Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian authorities on Wednesday arrested singer and activist Chama Fumba at Lusaka airport in a move condemned by Amnesty as a “shocking demonstration” of the government’s intolerance of criticism. Fumba, popularly known as Pilato, was picked up by plain-clothed police officers as he arrived home …
Read More »Spotify to stop promoting R. Kelly songs over sex abuse claims
New York, United States | AFP | Spotify on Thursday announced it would no longer feature R. Kelly songs in its playlists or user recommendations, after the Time’s Up movement for gender equality urged the music business to dump the R&B star over sexual abuse allegations. The move marks the …
Read More »Pop star Chris Brown named in sex assault lawsuit
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | A Los Angeles woman filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Chris Brown and a fellow rapper, alleging she was repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted at Brown’s home during a drug- and alcohol-fueled party last year. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe, said …
Read More »Coachella promoters cancel festival led by Janet Jackson
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The promoters of Coachella canceled Sunday a Los Angeles festival to be headlined by Janet Jackson, an unusually visible sign of trouble in the long vibrant live music industry. Concert promoters Goldenvoice said they were calling off FYF Fest, two days of music …
Read More »With 24-hour outrages, Kanye West masters media moment
New York, United States | AFP | Since re-emerging last month from a yearlong absence, Kanye West has sparked outrage by throwing his lot with Donald Trump and calling slavery a choice. Yet the rapper has succeeded spectacularly in one key goal — staying at the center of attention. If …
Read More »Sandra Suubi mixes music and art
Kampala, Uganda | AGNES E NANTABA | Most people know Sandra Suubi as the girl who won the Airtel Trace competition 2015 and went on to launch a fledgling music career. Not many know that Suubi combines her music with art. She is an eco-artist whose work has featured in art …
Read More »R. Kelly calls Time’s Up campaign ‘public lynching’
New York, United States | AFP | R. Kelly’s management has lashed out at a campaign for the music business to dump him over his alleged treatment of women and girls, denouncing a “public lynching.” The R&B singer, best known for his ballad “I Believe I Can Fly,” supports the Time’s …
Read More »Kanye West, doubling down, voices ‘love’ of Trump
New York, United States | AFP | Rap superstar Kanye West doubled down Wednesday on his support for Donald Trump, tweeting his “love” for the president and flirting with his own political ambitions after his newfound conservatism raised eyebrows. A master of staying in the spotlight, West last week returned …
Read More »Spotify ramps up free service in bid for expansion
New York, United States | AFP | Spotify on Tuesday announced a major expansion of its free service, hoping that a more option-rich platform will boost its ambitions to make music streaming even bigger worldwide. Weeks after its successful listing on the New York Stock Exchange, the leading streaming company said …
Read More »Rapper Meek Mill freed after uproar over harsh term
New York, United States | AFP | Rapper Meek Mill won freedom from prison Tuesday after an unusually harsh sentence triggered protests that pointed to racial biases in US probation laws. The 30-year-old Philadelphia rapper, who was jailed in November over a case from his teenage years, was ordered out …
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