COMPTON, Calif. (AP) — Danny “KP” Kilpatrick has inked tattoos for Diddy, Nas, Taraji P. Henson and numerous other stars, but his latest venture aims to create a safe space in his hometown of Compton. Kilpatrick stars in “Black Ink Crew: Compton,” the newest VH1 series that chronicles prominent tattoo artists. He hopes his shop […]
Insecure’s creator Issa Rae is developing a reimagined version of Set It Off. The late 90s crime thriller followed four friends who decided to take up bank robbing to alleviate their financial struggles. It starred Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Smith, who shut down rumors about a sequel with the […]
Since discovering The Good Place in 2017, I have been completely enthralled by its humor, subtleties, and incredible wit. Created by Michael Schur, the mastermind behind The Office and Parks and Recreation (also known as a few of the greatest comedies ever invented), the idea behind The Good Place is quite possibly my favorite concept […]
NEW YORK (AP) — Jessye Norman, the renowned international opera star whose passionate soprano voice won her four Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honor, has died, according to family spokesperson Gwendolyn Quinn. She was 74. A statement released to The Associated Press on Monday said Norman died at 7:54 […]
NEW YORK (AP) — As the nation debates what to do with civic statues that glorify slavery and white supremacy, one artist has a solution. Kehinde Wiley wants more art. Wiley, who was tapped to paint Barack Obama for the National Portrait Gallery, thinks monuments to Confederate figures need to be placed in their social […]
NEW YORK (AP) — National Geographic has found its next “Genius.” The network has tapped Cynthia Erivo to play Aretha Franklin in a third installment of the anthology series. The authorized project will feature Franklin’s music. Erivo will perform songs from the singer’s catalog. Franklin died in 2018 of pancreatic cancer at age 76. Erivo […]
NEW YORK (AP) — Diahann Carroll, the Oscar-nominated actress and singer who won critical acclaim as the first black woman to star in a non-servant role in a TV series as “Julia,” has died. She was 84. Carroll’s daughter, Susan Kay, told The Associated Press her mother died Friday in Los Angeles of cancer. During […]
NEW YORK (AP) — A book of Toni Morrison quotations is coming out in December. “The Measure of Our Lives: A Gathering of Wisdom” will draw from her whole body of work, including celebrated novels such as “Beloved” and “Song of Solomon.” The foreword is by Zadie Smith, adapted from a tribute she wrote soon […]
ATLANTA (AP) — Tyler Perry officially christened his massive new film studio Saturday, beaming as his fellow entertainment industry luminaries descended on Atlanta and strode a red carpet to his sprawling complex for an opening gala. The attendees warmly greeted Perry, a man who had once been homeless and yet now helmed his own studio, […]
NEW YORK (AP) — Marlon James fantasy novel “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” Laila Lalami’s immigrant tale “The Other Americans” and Jason Reynolds’ neighborhood story “Look Both Ways” are among this year’s finalists for the 70th annual National Book Awards. Nominees announced Tuesday also include Albert Woodfox, the former prison inmate who spent more than 40 […]