At the intersection of Black August and Hip Hip 50, The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), in partnership with the Friends of Art Park Alliance (FAPA) hosted its 5th Annual AFRIBEMBÉ FESTIVAL: Black to the Future!last weekend.
A celebration of music, culture, and Black liberation, the daylong festival of Pan-African artistry, expression, and intergenerational exchange, was held at the Harlem Art Park and on E 120th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues.
CCCADI’s 5th annual AFRIBEMBÉ FESTIVAL harnessed the power of its theme, Black to the Future, to elevate Afrofuturism from a global Diasporic lens with Africa at the center with more than 1000 community members in attendance.
This AFRIBEMBÉ made a special call to remember that our ancestors consistently pushed toward creating a future that stretched beyond the reality of their present.
AFRIBEMBÉ’s featured artists and DJ lineup utilized global Diasporic rhythms and sounds to move festivalgoers through statements of Black identity, agency, and freedom. Featured artists that graced the Bembé Stage included Grammy-nominated Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez (presented in partnership with National Jazz Museum in Harlem), Combo Chimbita, Chimurenga Renaissance, Imani Uzuri, Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, Chief Awosánmí Sékou Alájé, and DJ Bembona. Rasu Jilani served as the event’s MC.
Through artivism activities in the Family Village, the SoulFull Food Plaza, and the Ujamaa Marketplace, AFRIBEMBÉ’s intention was to inspire the community to envision and create a liberated future for the entire African Diaspora.
Bembé is an African word carried throughout the Diaspora with various meanings. From drumming to rhythm to party, we use the word Bembé as one of the terms that connect our Diaspora together in music, joy, and community.
Last month, several of pop star Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit against her claiming they were sexually harassed and working under hostile conditions. Explicit stories of events had fans wondering if the rumors were true. Now, Lizzo’s current dancers speak up in support. In a heartwarming letter posted on Instagram they wrote:
“We have been so honored to share the stage with such amazing talent. The commitment to character and culture taking precedence over every movement and moment has been one of the Greatest lessons and Blessings that we could possibly ask for,” the post said.
“THANK YOU to Lizzo for shattering limitations and kicking in the door way for the Big Grrrl & Big Boiii Dancers to do what we love! You have created a platform where we have been able to parallel our Passion with a purpose!” it continued.
Ron Zambrano, the attorney representing the former dancers who filed the lawsuit, responded in a statement Friday saying it was “understandable that current employees would gush about her. They want to keep their jobs and maintain access to her global celebrity. But the comments change nothing about the allegations in the lawsuit.”
Zambrano said his firm has heard from at least 10 former Lizzo employees who’ve come forward with similar stories of abuse and harassment about the singer since the suit was filed Aug. 1.
“Some of them will certainly be actionable,” he said. “Lizzo’s job now is to try to do everything she can to limit the damage to her brand and save her career. Our job is to vigorously litigate this case on behalf of the plaintiffs based on the facts and we’re confident the truth will prevail over the spin.”
Journalist-turned-filmmaker dream Hampton joined the Source as a 19-year-old photo editor, and he first opinion piece she wrote for the publication in 1991 covered N.W.A.’s Dr. Dre alleged assault against journalist Dee Barnes. Now she serves as the executive producer to Netflix’s ‘Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip Hop’.
Fast forward to in 2019, Hampton served as executive producer of the record-breaking Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly.” Hampton’s work sparked national interest in Kelly’s crimes against young women. Kelly is now serving nearly 30 years in prison for child sex abuse, sex trafficking and racketeering.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Hampton who has always been a voice for women spoke on the change for women in hip hop.
“I will say that there’s never been a more exciting time for women in hip-hop than right now. That whole one at a time thing, the idea that you had to be embedded in a crew or had to be co-signed by a man? All of that is gone. I have no idea who co-signed Cardi B. If Lil Wayne and them co-signed Nicki, it is so far in the rearview of her story, I can barely remember it. Let alone all these other rappers, like Latto, Ice Spice, Chika. I don’t know who they belong to.“
“It’s a classic feminist question. You have to be claimed in the public space in order to be safe. And particularly when you’re talking about some hypermasculine arena like hip-hop. These women belong to themselves in this moment, which is so beautiful to me. Back then, when that kind of stuff mattered, Ms. Melodie belonged to KRS-One. Sister Souljah belonged to Public Enemy. Yo-Yo belonged to Ice Cube. And I know they would not like to be described that way, but in the public imagination, that’s absolutely what it was.“
Last week social media had a field day with the Montgomery brawl in Alabama which resulted in several arrests and even more memes. The crew from the Harriott II Riverboat in Montgomery, Alabama famously came to the defense of dock captain Damien Pickett after he was jumped by a group of thugs who refused to abide by the rules.
Now singer Stephanie Mills has vowed to help with their legal fees.
She went on Twitter to share:
Wow!!! @ampharris this is super cool. You surprised me with this post. “Let’s do the right thing” is a song I recorded back in 2021. Something about our people and motivating us to support each other. Love for #MontgomeryAlabama
Wow!!! @ampharris this is super cool. You surprised me with this post. “Let’s do the right thing” is a song I recorded back in 2021. Something about our people and motivating us to support each other. Love for #MontgomeryAlabamapic.twitter.com/ib0NrJvNGZ
A brawl took place at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama.
Reportedly, a group of white men attacked a black dock worker after he asked them to move their boat. In response, a group of black men intervened to defend the worker.
Queen Beyoncé is having the best year ever. So far, we’ve witnessed everyone from Oprah to Madonna sing praise to what is arguably one of the greatest shows ever. After 33 shows, box office data shows, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour has become the high-grossing tour of her career, with $295,676,504 in sales.
This becomes the highest-grossing tour of all time by a black artist, breaking the record set by her own Formation World Tour. Set to make $500,000,000 in ticket sales, I can’t help but to think about the adversity she overcame back when she silently fought through senseless rumors. If we learn anything from this ray of light we learned that naysayers and opinions don’t mean a thing when you stay disciplined and focused.
This tour tells a story with so many hidden gems that calling it a show doesn’t even do it justice—it’s an experience. One that you don’t want to miss. Creative thinkers, movers and shakers have been showing up by the boatloads to get a glimpse of this epic performance. Lenny Kravitz, Naomi Campbell, Pharrell Williams, Kelly Rowland, Salma Hayek, Kris and Kylie Jenner, Kandi, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe and Halle Bailey, Amy Schumer, Ashley Graham and more have made this a priority in their schedule much like the rest of us.
I remember a time when they couldn’t pronounce her name correctly.
Now my 7-year-old daughter Felicity is envisioning her own future after we went to see Beyonce perform at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. We both sang and danced through tears amazed at the legend my daughter (and myself) look up to. For three hours straight we watched her consistency, perfection, stamina and creativity in a way the world has never seen before. After growing up with every image but my own in the spotlight, it’s breathtaking to witness this greatness from Beyonce (and Blue Ivy) with my own black princess.
It’s safe to say this generation has a new Michael Jackson in town…and her name is Beyoncé.
The birth of Hip-Hop infused a flavor element into the world that not everyone was prepared for. As hip hop turns 50 years old today, huge corporations, giant companies, and everyone in between is celebrating a genre of music that once was deemed a fad. No one could anticipate the soul-filled, compassionate talent that would soon become a force to be reckoned.
As a self-certified hip-hop head myself, I personally feel a sense of gratitude for the music that raised me. As a troubled child abandoned by my parents and raised by my granny, I always searched for something to love. My grandma, her mother, and my aunt raised me in the church, hoping to keep me from falling to the streets and setting a solid foundation that would one day come in handy. Hip-Hop wasn’t played in my home, and the first glimpse I received was from my older brother, who was seven years my senior and brought my first Janet Jackson Control tape from the mall. One day in 1986, when I was just seven years old, I went to my father’s side of the family, which was a lot more colorful, to say the least. My cousin Sharon ushered me to her grandma’s old wooden record player and played ‘La Di Da Di’ by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. We played the record the entire day. I was sad to go home because none of that was cooking in my house, and I wanted more. I found my aunt Mildred’s electric can opener, which had a radio attached to it, and discovered DJ Red Alert, and it was over. I was addicted to hip-hop. My big brother, who was way cooler than me, would tell me what was ‘real’ and who was biting, and I listened. For the next few years, I soaked up every snare, R&B remix, and lyric hip hop had to offer. I’d race home to adjust the hanger on the TV to watch Video Music Box on that in-between channel, and that was the highlight of my day. But when I fixed my brother’s broken cassette tape and popped his NWA Niggaz4Life in my headphones—I couldn’t believe the nasty filth that came out of their mouths. And I loved it. I would rap all the lyrics in school and church to my friends and indefinitely get into trouble after.
Hip-Hop kept me busy and somewhat out of trouble. I waited for the hottest releases and saved up money for what are now considered classics. For me, it was Queen Latifah who inserted a pride into me I never had before. MC Lyte’s style and flow let me know it was OK to be different. I even listened to everyone from Snow Informer to Lil Vicious Freaks against my older brother’s advice because I listened to it all.
When my mother resurfaced back into my life seven years later, and I moved to New York City, and could never fathom how far hip-hop would carry me. From working at the Mart 125 on 125th Street at 14 years old doing nails for Dr. Khalid Muhammad and Bobby Brown to meeting Monifah and Marquee there, who introduced Kelis and I to a new producer named Pharrell. From working at Rawkus Records and traveling the world with Talib Kweli, Slaughterhouse, Kelis, and MF DOOM to hosting a hit show on XM radio with one of my favorite journalists, Bonz Malone, called Spitkickers where we had classic rappers freestyle live on air to now writing at the magazine I once hoarded.
As hip-hop turns 50 years old, I want to thank ALL the hip-hop artists who spent countless hours in the studio and away from their families creating music that we connected to….music that made us feel, love, and gave many of us a reason to live.
From The Notorious B.I.G., Salt N Pepa, J.J. Fad, Public Enemy, Nas, Black Sheep, Wu-Tang, Lil Kim, DMX to Royce Da 5’9”, The Roots, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, 2pac, M.O.P., The Lox,—-too many to name.
We Salute and love you, and we give a huge Happy Bornday to HIP HOP!
Check out some of the hip-hop songs below that changed my life.
Rihanna and her son RZA star in the new maternity capsule campaign for Savage X Fenty. The collection includes the Savage Not Sorry Lace Maternity Bralette, the Savage X Cotton Maternity Bralette, and the Floral Lace Maternity Bralette. Additionally, there is a “MAKE MORE BABIES” t-shirt.
The pieces range from sizes XXS to 4X and cost between $35 and $60. “The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys,” Rihanna revealed to Vogue. “I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent.”
Last month, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky continued to give parenting goals. The two are in Barbados, and Rihanna shared an image of Rocky holding their son, RZA.
In the picture, Rocky lifts RZA in the sky. She captioned the post “my Bajan boyz.”
Two of our all time favorites, Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg, have joined forces to curate the “Hip Hop at 50” exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of this influential genre. The showcase boasts a collection of 50 photographs that vividly trace the evolution of hip-hop from its origins in the Bronx to its current global prominence. The images, handpicked by Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg, not only pay tribute to the genre’s resilient spirit but also reflect the strength of the hip-hop community.
Adorning the gallery walls are the works of renowned photographers, including Danny Clinch, Timothy White, Lynn Goldsmith, Josh Cheuse, Mike Miller and Jonathan Mannion. The curated assemblage also features iconic personalities in hip-hop history, such as Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, The Notorious B.I.G., Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Eminem and the Wu-Tang Clan, among others. Through their camera lenses, these photographers have captured instances of vulnerability, resilience and creativity that have become emblematic of hip-hop’s cultural significance.
“Hip Hop at 50” will run from August 10 to 24, delivering an immersive experience at two locations: the Morrison Hotel Gallery Sunset Marquis in Los Angeles and the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City.
And in case you missed it, Moral Turgeman delivers an ode to the not-so-magical nature of mushrooms in “Rooted Signals.”
Morrison Hotel Gallery 116 Prince Street New York, NY 10012
Morrison Hotel Gallery Sunset Marquis 1200 Alta Loma Road West Hollywood, CA 90069
Law enforcement arrived to her home in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday afternoon with full sirens and lights blaring, according to TMZ.
The 40-year-old, who appears in the new Call of Duty, was the victim of a bogus 911 call.
Investigators say someone called the emergency number to falsely report a shooting at her mansion in LA’s San Fernando valley.
Nicki was not happy to have law enforcement at her home once again, according to TMZ.
In June, someone made a false report to child welfare officials claiming that Nicki’s three-year-old son, whom she refers to as Papa Bear publicly, was being abused.
After officers arrived, they visited with the Good Form artist and her husband, Kenneth Petty, 51.
An examination of the child determined he was safe and healthy.
The family was awakened early the next morning, around 3 a.m., after another bogus call was made to 911, reporting a fire at the home.
When firefighters arrived, they found no flames.
It was quickly determined that the couple had been victims of ‘swatting.’
It’s a term law enforcement officials use to describe an act of making a false report in order to get a huge police reaction, that can involve an armed SWAT team.
Making a false 911 call is illegal, and in California, can result in felony or misdemeanor charges, resulting in fines and jail time.
Nicki has said nothing publicly about the swatting attempts.
She is, however, celebrating the success of her Barbie World collaboration with Ice Spice and Aqua for the Barbie movie soundtrack.
The song had the highest streaming day for a rap song on Spotify so far this year with five million listens.
She has also surpassed 60 million listeners on the streaming service, making her only the 20th artist to do so.
Rihanna hit Beverly Hills streets on Monday, and the baby bump is showing! Hitting the streets, Rih Rih didn’t bring out the Wu-Tang tee this time, instead opting for another iconic group in Rage Against the Machine. The crop was merged with baggy jeans, with the button open for some extra comfort.
Rihanna was spotted in Beverly Hills yesterday wearing a Vintage 90’s “Rage Against the Machine” Tee and her favorite $2,050 Balenciaga Baggy Jeans. Her accessories included a $400 pair of Linda Farrow x Area 1 Oval Sunglasses, a $2,800 @khaite_ny Hobo Bag and her $1,870… pic.twitter.com/xlYZzNfQN6
35-year-old mogul Rihanna is the first female artist to have ten songs hit one billion streams on Spotify.
The ‘Umbrella’ singer celebrated on her Instagram page, writing ‘Bad gal bili.’
‘Wit no new album…lemme talk my sh*t,’ the Barbardian-born beauty joked, adding a winking emoji with its tongue out next to an emoji of the flag of her home country.
Her last album, Anti, dropped in 2016.
The monumental achievement follows Rihanna’s viral SuperBowl LVII halftime performance, where the former Fenty CEO showed off her baby belly, revealing she was pregnant with her second child.
Arguably one of the most influential singers of the 21st century, Rihanna would go on to release several follow-up, record-breaking albums.
Her 2012 album, Unapologetic, was Rihanna’s first studio record to hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
The dedicated philanthropist also ventured out into multiple business ventures in the wake of her musical success.
Following the release of her sixth album in 2016, Rihanna founded Fenty Beauty in 2017.
Now regarded as one of the best makeup and skincare lines on the market, Fenty Beauty is used by 13% of cosmetics and makeup-users in the United States, according to Statista.
One year later, the Diamonds In The Sky singer founded her second successful business, a lingerie line she called Savage X Fenty.
(@portalnavybr)