Open Letter to the City of Poughkeepsie’s 8th Ward
To the residents of the 8th Ward of Poughkeepsie, I write to you today with a sense of both disappointment and concern regarding the recent election outcome that led to the decision not to elect Sakima McClinton as your representative. It is my belief that this choice reflects a missed opportunity for progress and positive…
Eminem Shuts Down Ramaswarmy Use of Lose Yourself
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been urged by Eminem, following his rendition of Eminem’s track “Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair, to desist from using the artist’s music for his campaign. BMI, a performing rights organization, acting on Eminem’s request, has communicated to Ramaswamy’s campaign that it will cease licensing the rapper’s music….
SHOWTIME’s New Series “HEIST 88,” to Premiere on Paramount+ October 1
LOS ANGELES — “HEIST 88,” an engaging drama, is set to debut on SHOWTIME, featuring Emmy-winning actor Courtney B. Vance known for “The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story” and “Lovecraft Country.” The series is a collaboration between MTV Entertainment Studios, Bassett Vance Productions, and Gunpowder & Sky. Inspired by a major U.S. bank…
BMI to Honor Lil Wayne and Top Songwriters at 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
NEW YORK — The 2023 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards are set to recognize outstanding songwriting achievements. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) will honor Lil Wayne, the accomplished rapper, executive, and philanthropist, with the BMI Icon award. This prestigious accolade celebrates Lil Wayne’s impressive two-decade-plus career and his profound impact on the R&B and hip-hop genre. The event…
Travis Scott’s UTOPIA Achieves Platinum Status Amidst Record-Breaking Spree
Travis Scott’s latest album, UTOPIA, has surged to platinum status, reaffirming his dominance in the music industry. Released on July 28, the album has already sold over a million copies, buoyed by the distinction of the most extensive vinyl LP sales for a rap album. Notably, UTOPIA achieved a remarkable vinyl sales week, selling 93,000…
Editorial: Essence Fest 2023-Two Months Later by Valese Jones
The dust has settled on Essence Fest 2023 and I took almost two months to reflect on the highs and lows of this year’s event due to my multifaceted position in media. I not only experienced the event as press covering it but as a publicist with clients attending. While the festival had its moments…