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The Black Godfather: Clarence Avant and the Successful Six Degrees of Separation
Life begins with a number and ends with a number. It’s a phrase often repeated by music executive Clarence Avant, almost like a mantra. And it couldn’t be more true, not only in Avant’s industry but in his personal life as well. When it comes to the number of lives Avant has touched throughout the…
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Steve McQueen, on the Blackest Soundtrack of America and Music’s Impact on His Filmmaking
It’s African American Music Appreciation Month and filmmaker extraordinaire Steve McQueen certainly has an appreciation for music. In fact, he proved it by directing an entire Soundtrack of America. Presented by the Shed, The Soundtrack of America showcased “emerging musicians and performing artists celebrating the unrivaled impact of African-American Music on contemporary culture” on Manhattan’s west…
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2019 AFI Lifetime Achievement Ceremony: Denzel Washington Collects His Things; Beyoncé Honors Melina Matsoukas
Everyone who is anyone in Hollywood gathered to celebrate your favorite actor’s favorite actor Denzel Washington at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award gala, presented by the American Film Institute, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday night. The star-studded guest list included Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua, Chadwick Boseman, Jennifer Hudson, Mahershala Ali,…
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Presidential Podcasting: Barack and Michelle Obama Signed a Major Deal With Spotify
Book deals and streaming deals and speeches, oh my! One year after landing a huge Netflix production deal, Barack and Michelle Obama have inked a new deal with Spotify to produce podcasts. “We’ve always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation,” the former president said in a statement via the Los Angeles Times. “It…
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Queen Sugar Continues Its Matriarchy, Adds 4 New Directors. Cree Summer and Bryan Terrell Clark to Guest Star
Less than a week ‘til we’re back with the Bordelons! Queen Sugar has been living up to its titular name, having been helmed exclusively by queens—all female directors handpicked by creator and executive producer Ava DuVernay. The fourth season is adding more directors: award-winning music video director Lacey Duke, C. Fitz, Pratibha Parmar, Deborah Kampmeier…
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R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty to 11 New Sex-Related Felony Charges
Robert “R.” Kelly appeared at a brief hearing at Cook County Court in Chicago on Thursday for an arraignment regarding the 11 additional sex-related felony charges against him. The 52-year-old artist pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to Billboard, the new charges include four aggravated sexual assault charges. Those four counts each carry a…
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Ja Rule Still Thinks the Fyre Festival 'Was An Amazing Idea'
Ja Rule can clearly stand the heat and won’t get out the kitchen, because he is standing firm on Fyre Festival being a great idea. The 43-year-old rapper appeared on The Breakfast Club Wednesday morning alongside Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti to discuss their projects, including Growing Up Hip-Hop and Tales, the latter of which…
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'I Really Believe It's a Form of Racism': Michael Jackson Lawyers Question Ethics of Leaving Neverland Doc
When it comes to an iconic music artist such as Michael Jackson and the controversies that surrounded him, you can never really leave Neverland. According to Variety, that was the topic broached at a Tuesday night panel titled, “Truth Be Told? Documentary Films Today,” hosted by the UCLA School of Law Ziffren Center and USC…
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Tessa Thompson, Chris Hemsworth, an Explosion, and a Big Gaping Hole in New Men in Black: International Clip
*wink wink* Ever since 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, the onscreen magic known as Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth has been felt, noticed, and celebrated. To be honest, I can add the phrase “obsessed over,” as well. The chemistry—sexual or otherwise—was very, very real. Now, the pair are teaming up once again the Men in Black: International,…
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AAFCA and Revolt TV Partner For New Culture Series, Short and Fresh; Announce Call For ‘Hip-Hop Identity’ Films from Young Creatives
There’s always room for fresh voices and the African American Film Critics Association and Revolt TV seem to agree. The leading black film critic organization and broadcast network have partnered up with new series, Short and Fresh. Per the official press release, “each one-hour episode of Short and Fresh provides audiences with a lens into…
