LL Cool J turns 1985 hit ‘Rock The Bells’ into multimillion-dollar hip-hop empire LL Cool J stands as one of hip-hop’s most enduring and influential figures, a pioneer whose impact spans four decades and extends far beyond the recording studio. Born James Todd Smith in Bay Shore, N.Y., LL Cool J emerged in the mid-1980s as a teenage phenomenon who helped define the sound and style of hip-hop’s golden age while simultaneously proving the genre’s commercial viability and cultur

Brandy and Monica's reunion tour marks the end of R&B's longest-awaited collaboration For nearly three decades, the names Monica and Brandy have been synonymous with excellence in rhythm and blues music. Each emerged as a teenage sensation in the mid-1990s, carving distinctive paths through the genre, and their careers became inexorably linked through competition, collaboration, and eventually reconciliation, showcasing their individual brilliance. The Vocal Architects Monica

Salt-N-Pepa Make History as First Hip-Hop Act Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Musical Influence Salt-N-Pepa, a name that symbolizes their spicy and bold approach to music, emerged from Queens, New York, in 1986 with a sound that would forever change the landscape of hip-hop. Cheryl James, Sandra Denton, and Latoya Hanson formed the group that initially started as a class project for producer Hurby Azor at the Center for Media Arts. Their debut album Hot, Cool &

Two of Motown's most iconic groups continue to prove that classic soul music, with its timeless quality, remains as vital today as it was during the label's golden era. The Temptations and The Four Tops are selling out venues across the country, bringing their legendary catalogs to multigenerational audiences who cannot get enough of the smooth harmonies and synchronized choreography that defined an era. Despite roster changes over the decades, both groups maintain the high s

Secret Guests, Epic Moments Close Out One Music Fest One Music Fest wrapped up its second day with a vibrant mix of surprise guests and collaborative performances, showcasing the rich diversity of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and soul. The festival's final night featured multiple artists bringing out special guests, culminating in a 25th-anniversary celebration for Atlanta hip-hop icon Ludacris. The celebration included surprise appearances by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee LL Co

Day One of One Music Festival Exceeds Expectations With Dynamic Roster One Music Fest kicked off its latest edition with a diverse and powerhouse lineup that not only showcased the depth and richness of hip-hop, R&B, and Southern music culture but also celebrated Atlanta's unique musical heritage. The festival's opening day featured more than a dozen acts spanning multiple generations and styles, drawing thousands of fans to celebrate music that has shaped Atlanta's cultural

Aces star cements WNBA legacy with historic 2025 championship A’ja Wilson added another championship ring to her collection Friday night as the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, securing their third title in four seasons. The dominant performance capped a historic 2025 campaign that further cemented Wilson’s status as the face of women’s professional basketball. Wilson became the first WNBA or NBA player to win the scoring title, M

Salt-N-Pepa’s Salt chronicles the group’s rise from Queens to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Cheryl “Salt” James, a nursing student from Brooklyn, never imagined she would become one half of hip-hop’s most groundbreaking duo when she first stepped into that Sears lunchroom in Queens. Salt-N-Pepa’s 2025 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a testament to a career that shattered every barrier placed before women in rap. “We were just two girls with big dreams who h

Roxanne Shanté, Queensbridge Legend Who Sacrificed Stardom to Elevate an Entire Genre How does it feel to be featured in “Hip Hop Was Born Here,” and what do you hope viewers learn about the early days of hip-hop culture from your perspective in the docuseries? Well, it’s truly an honor to be part of a docuseries that not only documents everything that takes place in hip hop, but also to be able to have the stories that are told by those who were there. And what I want people

Lil Wayne lights up the stage with a microphone, guitar, blunt, DJ, and drummer Rap icon and legend Lil Wayne brought his highly anticipated Tha Carter VI tour to a nearly sold-out Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday night, treating fans to an electrifying journey through more than two decades of hip-hop excellence. The performance marked another milestone in the Grammy-winning artist’s celebration of his legendary Carter album series. Tyga sets the stage Opening act T

Lynx honor Hall of Famer Augustus in Emotional Target Center Celebration The Minnesota Lynx celebrated one of their greatest players with a banner unveiling ceremony honoring Seimone Augustus and her dual 2024 Hall of Fame inductions before defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 101-78 on Friday night at Target Center. Augustus, who helped lead the Lynx to four WNBA championships during her 14-year career, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the W

Playboi Carti, Mike Dean Join Weeknd for Sold-Out Minneapolis Stadium Show The Weeknd brought his After Hours Til Dawn tour to US Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 14. He delivered an electrifying two-and-a-half-hour performance that will mark the end of an era for the Canadian superstar. The sold-out crowd of 66,000 witnessed what may be the final performance under The Weeknd moniker, as Abel Tesfaye told People Magazine back in May that his intention to retire the stage nam

Fans go wild as Mary J. Blige takes over Xcel Energy Center Mary J. Blige proved why she earned the title “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” during her electrifying performance Sunday night at Xcel Energy Center, the latest stop on her For My Fans Tour. It was her first Twin Cities appearance since 2010. Opening acts Mario and Ne-Yo warmed up the audience with sets focused on serenading the ladies. They combined smooth dance moves and powerhouse vocals that perfectly complemented the e

Comedy tour brings heavy laughs, celebrity roasts to Minneapolis The “We Them Ones” comedy tour delivered a night of unfiltered humor and celebrity takedowns, with veteran comedian Mike Epps hosting an all-star lineup that left audience members clutching their sides. The sold-out show, headlined by social media sensation Lil Duval, transformed The Armory into a battleground of jokes, with no celebrity scandal left untouched. Epps set the tone early, aiming for P. Diddy’s le