A new mural honoring Josephine Baker has been unveiled in northeast Paris, celebrating the legendary entertainer’s legacy as a performer, World War II spy, and civil rights activist. Painted by artist FKDL, the mural is part of a street art festival and serves as a tribute to Baker’s enduring spirit of freedom, resistance, and cultural impact, fifty years after her death.
Category: Music
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRAM 2025 offers star studded line up and fun for the whole family
The AFRAM Festival, a celebration of African-American culture, returned to Baltimore on June 21-22, featuring international artists such as Amerie, Patti LaBelle, Juvenile and Teedra Moses, and offering fun, food, and more for the whole family.
Posted inENTERTAINMENT
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating
A jury has reached a verdict on four of five charges in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs but remains deadlocked on the most serious charge: racketeering conspiracy. Judge Arun Subramanian declined to accept a partial verdict and instructed the jury to continue deliberating on the unresolved count, which carries the potential for a life sentence if Combs is convicted.
Posted inMusic
Public Enemy drops surprise album ‘Black Sky Over the Projects’
BLACKPRESSUSA–Public Enemy has released “Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025,” a surprise 12-track album blending old-school hip-hop with urgent social commentary. Available for 72 hours on a pay-what-you-want basis from June 30, the album tackles topics from gun violence and ageism to climate denial, reaffirming the group’s legacy of resistance and relevance.
Posted inMusic
Black music: The soul of every sound
Black music is more than sound — it’s identity, soul and storytelling passed down through generations. Baltimore musicians John Thomas and Robert Vandervall explore how gospel, blues and rhythm express emotion, history and spiritual resilience. Their stories show that while styles evolve, the heart of Black music remains unchanged.
Posted inCommentary
Celebrating Black music month: From Billie to Gabby, Go-Go to Gospel
Black Music Month is a celebration of the Baltimore-Washington corridor’s rich musical tapestry, from jazz legends Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington to hip-hop artists like Sisqó and Gabby Samone, and gospel choirs like the Howard Gospel Choir and Morgan State University Choir.
Posted inBlack History
A look at the legacy of gospel: From hymns to hip-hop
Gospel music, a powerful thread in Black culture, continues to shape Black identity and inspire generations. As Black Music Month begins, it’s clear gospel’s influence on faith and music endures.
Posted inBlack History
Bailey and Martell: Honoring the legends who shaped country music’s past, present and future
DeFord Bailey is known as a pioneer who helped shape country music, even though he and other Black artists were often sidelined. Their contributions challenge the idea that country music was ever a homogeneous space.
Posted inBaltimore News
Cherry Hill Festival returns July 4 to unite Baltimoreans in shared celebration
The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival returns to Baltimore on July 4 at Middle Branch Park, featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, and a custom drone show. The event, now in its ninth year, will partner with the city’s Inner Harbor festivities to offer an all-day celebration of art, culture and community.
Posted in!Front Page Arts and Entertainment
Snapshots of sound: A look at the icons who shaped Black music
Black Music Month celebrates the achievements, activism, and work of Black creatives across various genres, including country, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel, while also recognizing Black music icons who shaped the music industry and American culture.
Posted inMusic
Words that echo: The lasting impact of song lyrics on Black communities
Hip-hop lyrics have long served as a reflection of the Black experience, from messages of unity and resistance to today’s dominant themes of money, violence and survival. As the music industry continues to shape what gets heard, artists and scholars are questioning how modern rap lyrics are influencing identity, values and the well-being of Black communities—especially among youth. Many are now calling for a return to more empowering narratives.
Posted inMusic
Death and hip-hop: The toll of drill rap and pushes for positive music
The rising deaths linked to drill rap have sparked urgent conversations about whether the music reflects harsh realities or fuels ongoing violence among youth. Community advocates like Sajda “Purple” Blackwell are working to promote positive rap as a powerful alternative that uplifts rather than harms.