National outrage is growing after a video of a Minnesota officer suffocating a Black man by kneeling on his neck surfaced on the Internet Monday night (May 25). The unarmed man, named George Floyd, told officers repeatedly that he could…
Monday night’s (June 1) effort was dedicated to the victims of police brutality. ViacomCBS networks including BET, VH1, MTV and Comedy Central went dark for nearly nine minutes on Monday night (June 1) to make a very poignant statement. The…
The acts are posting black boxes on this day (June 2) of disconnecting from work to focus on community. The music industry is taking a pause today (June 2) to observe what is being called “Black Out Tuesday” (as well…
Peter Gabriel has condemned the “racist murder” of George Floyd and called on society to think, act and call out persecution. The legendary British musician and activist observed “Blackout Tuesday” in solidarity with black artists and colleagues in the music…
Ghanaian Afropop singer Stonebwoy addressed both pandemics plaguing the world, coronavirus and racism, during his poignant Billboard Live At-Home performance Monday (June 1) that raised money for My Friend’s Place, which supports the homeless youth. Performing from Ghana’s capital of Accra…
Beach Bunny frontwoman Lili Trifilio apologized on Sunday (May 31) after a track she wrote to honor the memory of George Floyd stirred up controversy on social media. The lilting tribute, titled “George Floyd,” finds the indie rocker ruminating on…
The gold rush is on as major labels try to tap into the continent’s global potential. The week of May 10, Universal Music Central Europe & Africa senior vp A&R Joe Chialo’s packed schedule included conference calls with the music…
Before YouTube director of urban music Tuma Basa made hip-hop one of the hottest genres in the world, he grew up in Congo, Zimbabwe — and Iowa. Now he’s using his dual cultural background to do the same for African…
Despite the key role he has played in bringing the sounds of Afrobeats to the U.S. and U.K. pop charts, the Nigerian producer says he has never been able to make a living out of his music from domestic revenue.…
Africa’s acts are bigger than ever. Now it needs venues to match. Nigerian Afrobeats star Naira Marley has become so popular internationally that his home country — Africa’s largest, with a population of over 205 million — doesn’t have a live venue…