Jay Z News

Zia Benjamin, the Jamaican songstress who has penned and been featured on hits from the likes of Sean Paul to Major Lazer, brings her soulful sound to the forefront in 2019.

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced today that actor and performer Shangela will host the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York, while CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper will present the Advocate For Change Award to previously announced honoree Madonna, on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the New York Hilton Midtown. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), model and activist Winnie Harlow, multiple Emmy and GLAAD Media Award-winning director and producer Ryan Murphy (“Pose”) will join previously announced special guests Samantha Bee (“Full Frontal”), CNN's Don Lemon, and the cast of FX's “Pose,” including 2017 GLAAD honoree Billy Porter. GLAAD previously announced that Sarah Jessica Parker will present the Vito Russo Award to Andy Cohen.

The Brotherhood/Sister Sol (Bro/Sis) -- Harlem's nationally acclaimed social justice, youth development, and education organization -- will honor legendary dance choreographer Bill T. Jones, civil rights litigator Debo Adegbile, and TV producer and Black Girls Rock! founder Beverly Bond at its 15th Annual VOICES Gala in New York City on May 21 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, it announced today. The annual charity gala, which raises critical funds for Bro/Sis' life-changing education programs and support services, will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts.

On its fifth of five original shows broadcasting for the first time from Las Vegas (Friday, 4/5/19), ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” closed out the week with its highest-rated telecast of the week on Friday in Households (2.0/5) in the 56 Metered Markets. Friday's telecast grew over the prior day by 11% in Households (1.8/5), as well as opening night on Monday by 11% (1.8/5). Friday's show welcomed Celine Dion and Chris Tucker.

Sometimes ballet can be tricky. It's an art form that, when misunderstood, can come off as stuffy and out-of-date. Neither of those labels are an accurate description of the program New York City Ballet is showcasing at the Kennedy Center. With a skillful blend of contemporary and classic techniques, there's something for everyone in this thrilling presentation.

DREAMERS are happy to announce the release for their new album LAUNCH FLY LANDon April 26. Today the band reveal the new track, “Insomniac.”  Of the song the band's Nick Wold notes, “I've always been obsessed with sleep and dreams. From practicing lucid dreaming to drawing artistic inspiration from the bizarre mind trips we have each night. It's a big part of what attracted me to the name Dreamers. 'Insomniac' is about lying awake unable to sleep, unable to quiet the mind, caught in the spider web of doubts, loneliness and haunting memories.”

Following the week in Las Vegas, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returns to Los Angeles to welcome the cast of Marvel's “Avengers: Endgame.” Each night, Jimmy will welcome guests including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Chris Hemsworth, Danai Gurira, Jeremy Renner and Don Cheadle.

The new artistic director and co-director of the New York City Ballet looked a little nervous Tuesday as they awkwardly welcomed the Kennedy Center audience to their annual week-long residency.

Their May 8 concert, From Song Came Symphony, will explore the symphonic influence of composer Harry T. Burleigh, whose legacy is often tied to the concertization of the American spiritual. He is also increasingly credited as influencing some of the spiritual-inspired thematic material for the 'New World Symphony' and 'American String Quartet' of Antonin Dvorak. The Burleigh Society, which advances studies of black art music through scholarship and performance, hopes to broaden audiences' understanding of Burleigh's foundational contributions to American classical music.

Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), received the 'Outstanding Comedy Series' award for its original series 'Vida' at the 30th Annual GLADD Media Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton last night.

The NAACP today announced that globally dominant pop culture icon Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter will receive the prestigious President's Award during the 50th NAACP Image Awards. The President's Award is presented in recognition of a special achievement and distinguished public service with previous recipients including Jesse Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad O'Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Muhammad Ali among others. NAACP President Derrick Johnson will present the award to Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter during a LIVE TV special on TV One on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Anthony Anderson.

After Hours Concerts Series announced that Kool & The Gang will play at the Marks & Harrison Amphitheater in Fredericksburg, VA on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 29th at 10:00 AM at www.afterhoursconcertseries.com. A limited number of $20 Early Bird General Admission tickets will be available for one week only.

Houston Cinema Arts Society has announced that Jessica Green will assume the role of Artistic Director for the 10-year old Houston Cinema Arts Festival the multi-venue film and arts festival anchored by Museum of Fine Arts Houston that has the distinction of being the only U.S. film festival devoted to films by and about visual, performing, and literary artists. Green will replace outgoing Artistic Director Richard Herskowitz as programmer-in-chief for the acclaimed festival starting with the 11th annual 5-day festival taking place November 14 18, 2019 in addition to special film engagements throughout the calendar year.

Sam & Dave's 1967 hit single “Soul Man'; the classic radio western “Gunsmoke”; Ritchie Valens' groundbreaking 1958 sensation “La Bamba”; the revolutionary 1968 Broadway musical “Hair”; and Neil Diamond's 1969 “Sweet Caroline,” which became a popular sports anthem, are the newest recordings inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named these and 20 other recordings as aural treasures worthy of preservation because of their cultural, historic and aesthetic importance to the nation's recorded sound heritage.

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced today that it will honor Emmy Award-winning host, producer, and author Andy Cohen with the Vito Russo Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on May 4, 2019.  The award will be presented by Cohen's longtime friend and LGBTQ ally Sarah Jessica Parker. They join previously announced honoree Madonna, who will become the first woman ever to receive GLAAD's Advocate for Change Award. Cast members from FX's “Pose,” Samantha Bee and CNN journalist Don Lemon will also appear at the New York event.

The Tribeca Talks program will return to entertain and inspire audiences at the 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, taking place April 24 - May 5. This year's lineup will include intimate and once in a lifetime conversations with a diverse list of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed filmmakers, artists, entertainers, and icons.

New York City Ballet (NYCB) returns to the Kennedy Center for its annual engagement with two stellar repertory programs, April 2-7, in the Opera House. Along with classic works by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, the engagement includes Kyle Abraham's recent acclaimed work The Runaway and the D.C. premieres of new works from NYCB Resident Choreographer and Soloist Justin Peck and celebrated Broadway choreographer Warren Carlyle. Performances will be accompanied by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.

Blue Boy Entertainment is bringing all new comedians to the Warner's Studio Theatre for GET RIGHT COMEDY NITE starring Kareem Blue, K'Rina Fort, Derek Furtado and JT Moore today, March 2 at 8 pm! This event sold out last time, so don't miss out - get your tickets starting January 25 at 10 AM!

One-of-a-kind country music experience TAILGATE FEST announces its dramatically expanded 2019 lineup today, revealing headliners BRANTLEY GILBERT and BRETT ELDREDGE among a top-flight batch of performers. Also set to appear at this year's two-day tailgating event are LEE BRICE, TYLER FARR, LINDSAY ELL, LOCASH and RAELYNN, with the exponentially-growing phenomenon set to add more country favorites in the coming weeks. Now in its second year, TAILGATE FEST 2019 has more than doubled in size - both physically and in terms of excitement - moving from a simple parking lot to 200+ lush acres of green grass at Silverlakes Festival Grounds in Norco, CA, just 45 minutes outside of Los Angeles. Palm trees, a giant gorgeous side-stage pool and a pristine lake invite fans for a double shot of country fun in a real-life paradise, with the addition of overnight camping and bonfire singalongs adding to the immersive, make-your-own party vibe.

With just days until her national Australian tour kicks off, pop sensation Rita Ora adds both Kim Petras and Sammi Constantine as special guest for her Australian shows.