By The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album “Overcomer,” has died. She was 47. A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 18. The representative said the cause of Mandisa’s death was not yet known. Mandisa, whose full name was Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was born near Sacramento, California, and grew up singing in church. She gained stardom after finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006. As she ..read more

By Black PR Wire (Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – NICE CROWD, in partnership with Events DC, is thrilled to announce the return of the Because They’re Funny (BTF) Comedy Festival, a three-day event dedicated to amplifying BIPOC comedic talent. Following its acclaimed debut in 2023, which USA Today named One of the Top 10 New Events of The Year, BTF is back for its second annual installment from September 27-29, 2024, across The Wharf’s venues with performances and events at The Anthem, Pearl Street Warehouse and more. A spinoff of the American Black Film Festival, BTF aims to propel a new ..read more

By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO Amidst a whirlwind of controversy and legal battles, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and his son, Christian Combs, now find themselves entangled in a new web of allegations, lawsuits and federal investigations. Recent events have cast a harsh spotlight on the Combs family, with federal Homeland Security Investigations agents executing searches on two of Sean Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that these searches are part of a broader sex trafficking investigation, led by federal authoritie ..read more

By The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Faith Ringgold, an award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling, has died. She was 93. The artist’s assistant, Grace Matthews, told The Associated Press that Ringgold died the night of April 12 at her home in Englewood, New Jersey. Matthews said Ringgold had been in failing health. Artist Faith Ringgold poses for a portrait in front of a painted self-portrait during a press preview of her exhibition, “American Pe ..read more

Black PR Wire (Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — Rap artist, civic leader and activist Killer Mike—winner of three 2024 Grammy Awards®—will join the National Symphony Orchestra in a new, original orchestra program. The evening-length concert will feature new arrangements from Killer Mike’s critically acclaimed album “Michael,” led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. This will be the orchestra’s first self-produced collaboration with a rap artist since its concert with Common in 2017. “Michael,” Atlanta rapper Killer Mike’s sixth solo album and his first in over a decade, was awarded Best Ra ..read more

By Maria Sherman, The Associated Press It has been 21 years since Sean Paul’s dancehall anthem “Get Busy” topped the Billboard Hot 100 — which means “Get Busy” is finally old enough to hear “Get Busy” at the club. “It’s changed for me now,” Sean Paul told The Associated Press over Zoom from his studio in Jamaica, reflecting on the song’s legacy. “Because when I say, ‘Get busy,’ I’m telling the kids to do their homework or clean stuff up.” In the years since Paul helped introduce dancehall riddims and reggae to new audiences, he’s released six ambitious albums, including two straight out of th ..read more

By Joy Young, Howard University News Service The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum has debuted its exhibition “A Bold and Beautiful Vision.” The work, which focuses on the local educators and institutions that shaped Black artists from 1900 to 2000, will be on display until March 2, 2025.  The exhibit showcases a century of Black arts education through 85 archival photos and artifacts, exclusive video footage, art and interactive displays. The opening ceremony included a panel discussion where Howard arts alums came to reflect on how Howard University inspired and molded their caree ..read more

By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to The AFRO The Sweet Jazz Festival is set to grace the stage at the National Conference Center April 19-20, promising to be the most significant celebration of jazz and soul music Loudoun County, Va., has ever witnessed. The Sweet Jazz Festival will unfold April 19-20 at The National Conference Center in Loudoun County, Va. (Image courtesy Instagram/TracyHamlinMusic) This extraordinary event is the brainchild of Tracy Hamlin, a globally recognized songstress based in Loudoun County. Having toured over 58 countries and achieved chart-topping success worldwide ..read more

By Ericka Alston Buck, Special to the AFRO The latest twist in the legal saga surrounding hip-hop icon Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has revealed new allegations of sex trafficking, as the spotlight on sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry widens. On March 25 two residential properties of Combs, the entertainment mogul who rose to fame through the 90s and 2000s, were raided by authorities. Video of law enforcement officers simultaneously executing search warrants on different coasts of the country were broadcast live by news networks at home and abroad. Now, sex trafficking advocat ..read more

By Catherine Pugh Special to the AFRO The 2024 Delta Authors on Tour, an initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s National Arts and Letters Commission, will be making its Eastern Region stop in Baltimore on April 6. The event will be hosted by three local alumnae chapters of the sorority, including the Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Baltimore Metropolitan alumnae chapters. The event titled, “Elevating Your Mind Between The Lines,” will showcase nine Delta Sigma Theta authors at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt St., on April 6 from 1-3 p.m.  The event is free and open ..read more