Arts Dec 03 Steve Cropper, masterful guitarist and member of Stax Records’ Booker T and the M.G.’s, has died at age 84 Cropper also became known to younger fans as member of the group backing Blues Brothers John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. By Adrian Sainz, Associated Press
Arts Dec 02 Watch 9:30 Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz celebrate Black contemporary art in ‘Giants’ exhibition "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” is an exhibition celebrating the contributions of Black contemporary artists, spanning 20th-century icons to today’s emerging talent. Geoff Bennett spoke with the musical power couple behind the exhibition… By Geoff Bennett, Anne Azzi Davenport, Daria Nastasia
Arts Nov 24 Watch 3:27 Remembering the life and influential career of reggae icon Jimmy Cliff Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died. His family said it was from a “seizure followed by pneumonia.” The native son of Jamaica, two-time Grammy winner and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame helped turn his country's signature… By Geoff Bennett, Winston Wilde
Arts Nov 03 Watch 7:44 Musician S.G. Goodman on finding inspiration in her rural upbringing Singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman has been hailed as one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from the American South in recent years. Raised in the small river town of Hickman, Kentucky, Goodman blends country, rock and folk into songs that… By Geoff Bennett, Anne Azzi Davenport, Kayan Taraporevala
Oct 30 Watch 7:34 Ben Folds on taking a stand for artistic freedom after Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover By Amna Nawaz, Jackson Hudgins Ben Folds’ piano-powered pop music earned him a cult following and made him one of the most respected songwriters of his generation. He also held an influential role in classical music as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra. Folds… Continue watching
Oct 14 Grammy-winning R&B singer D’Angelo dies at 51 By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. Continue reading
Oct 09 Drake’s defamation suit against label over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ tossed by judge By Larry Neumeister, Andrew Dalton, Associated Press Judge Jeannette A. Vargas rejected the lawsuit in a written opinion that began by citing “the vitriolic war of words” and saying the case arose “from perhaps the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history.”… Continue reading
Oct 08 ‘I’m not dying’: Dolly Parton responds to concerns about her health By Maria Sherman, Associated Press Late last month Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years, citing “health challenges.”… Continue reading
Sep 29 Watch 9:19 How artists and musicians are responding to Trump’s 2nd term By Jeffrey Brown, Simon Epstein Rock legend Bruce Springsteen publicly blasted President Trump and his policies, saying “we’re living through particularly dangerous times." As Trump increasingly targets the arts, artists are faced with the question of whether to speak out or keep their heads down. Continue watching