Lauryn Hill News

The Apollo Theater will bring the New York premiere of TWISTED MELODIES, an intimate one-man production inspired by the life, artistry, and struggles of 1970s soul singer and composer Donny Hathaway, to its iconic stage, 45 years after Hathaway himself last performed on it.

The Apollo Theater Salon Series in partnership with Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) will present WiLDFLOWER, the staged concert reading of the full-length musical with book, music and lyrics by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson. The performance, directed by Logan Vaughn and starring Broadway stars Tshidi Manye (The Lion King) and Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on this Island), will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, on the Apollo Theater Soundstage.

Soulful singer/songwriter ELISE TESTONE, a former American Idol finalist and powerhouse vocalist whose incredible stage presence and bluesy maturity rank with the best, is releasing her long-awaited sophomore album, This Is Love, on April 17 and immediately mounting an East Coast Tour that includes special performances during the world-renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Livewire Festival has announced that the Sunday evening slot will be a musical extravaganza, titled 'From Movies To Musicals' bringing some of the UK's most beloved musical stars to the famous seaside resort for the August bank holiday in 2019. Ben Forster, John Owen-Jones, Kerry Ellis, Ruthie Henshall, and more yet to be announced will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

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.

Hotly tipped singer-songwriter Iyamah has unveiled her brand of raw neo-soul with her much anticipated EP, 'Truth EP.1'. The 5-track project is out now, holding true to the stripped back sounds that have garnered her notable praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1/ 1Xtra's Phil Taggart, Jamz Supernova and the legendary Sir Elton John.

Star Kitchen, the exciting new outfit from bassist Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), has announced the special guests for their upcoming late-night show at The Maison during this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, April 28th. For their NOLA late-night, the nascent band—which also features Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band), Rob Marscher (Jennifer Hartswick Band/Matisyahu), and Marlon Lewis (Lauryn Hill/John Legend)—will welcome keyboardist and fellow Disco Biscuits member Aron Magner as well as a slew of Jazz Fest late-night stalwarts: guitarist Eric Krasno (Soulive/Lettuce), vocalist Shira Elias (Turkuaz), and saxophonist Khris Royal (Rebelution).

Multi-talented singer and MC EMAN8 has delivered the stirring official video release for his latest track,'Inspired.'

The Apollo Theater, in partnership with World Music Institute, presents African dancehall artists Patoranking (Nigeria), Seyi Shay (Nigeria), Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe), and Afrobeat sensation Kaleta & Super Yamba Band (Benin/Nigeria) as part of AFRICA NOW! hosted by Young Prince and music by DJ mOma. The 7th annual collaboration returns to the legendary Apollo stage on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. This year's concert, a highlight of the Apollo's season, celebrates not only the best of today's African contemporary music but spotlights how the music of the diaspora has impacted the continent.

Canadian DJ Rene La Vice has unveiled his high-energy remix of Grace Carter's latest single 'Heal Me'.

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will open its 18th edition with the world premiere of the HBO Documentary Film The Apollo. Helmed by Academy and Emmy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams, The Apollo chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of the New York City landmark, the Apollo Theater. The film will debut at the iconic theater itself on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 and later this year on HBO. The feature-length documentary weaves together archival footage, music, comedy and dance performances, and behind-the-scenes verité with the team that makes the theater run. The Apollo features interviews with artists including Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jamie Foxx. The documentary is produced by Lisa Cortés, Nigel Sinclair's White Horse Pictures, and Williams. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival runs April 24-May 5.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have just announced three productions slated for Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming 2019-2020 season.

 The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced today the line-up for the 2019 KCRW's World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. The successful collaboration between KCRW and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association celebrates its 20th anniversary, and launches Sunday, June 16, at 7PM.

The 9th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards will honor composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman with the Icon Award, according to Variety. The awards take place on February 13 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

Austin based R&B soul singer and songwriter Kelly Hafner is due to drop her debut studio album If it's Love on February 22nd, 2019! Her show-stopping voice and unmistakably improvisational style keep listeners hooked from start to finish.  Echoing the traditions of her soul forebears like Etta James, Lauryn Hill, Marvin Gaye, and Amy Winehouse, If it's Love tests the boundaries of neo-soul in a refreshing way while lyrically navigating the human experience through a young woman's eyes in the 21st century. Kelly has just released her the second single 'Things Are Changin' ' off the new album!

Following the success of his Billboard-supported single 'Amen', multi-talented singer and MC EMAN8returns with his self-produced new track, 'Inspired.'

Amateur Night at the Apollo returns on February 2o at 7:30 p.m. In honor of the Apollo's 85th Anniversary, 850 tickets for Opening Night will be $8.50, made possible with support from sponsor Coca-Cola. The exciting program will feature a special performance by R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn.

Backstage at the Lincoln, the Lincoln Theatre's local artist showcase series, will continue in 2019, offering audiences the extraordinary opportunity to be seated on stage for a uniquely intimate performance experience set against the hand-painted grandeur of the Lincoln's rare, Egyptian Revival-style interior design.

Austin based R&B soul singer and songwriter Kelly Hafner is due to drop her debut studio album If it's Love on February 22nd, 2019! Her show-stopping voice and unmistakably improvisational style keep listeners hooked from start to finish.  Echoing the traditions of her soul forebears like Etta James, Lauryn Hill, Marvin Gaye, and Amy Winehouse, If it's Love tests the boundaries of neo-soul in a refreshing way while lyrically navigating the human experience through a young woman's eyes in the 21st century. Kelly has just released her first single 'If It's Love' off the new album on Friday, January 18th!