An Appreciation
Culture
Trugoy the Dove played the thankless role of hip-hop’s conscience
De La Soul lost a member on the eve of their music landing on streaming services
Culture
Remembering Gangsta Boo
The Memphis artist created a new hip-hop archetype: the hustling, game-spitting, hell-raising chick that inspired female rappers for decades
Culture
Irene Cara experienced both the highs and lows of ‘Fame’
Before that breakout role, ‘Sparkle’ had introduced her to Black America
Culture
Ramsey Lewis made popular music. In jazz, that was a problem.
Despite the critics, he was a great musician and a great man
HBCU
Fisk University grad and ‘Elvis’ actor Shonka Dukureh didn’t take her Hollywood shine for granted
The singer who played legendary blues pioneer Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton dies at 44
Culture
DJ 50 Grand’s death is a big loss for hip-hop
The Brooklyn, New York, DJ helped produce the demo that changed rap
Sports
Remembering Lusia Harris
In death, the first Black woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame was given the flowers she should have received in life
Culture
From Miles Davis to Biggie, James Mtume was a Renaissance man of music
Best known for ‘Juicy Fruit,’ the Grammy winner was respected across the musical spectrum
Culture
Sidney Poitier changed what a movie star looked like
His career as an actor and a director brought beautiful Blackness to the white movie industry