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After a 13-year hiatus since her 2012 album The MF Life, Toronto-born R&B songstress Melanie Fiona makes a compelling return with her latest EP, Say Yes, released on April 4, 2025. Known for emotive hits like “It Kills Me” and “4AM,” Fiona’s new project reflects her evolution as an artist and individual. The journey between […]

The legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential rap collectives is far from finished. In an exclusive interview with EBONY at Dreamville Fest 2025, Turk of the Hot Boys confirmed that the pioneering group will hit the road for a 30-city “Hot Boys Reunion” tour, alongside a separate “Cash Money 30th Anniversary” celebration. The upcoming […]

After a sun-drenched opening day, Day Two of Dreamville Fest arrived with a welcome breeze that seemed to shift the entire atmosphere—cooler air, familiar routes and a crowd now fully in rhythm with the grounds of Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. Unlike the tentative curiosity of Day One, Sunday felt like a homecoming. […]

In a recent press conference on Apr. 3, 2025, Raleigh city officials and Dreamville Fest organizers unveiled plans for a new music festival set to commence in 2026 at Dorothea Dix Park. This announcement comes as the original Dreamville Fest, founded by North Carolina native J. Cole, executes its final iteration this weekend. Sascha Stone […]

Raleigh, NC turned into a vibrant epicenter of Black creativity and communal energy this weekend as Dreamville Fest 2025 officially kicked off. Long before the gates opened at Dorothea Dix Park, the Dreamville team laid the foundation for more than just a festival—they curated a cultural experience rooted in accessibility, education, and joy. The festival […]

EBONY continues its weekly focus on the visual moments in popular culture that influence how we consume music today. This week’s Music Video of The Week pick is Drake’s “NOKIA” which made its digital debut, a single from the collaboration album with PARTYNEXTDOOR entitled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. In a world both futuristic and […]

Ravyn Lenae turned the storied Blue Note NYC into her own pocket of soul on April 2, delivering an hour-long performance that reminded everyone what true vocal mastery sounds like. The Chicago-bred singer, known for her kaleidoscopic blend of R&B, alternative soul and experimental pop, played two back-to-back nights at the iconic jazz club, offering […]

Summer Smash is back—and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be a memorable experience. Marking its seventh year as one of the largest independently-owned hip-hop festivals in the world, Summer Smash has unveiled a heavyweight lineup. Taking place June 20-22 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, the 2025 edition will feature the first live […]

Doechii has soared from Tampa, Florida, onto music’s global stage with bold creativity, a GRAMMY win and critical acclaim—but online critics have ignited a polarizing discourse labeling her as an “industry plant.” But what exactly defines this elusive term, and does Doechii truly fit the mold? Traditionally, an industry plant is viewed as an artist […]

Music Video of the Week is a new weekly spotlight from EBONY dedicated to the visual experiences that shape the way we consume music today. In an era where the art of music video-making often feels like a dying medium, this weekly spotlight celebrates the directors, performers and visionaries breathing life into a format that […]