Rapsody Celebrates Black Identity and Spirituality on ‘God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops’
Grammy Award-winning rapper Rapsody is looking to ancestry, spirituality, and Black identity on her fifth studio album, “God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops,” a 16-track project shaped in part by time spent creating in Africa. Released through We Each Other and Roc Nation Distribution, the album marks another personal turn for the North Carolina artist,…
Retro United Founder Sossie Talks Music, AI, and the Importance of Independence
Retro United, Inc. founder Sossie believes music should have no boundaries. Inspired by personal experiences and a lifelong connection to music, he created the company to bring different genres and styles together under one vision: “all genres, one network.” In this interview, Sossie discusses the inspiration behind Retro United, the value of independence and music…
Lil’ Kim to Celebrate ‘Hard Core’ With One-Night-Only Brooklyn Symphony Concert
GRAMMY Award-winning hip-hop icon Lil’ Kim is returning to her Brooklyn roots for a one-night-only orchestral celebration of the album that helped define her career. The Queen of Rap will headline Hard Core Symphony at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 19, bringing her landmark 1996 debut album, Hard Core, to the stage…
Review: Donell Jones Verzuz Joe was Food for the Soul
Last night’s Verzuz battle between R&B legends Joe and Donell Jones was more than just a trip down memory lane; it was a masterclass in the enduring power of the genre and a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the modern music industry. While I’ve been a devoted fan of Joe’s work for decades, I’m…
Cleo Sol Returns With New Album Gentlewoman (Spotify)
Cleo Sol is back with a new album. The British soul singer released her fifth studio album, Gentlewoman, on August 20, 2026. It marks her first solo album since Heaven and Gold, both released in 2023. In typical Cleo Sol fashion, the announcement was simple and understated. She revealed the album shortly before its release,…
Donnell Jones and Joe Turn Verzuz Into a Night of R&B to Remember
The year was 2020. The world was inside its homes, unsure of what the future held for itself and society as a whole. COVID-19 brought everyday life to a halt, leaving people searching for ways to cope, reconnect, and find entertainment from home. With gathering in person no longer an option, people turned to their…
Machel Montano’s Soca Legacy Takes Center Stage at Brooklyn Public Library Exhibition
Brooklyn Public Library will celebrate the life and five-decade career of soca star Machel Montano with a new exhibition highlighting his music, Caribbean heritage, and longstanding ties to Brooklyn. “Journey of a Soca King: The Exhibition” opens August 22, 2026, at the library’s Central Library and features costumes, trophies, vinyl records, and other artifacts from…
Colorado City Manager Fired Over Response to Racist Incident Involving Snoop Dogg Doll
Scott Vargo, the city manager of Golden, Colorado, was fired after the city council determined the city’s response to a racist incident involving a Snoop Dogg-themed doll at a fire station “did not meet expectations for action and accountability.” The council voted unanimously Aug. 11 to terminate Vargo following a review of how city leaders…
