Grammy-winning singer and Fisk University alumna, Mandisa, who rose to fame on season five of “American Idol,” has died, her representative said Friday. She was 47. “We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” her representative said in a statement to NBC News. “At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details.” “We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement concluded. She was found dead in her Nashville home, according to The Tennessean. We can ..read more

On Sunday, February 11th, Beyoncé broke the internet once again. Following a partner commercial with Verizon for the Super Bowl LVIII, Beyoncé announced the second act of the Renaissance Trilogy entitled, Cowboy Carter to be released on March 29th, with two lead singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”, released minutes later. Shortly after the commercial aired, Beyoncé posted a mysterious video teaser on Instagram with an unidentified woman — presumably Beyoncé herself — starting up a car and driving away on an empty road. The woman drives the car down an empty road before the clip cuts ..read more

Music superstar Usher does it for the ‘A’ everywhere he goes. His outpouring love and adoration for the city remains to this day. It’s that kind of love and support that Atlanta is willing to proudly give back. On Wednesday, Clark Atlanta University hosted a #ComingHomeRally for the musical legend he is. Hundreds of Atlanta University Center students packed to hear the eight-time Grammy Award winner speak at Clark Atlanta’s Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center. “I’m hoping hope the rest of the world feels the love that comes from this city,” Usher said. “Atlanta is a city of belief, Atlanta i ..read more

From the Blues to Hip-Hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. However, while musical styles come and go, —there is one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom. It is a message that resounds from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday — one of good news in bad times.  And that is the Gospel.  Henry Louis Gates Jr’s., new four-part documentary series, GOSPEL digs deep into the origin story of Black gospel music that blended the sacred spirituals with the blues tradition and soared to new height ..read more

This year’s Super Bowl LVIII Halftime show took it to the South! Not only did Usher give an iconic 15-minute performance, the halftime show featured Jackson State University‘s marching band, Sonic Boom Of The South. “The @SonicBoomOTS has been booked and busy,” read the caption on the marching band’s Instagram and Twitter account. The marching band joined Usher during halftime on the field Sunday night in Las Vegas, as he performed some of his biggest hits spanning 30 years. Whew! The @SonicBoomOTS has been booked and busy! In case you missed it, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the ..read more

Say HU, youu knoww!! That’s what we’re all saying after Rapper Jeezy welcomed 40 Howard University students to his recent NPR Tiny Desk Performance. Howard alumna, Sommer Hill shared her excitement on Twitter after arranging for the students to attend the event. “Not I brought 40 Howard University students to see Jeezy’s Tiny Desk today,” she wrote. Not I brought 40 Howard University students to see Jeezy’s Tiny Desk today pic.twitter.com/39HPobDOF6 — Sommer (@sommerfhill) February 7, 2024 The announcement comes amid the rapper’s success of his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsel ..read more

Alright now, Aggie Pride! American actress and North Carolina A&T University alumna, NaTasha Yvette Williams won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album at this Sunday’s 66th Grammy Awards. Williams won as a principal vocalist in the original broadway album, Some Like It Hot. Williams did not cross the stage on live television, as her category was given out before the broadcast portion, but an earlier snippet of her walking the red carpet had photographers showing the 1992 N.C. A&T theater graduate lots of love. This was Williams’ second Grammy Awards nomination. She was prev ..read more

Nikki Giovanni emphasizes all the things, but most notably, she is one of the most celebrated and decorated poets of our generation. The Fisk University alumna and Chicago native is a poet, activist, mother, wife, author, speaker, professor, and most recently, the subject of her own documentary on HBO Max. The documentary, Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, released on HBO Max January 8th. The film is narrated by Howard alum, award winning actress, Taraji P. Henson. Henson’s voice follows the legendary poet and activist ascendance and impact on American culture. Produced by Conflu ..read more

The Color Purple hit theaters this Christmas Day and the performance reviews are already giving Black Excellence! It’s no surprise to know that some of our key figures in TCP franchise hail from HBCUs. Check out the HBCU-studded Color Purple Alum: Alice Walker from Spelman College Walker is an American novelist, writer, poet, and activist, notably known for authoring The Color Purple in 1982. After graduating valedictorian from Butler Baker High School, Walker enrolled in Spelman College in 1961 on a full scholarship. Much of her time at Spelman College was spent participating in the fight fo ..read more

‘Tis the season to be giving all the glory and praise! Howard University & Florida A&M University’s Gospel Choirs, in conjunction with Warner Brothers Pictures are celebrating 12 Days of #TheColorPurple countdown with melodic renditions from the movie’s soundtrack. HGC shared their rendition of “I’m Here“, (inspired by Fantasia’s performance as Ms. Celie) to their Instagram page his past Friday. “We are so excited to join with our friends at @wbpictures and our #HBCU family across the nation to showcase our #PurpleLove by reimagining our favorite songs fro ..read more