NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Newly engaged queen of soul Aretha Franklin is headlining this summer's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, and its other top performers include Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Stephanie Mills, Charlie Wilson and Keyshia Cole.

CHICAGO (AP) — The showcase summer festival Taste of Chicago will be shortened and moved to later in July next year.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Sam Rivers, an internationally-known jazz musician who played with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, has died. He was 88.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A medical expert looked jurors in the eyes Wednesday and told them that Michael Jackson's doctor committed 17 flagrant violations of the standard of care for his famous patient and was directly responsible for the death of the King of Pop.

ATLANTA (AP) — The country's first broadcast network aimed at African-American audiences is set to debut at noon, when audiences will see the 1970s black cult favorite, "The Wiz."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A new museum in the works for Nashville hopes to expand the public's idea of what makes the town Music City.

Black Ensemble Theater’s final show at Kennedy-King College starts with Somebody Say Amen at Sept. 23 - October 9.

Chicago blues great Buddy Guy now has his own street.

In 1995, Essence Communications Inc. threw a three-day bash in New Orleans for the 25th anniversary of its magazine. Thousands showed up for arguably the largest party ever showcasing black musical talent and culture. Seventeen years later the "party with a purpose" has evolved into the annual Essence Music Festival, a powerful economic engine and pilgrimage point for a tourism-driven city still rebounding from Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill.

Hundreds of Michael Jackson fans have marked the two-year anniversary of the singer's death by gathering for a memorial outside the Gary home where Jackson grew up.

It's a safe bet that the Louvre Museum, that hallowed sanctum that houses the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and countless other priceless artistic treasures, has never seen moves quite like Janet Jackson's.

Along with musicians, vocalists, writers, producers, record producers and executives, within the next few weeks Carl Davis will open his old headquarters at 1449 S. Michigan. Helping him in this effort will be Gus Redmond and Jerry W. Williams Sr.

The insurer of Michael Jackson's canceled comeback concerts has asked a judge to nullify a policy intended to protect concert promoters if the singer wasn't able to complete the shows.

The Supreme Court has turned away the latest attempt by actor Wesley Snipes to get his conviction and prison sentence on tax charges overturned.

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress LeToya Luckett wants heads to turn.

The New York City medical examiner's office says a jazz musician was stabbed to death before his body was stuffed into a storage chest in his home.

Tennessee Highway Patrol officers have arrested rapper Webbie on drug possession and tampering with evidence charges after he was pulled over following a performance in Kentucky.

Chicago cultural officials have announced the lineup for seven free global music concerts this summer in the city's showcase Millennium Park.

Men and women will compete head-to-head, some of the more exotic awards like best Native American album and best spoken-word children's record have been eliminated, and the number of categories has been reduced by more than 30 in the biggest overhaul in the 53-year history of the Grammys.

Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed film goddess whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame and glamour made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars and a template for the modern celebrity, died Wednesday at age 79.

D'Angelo has resolved his New York City prostitution case by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.

Gospel legend Mavis Staples will perform at The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards pre-telecast ceremony Saturday at 8 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Boulevard in north suburban Skokie.

"For Colored Girls" was a big winner at the NAACP Image Awards, taking the best picture, director and supporting-actress prizes.

Steve Harvey’s career has him on morning drive radio, afternoon television and on the bestsellers list as an author. His syndicated radio show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, is heard on FM stations around the nation.

With three episodes left to air and its future uncertain, the principals behind the ABC crime drama "Detroit 1-8-7" are fighting for a second season — even if that means trying to follow other network cast-offs to basic cable.

Scholarships and grants were awarded recently to a few of Columbia College students and a non-profit organization during a hair showcase extravaganza.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will not be appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" after all.

Joe Jackson, father of late king of pop Michael Jackson, was in Vietnam to attend Monday's groundbreaking ceremony for a five-star hotel and amusement park called 'Happyland.'

Aretha Franklin missed Sunday's Grammy Awards, but the Queen of Soul was far from forgotten.

U.S. civil rights activist and singer Harry Belafonte says Marlon Brando's death was one trigger for his decision to make a documentary reflecting the events of his own life.

A jazz saxophonist up for four Grammys on Sunday in three categories and none of them in jazz?

A judge says he will approve TV coverage of the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor if the camera is unobtrusive.

When I heard that there would be a “The Chicago Code,” a drama loosely based on the local police department and city government, I was cautiously optimistic about the realism the show would convey.

On second thought, maybe Usher should have been the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show.

To a whiff of marijuana smoke and a bit of dancing, Nigerians again met Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti on Sunday, more than 13 years after his death.

Chris Brown has completed a domestic violence counseling program required as part of the singer's guilty plea to assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna nearly two years ago.

Michael Jackson's doctor is ready to go to trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the superstar's death, his lawyers say.

Clint Eastwood and Beyonce may be teaming up to make a musical version of "A Star Is Born."

Wendy Williams will host a new series, "Love Triangle," that's a cross between a game show and a talk show.

Goodman Theatre artistic associate, Regina Taylor, introduces her most recently critically acclaimed dramas “The Trinity River Plays” that officially opens January 24.

A judge has dealt the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death two setbacks, bringing him a step closer to a trial that could end with him being sent to prison and also taking away his livelihood.

Tyler Perry dominated the nominations for the NAACP's 42nd annual Image Awards.

Soulja Boy is pulling a Kanye about Kanye West.

After nearly two years off the air and in limbo "The Game" has returned to TV, giving BET a big ratings boost and fans another chance to share the highs and lows of a football wife and her athlete husband.

A month after surgery in Detroit for an undisclosed ailment, Aretha Franklin says her health is "superb."

Lance Reddick hopes his knack for picking hits in the television realm translates to his music career.

Pioneering actress Victoria Rowell is not new to the acting world and she certainly is not new to the millions of fans of the daytime drama “The Young and The Restless”. The veteran actress was part of the cast as Drucilla Winters for more than 17 years.

R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius tackles gay bashing, suicide and homophobia in the urban community in her latest music video.

The career paramedic dashed into Michael Jackson's bedroom, looked around and listened to a doctor's explanation for why the singer was ostensibly lifeless and came to the conclusion that things didn't add up.

On its debut weekend, Oprah Winfrey's cable network got some healthy sampling from viewers.

Toni Braxton is the latest celebrity to open her home to reality television cameras.

A judge ordered rapper Gucci Mane back to prison for violating terms of his probation.

Prosecutors are set to unveil their case against the man hired to look after Michael Jackson's health during rehearsals for his comeback tour as a judge determines whether the doctor should stand trial in the superstar's death.

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame faces a court hearing after surrendering to Atlanta area police on drug and gun charges.

An agent for Chuck Berry says exhaustion was the reason the rock-and-roll legend felt ill before a Chicago show and had to have medics check him out.

Oprah Winfrey's network has begun not with a bang but with redeclared purpose by the Queen of Daytime for her new round-the-clock cable channel venture.

Bernie Wilson, a baritone member of the rhythm and blues group that produced the 1972 hit "If You Don't Know Me by Now," has died.

Billy Taylor, an acclaimed jazz pianist and composer who became one of the genre's most ardent advocates through radio, television and the landmark Jazzmobile arts venture, has died at age 89.

Teena Marie, who made history as Motown's first white act but developed a lasting legacy with her silky soul pipes and with hits like "Lovergirl," ''Square Biz," and "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, has died. She was 54.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University will present the musical, “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” as a special tribute to the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 15-16. The show, a jazz-gospel adaptation of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” features an all-Chicago cast of soloists—Tenor Rodrick Dixon, of the popular Three Mo’ Tenors, Soprano Alfreda Burke and newcomer Alto Karen Marie Richardson.

A judge overseeing the criminal case of a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death has scheduled a hearing to determine if medical items found in the singer's bedroom should undergo more testing that defense attorneys contend is crucial to the case.

Keyshia Cole's new album, "Calling All Hearts," is out this week. It's the follow-up to her first three albums, all platinum-sellers that had multiple R&B hits.

If 2010 made you feel like you wanted to hide in a closet and bury yourself under all the coats, then you were probably just trying to escape the storm of sleaze hurled this year by some of entertainment's finest — or maybe you were just the woman Charlie Sheen called for that infamous late-night hookup.

Sherri Sheppard finally got her wish to spend the night with Prince — but she had to share him with a few other celebrities, including Spike Lee, Naomi Campbell, Jamie Foxx and her "View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

Mariah Carey is going to be a mom twice over.

When Ciara was churning out chart-topping singles like "One, Two Step" and "Like a Boy," she appeared to be on the verge of superstardom, drawing some comparisons to Janet Jackson and the late Aaliyah.

Court officials in Arizona say the rapper known as DMX has had his probation revoked and is heading to prison for one year.

James Earl Jones will be staying behind the wheel of "Driving Miss Daisy" for quite a bit longer.

When Ron Isley talks about the three years he spent in prison for tax evasion, there's no bitterness or anger in his voice: At times, there almost seems to be a bit of nostalgia.

Rapper Ja Rule on Monday pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon stemming from a July 2007 stop of his luxury sports car.

GEORGE FREDRIC HANDEL’S ‘Messiah’ will be featured Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. during Divine Service at the Hartzell United Methodist Church, 3330 S. King Dr.

When actor Wesley Snipes enters prison Thursday, he'll leave behind his wife, young children and celebrity neighbors in the wealthy Florida enclave made infamous by next-door neighbor Tiger Woods.

Will.i.am is singing out in movie theaters for Oprah Winfrey's new cable venture.

Michael Jackson's father refiled a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the doctor charged in his son's death and added as a defendant a Las Vegas pharmacy that records show sold the physician a powerful anesthetic blamed for his death.

Chrisette Michele has never been a run-of-the-mill R&B singer, and the Grammy Award-winner pulls even further away from the pack with the gutsy "Let Freedom Reign."

Posing for cameras at a red-carpet event is an everyday occurrence in the entertainment world, an almost mandatory requirement for Celebrity 101.

The Black Eyed Peas' "The Beginning" is a nonstop party, but the effort is not without a few clanging missteps. Perhaps the purveyors of feel-good anthems are trying too hard to live up to that title, creating songs that sound as big as earlier hits, but lack the luster.

Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga take charity work seriously, and they're going offline to prove it.

Original paintings created by Kadir Nelson are currently on exhibit at South Shore Arts in Munster, Ind. through December 19. Nelson is an African American artist who became interested in the history and action of the Negro League Baseball.

Hosted by Chicago comedian Lil Rel, the 2010 Remix the Runway show spotlighted aspiring models of varying sizes and heights, while raising money for scholarships for Chicago’s youth.

We knew well before "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" that Kanye West is a tortured genius. He had made enough headlines and leaked enough music to make that clear. The main question left for his fifth album was, what's in it for us?

Usher was in tears after losing two awards at the American Music Awards to Justin Bieber, including favorite entertainer of the year, the top AMA honor.

Do you want to know when Jay-Z and Beyonce plan to have children? Those behind-the-scenes moments hanging out with Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow? And what really happened between Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash?

A judge commended Chris Brown Thursday for working hard to complete his probation for last year's attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna.

When a marriage seems at a standstill and the fire doesn’t seem to burn as before, could the grass be greener on the other side – or outside the relationship?

Here's a book with a Common touch.

Lenny Kravitz, Akon and 50 Cent will be featured on the upcoming posthumous album from Michael Jackson.

The rapper Shyne is singing a new tune: After serving eight years in prison for a nightclub shooting, the former protege of Sean "Diddy" Combs has converted to Orthodox Judaism, come to Jerusalem, and is devoting his days to the study of Torah while plotting a musical comeback.

Not all the entertaining moments from the CMA Awards came during the ceremony.

Dance is considered one of the most expressive forms of art, engaging people with its nonverbal communication—each movement speaking another part of the language that is seen and not heard.

Michael Jackson's children and mother said on Monday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that they're still learning to cope with his death a year and a half after the pop star overdosed on a powerful anesthetic.

The author of a book about the late Afrobeat Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti sued the producers of the award-winning Broadway musical "Fela!" to stop performances Monday, saying they stole his work and thought an offer of $4,000 was all he deserved for copying entire portions of his book into the play's script.

Court records show a photographer has settled his lawsuit against Chris Brown claiming the singer's bodyguards injured him.

Aaron Neville singing gospel music is a match made in heaven, and the Lord had an assist from producer Joe Henry and pianist Allen Toussaint on "I Know I've Been Changed."

Shirley Verrett, an acclaimed American mezzo-soprano and soprano praised for her blazing intensity during a career that spanned four decades, died Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. She was 79.

Roy Ayers gives all the credit to his mother.

Jesse L. Martin has achieved a fair amount of fame from roles in Broadway's "Rent" and TV's "Law & Order" but he is still awed around Al Pacino. And that includes Al Pacino's lunch.

NBC says it's pulling the plug on its new fall television drama series "Undercovers."

Aretha Franklin is canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the orders of her doctors, the singer's spokeswoman said Thursday.

Music producer and rapper Swizz Beatz has been named the first producer-in-residence at NYU's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts.

On "The Event," Blair Underwood plays newly sworn-in President Elias Martinez, who, like every president before him, meets with crises he could never have imagined when he took office.

The Broadway theater where "The Lion King" is playing dimmed its lights Tuesday night in honor of a fallen lion cub: An 11-year-old actress from the show who lost her battle with leukemia.

Lil Wayne has been freed from jail after serving eight months in a gun case, emerging with a hot new album, well-wishes from a former president and a deepened appreciation for his fans.

Take one look at Pharrell Williams' resume — or scroll down his Wikipedia page — and you'll see that he's accomplished a lot.

Prosecutors have dropped misdemeanor assault charges against R&B singer and former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Mario.

Authorities in Atlanta say charges against rapper Gucci Mane after he resisted arrest during a traffic stop have been dropped for now.

Cirque du Soleil is taking Neverland Ranch on the road.

Television Cable 21 will feature Actress Pam Grier’s testimony concerning her victory over cancer Wednesday at 9 p.m. in “We Are Concerned” produced by Deborah Jones.

On Monday, Rick Fox earned his highest "Dancing With the Stars" scores yet. But on Tuesday, the basketball star was bounced from the ballroom.

The rapper T.I. has reported for a second time to a federal prison to serve time for a weapons violation.

Katherine Jackson will discuss the death of her son, pop superstar Michael Jackson, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

He had the top-selling album in the country earlier this month. He's on the president's iPod. He's on the charts with two singles and a collaboration on a third.

Defense lawyers are seeking urgent tests of two syringes and an IV bag found in Michael Jackson's mansion, arguing that the evidence in the manslaughter case against the singer's doctor is drying up and deteriorating.

Dwight Howard may be the NBA's Superman, but when it comes to making music, he'll admit to having at least one flaw.

Mariah Carey is going to have to add lullabies to her repertoire.

Gospel and R&B singer James Phelps, who performed with soul greats including Lou Rawls and Sam Cooke, has died in Los Angeles. He was 78.

When Willow Smith explains why she entered the music business, she talks about expressing her individuality, and wanting to help people with her message. But she also acknowledges that she wanted to be famous like her "mommy and daddy."

Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo stopped by Chicago as a part of the Moet Rose' Lounge, an exclusive seven-city series, to celebrate his upcoming his upcoming fourth album, Libra Scale.

Former President George W. Bush and Michael Jackson's parents are among the big names "The Oprah Winfrey Show" has booked for the November ratings sweeps.

A Mississippi Blues Trail marker is going up in Waxhaw in honor of native son, soul and gospel singer Otis Clay.

Kanye West told an audience at a screening of his film, "Runaway," that he thought about killing himself, but now feels a responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to pop culture and art.

Mel and Oksana, John Edwards and Rielle Hunter, Sandra and Jesse James and even Tiger and Elin, everywhere you look marriages are dissolving and people are losing touch with reality. People are harboring secrets that could ultimately shatter their world as they know it, risking everything for a romp in the hay or roll in the sack and even stooping to levels of shame and disgrace viewed unimaginable by most people’s standard.

Actress Angela Bassett says one thing is paramount when she tackles a new project: the story.

A Georgia woman is suing Tyra Banks for $3 million after she said her 15-year-old daughter appeared without her permission on an episode of Banks' talk show about teen sex addicts.

New mom Alicia Keys has something else to celebrate: She's been nominated for four Soul Train Awards.

When a top music executive found out that John Legend was working with the Roots on an album dedicated to social change and activism, he didn't give Legend words of encouragement.

Iconic singer Prince says he's planning a tour to begin in December that will feature him, his band and other performers.

It's less exotic than Australia, but still pretty good.

A federal judge revoked rapper T.I.'s probation Friday and ordered him back to prison for 11 months, according to a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.

Actor Francois Battiste, formerly of south suburan Dolton and South Holland, has become a noted actor within the last decade.

After a brief hiatus, Chicago’s own Donell Jones has reemerged with his sixth studio album, Lyrics. The former South Sider has been seducing the radio airwaves with his enticing songs and sultry voice since 1996, but he calls this project his best work to date.

Jay-Z, Nas, Gang Starr and Common share this in common: They've all sampled recordings by jazz legend Ahmad Jamal, who in his unassuming manner has had a major impact on the musical world since he formed his first trio nearly six decades ago.

Michael Jackson's complete library of videos is being restored and rereleased, as well as a never-released clip for his song "One More Chance."

Solomon Burke was born to the sound of music in an upstairs room of a Philadelphia church and went on to become one of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s, renowned as among music's premier vocalists.

An auction of some 100 items of Michael Jackson memorabilia has fetched more than $1 million, with a basketball autographed by the late singer and Michael Jordan netting $245,000.

Newsman Ed Gordon has returned to BET for a weekly public affairs program partly because the network has changed and mainstream Sunday punditry hasn't.

Police have confirmed that "Diff'rent Strokes" actor Gary Coleman's death has been ruled an accident.

After all those championships and MVP awards, Michael Jordan has finally arrived — on the cover of a basketball video game.

It's been a little over a year since Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest. The music phenom still has the power to captivate and draw sell-out crowds and remains a relevant subject to race, culture and music, as evidenced by the two-day symposium on his music recently held at Columbia College.

Lil Wayne is facing the music after being accused of breaking jail rules by having gear for listening to tunes: He can expect to go solo for the rest of his time behind bars in a gun case.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater of Navy Pier has included three African American actors in its production of the “Romeo and Juliet” stage play that runs through November 21 at the Courtyard Theater. Kenn E. Head plays Escalus, an apothecary; Ora Jones is cast as Nurse; and Lily Mojekwu is Lady Montague.

A representative for hip-hop singer Wyclef Jean says he has been hospitalized at an undisclosed location.

Chicagoans were treated to a once in a lifetime concert hosted by The Roots and Q-Tip when Hennessy kicked off their 2010 Artistry series at the Blackhawk Building this past Saturday. The invite only event brought out a whose who of Chicago to celebrate Hennessy’s approach to blending different cultural, artistic, and musical styles while celebrating the importance of the arts.

Jury selection is under way in the cocaine trial of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton.

Actor Morgan Freeman and his wife have finalized their divorce in Mississippi.

If you’ve been holding your breath for the sequel to novelist Terry McMillan’s literary blockbuster, “Waiting to Exhale,” it’s time to let go and release all that pent up oxygen. In her new book, “Getting to Happy,” McMillan picks up the stories of Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine and Robin 15 years after we last heard from them.

Steven and Samantha Bloom are an appealing couple whose international spy capers on NBC's "Undercovers" promise to be slick, sexy and fun, the kind of escapist fare that fills many an hour of TV.

Jury selection is under way in the cocaine trial of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton.

Actor Morgan Freeman and his wife have finalized their divorce in Mississippi.

A new television drama is to film in Illinois and state officials say they expect the production to result in $25 million in economic activity and 400 jobs.

A South Africa-based satellite channel says it will immediately evict a participant from its "Big Brother" reality show after he hit a female housemate.

Chicagoans are waiting to welcome Riccardo Muti launch his inaugural season as the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with a free concert performance Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Richard M. Daley, Gov. Pat Quinn and other officials are scheduled to be on hand to provide a great welcome to Maestro Muti.

A well-rounded vocal artist in her own right, Maggie Brown doesn't shy away from her familial ties to music.

Michael Jackson's mother sued a concert promoter Wednesday, alleging the company failed to provide life-saving equipment and oversee a doctor who was hired to look out for the pop star's well-being as he prepared for what were intended to be his comeback concerts.

Halle Berry and Denzel Washington: Aretha Franklin wants you.

Gospel singer Marvin Sapp is mourning the death of his wife and manager, MaLinda Sapp.

Rapper Foxy Brown has pleaded not guilty to charges of violating a court order stemming from a 2007 confrontation with her neighbor in New York City.

George Clooney, Will Smith and Gwyneth Paltrow will join an impressive list of stars taking part in September's "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon airing on major networks.

After finishing a sentence for weapons charges earlier this year, T.I. was poised to have the comeback of the fall.

Grammy-winning rapper T.I., who is still on probation after spending time behind bars on gun charges, was arrested along with his wife on drug charges after police smelled alleged marijuana coming from their car, authorities said.

Young B. Lauren has performed with Common and has already been compared to the likes of Beyonce and Aaliyah. To boot, her father, Steve “Silk” Hurley, is a celebrated mix-master and producer who has worked himself for some big names in the industry and has exposed his daughter to many of them.

For two decades the Budweiser SuperFest summer concert-series has hosted some of soul and R&B's legendary acts.

The “Pop Princess of Chicago,” better known as Demi Lobo, has embraced Chicago with her ‘drama queen’ ways, won two local music awards and is now taking over the radio airwaves in the city.

Last Saturday was a like a “Heatwave” when legendary Motown R&B group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas performed before a massive audience at the 10th annual Taste of Thornton Township in south suburban South Holland.

Michael Jackson's hometown in Indiana is planning another tribute to the "King of Pop" just two months after marking the one-year anniversary of his death.

Fantasia said she was so upset about allegations that she broke up a marriage she was ready to die.

The London home of composer George Frideric Handel is holding an exhibition about its other famous resident — Jimi Hendrix.

A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a jury's verdict that actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry didn't steal material for his financially successful 2005 movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."

Spike Lee screened portions of his follow-up documentary about Hurricane Katrina in front of a big crowd at Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans.

Macy’s on State Street presented Glamorama on Aug. 13, at the Chicago Theatre. The event benefitted the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

The music television showcase “Soul Train” debuted 40 years ago today. The show, dubbed the ‘hippest trip in America,’ was the brainchild of Chicago native Don Cornelius.

On Friday, dancers and Soul Train lovers are invited to a free awards ceremony, dancer testimonials and music for the popular show, courtesy of CAN-TV, to honor Clinton Ghent, a childhood friend of host Don Cornelius and assistant on Soul Train.

Rapper Foxy Brown has been indicted on charges of violating an order of protection stemming from a 2007 confrontation with her neighbor in New York City.

Abbey Lincoln, a jazz singer and songwriter known for her phrasing, emotion and uncompromising style, died Saturday in New York at age 80.

Robert Wilson, the bassist for the funk and R&B group the Gap Band, has died. He was 53.

A year after his infamous outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West will return.

Erykah Badu has been known to use a beat machine and a laptop during her performances, but on the last day of the Lollapalooza music festival, the Grammy-award winning singer blew a shiny whistle.

MTV has named 23-year-old Gabi Gregg its first "Twitter Jockey."

Americans are currently witnessing a different expressive style of religious music from twenty-one singers from the United Kingdom whose recently released album “The British Are Coming” hit the air waves July 20.

Grammy Award winning singer Stephanie Mills is heading to Chicago to perform at a special event for local children and in concert with two other recording standouts.

A new Michael Jackson album is expected by the end of the year, culled from unreleased material in his vaults. But Jackson collaborator and Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am is vehemently opposed to the idea.

When rapper K'naan was recording songs peppered with tales about warfare, poverty and despair in his native Somalia, there were people who told him he should consider abandoning his socially conscious frame of mind for material that wasn't so somber.

Al Goodman, a baritone who performed on several soul and pop hits in the 1970s, including "Love on a Two-Way Street" and "Special Lady," has died. He was 67.

When Chicago’s notable dance companies collaborate Aug. 21 to raise fund for HIV/AIDS prevention and services, the companies will celebrate 19 years with the project, which has raised more that $4 million since 1992.

Singer Al Jarreau was in intensive care in a French hospital Friday after running into breathing problems in the Alps that forced him to cancel at least four concerts.

Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, decided the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.

On Friday, Chicago Indoor Sports facility at 3900 S. Ashland Ave. echoed with screams of excitement. “Snoop Dogg” is what the group of youth chosen to attend a special event with the iconic rapper chanted!

Vonetta McGee, who costarred in 1970s blaxploitation movies such as "Blacula," has died at 65.

Darius Rucker wrote 77 songs for his new album. That's not a misprint.

From Chicago’s Cabrini Green public housing projects, out to Hollywood and back, actress, producer, director and founder of the Black Ensemble Theater, Jackie Taylor has always been a principled thespian and preserver of the African American image.

Buzz swirled around the city for weeks in anticipation of R&B recording artist Trey Songz performance at this year’s Taste of Chicago festival. And when he took the stage July 1, there was a rush ¬– almost literally – from the audience that electrified the Petrillo Music Shell stage he did his thing on in Grant Park.

Singer, songwriter and record producer Harvey Fuqua, an early mentor of Marvin Gaye, has died. Fuqua was 80.

Kelis wants to make you sweat.

It's been two years since singer Janet Jackson performed on a concert stage and her fans say that's been two years too long.

Musicians, artists and entertainers involved in the various arts have simply experienced the creative void in the activity of Oscar Brown, Jr. since he died in May 2005 at 78.

Baton Rouge rapper Torrence "Lil Boosie" Hatch pleaded not guilty Monday to murder, drug and conspiracy charges.

Herbie Hancock's restless creativity won't allow him to rest. Two months after celebrating his 70th birthday, the jazz piano legend has released the most ambitious recording of his nearly 50-year career — "The Imagine Project" — a globe-trotting, multi-lingual, genre-mixing journey.

Funeral services have been scheduled for legendary jazz saxophonist Fred Anderson. He died Thursday at age 81.

LOS ANGELES – The money is rolling in. The bills are being paid. And all those people who said Michael Jackson might earn more in death than in life are being proved right.

Kanye West opened Sunday's show in his first TV appearance since dissing Taylor Swift at last year's MTV Video Music Awards. T.I. made a triumphant return to TV for his first performance since being released from prison in December. And 1980s hitmaker El DeBarge blazed back onto the stage to play old hits and the title track from his first new album in 16 years.

R&B singer Eddie Levert gaving a rousing performance at the National Newspaper Publishers Association convention June 16-19 in New York. Defender/Worsom Robinson

“I want to congratulate you on an incredible job in school,” rapper Common said to the students at Farragut High School at the Kanye West Foundation’s 3rd annual Stay In School event.

Tony Award winners Denzel Washington, right, and Viola Davis appear onstage during the 61st Tony Awards. Washington won the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play and Davis won the actress award for their work in Fences. AP/Richard Drew

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah judge is scheduled to hear from the attorneys for three people who are fighting to be the special administrators of the estate of late actor Gary Coleman.

LOS ANGELES — Nearly a year after he went from anonymity to notoriety, Michael Jackson's doctor returns to court for a pretrial hearing that will determine when he goes to trial and what he will be able to do in the meantime.

NEW YORK — Rapper Kid Cudi has been arrested on criminal charges in New York City.

ATLANTA — The fast food-chain Wendy's has pulled a disco CD included in kids' meals because of racy lyrics in one of the songs.

Fellow children of the ‘80s: Merely pondering the possibility of a Karate Kid remake tears

Marvin Isley, the bass player who helped give R&B powerhouse the Isley Brothers their distinctive sound, died at a local hospital. He was 56.

NEW YORK – Oprah Winfrey wants to give an undiscovered talent a chance to follow in her footsteps on her new cable network.

Fans remember the name and blues legacy of Howlin’ Wolf whose life was spent in Chicago after relocating here from Mississippi.

Historian, author and former Ebony magazine editor Lerone Bennett Jr. contributes to telling the story of the history of Blacks in Chicago in the WTTW-TV/Ch. 11 documentary, DuSable to Obama.

DETROIT – Ali-Ollie Woodson, who led the legendary Motown quintet The Temptations in the 1980s and ‘90s and helped restore them to their hit-making glory with songs including Treat Her Like A Lady, has died, a friend said. He was 58.

CHICAGO PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, 3301 N. Lincoln Ave., presents photographs by Joe Gallo, June 11 through July 30. Gallo’s photography explores signage that once lined the Las Vegas strip, and are considered metaphors for American consumer culture.

PROVO, Utah – Gary Coleman, the adorable, pint-sized child star of the smash 1970s TV sitcom Diff'rent Strokes who spent the rest of his life struggling on Hollywood’s D-list, died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 42.

LOS ANGELES – A man living across from a video shoot for Beyonce Knowles in the Hollywood Hills is suing the singer for nuisance and trespassing, claiming his privacy was invaded by unnecessary noise and crowds.

From left, Daniel Andries, producer of DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis, Kellita Smith, and Barbara E. Allen, producer of DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis. Photo/Courtesy WTTW

Clarinet virtuoso Anthony McGill returns to Chicago to perform Friday as soloist with the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, currently in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. The Chicago Clarinet Ensemble will also include Schwartz’s “Tres Canciones,” Scott's “Paquito,” Ellerby’s “Looping the Loop,” and Montilla’s “Four for Four.”

LOS ANGELES - There's officially no more milkshake in Nas and Kelis' marriage.

Throughout a career full of countless Grammys, lifetime achievement awards, and sold out concerts, Chaka Khan has traveled all around the world as a decorated artist.

It’s been a decade now since Broadway brought its esteemed stage plays to this city, creating Broadway in Chicago.

Cynthia Levin, gala chair for Goodman Theatre’s women’s board, announced that Grammy Award-nominated singer Heather Headley is set to perform Saturday at the board’s annual fundraiser, which will be held at The Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbia Dr.

NEW YORK — Vanessa Williams is headed to Wisteria Lane next fall on Desperate Housewives.

NEW YORK — Lena Horne's funeral is to be held at a Roman Catholic church in New York City.

DETROIT — What could be better than New York's own Jay-Z playing the first concert at the new Yankee Stadium?

NEW YORK - Lena Horne, the enchanting jazz singer and actress known for her plaintive signature song Stormy Weather and for her triumph over the bigotry that allowed her to entertain white audiences but not socialize with them, has died. She was 92.

Dr. Paul freeman founder and musical director of the Chicago Sinfonietta will be joined by the New York Harlem Quartet in its climaxing 23rd season concert Sunday at 2:20 p.m. in Lund Auditorium, Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St. in River Forest and Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. in Orchestra Hall.

ATLANTA – A year ago, B.o.B was frustrated over his music career. He was anxious because his album hadn’t materialized yet, and also worried that he wouldn’t be able to combine all of his talents - rapping, singing, and playing instruments - into one niche.

LAS VEGAS - A court officer in Las Vegas postponed a decision Friday on whether the doctor accused of administering a fatal dose of anesthetic to pop star Michael Jackson should be allowed to keep practicing medicine in his home state of Nevada.

LOS ANGELES - The killing of an up-and-coming rapper at a crowded, upscale mall was described Tuesday by a prosecutor as a callous, calculated act by a man who then retrieved his car from a valet and drove around the body.

Flying Lotus is one of the true artists attempting to take hip-hop to the next level.

NEW YORK – Another American Idol alum is headed to Broadway.

In this theater publicity image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Denzel Washington, left, and Viola Davis are shown in a scene from the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences. AP/Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Joan Marcus

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson’s estate has won a preliminary injunction against a group using the name of the superstar’s former charitable group.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio featuring Nancy Wilson are booked June 18 as a feature for the Jazz All Stars with The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Steve Harvey, right, broadcasts his Steve Harvey Morning Show April 16 live from Malcolm X College, in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau.

NEW YORK – Guru, the influential rapper known for his conscious and intellectual themes, his monotone delivery, and his combination of jazz sounds with hip-hop beats, has died after battling cancer, collaborators said. He was 43.

NEW YORK - Less than two years ago, Usher was glorifying his evolvement as a man with “Here I Stand,” a CD that found him celebrating his new role as husband and father while shunning the image of a sexy bad boy unable - or unwilling - to make a lasting commitment.

Usher’s latest disc, Raymond v. Raymond, is a bit like deja vu.

Anthony McGill

LOS ANGELES – On her new VH1 reality dating show, Rozonda Thomas - better known as Chilli from the groundbreaking hip-hop group TLC - doesn’t lounge in bubble baths or hand out fake bling to her suitors. Instead, the 39-year-old singer and mother meets bachelors at black-tie affairs and confers with a dating expert, as well as her 12-year-old son.

NEW YORK – Illness has led to a brief postponement of Whitney Houston’s European tour.

Tenor saxophone virtuoso Sonny Rollins is returning to Symphony Center for Jazz at Symphony Center April 9 at 8 p.m. The Grammy Award winning influential jazz artist was born Theodore Walter “Sonny” Rollins September 7, 1930 in New York City following his parents' move from the Virgin Islands.

R&B superstar Charlie “Uncle Charlie” Wilson

Jennifer Hudson talks to the kids March 31 at the Louis L. Valentine Boys and Girls Club.

Hailing from the city’s South Side, LisaRaye McCoy got her start as a model and businesswoman before heading to Los Angeles to become an actress.

Just when you’ve lost faith in the music industry to do the right thing, along comes Erykah Badu with another deliciously strange album.

DALLAS – A music video that depicts R&B singer and Dallas native Erykah Badu walking and stripping naked on a downtown Dallas street is drawing criticism from officials in her hometown.

R&B newcomer Bridget Kelly is creating a buzz in the music industry.

CLEVELAND – A rap artist from the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony has been arrested during an Ohio concert on 12-year-old charges that he roughed up his mother with a gun.

LOS ANGELES - Film fans will choose the nominees and winners of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

PHILADELPHIA – Oprah Winfrey has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a headmistress she had accused of performing poorly at her South African girls school, where some students claimed they were abused, lawyers said Tuesday.

William Wigan, a British micro-sculptor, will introduce his “Art in the Eye of a Needle; The Hollywood Collection” at Chicago’s Nicole Gallery, 230 W. Huron St., for a limited six-week exhibition beginning April 13. The Black Englishman’s art is hardly visible with the naked eye but can be seen with specially-commissioned microscopes.

The revered beauty and cover director of ESSENCE magazine recently announced her retirement from the magazine for Black women.

The rap and hip hop powerhouse Jay-Z’s BluePrint 3 Tour breezed into the United Center on March 18.

There are a few good songs on Monica’s fifth studio album, Still Standing. Unfortunately, none of them are as good as the CD’s first single, Everything to Me.

Matthew Rushing was hardly idle when a torn muscle injury last summer sidelined the veteran danseur with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

LOS ANGELES – As Michael Jackson lay dying in his bedroom in a rented mansion, his doctor stopped CPR on him and delayed calling paramedics so he could collect drug vials at the scene, according to an employee of the pop star who called 911.