Usher was in town recently to officially launch the 2023 Usher’s New Look Disruptivator
Summit: Be Your Own Super Hero, the largest youth conference in the Southeast with over 300 high school students
from coast to coast. The Summit was preceded by an invitation-only Usher Experience at Nobu Hotel Atlanta’s stunning Nobu Villa and Rooftop Terrace.

The $2,500 per-person Usher Experience raised more than $75,000 to benefit UNL’s programs designed to provide critical resources for youth disproportionately affected by poverty and educational inequality. Co-hosted by UNL President and CEO Careshia Moore, the event drew an array of distinguished guests including the UNL Board, private donors, sponsors and select media who enjoyed cocktails courtesy of Rémy Martin, exquisite light bites and stunning views.

Usher was back on the scene the next day on the campus of Georgia State University for Day One of the two-day Disruptivator Summit. Students were treated to a rousing pep talk by Usher and a performance by the Atlanta Drum Academy. The UNL Disruptivator Summit featured two days of sessions including mentorship, financial literacy, health and wellness workshops and excursions to corporate headquarters and local businesses.

Usher’s New Look was founded by Usher in 1999 to give young people a “New Look” on life and to help them find their “spark.” Since then, UNL has helped transform the lives of more than 55,000 young people around the world.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival WEEKEND 1: Saturday, April 29, 2023. My second time seeing Jazmine since Essence Festival last year….

Essence Fest-goers finding ways to stay cool in extreme heat

Essence Festival of Culture is June 29 - July 3 and there are two FREE ways to enjoy. If you're traveling to NOLA, we've got you. Can't make it? There's now a virtual option to watch from anywhere.

Like and Share for tips and money-saving tips for festivals got the culture.

Psyiconic as Terri joe on TikTok live
highlights from Psyiconics live 6/23/23
pt1

NPR Music's Tiny Desk series will celebrate Black History Month by featuring four weeks of Tiny Desk (home) concerts and playlists by Black artists spanning different genres and generations each week. The lineup includes both emerging and established artists who will be performing a Tiny Desk concert for the first time. This celebration highlights the beautiful cornucopia of Black music and our special way of presenting it. We hope you enjoy.

Abby O'Neill | February 16, 2021
Rick Ross’ Tiny Desk takes place in the gallery space of Miami artist Rich B Caliente, The Boss’ longtime collaborator and friend. Even though the MIA street dignitary is now living in Atlanta, Ross insisted that his Tiny Desk (home) concert get captured in the city where his roots are anchored and where he rose to rap stardom.

This Tiny Desk marks just the second time Ross has performed with a live band. On "Super High," from his Teflon Don album, drummer Rashid Williams and bassist Thaddaeus Tribbett lay down the foundation for Ross’ smooth cadence and signature nonchalance. Background singer and Ne-Yo protege Troy Tyler projects the lead vocal lines originally sung by his mentor.

Next, vocalist Elijah Blake steps up on Ross' smash hit "B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast) and “Aston Martin Music.” On the latter, Monty Reynolds drops in with the sparse, yet catchy key melody that made it the contagious hit single it was in 2010.

At one point, Ross pauses between songs to speak on his inspirations. "So many inspired the Boss,” he says. “I could look at any brother on the street and get some inspiration from them, regardless of how many followers you got on social media, regardless of what you're riding in. I could learn something from you. I ain't scared to. Let's make sure we keep building."

SET LIST
"Super High"
"B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"
"Aston Martin Music"
"I'm Not A Star"
"F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit"
"Tears of Joy"

MUSICIANS
DJ Sam Sneak: DJ, vocals
Thaddaeus Tribbett: bass
Monty Reynolds: keys
Elijah Blake: vocals
Troy Tyler: vocals
Rashid Williams: drums

CREDITS
Video: Bob Metelus, Antwan Reid, Webber Charles, William Graydon, Andres Ramirez, Laz Mendez, Edward Burke, Jorge Torres, Ron Gesualdo, Rich B Caliente
Audio: Joe Liederman, Glenn Wexo, ITLLC
General Manager: Yvette Dávila for Maybach Music Group

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Abby O'Neill
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Art Director: CJ Riculan
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Maia Stern
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

NPR Music's Tiny Desk series will celebrate Black History Month by featuring four weeks of Tiny Desk (home) concerts and playlists by Black artists spanning different genres and generations each week. The lineup includes both emerging and established artists who will be performing a Tiny Desk concert for the first time. This celebration highlights the beautiful cornucopia of Black music and our special way of presenting it. We hope you enjoy.

Bobby Carter | February 25, 2021
Kirk Franklin, set up with his band and choir in a corner of Uncle Jessie's Kitchen, makes a declaration. "I know you're at home right now, in your draws, listening to some Jesus music. It's ok. Jesus loves you in your draws!" The Arlington, Texas studio, named after a long time close friend, features a large photo of the iconic "I AM A MAN" protest signs from the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike on the wall. The jubilant energy that Franklin and company emit, juxtaposed with a visual reminder of the strife that Black people have endured is illustrative of the importance of gospel music in the Black community.

For nearly 30 years, Franklin has been widely regarded for revolutionizing gospel. He incorporated secular music, particularly hip-hop, while preserving the message and integrity of traditional gospel. Here, he and his powerhouse choir pace through a decades-long, sixteen Grammy award winning discography of faith, praise and encouragement while cracking plenty of jokes. I cannot recall a more moving Tiny Desk home performance.

All month long, we've presented artists that speak to the diversity and complexity of Black music--where we've been, where we are and where we're going. For the final show, we take it back to the spiritual roots and there's no one more fitting to cap things off than Mr. Kirk Franklin.

SET LIST
Love Theory
Silver and Gold
Melodies From Heaven
I Smile

MUSICIANS
Kirk Franklin: vocals, keys
Melodie Pace: vocals
Darian Elliot: vocals
Michael Bethany: vocals
Eboni Ellerson: vocals
Deon Yancey: vocals
Tia Rudd: vocals
Shaun Martin: keyboard
Matthew Ramsey: bass
Terry Baker: drums, percussion

CREDITS
Video: Clear Scope Media
Audio: Michael Havens Reese Brooks

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bobby Carter
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Art Director: CJ Riculan
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Kara Frame, Maia Stern
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #kirkfranklin #gospel #tinydesk

Alex Haynes (@alexunmuted) and Tiff Lanelle (@tifflanelle) summarize their thoughts and opinions about the Vice Presidential debate between Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris.