By Jamel Smith December 4, 2023 The documentary, May the Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story, was released on November 24 to wide acclaim. The 100-minute documentary, named after their 2019 album, chronicles the rise, fall, and reunion of the beloved North Carolina rap trio Little Brother (Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder). The film was helmed by Durham native Holland Gallagher, who was personally asked by Phonte to bring Little Brother’s story to life after the premiere of his web series, Hype, in 2018. Gallagher worked with Phonte on two short documentaries commissioned by ..read more

By Grant Golden November 30, 2023 Magic Al (Hillsborough) Good Grief (Sleepy Cat Records)  Good Grief is a remarkably powerful and poignant record from esteemed producer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Bingham. Alongside a cast of star-studded collaborators like Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso), Joseph Terrell (Mipso), Taylor Meier (CAAMP), and more, Bingham digs into the depths of grief after a string of difficult losses in 2022. Good Grief is a record full of infectious grooves and catchy melodies, exploring the juxtaposition of mourning a loved one while the world keeps spinning. Opening tr ..read more

By CLTure November 28, 2023 Coming off the release of his 11th studio album, Blockbusta, rapper Busta Rhymes has announced a solo headlining tour coming to Charlotte (April 5 at The Fillmore) and Raleigh (April 4 at The Ritz). The platinum-selling New York rapper best known for his tongue-twisting rapid-fire lyrical style got his start in the early ’90s with the group Leaders of the New School and collaborations with A Tribe Called Quest. He released his debut solo album, The Coming, in 1996 featuring the hit single, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check,” which earned him a Grammy nomination for no ..read more

By Jeremy Grandison November 16, 2023 On Wednesday night, Rod Wave performed in front of a Spectrum Center crowd that was packed to the brim. Fans arrived early for the concert with immense energy, including an overwhelming number of women filling the seats to see the 25-year-old rapper/singer from St. Petersburg, Florida.  Rod Wave’s last three albums have reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts, a feat only matched by Taylor Swift. Photo: Carey J. King / CLTure On his second headlining tour, Wave is celebrating his fifth studio album, Nostalgia. The album marks his third No. 1 debut on t ..read more

By CLTure November 13, 2023 Photo: Izzy Nuzzo Photo / Dreamville Fest 2023 Following a Dreamville Fest performance earlier this year, and a two-night tour stop in Charlotte in September, Drake has announced a run of co-headlining arena and stadium tour dates with J. Cole beginning in January. The It’s All a Blur, Big As The What? Tour, named after the lyrics from their most recent collaboration, “First Person Shooter,” from Drake’s eighth studio album, For All The Dogs, will make a stop in Nashville for two nights in February, but no North Carolina dates have been announced. Drake ..read more

By CLTure November 13, 2023 Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste has announced his first headlining tour, following the release of his latest critically acclaimed album, World Music Radio, in August. The album received four Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year (“Worship”) and Song of the Year (“Butterfly”) this year. Batiste also won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2022 for his sixth studio album, We Are, and an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work with Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) and c ..read more

By CLTure November 10, 2023 For those that missed Alanis Morissette’s 2021-22 tour celebrating 25 years of Jagged Little Pill, you’ll have another chance to catch the seven-time Grammy Award-winning alternative rock singer-songwriter in 2024. Morissette has announced a 31-date summer tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Floyd, Virginia native country singer-songwriter Morgan Wade. Citi Card members will get the first chance at tickets on Tuesday, November 14 at 10 a.m., Morissette’s presale will begin on Wednesday, November 15 at 10 a.m. (must sign up ..read more

By CLTure November 9, 2023 Following the release of his latest album, Unreal Unearth, in August, Irish folk/soul singer-songwriter and musician Hozier has announced new tour dates in 2024 that will kick off in North Carolina. The 37-date spring/summer tour will commence in Raleigh on April 20 (Coastal Credit Union Music Park) and arrive in Charlotte on April 23 (PNC Music Pavilion).  Best known for his song “Take Me to Church,” from his debut multi-platinum self-titled album, Hozier released his sophomore album, Wasteland, Baby!, in 2019, prior to his latest album, Unreal Unearth, which was ..read more

By Cameron Lee November 9, 2023 Photo: Mike Jones / CLTure Originally scheduled to perform in early October, Lil Yachty’s Field Trip Tour finally docked in Charlotte on Tuesday night. With a sold-out show at The Fillmore and Brakence performing at The Underground, the Music Factory was bustling with mostly teenage and college-aged kids– and even a few parental chaperones.  Lil Yachty performing in Charlotte Tuesday night at The Fillmore for his Field Trip Tour. Photo: Mike Jones Lil Yachty, who is now 26, may have outgrown the red-beaded braids and sanguine raps of the 2016 SoundCloud er ..read more

By CLTure November 6, 2023 The “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight has added two more North Carolina dates for her current “farewell tour,” coming to Charlotte’s Ovens Auditorium on February 21 and Greensboro’s Tanger Center on February 27. The seven-time Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee received a National Medal of Arts in 2021 and Kennedy Center Honors in 2022.  Presale starts Thursday, November 9 at 10 a.m. and tickets go on sale to the public Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. Read next:  ONE Musicfest continues to impress with monster lineup, historic ..read more