By now most people have heard Jay Z’s controversial response to legendary activist/artist Harry Belafonte’s critique of his lack of social activism. But just in case you haven’t, it went like this: “Yeah I’m offended by that because first of all…this is going to sound arrogant…but my presence is charity, just because of who I […]
Today is the 95th birthday of the incomparable Nelson Mandela. And – coinciding with this great day – we are happy to report that Mandela’s health is reportedly improving!
Rhymes and Reasons interviews Eve Ewing about the Hip Hop songs that changed her life: A Tribe Called Quest’s “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” and Serengeti’s “Day by Day.”
Pro-Palestinian organization called the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has created an online petition, calling on Alicia Keys to cancel a concert in Israel scheduled for July 4th.
While visiting the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre, 15-year old Aviwe Mtongana treated the POTUS with an impromptu rap performance.
Very big things are in store for 17 year-old cellist Angelique Montes. Hailing from New Orleans, Montes was chosen over 1,000 other young musicians for a spot on the National Youth Orchestra.
Rhymes and Reasons interviews Pugz Atomz about the Hip Hop songs that changed his life: Saafir’s “Light Sleeper,” Whodini’s “The Freaks Come Out,” “Spaceship” from Kanye West, GLC, and Consequence, and “Brooklyn Hardrock,” by Thurston Howell III.
Veteran actor Cicely Tyson won her first Tony Award last night. Tyson was one of four black actors to bring home a trophy after last night’s show celebrating the best of the Broadway stage. Tyson had not appeared on Broadway in three decades. She won the award for best actor for her role in The […]
An Op-Ed by Susan Taylor – founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement – explains The Rising at Harlan High mentoring program, and calls on the men and women of our community to step up and be mentors to our youth. Will you answer her call?
Jacinda Bullie – a founding member of Chicago’s influential hip-hop arts and education collective, Kuumba Lynx – talks w/ R&R about the Hip Hop songs that changed her life: “Roxanne’s Revenge,” by Roxanne Shante, the lovers’ anthem “All I Need,” by Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige, and more
Alicia Keys has announced that her concert in Tel Aviv will go on as planned, despite objections from Alice Walker and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters: “Music is a universal language that is meant to unify audiences in peace and love, and that is the spirit of our show.”
This past January, while on a Fulbright Fellowship in Business Management in India, I took my only break and went to Israel. For 10 days, I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. I participated in a new Israel program called Bizrael – a trip to Israel for business students and young professionals to […]
