Features

Interactive Exhibit Featuring Black Achievements in Music and Television Opens at The Paley Center for Media

Published

2 months ago

February 2, 2023

Weasel

The Paley Center for Media announces today its celebration of Black History Month, Paley Center’s Salute to Black Achievements in Music on Television presented by Citi. This multimedia exhibit Wednesday, February 1 to Sunday, February 26 at The Paley Museum in New York City will celebrate the intersection of legendary musical icons and unforgettable television moments that have made an impact on culture and society.

This year’s interactive experience features a curated selection of significant musical moments on television that convey how the medium showcased Black musical artists, introduced audiences to genres and styles of music that they might not have discovered otherwise, and served as a catalyst for cultural change throughout television’s nine decades. The immersive experience highlights pioneering musicians and towering talents such as Little Richard, Tina Turner, Queen Latifah, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes, Chuck Berry, Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Louis Armstrong, and more.

“We are excited to celebrate Black History Month by honoring the legacy of some of music’s most iconic and influential individuals, and their significant contributions to culture and society over the years, ” said Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of the Paley Center. “We thank Citi for their generous support as we continue our commitment to raising awareness and educating the public on the importance of diversity and representation within the entertainment industry.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Paley Center will present The Storytellers: Preserving the Legacy of Iconic Black Musicians, a conversation with some of the storytellers who have helped preserve the legacy of Black musical icons, including Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. On February 16 at 7:00 pm, the cultural institution will welcome Julie Anderson, Film Executive and Producer, Louis Armstrong: Black & Blues, The Jazz Ambassadors, God Is the Bigger Elvis; Ralph McDaniels, VJ, Music Video Director, Host of Video Music Box; Lisa Cortés, Director, Little Richard: I Am Everything, and moderator Touré, Journalist, Author, and Podcast Host of Touré Show and Who Was Prince? to discuss their motivations, creative journeys, and video excerpts of their work.

Paley Center’s Salute to Black Achievements in Music on Television presented by Citi is part of the Paley Center’s long tradition of honoring diversity in media and entertainment. Over the years, the Paley Center has hosted tributes and exhibitions honoring Black and Hispanic achievements in television, the enormous contributions of women, the impact and importance of LGBTQ+ representation in television, among others.

Each genre or style of music will illustrate how several bold artists strayed from the norms, created new sounds, and reflected a changing society on television by crossing cultural borders and by uniting people during some of the most tumultuous periods in American history.

The Paley Museum in Midtown Manhattan will offer an immersive gallery experience, bringing together diverse artifacts and content to create a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring:

· Original costumesincluding suits worn by Louis Armstrong and James Brown, the “Orange Freeze” outfits worn by The Supremes, and gowns worn by Roberta Flack and Vanessa Williams.

· Artifacts on display including original scripts, authentic photographs, a trumpet used by Louis Armstrong, a Chuck Berry Signature Gibson Guitar, Roberta Flack’s Grammy and Platinum album, and others.

· Curated screenings from the Paley Archive including Seven Lively Arts: The Sound of Jazz; Chuck Berry: Brown Eyed Handsome Man; VH1 Rock Docs: Soul Train The Hippest Trip in America; TCB Motown Special; Video Music Box; Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; Beyoncé – I Am…Yours; The Hollywood Palace (ABC); Fresh Prince of Bel Air (NBC/Warner Bros. Television); In Living Color (Twentieth Television/Disney); Soul Train (Don Cornelius Productions / Tribune); and Soul! (WNET).

· Family fun and educational programming including arts & crafts, interactive trivia, a scavenger hunt, and more.

The Paley Center is grateful to Citi for their ongoing support. The Paley Center also thanks The Louis Armstrong House and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, The Mary Wilson Estate, the GRAMMY Museum, Roberta Flack, Vanessa Williams, Gibson Brands Inc., and Black Entertainment Television (BET) for their contribution to this event.

The Black History Month celebration is curated with the assistance and counsel of special advisors Martha Diaz, Archivist and Curator, Universal Hip Hop Museum; Trey Ellis, Professor, Columbia University; and Melanie McFarland, Critic and Senior Culture Writer, Salon.

Schedule

The Paley Center for Media is open 12 pm – 6 pm on Wednesdays – Sundays. For the detailed schedule, visit https://www.paleycenter.org/events/black-history-month-2023/

Admission

Tickets are free for Members; $20 for nonmembers; $16 for students, teachers, seniors, veterans, and first responders; free for children 12 and under; Corporate Members will receive free admission for themselves and a guest when they present their current employee ID upon entrance at the Paley Center. Advance ticketing is encouraged but not required. All proceeds support The Paley Center for Media’s mission.

Location

The Paley Center for Media

25 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019, USA

Features

The Artist Discovery System Cohort is Designed To Help Creators Elevate

Published

7 days ago

March 24, 2023

Jessie

The Artist Discovery System Cohort, run by Big Soph and Ab3, is a new program designed to help artists build their brand, market their work, and monetize their talent effectively. The program is set to launch on March 25th and will run for four weeks, with regular sessions planned for the rest of the year.

Big Soph recognized a common problem in the creative industry: many artists receive consultations and advice, but do not take the necessary steps to put that advice into action. To combat this issue, they partnered with Creative Athleticism’s AB3 to create the Artist Discovery System Cohort.

The program aims to provide actionable guidance to artists who are serious about building their brand and increasing their visibility. During the four-week program, participants will receive expert advice on how to market themselves effectively on social media and beyond. They will also learn how to monetize their brand and turn their artistic talent into a sustainable career.

The program is designed for creators, musicians, and songwriters who are looking to take their career to the next level. Participants will receive personalized attention and guidance from industry experts who have a proven track record of success. They will also have the opportunity to connect with other artists and build their network within the industry.

The Artist Discovery System Cohort is just the beginning of what Big Soph and Ab3 plan to offer. They envision this program as a regular occurrence throughout the year, with each cohort building on the success of the previous one. By providing ongoing support and guidance, they hope to create a community of artists who are committed to building their brand and achieving success in the creative industry. There has already been overwhelming interest and the first cohort is one applicant away from being completely full.

In conclusion, the Artist Discovery System Cohort is an exciting new program that is set to help artists build their brand, market their work, and monetize their talent effectively. With expert guidance and personalized attention, participants can expect to make real progress in their career during the four-week program. And with regular cohorts planned for the rest of the year, this program is sure to become a valuable resource for artists who are serious about achieving success in the creative industry.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the cohort, DM them on Instagram!

Follow Big Soph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambigsoph

Follow AB3 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geniuses

Features

Afro Nation Adds Fireboy DML, Sech, Mavado & More to AN Miami 2023

Published

3 weeks ago

March 7, 2023

Weasel

The premier showcase for one of the world’s most exciting music genres, Afro Nation is renowned for its global array of expertly-curated events. Making a splash with their first-ever festival in the continental United States, the eclectic festival announces the latest artist additions for Afro Nation Miami 2023, which hits loanDepot park in Miami on May 27 & 28, 2023.

Adding to the festival’s array of high-wattage Nigerian talent, ANM recruits Fireboy DML to join the lineup, which already includes headliners Burna Boy and WizKid, plus ascendant stars Rema and Asake. The latest lineup additions bolster the festival’s representation of dancehall and reggaeton–bringing Jamaican heavy-hitter Mavado and Panamanian star Sech into the fold–and bolsters the Piano People stage with even more amapiano artists. Golden Ticket, VIP, and General Admission tickets are available for sale at https://usa.afronation.com/, with single day tickets available soon.

Afro Nation Miami boasts a deep lineup that highlights the best in Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, amapiano, and other Black-led musical genres. The inaugural Miami festival promises performances by rising African stars CKay, BNXN, and Black Sherif, French rapper Franglish, and many others. Shining a special spotlight on the ascendant genre of amapiano, born in South Africa, Afro Nation Miami brings the Piano People stage, featuring many more of the genre’s most exciting names including headliners Major League DJZ and Uncle Waffles.

The upcoming ANM23 follows up a groundbreaking 2022 from Afro Nation, which has established itself as a major tastemaker and advocate for African music since its founding in 2019. Afro Nation brought a high-powered group of international music stars and over 40,000 fans to the beaches of Portimáo in July for the second-ever Afro Nation Portugal, with headliners that included WizKid, Burna Boy, and Megan Thee Stallion. Earlier in the year, the innovative festival made its North American debut with Afro Nation Puerto Rico. The festival closed out 2022 with Afro Nation Ghana 2022 in Accra, Afro Nation’s first event in Ghana since 2019.

Afro Nation festivals are dedicated to providing a global platform for music from Africa and its diaspora. In addition, Afro Nation teams with BBC Radio 1xtra and the Official Charts Company to host a weekly UK Afrobeats Chart Show, and in 2022, Afro Nation partnered with Billboard to present the first-ever U.S. Afrobeats Chart.

With more milestones to cross and many unforgettable sets in the near future, Afro Nation is primed to shine an even brighter spotlight on some of the most exciting artists in music today.

Visit https://usa.afronation.com/ to buy tickets and view full information about the festival.

Watch the Afro Nation 2022 Recap Video HERE

Features

Rolling Loud California 2023’s Sunday Night Was A Movie!

Published

4 weeks ago

March 6, 2023

Weasel

Rolling Loud California 2023 packed in dozens of performances over three action-packed days, bringing rap superstars, respected OGs, and the hottest rising stars to Hollywood Park for an unforgettable weekend. In the shadow of the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium and under an endless stream of planes flying into nearby LAX, the California festival had a special vibe from the start, with fans and artists alike knowing well that the whole world had their eyes on hip-hop’s biggest stage.

Sunday was another banner day for the world’s largest rap festival. Closing out the festival, and opening “March Madness,” with a bang, Future performed his fan-favorite hits and brought out special guests like A$AP Ferg and Present. Lil Uzi Vert brought the house down with his usual energy and his new top ten hit “Just Wanna Rock.” Lil Yachty was one of the day’s most talked about artists, performing material from his genre-bending album Let’s Start Here. Trippie Redd brought out some high-wattage special guests, including Roddy Ricch, and DDG.

Earlier in the day, fans enjoyed historic performances from some of the most exciting names in the genre, including Ice Spice‘s first-ever festival set and Central Cee‘s U.S. festival debut. The hometown heroes were out in abundance on Sunday. OhGeesy led the way, performing his hits and inviting fellow Californians Kamaiyah, Bino Rideaux, and ASM Bopster, and while other Angelenos like BlueBucksClan, OT Genasis, and Inglewood’s own Rucci threw it down for their hometown fans.

Founded by Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, Rolling Loud continues to deliver the most exciting live experiences in rap, with no plans to stop innovating anytime soon. Rolling Loud California was a bold first step in the festival’s most ambitious year yet.

Stay tuned for more as 2023 continues, including debuts in Thailand, Rotterdam, and Germany, a return to Portugal, and the big one…the eighth Rolling Loud Miami.

Check below for photos of some of the most memorable moments from the festival, view a full complement of photos at the Dropbox below, and be sure to follow Rolling Loud on Instagram for even more highlights.

View photos of Rolling Loud California 2023 (please credit all photos to Rolling Loud / @photographer): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fp4djz73grrndw4/AAATTlyh5PZAiUDxf_npmLtma?dl=0

View full performance clips at https://www.youtube.com/c/rollingloud

Buy Rolling Loud merch: shoprollingloud.com