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Legendary Jazz Pianist McCoy Tyner Dead at 81
Another one of the greatest who ever did it has gone on to glory. Legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner is dead at age 81. The death of the free-flowing jazz giant, who played piano alongside John Coltrane, Donald Byrd and Art Blakey, was announced by family members via social media on Friday. “It is with…
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From Baltimore to 'Broadway' to Bloomberg? Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Named Co-Chair of Mega Billionaire's Presidential Campaign
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is all about the come-up. The former Baltimore mayor—who made history as the first city official to star in the legendary musical Chicago (as an ensemble member)—is now the face of Michael Bloomberg’s presidential bid. On Feb. 20, the mega billionaire’s campaign announced Rawlings-Blake was endorsing the former New York City Mayor’s run…
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B. Smith, Trailblazing Fashion Model and Entrepreneur, Dead at 70, Husband Confirms
B. Smith, the trailblazing fashion model who proved to be more successful as a restaurateur, television personality and branding pioneer, has passed away at age 70. Her husband, Dan Gasby, confirmed her death on the couple’s Facebook page Sunday morning. “It is with great sadness that my daughter Dana and I announce the passing of…
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Former Pro Football Player and Republican Congressman J.C. Watts Spearheads First Black News Channel, Launching Nationally This Week
Did it really take a former Republican congressman to finally launch the first black news network? Apparently so. He’s a former professional football player, too. If that matters. The groundbreaking Black News Channel — the same one that The Root’s very own Michael Harriot wrote “looks pretty conservative” last year — will finally hit television…
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Another Achievement For Tyler Perry: Leading The Pack For Worst Movies of 2019 With Eight Razzie Award Nods For A Madea Family Funeral
Tyler Perry is nominated among the worst achievements in film for 2019 but the history-making Hollywood mogul is not in bad company. A Madea Family Funeral garnered eight nods from the Golden Raspberry Foundation, which announced its picks for the Razzie Awards—celebrating what it calls the worst films the film industry had to offer last…
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Clive Davis Plans to Undo Damage of Other Whitney Houston Documentaries With a New Film of His Own
Clive Davis plans on getting the last word when it comes to the legacy of Whitney Houston. The 87-year-old music industry titan—credited for making Houston a household name—is developing a new biopic about the late pop music icon. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the former Arista Records chieftain said he was “very…
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Obama Called Trump a ‘Fascist’ on Phone Call During Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Run for The White House
They say that “a dog who brings a bone will carry a bone.” In an upcoming docu-series, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine reveals that Barack Hussein Obama called President Trump a “fascist” during a phone call. “President Obama called me last night and said: Tim, remember, this is no time to be…
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Move Like Obama: Forever First Lady Shares 2020 Workout Playlist with Bangers by Beyoncé, Cardi B, Kirk Franklin, and Ed Sheeran
For those who wonder how Michelle Obama stays in shape, the Forever First Lady has a workout playlist that features some of the biggest songs by some of the biggest music acts on it. On Sunday, Mrs. O—who just turned 56 on Friday and looks better than ever—shared her favorite songs to exercise to. Beyoncé,…
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NAACP Lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill Blasts Amtrak Conductor for Asking Her to Give Up Seat
They got the right one on the wrong day! The head of NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund went off on social media about an Amtrak employee who asked her to give up her seat on the train to accommodate someone else—on the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. WTF Is Really Going On?…
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Serena Williams Wins First Title in 3 Years, Donates Cash Prize to Australia Wildfire Relief
Now, this is why she’s the G.O.A.T. With her first big win in three years, Serena Williams is paying it forward in grand slam style. The tennis icon announced she would donate her winnings from her Sunday ASB Classic match in Auckland, New Zealand to Australian wildfire relief efforts. “I’ve been playing Australia for over…
