Blog

For more than two decades, Rhiannon Giddens has been on a mission to shift how America views the banjo. With deep roots in North Carolina and a career that fuses music, history and education, the GRAMMY and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist has long worked to reclaim the banjo’s origins as a diasporic African instrument, challenging the […]

For a lot of people, hearing that Kanye West has said or done something outlandish no longer lands with the shock-and-awe it did in 2006, 2009, 2016, or even last year. Yet on April 21, he previewed a new record called “Cousins” on X (formerly Twitter), claiming in both the song and a string of […]

April is Jazz Appreciation Month—a time to honor the rich tapestry of jazz music and its profound impact on culture and society. This annual celebration, initiated by the Smithsonian in 2001, pays tribute to jazz’s deep roots and its ongoing evolution. From the groundbreaking innovations of legends like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald to the […]

With Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour set to begin in just under a week, it’s an ideal time to revisit some standout tracks from her genre-blending album (and earlier music) — especially if country music isn’t typically your thing. Released in Mar. 2024, Cowboy Carter marked a bold exploration of country, rock, R&B, and opera, reimagining […]

Paras Griffin A lot can happen in a life that spans over seven decades, so it would only make sense to put forth every effort that assures each and every one of those days will matter for something. For Cathy Hughes, the consummate chairwoman here at Radio One and Urban One, it’s been her only […]

RIMON’s genre-defying sound is a testament to the wide array of influences that have shaped her music. The Eritrean-born artist, who spent her formative years in the Netherlands, effortlessly blends R&B, Afrobeats and alternative music, creating a style that’s all her own. “I just have a lot… it’s a mix melting pot of all these […]

From healing gardens to rain-soaked reflections, Black artists have long tapped into nature as both metaphor and muse. Whether it’s grounding yourself in soil after a heartbreak, reaching toward the sun for growth or simply observing the sky to escape the chaos below, nature remains a constant thread in Black music across eras and genres.  […]

If 2024 was the year that cemented Doechii’s rise, 2025 is proving she’s far from done evolving. On Friday, April 18, the GRAMMY Award-winning artist unveiled the music video for her viral track “Anxiety”—a sleeper hit that’s been quietly building momentum and now receives a striking visual treatment that folds time, memory and madness into […]

Cannabis culture has long influenced Black music, particularly within hip-hop and R&B, where artists unapologetically celebrate marijuana’s role in creative inspiration, social commentary and leisurely indulgence. From R&B smoothness to classic hip-hop bangers, these tracks perfectly encapsulate the relaxed, euphoric vibes of 4/20. Dive into these essential songs that continue to soundtrack our collective smoke […]

While co-hosting TODAY With Jenna & Friends, Tyra Banks didn’t hold back when asked who she’d cast in a remake of The Bodyguard. The supermodel and media mogul offered up Taylor Swift for the lead role of “Rachel,” made famous by the late Whitney Houston. “I think Taylor Swift, because business, commerce, art—and she would […]