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Universal Music Group Announces Launch of Def Jam Africa
Monday was Africa Day, the annual commemoration of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity. So it’s incredibly fitting that Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company in over 60 countries, announced the launch of Def Jam Africa, which is dedicated to “supporting the best in African hip-hop talent and culture across the…
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Replay, Revisit, Reject: Did the Long Weekend Give Way to Better Music?
We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds. While new tunes are usually released…
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Doja Cat Defends Herself Amidst Allegations of Racism, Self-Hate
Well, it was quite the weekend for Doja Cat. The rapper and singer should be feeling on top of the world, as not too long ago, she nabbed her first No. 1 hit with the song “Say So” alongside Nicki Minaj. However, the internet did as the internet does when someone gets popular, and dug…
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Davido, Tiwa Savage and Mr. Eazi Cover Billboard for Publication's First Issue Devoted Entirely to Africa
Tiwa Savage, Davido and Mr. Eazi are the cover stars for Billboard’s latest special issue, which is entirely devoted to the continent of Africa. The feature states that as streaming has gained popularity, the sounds and visibility of African artists and producers has similarly increased, thanks to tracks like Drake’s “One Dance” (which features Nigeria’s…
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Question for the Singer: An Open Letter to Lana Del Rey
Question for Lana Del Rey: Now that you’ve pulled out your MacBook and fixed your fingers to claim that you’ve been criticized and crucified for the inability to truly moan along perform lyrics in your catalog pertaining to “being embodied, feeling beautiful by being in love even if the relationship is not perfect, or dancing…
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Happy(?) Memorial Day: Here Are Some Virtual Events to Turn That Frown Upside Down This Weekend
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which typically serves as the kickoff to summer with barbecues, parties, and more. However…you know what’s up this time around. If you don’t have any plans to keep yourself occupied this particular weekend, social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips, and The Root is here with…
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Oprah Discusses Partnership With NashvilleNurtures to Provide Food Relief for 10,000 Families
On Tuesday, members of the press participated in a Zoom roundtable conference with journalist, mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover, and Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., to discuss her latest COVID-19 relief donation through the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation. Initially, Winfrey…
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Tassels to the Left, to the Left: Beyoncé to Deliver Message to Grads at YouTube's Star-Studded Commencement
Beyoncé is one of the newly announced graduation guests for YouTube’s virtual commencement ceremony, which will be livestreamed on Saturday, June 6. According to Variety, Bey, Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift were added to the already star-studded lineup for the streaming website’s “Dear Class Of 2020” event, which will feature the likes of headliners Barack…
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Exclusive: Joey Bada$$ Talks Partnership With NYC Fund for Public Schools to Benefit Homeless Youth
Rapper, actor and Pro Era collective co-founder Joey Bada$$ tells The Root that each year, he creates a list of goals he aims to accomplish for the next 365 days. The Brooklyn native explains that one of 2020’s biggest goals is to go full-throttle with his philanthropic endeavors. He announced Wednesday that he’s partnered with…
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An Ida B. Wells Biography, Written by Her Great-Grandaughter, Will Be Released in 2021
Michelle Duster, author, educator, and the great-granddaughter of pioneering journalist and activist Ida B. Wells, announced that she will be publishing a biography about her great-grandmother’s extraordinary life and career. Ida B. the Queen is slated to be released in February 2021, according to One Signal Publishers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. “After working…
