more than 10 years of urban music and culture
Smooky MarGielaa. Photo by Leon Laing.
In 2017, Smooky MarGielaa dropped “Not Right,” a song dedicated to freeing Meek Mill. On May 8, Meek is free, and Smooky preps to perform in Meek’s hometown of Philadelphia. Continue reading ‘Staying 100’
Tracy Heather Strain. Photo by Leon Laing.
“Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart makes [it] abundantly clear that there is so much more to know” about Hansberry than A Raisin in the Sun, the flyer reads.
The flyer promotes the new documentary from producer/director/writer Tracy Heather Strain, a native of Harrisburg, Pa. On April 17, Strain and WITF held a special screening for the doc in Strain’s hometown. Continue reading ‘Harrisburg hosts Hansberry event’
April Walker. Photo by Leon Laing.
What better way to launch a hip-hop museum than hold a book signing for the legendary April Walker. From Jan. 19-Jan. 21, the Mini Hip-Hop Museum held its grand opening at its location in Baltimore. Walker signed her book, Walker Gems: Get You’re A$% Off the Couch, for fans on Jan. 20. Walker Gems offers inspirational words for life as well as business. Continue reading ‘Walker Gems drop jewels’
PnB Rock. Photo by Leon Laing.
With PnB Rock’s concert being held on a holiday, school was closed, giving fans ample time to prepare for the event. On Oct. 9, Christopher Columbus Day Christopher Wallace Day, PnB performed at Chameleon Club, a Lancaster-based venue that was jam-packed with concertgoers. Continue reading ‘Everyday he lit’
Symone Sanders. Photo by Leon Laing.
CNN has a new generation of political commentators. Two of them are spunky, intelligent, witty and unapologetic black women: Symone Sanders and Angela Rye. On Sept. 30, Sanders, 27, gave a lecture in Harrisburg. Continue reading ‘CCN commentator makes two stops in Hbg.’
The Weeknd. Photo by Leon Laing.
I’ve been following The Weeknd since day one.
At that time, his group was called The Weeknd. “Love Through Her” stood out as one of my favorite songs. Then the Canadian-based singer, né Abel Tesfaye, took The Weeknd as his stage name. About two Grammy Awards and one co-sign from Drake later, The Weeknd would chop off his Basquiat-like hairdo and become a pop sensation. He became mainstream while keeping his street cred and without compromising his music’s integrity. Continue reading ‘A Starboy is born’
Playboi Carti. Photo by Leon Laing.
On the heels of his infectious single “Magnolia” and being selected as a 2017 XXL magazine freshman, Playboi Carti performed for a sold-out crowd. The ATL-based artist held the concert at Philadelphia’s Theatre of Living Arts on Aug. 15. Continue reading ‘In Philly, he Milly Rock’
In 2003, the Harrisburg area held an indoor rap concert with A-list acts. Rap heavyweights, such as such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes, performed at that show, which was held at Hershey’s Giant Center. Now Harrisburg will host its first outdoor rap festival with celebrity rappers. Continue reading ‘Area’s first rap fest with celebrity rappers’
Ronnie Gilbert (left) and Luke Davis at Fishbone. Photo by Leon Laing.
While Luke Davis continues to skate and film, he and girlfriend Carly Ohlin are going ape like Nigo. Davis and Ohlin expect to have their daughter, their first child, soon. Continue reading ‘Sk8er expands family’
Siaani (Charli Baltimore’s daughter on the left) and T’yanna (Biggie’s daughter). Photo by Leon Laing.
When I first met Biggie’s daughter years ago, I remember her being a loving and intelligent child. (She still remembers that I used to draw.) Today, she still has those qualities—plus she’s a Penn State University grad who launched a clothing line. Continue reading ‘B.I.G. tings’
