporary R&B. Her music combines soulful vocals, experimental production, and thoughtful songwriting, creating a sound that feels both innovative and deeply personal. Recent releases like "Love Me Not," "Skin Tight," and "Satellite" showcase her ability to blend airy melodies with introspective lyrics, while maintaining a distinct artistic identity that sets her apart from her peers. With every release, she attracts listen
Jul 10


BNXN Continues Elevating Afrobeats Worldwide
Afrobeats continues attracting audiences around the world, and BNXN remains one of the artists helping lead that expansion. Known for his smooth melodic vocals and emotionally driven songwriting, BNXN has built a reputation for crafting songs that blend Afrobeats with elements of R&B, dancehall, and pop. His ability to create relatable, heartfelt music has helped him connect with audiences far beyond Nigeria. Over the years, he has collaborated with a wide range of artists, i
Jul 10


Avery*Sunshine Continues Inspiring Soul Music Fans
Avery*Sunshine continues reminding audiences why soulful musicianship remains timeless. Known for powerful vocals, inspiring songwriting, and exceptional piano performances, she has built a loyal following by creating music that celebrates joy, resilience, and authenticity. Her ability to blend gospel, jazz, blues, and contemporary R&B has made her one of today's most respected independent artists.
Jul 10


Black Thought Continues Setting the Standard for Lyricism
Few emcees have maintained the level of consistency and lyrical excellence demonstrated by Black Thought. For decades, the Philadelphia rapper has built a reputation through intricate wordplay, thought-provoking storytelling, and unforgettable live performances alongside The Roots. As the group's frontman, he has helped shape the sound of live hip-hop, blending jazz, soul, and funk influences into a signature style that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. His solo
Jul 10


🎬 TONIGHT'S STREAMING PICK: Revisit The Get Down
If you're searching for something to stream tonight, The Get Down remains a standout choice for fans of hip-hop history. The series explores the emergence of hip-hop culture in the Bronx during the late 1970s, blending fictional storytelling with real historical influences. Through music, dance, fashion, and community, the show celebrates the creativity that helped launch one of the world's most influential cultural movements. Although its run was brief, the series continues
Jul 9
bottom of page
