EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

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EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

The four-cover series celebrates Black Music Month

CHICAGO (May 5, 2014) — In celebration of Black Music Month, EBONY magazine pays tribute to the industry’s leaders, pioneers and game changers.  Inside the June issue, EBONY honors both the present-day success stories and the giants who paved the way. 

The issue is presented in a four-cover series, with Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna gracing the covers as a salute to their unprecedented impact on Black music.  One of the most critically acclaimed voices in urban music culture, Kevin Powell, lends EBONY his pen and probes the connection between the ruling musical icons and how they compare with legends of the past. 

“It was an honor to write the four cover stories for EBONY magazine’s Black Music Month special collector’s edition, and to also pen the additional four mini-features inside,” said Powell. “Rarely do you see today’s unstoppable stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West and Jay Z packaged with legends like Tina Turner, Donna Summer or Tupac Shakur, but we did it because when it comes to Black music, it is important to note the deep connection between the musicians of yesterday and today,” he added. 

Inside EBONY, Powell paints a picture of the parallels between several music geniuses, regardless of the era they reigned.  For example, Kanye and Tupac are both recognized as the poets who defined their own rules in the industry. 

“They are brothers from another planet – the one they built themselves,” said Powell in the article as he referenced Kanye and Tupac.  “Love them or hate them, there is no denying that these two bad boys of hip-hop make our culture so electric and so hard to ignore.”

Additional artists highlighted include Usher, Prince, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. 

However, it is impossible to recognize the idols of Black music, without acknowledging those of the jazz era.  EBONY also pays homage to Blue Note Records, the most respected and longest-running jazz label in the world, as the company celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.  Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Art Blakey were just a few of the legendary musicians on Blue Note Records, and now trailblazers such as Robert Glasper are continuing to carry the torch for the prestigious label. 

The tribute continues as EBONY reveals the 10 music artists to watch – with Judith Hill, Childish Gambino and Lecrae on the list to name a few, the seven most epic battles in Black music and a guide to the best festivals, concerts and new music releases for the summer. 

Readers can find the June issue of EBONY on newsstands May 6. 

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Kendrick Lamar Cover on Jet Magazine

Kendrick Lamar Ushers in a New Audience for JET Magazine

Hip-Hop’s new super star covers annual Black History issue

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CHICAGO, Ill. (January 24, 2013) — Award season is in full swing. In celebration of the new direction, JET magazine breaks with tradition to feature the young, talented and critically acclaimed rap artist Kendrick Lamar — who has seven Grammy nominations for his latest album Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City — on the cover for the Black History issue.

“I always seen [JET magazine] every time I walked into the house,” said Lamar.  “It was always there.  So I already knew that it had to hold some type of weight.  Being a young cat, I had to know, since this magazine is right here all the time, it must be a powerful magazine. So it’s a privilege just to be a part of it, and for Black History Month, it’s a beautiful thing.” The artist, renowned for delivering thought-provoking lyrics that center around social issues, shares the ways in which his passionate storytelling is impacting lives. In JET magazine’s exclusive interview, the hip-hop star reveals everything from his social responsibility to why the music industry needs more than good hooks and catchy tracks. “Hip-hop plays a huge part in Black history,” says Lamar.  “It’s bigger than music.  Entertainers are actually leading a generation today as role models, whether they want to or not.” Acknowledging that his fans are deeply influenced by what he says, Lamar also discusses being conscious of the messages he delivers in his music. “The songs aren’t for me,” he says.  “They are for that person who needs to hear them. People who live their lives to this music. So I take it a little further than just coming up with a clever line.” Additionally, the rapper opens up about the array of Black men — including iconic figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and those closer to home, such as his father — who molded his character. “My earliest role model is my father, then my uncles Lil Man and Bobby,” Lamar shared.  “These are the cats who I felt handled their business and took care of their family.” He also talks about how hip-hop’s business savvy moguls have chiseled his ambition. “People forget that Jay Z is from the projects – but that inspires me,” continued Lamar.  “If this guy can go from the streets to the corporate world, that lets me know I’m open for anything. ”Readers can read the article in its entirety and more in the February 17issue of JET magazine, on newsstands January 27.

http://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/jet-cover-kendrick-lamar/ 

Courtesy Of: 

Vanessa Arbon of Johnson Publishing Company 

Media & Communications Manager 

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ACTRESS ANGELA BASSETT GRACES EBONY MAGAZINE COVER

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EBONY Talks to Angela Bassett About Insecurity and Success and Reveals Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Portfolio of Celebrity Icons for Annual Hollywood Issue

 Magazine Explores the State of Black Feminism; Launches White House Partnership and Counts Down Spring’s Hottest Fashion Trends

CHICAGO (February 5, 2013) — EBONY magazine salute’s Black Hollywood with actress Angela Bassett gracing the cover, reveals never-before-seen images of our biggest celebrities and crowns the next generation of stars. Bassett is currently mesmerizing her fans in her captivating role as voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau, on the FX series American Horror Story: Coven, while also receiving acclaim for her role in Black Nativity during the holiday season.  Many know Bassett for being strong, poised and resilient; however, the talented actress opened up to EBONY magazine and revealed that she also has moments of doubt and insecurity. However, she gives readers the scoop on how to exude the same sense of confidence that she possesses while also keeping her feet firmly on the ground.  As the actress reflected on moments when it was hard to secure a role, she offers the following advice on how to keep going: “You’ve got to keep a good attitude.  You can’t think, ‘This is it [during the lean times], because that’s when it’s going to break open for you. You’ve got to be ready; you’ve got to be prepared.” “Whatever you’re dealing with seems like a mountain to you, but we truly aren’t in it alone. Sometimes we need others to talk us off the cliff or to just talk to us or to be there with us [in order] to support us or love us.”Despite being a part of Hollywood’s elite and being armed with an Ivy League degree from Yale University, Bassett discusses why pursuing excellence and staying grounded is so important to her. “I understand where I come from; the strength and the people I come from. I know what has been endured and sacrificed.” This issue also features a salute to young Hollywood’s hottest new game-changers like  Lupita Nyong’o, Quvenzhane Wallis, Zendaya Coleman and Michael B. Jordan just to name a few.  Plus, EBONY magazine’s photo director Dudley Brooks opens the archives to share exclusive behind-the-scenes images of some of our biggest stars like Beyonce, Gabrielle Union and Denzel Washington as you’ve never seen them before.

Also featured in the March Issue:

·         Black Feminism Today: Thanks to social media and a host of brave new voices in pop culture, America is engaging in a robust new dialogue about the state of Black women and the fight for equality.

·         Spring Fashion Workbook: Get the inside scoop on the hottest new beauty, style and grooming trends for women and men

·         Diary of a Sex Addict: EBONY uncovers the secret world of women struggling with an addiction few people understand and explores how women can get help for this debilitating condition.

·         Financial Success Stories: Real people share their blueprints for going from broke to blessed by launching a million dollar home-based business, building a perfect credit score and going to college for free.

·         EBONY’s Top Chefs: With a celebrity panel of judges EBONY salutes the best chefs in America.

·         White House Partnership: EBONY announces a groundbreaking partnership with the Obama administration to explore the magazine’s six-part “Saving Our Sons” editorial package with a series of town hall discussions and workshops.

The March issue of EBONY magazine hits newsstands on February 4th.     

Courtesy of 

Vanessa Arbon of Johnson Publishing Company 

Media & Communications 

Ebony Magazine 

@EbonyMag

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