EURweb

ESSENCE FEST TO INCLUDE JACKSON TRIBUTE: Plus, author Celia Anderson signs her book 'Love, Ocean'; TV One holds auditions.
*In light of Michael Jackson's death on June 25, the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this weekend will serve as more than just a celebration of black music and culture. Read Full Story

Q-TIP'S 'NEW' ALBUM DUE IN SEPTEMBER: Battery Records to release 'Kamaal the Abstract,' ending 8-year drama with Arista.
*After an eight-year delay, Q-Tip is finally releasing his long-awaited album "Kamaal the Abstract" this fall, reports Billboard. Read Full Story

KEYS CHARITY RAISES MONEY DURING BET AWARDS: Keep a Child Alive collects over $130,000 in donations during on-air plea.
*Alicia Keys' appearance on the 2009 BET Awards Show Sunday night raised more than $130,000 from more than 26,000 mobile donors who texted their donations to Keep a Child Alive. Read Full Story

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. LEAGUE'S NEWEST ACCOLADE: Young hit producers receive ASCAP Rhythm and Soul award.
*Adding to their growing list of awards and accolades, Tampa production trio, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, brought home an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award from their recent trip to L.A. this past Friday for their work on last year's smash single, She Got It. Read Full Story

BET AWARDS '09 IS #1 CABLE-CAST OF THE YEAR: Show paid tribute to Michael Jackson and drew 10.7 million viewers.
*The live premiere of the BET AWARDS '09 on Sunday, June 28, drew 10.65 Million Total Viewers - the #1 cable telecast year-to-date and BET's biggest audience ever (NMR, Live + Same Day, 6/28). Read Full Story

TRACY CHAPMAN TO SPEND SUMMER ON TOUR: Trek begins July 31 in Boston and ends Aug. 21 in San Francisco.
*Tracy Chapman has unveiled an extensive slate of summer concert dates, her first full-scale North American itinerary in over three years, according to her label Elektra. Read Full Story

THE UK CORNER (Theatre Review): Been So Long
*Writer, Actor and Director Che Walker knows how to make an audience laugh. Unlike his last production The Frontline, Been So Long has a small cast – just five characters. But, they each pack a punch in this modern day musical. Read Full Story

KLEOPATRA GIRL'S RINGSIDE REPORT: Ms. Della Reese @ Della Reese Presents
*Have you ever had a craving for something sweet like chocolate and you just can’t wait to get your hands on that dreamy treat? Then, imagine when you do, you just want to devour it because it tastes so good. Read Full Story

LA COUNTY SUPERVISORS HONOR THE WHISPERS: Supervisor Ridley-Thomas leads board in feting legendary group from Watts.
*LOS ANGELES – To the beat of “Rock Steady,” the 1987 Top 10 single by the legendary rhythm and blues group The Whispers, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the Board of Supervisors observed Black Music Month and honored the group for more than four decades of memorable entertainment. Read Full Story

BEYONCE & SOLANGE TO PERFORM AT TARGET CENTER: Minneapolis appearance to benefit charitable foundations.
International superstar Beyonce will perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN on July 16 to benefit the Charles & Phyllis Newman Foundation and the Knowles Family charitable organization, The Survivor Foundation. Read Full Story

TV ONE AIRS MICHAEL JACKSON SPECIAL TONIGHT: 30th Anniversary Celebration concert on at 8 and 11pm Est.
*TV One will pre-empt its regular schedule this weekend to air special programming in memory of Michael Jackson, beginning tonight at 8 and 11 PM (all times ET) with the two-hour Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, a star-studded salute to the legendary superstar that hasn’t been broadcast in nearly a decade. Read Full Story

WILL DOWNING'S NEWEST DOING WELL: 'Classique' debuts at #22 on Billboard Chart.
*Legendary singer Will Downing debuted at #22 on Billboard's Top 200 with his 14th overall album, Classique (Peak Records). Read Full Story

HOUSTON STATION'S HIV AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: Free test and results = Free concert admission.
*Radio Station KBXX-FM 97.9 The Box, The Houston Department of Health and Human Services and AIDS Foundation Houston in conjunction with the NAACP Houston Branch and Amerigroup Community Care are sponsoring a city-wide awareness campaign for HIV and STD education. Read Full Story

MIJAC SHOWS DROWNING IN SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS: Jewelry firm says singer is using 300,000 pieces in his comeback concerts.
*Michael Jackson's stage costumes and set will be studded with £1 million worth of Swarovski crystals, according to Contact Music. Read Full Story

76 DEGREES WEST MAKING NOISE WITH DEBUT ALBUM: Band opening eyes with hit single ‘School Boy Crush.’
By Cory King Jr. / cck3000@yahoo.com
*76 Degrees West is not only the geographical coordinates for Washington DC, but its also the name of one of the hottest groups to come out of the area in a long time. Read Full Story

GINUWINE'S 'THOUGHTS' ARE NOW FREE: Singer releases new CD featuring current single 'Last Chance.'
*R&B singer Ginuwine on Tuesday released his 6th CD, "A Man's Thoughts," via Notify/Asylum/Warner Bros. Read Full Story

EUR CONCERT REVIEW: Glorious Juneteenth Celebration in Santa Monica
By Ricky Richardson
*Santa Monica - June gloom was prominently featured on the morning of June 20th until the early afternoon. The day featured a noticeable mist. This didn’t dampen the resolve of hundreds gathered at Virginia Avenue Park for the 17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration-2009. This year’s theme was “A New Voice of Hope.” Read Full Story

IRISH SOUL SONGSTRESS LAURA IZIBOR ON HIT: Debut CD 'Let The Truth Be Told' out now; on tour with Maxwell.
Atlantic recording artist Laura Izibor has released her much anticipated debut album, Let The Truth Be Told. The CD, which features the hit single, "From My Heart To Yours," is already shaping up as a breakthrough hit for the Dublin-based singer. Read Full Story

THE UK CORNER CD REVIEW: The Black Eyed Peas THE E.N.D (Video)
By Fiona McKinson
*I was in a market the other day and the pulsating beat of the number one hit Boom Boom Pow meant that I was stood at that one stall rather longer than I had intended, trying my best not to break into dance! Read Full Story

JOHN LEGEND PADS 'EVOLVER' TOUR: Dates now extend into early fall.
*A bunch of new dates have been added to the tail end of John Legend's forthcoming summer tour backing his latest studio album, "Evolver." Read Full Story

UK CORNER PERFORMANCE REVIEW: Turning Point
By Fiona McKinson
*Legendary cultural hub The Roundhouse in North West London held a three-day festival for young people last month, kicking off with outdoor acoustic sets, buskers, market stalls, unsigned acts, fashion shows, a treasure hunt, poetry, dance, a barbeque and three performers from The Circus Space turning shapes to a soundtrack from the best up-and-coming DJs. Read Full Story