Uncategorized

GRAMMY® AWARD-NOMINATED R&B LEGEND AMERIE RETURNS WITH FIRST NEW SINGLE IN 7 YEARS “MINE”

March 28, 2025 – Making a momentous return, GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and author Amerie is back with her first new solo single in seven years “Mine” out now.

It sets the stage for the arrival of her anxiously awaited sixth full-length album—coming soon.

“Mine” embodies the strength of her union with GRAMMY® Award-winning hitmaking producer Troy Taylor [Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Whitney Houston, Syd, Queen Naija]. The news of Amerie’s comeback and creative partnership with Troy sent shockwaves through the R&B world at the end of last year.

When they previewed this next era on Instagram, the post garnered hundreds of thousands of views and likes.

However, “Mine” takes flight as the kind of anthem fans have come to expect from the iconic artist. On the track, a bassline thumps like a heartbeat beneath her impassioned verses. She flaunts her instantly recognizable high register on the chantable chorus as she promises, “Something ‘bout you babe, I’ll make you mine, I’ll make you mine.” It’s sensual, spirited, and soulful.

It’s Amerie at the height of her powers.

Stay tuned for the premiere of a sexy and stunning music video.

Born outside of Boston as the daughter of a South Korean artist and African-American military officer, Amerie not only lived in cities across the United States, but she also spent a portion of her formative years in Korea. She graduated from Georgetown University and launched a career in music.

The powerhouse R&B dynamo first made contact with the hearts of fans worldwide in 2002 via the seminal gold-certified All I Have. She logged her second straight Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 when Touch landed at #5 in 2005. The latter also went gold and spawned the global smash “1 Thing.”

Never content to rest on her laurels, she stretched her creativity on the 2018 fan favorite experimental double-LP release—4AM Mulholland and After 4AM. Outside of her artistry, she notably founded Amerie’s Book Club, spotlighting diverse perspectives and voiced and hosted conversations with both breaking authors and poets as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning writers.

She also authored the children’s picture book You Will Do Great Things and will unveil her debut novel This Is Not a Ghost Story via William Morrow/Harper Collins, set to publish June 10, 2025.

Amerie levels up on her upcoming self-titled album, delivering romance and optimism like only she can.

“I wanted the album to soundtrack a great love,” she states. “I wanted the album to feel like what it is to be in love or make a person who isn’t want to be fully and completely in love.”

With “Mine” and more to come, 2025 belongs to Amerie.

The Residence

The cast and creator answer many more burning questions.

BY ARIANA ROMERO
MARCH 21, 2025

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!

This article contains major character or plot details.

The Residence maintains its murder mystery until the very end. As all the major players settle into the Yellow Oval Room, there are still multiple suspects in the murder of A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito): the dubious “third man” Patrick Doumbe (Timothy Hornor), engineer Bruce Geller (Mel Rodriguez), and housekeeper Elsyie Chayle (Julieth Restrepo) all seem to be likely candidates.

But, the true culprit is someone else entirely. Lead detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) reveals the killer is Lilly Schumacher (Molly Griggs), the White House social secretary. The woman who hated the White House murdered the person who most embodied its values. Griggs was thrilled to “push the boundaries” with Lilly.

“Getting to crawl into Lilly’s demented head was really fun,” the actor says. “It was really satisfying to make her as kooky as possible. Then it’s actually quite scary when you see how calculated she can be and how dismissive of people’s humanity she can be. It’s actually not a big leap emotionally to go from playing this silly person who thinks everybody is a little peon in her life to somebody who’s capable of cold-blooded murder.”

ERIN SIMKIN/

The Residence stars Susan Kelechi Watson (Jasmine Haney) and Ken Marino (Harry Hollinger) break into grins when they think back on filming the unmasking scene, with Kelechi Watson calling it “classic,” to Marino’s agreement. The cast filmed the scene over a series of days and were “blown away” by Aduba’s performance, according to Randall Park, who plays Edwin Park.

Aduba is proud of what she, The Residence creator Paul William Davies, and the entire team accomplished. “There’s this wonderful balance that Paul is able to do where you see this allegory for Americana tied up really nicely,” the actor says. “It’s just really powerful.”

So what steps did the Residence take to create its ending? And, why did Lilly kill A.B.? Keep reading for a full debrief of the many mysteries of The Residence, as explained by the cast and Davies.

Who killed A.B. Wynter in The Residence?

Much to the surprise of the Residence cast themselves, White House social secretary Lilly Schumacher is the killer. Lilly’s reveal even tricked the actor who portrays the great Cordelia Cupp. “I had no idea who did it before reading the finale script,” Aduba admits. “I had my guesses. But I was surprised by who it turned out to be.” Griggs, however, found out about Lilly’s bloodthirsty ways early on. Davies and executive producer Betsy Beers gave Griggs the news during the same Zoom call where they offered the actor the role of The Residence’s murderess. “I just got so excited. I think my jaw was on the floor. I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “It was just such a thrilling moment. I can’t believe that now — two years later — everyone’s about to know.”

The Residence reveals the truth about Lilly in a spectacular manner befitting the murder mystery genre. In Episode 8, Cordelia takes all of her remaining persons of interest on a tour of the White House, pointing out clues along the way. Everything builds to a group conversation in the Yellow Oval Room, where Lilly admits she had a door sealed, and explains that she did it to “protect” White House staff members Elsyie and Bruce, who are the lead suspects. But, Lilly didn’t close the passage out of the goodness of her heart. Instead, she did it to hide her murder weapon: the clock she used to bludgeon A.B.

Griggs, Davies, and the Residence’s team of directors worked hard to maintain the shock of Lilly’s reveal as the murderer. “We played into how ridiculous she is — how foppish she can be and totally unaware of herself,” Griggs explains. “It throws the scent off her because she’s so silly and entitled and bratty. You don’t think she would be capable of something so calculated and elaborate, or that she would have that kind of follow-through.” And yet, the finale confirms that’s exactly the kind of person Lilly is.

Aduba likens the twist to finding out the identity of Keyser Söze in the film The Usual Suspects. “It’s that kind of moment where you mentally flip through the whole thing, and you’re like, ‘Right, that totally makes sense.’ All the pieces come together,” the actor says. “It was really satisfying to feel like the steps were all right there.”

JESSICA BROOKS

How did The Residence murder actually happen?

During Lilly’s faux admission — in which she claims to have had the Yellow Oval Room passage closed to save troubled lovers Elsyie and Bruce — she actually does disclose many actual facts about the night A.B. died. The inciting incident did occur early in the evening, when A.B. confronted Lilly about her various transgressions, which included criminal activity. And she did steal a page out of his journal in a fit of rage. What Lilly doesn’t immediately admit to is what happened once she read A.B.’s writings, which she realized could be mistaken for a suicide note.

Lilly decided to kill A.B., and use the journal page to stage the murder as a death by suicide. She stole a toxic herbicide called paraquat from the gardening shed — breaking a glass in the process — and took a dish from gardner Emily Mackil (Rebecca Field) to carry the poison into the White House. Lilly also called A.B. from the shed and asked him to meet her in the Yellow Oval Room; around this time, she also impersonated First Gentleman Elliot Morgan (Barrett Foa) and had Secret Service removed from the area. Once on the second floor, Lilly poured the paraquat into a glass from the family living room and topped it off with scotch to cover up the poison. While mixing her deadly cocktail, Lilly saw A.B. have a disagreement with Elsyie.

Once Elsyie was gone, Lilly approached A.B. under the guise of a reconciliation. She gave him the poisoned glass, and A.B. accepted it. But, once he drank the deadly mixture, A.B. realized what was really happening. Lilly then threw a vase at him and, when the flying object merely startled A.B., she bludgeoned him to death with the nearby clock. Lilly finally hid the clock in the passageway between the Yellow Oval Room and the Treaty Room. Once the evidence was secured, Lilly returned to the State Dinner to secure an alibi.

“You never really see her thinking too far ahead. That behavior teaches the audience that she’s not thinking super globally,” Griggs says. But, by Episode 7, we start to realize Lilly actually does have great plans for the White House. “So by the finale, it makes sense that she would be able to think on her feet when she was trying to cover up the murder.”

JESSICA BROOKS

How did A.B.’s body end up in the Game Room?

Despite all of Lilly’s planning, the night takes a turn for the confusing once she returns to the Yellow Oval Room. A.B.’s body is gone and no one is talking about a murder.

That’s because various misunderstandings led three people to get A.B.’s body from the Yellow Oval Room to the Game Room, where he was ultimately found. Bruce and Elsyie both assumed the other committed the murder. So, Bruce dragged A.B. from the Yellow Oval Room across the second floor to the Lincoln Bedroom and finally up to room 301 — because he hoped to throw the scent off Elysie. Tripp Morgan (Jason Lee) then woke up in room 301 next to A.B.’s corpse. In a paranoid effort to protect himself, Tripp dragged the body to the Game Room, used Didier Gotthard’s (Bronson Pinchot) knives to create wrist lacerations, and painted over the blood in room 301. Like Lilly, Tripp hoped authorities would assume A.B. died by suicide.

Tripp confesses his sins, unprompted, to George McCutcheon (J.D. Hall) right before Cordelia starts her White House tour. “It’s absolutely hilarious that he finds the first guy he sees and he unravels all of this stuff,” Lee tells Tudum. “I think it’s to clear his name a little bit. He’s trying to relate his story to the guy. I love that he just keeps going, even though George doesn’t say anything the entire time.”

Why did Lilly kill A.B.?

Initially, Cordelia explains that A.B. planned to reveal all of Lilly’s “shitty behavior” to the Morgans. But, that isn’t all the chief usher had to say. A.B. had a diligent log of each criminal statute and ethical code Lilly broke during her tenure at the White House, from stealing money to trading favors and securing shady contracts. Even the chaos of the State Dinner was Lilly’s fault — she let energy healer St. Pierre (Taran Killam) advise on the seating arrangements of American government officials at an official State Dinner.

Lilly also hated the White House more than anything. So, she naturally despised A.B., who embodied all the qualities of the mansion itself.

JESSICA BROOKS

Why did A.B. drink the poison?

Throughout The Residence, we see A.B. predict his own murder, telling Australian Foreign Minister David Rylance (Brett Tucker), “I am going to be dead by the end of the night.” In Episode 8, we learn A.B. said this directly after agreeing to meet Lilly. Nevertheless, he still welcomed a glass of scotch from her in the Yellow Oval Room.

“A.B. accepts the drink because he’s cordial and appropriate. He did not expect at all that it could be laced,” Esposito says. The actor also explains that Lilly got to him at a particularly vulnerable time. A.B. had a difficult day, his shift was ending, and he was exhausted. “She’s presenting a peace offering. So he takes a drink with her — and that’s his undoing and his end. If he were still alive, he would be in shock that someone would do that.”

ERIN SIMKIN

Were there clues about the Residence killer?

Davies placed clues throughout Season 1, so the final surprises of the finale would feel satisfying. “I really wanted to be as fair to the audience as possible, so that when these reveals came you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, he wasn’t hiding anything,’ ” says the Residence creator. “I know it can be frustrating when you feel like there’s information that you didn’t have in a murder mystery.” Here are a few of the clues Davies hopes you notice upon second viewing:

The dresses

While everyone else in the Residence cast is in dark or bland colors for the State Dinner, Lilly is in attention-grabbing pink. “When you look at the tableau of people, you see how much she stands out. You don’t really think about it at first because she’s Lilly Schumacher and of course she’s going to wear that dress,” Davies says. “But you go back and you’re like, ‘Wait, they were showing that to me all the way along.’ ”

Griggs credits her collaboration with Davies, costume designer Lyn Elizabeth Paolo (Queen Charlotte ), and the Residence hair and makeup team for helping create the “evil Barbie person” that is Lilly.

“We were all definitely involved in finding the right dress, the right shade of pink, the right color of her nails, and the right shade of her blonde hair. It was all so carefully put together,” Griggs says. “It was so wild to put on the armor of that straight hair and those nails and that dress and feel totally different.”

Lilly’s outfit in the finale echoes her scene-stealing State Dinner look, albeit with a different intent. “It’s an innocent pink dress this time,” Griggs explains. An air of purity is useful since Lilly is trying to hide her culpability. “It was perfect for that episode because it felt a little more demure than the previous versions of Lilly with her tight dresses and brighter colors. To have her in that pastel pink is so funny.”

The money

As Lilly herself says in Episode 8, she doesn’t really need her job. She’s an heiress and burgeoning celebrity in her own right. So, she wouldn’t kill A.B. to stop him from getting her fired. She would, however, commit murder to keep herself from prison for criminal abuses of federal funds. This is the shocking motive Cordelia explains in her finale monologue. Yet, we actually learn about Lilly’s inappropriate financial behavior in Episode 3, when she and A.B. disagree about White House holiday plans.

“That ends up being a big detail,” says Davies. “I do think all the way along you can track the clues, but hopefully not so much that it’s easy to figure out.”

The passageway

By the finale, Lilly has the passageway between the Yellow Oval Room and the Treaty Room permanently closed and papered over — as though it never existed. But, it did, and that’s where she hid the murder weapon. While the reveal of the hidden passage is thrilling, Davies admits viewers would have previously glimpsed its existence repeatedly in the series.

But, the creator has his fingers crossed that you won’t notice the sleight of hand with the space until the very end. “We’ve seen people walk through it many times,” he says. “But I hope most people are not going to realize that there was once a door there. It’s tricky — because you want to give enough, but not too much.”

What is Cordelia’s backstory?

To understand why Cordelia cares so much about solving The Residence’s mystery — or any mystery at all — viewers should look no further than Episode 4. The chapter opens with a flashback of Cordelia on a beachside birding trip with her nephew Ansel (Ca’Ron Jaden Coleman). When Ansel asks if Cordelia’s obsessive tendencies are “unhealthy,” she tells him the story of her very first case.

During childhood, Cordelia’s little sister Aimee — who is Ansel’s mom — lost her favorite sock. Cordelia could tell how important the sock was to Aimee, so she took it upon herself to track it down. She skipped school, inspected places she wasn’t meant to go in the Cupp household (including the untouched bedroom of an unseen boy), and interviewed her family about the sock. Eventually, Cordelia realized that a neighbor’s new puppy must have taken the item. That night, Cordelia found the sock in the puppy’s doghouse. From then on, Cordelia knew she was a natural investigator and embraced her gifts.

Initially, Davies didn’t expect to put Cordelia’s origin story into Episode 4. But, in the previous episode, Cordelia makes an offhand joke about a picture of her nephew. “I thought about that picture, and I was like, ‘What if we could learn where that picture was from? And what if it could tell us something about Cordelia?’ ” he explains. “After three episodes, it felt like a good time to step outside the White House. It was very organic.”

ERIN SIMKIN

What happens next for Cordelia and Edwin?

Cordelia and her co-detective Edwin don’t exactly see eye-to-eye upon first meeting. But, Edwin proves himself to be a worthy colleague. Early in the finale, Cordelia cautions him to look for the “blink,” or the moment the culprit accidentally reveals themselves. When Lilly falters, Edwin pounces, seeing the blink — and Cordelia’s perspective. Park says it’s the first time the FBI agent “sees things like a falcon.”

Aduba is equally excited by Edwin’s growth. “Cordelia loves it,” she says. “She was like an island before, and happy to move through life as such. Then she meets Edwin, and she realizes there is a worthy friend to be found in this world. Now they’re flying together.”

However, Davies is quick to point out Cordelia “is still the alpha” of their friendship. “It’s not like she’s going to start walking behind Edwin.”

(Re)watch Cordelia and Edwin’s friendship blossom as they solve one unforgettable mystery by streaming The Residence, now on Netflix. And keep coming back to Tudum to stay on the case with all your Cordelia Cupp news.

Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber

FINAL TOUR

Emerging in 1993, amidst the dominance of Dr. Dre’s G-funk in the hip-hop world, the Staten Island, New York-based Wu-Tang Clan emerged as the most revolutionary rap group of the mid-1990s.

Their impact extended beyond their music, as they revolutionized the concept of a hip-hop crew.

Unlike traditional hip-hop groups, the Wu-Tang Clan was assembled as a loose collective of nine MCs, functioning more like a support group. Instead of releasing albums sequentially, the Clan aimed to maximize profitability within the record industry.

Their strategy involved establishing the Wu-Tang as a formidable force through their debut album and subsequently diversifying into various side projects and careers.

This approach allowed each member to achieve individual stardom while also receiving individual royalty payments.

The Wu-Tang Clan boasts several lyrical virtuosos. GZA, not to be underestimated, ranks among the top two in terms of vocabulary. RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Method Man also belong to the elite group of rappers with exceptional vocabulary, ranking within the top 25.

The Wu-Tang Clan’s lyrical prowess is undeniable.

A substantial network of Wu-Tang affiliates, collectively known as Wu-Tang Killa Beez, can be found.
Members include:

* RZA (Bobby Digital, The Abbot, Prince Rakeem, RZArector, Bobby Boulders, The Crazy Monk, Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig-Allah, & The Scientist)

* GZA / Genius (Maximillion)

* Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Ol’ Dirty BZA, Ason Unique, Osirus, The Specialist, Dirt McGirt, Big Baby Jesus & Young Dirty)

* U-God (Golden Arms, Lucky Hands & Baby-U)

* Ghostface Killah (Ironman, Tony Starks, GhostDeini, Pretty Toney & Starky Love)

* Masta Killa (Noodles, & Jamel Irief)

* Method Man (Johnny Blaze, Hott Nikkels, Iron Lung, Tical, Shakwon, Ticallion Stallion, The Panty Raider, Johnny Dangerous, Blazini, MZA, Methical, Mr. Mef & Mr. Meth)

* Raekwon (The Chef, Lou Diamonds, Lex Diamonds & Shallah Raekwon)

* Inspectah Deck (The Rebel I.N.S. & Rollie Fingers)

* Cappadonna (Cappaccino)

Affiliates include:

* Killarmy

* Sunz of Man

* Gravediggaz

* Killah Priest

* Black Knights

* Royal Fam

* Shyheim

* Blue Raspberry

* Young Dirty Bastard

Producers include:

* RZA

* Mathematics

* True Master

* 4th Disciple

* Cilvaringz

* Bronze Nazareth

* Arabian Knight

the Executive foundation:

Mitchell “Divine” Diggs
Oliver “Power” Grant

GODFATHER OF HARLEM

SEASON 4

Release April 13, 2025

In Season 4 of Godfather of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the arrival of gangster Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn).

After Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic assassination, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise’s (Antionette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.

From Chris Brancato, creator of Narcos and Hotel Cocaine, Season Four stars Academy® Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, alongside Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Erik LaRay Harvey, Michael Raymond James, Elvis Nolasco, and Erik Palladino, and introduces Frank Lucas portrayed by Daytime Emmy® Award-winning and NBA Celebrity All-Star MVP winning actor Rome Flynn.

The first three seasons are currently available to stream on MGM+ and Hulu.

Produced by 20th Television, the series is executive produced by Chris Brancato, Paul Eckstein, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith, Ray Quinlan, Michael Panes, and Stephen Schiff, with Swizz Beatz serving as executive music producer.

About MGM+:

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of exclusive original series and docuseries, current movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM, Emmy-winning Godfather of Harlem, the Western adventure Billy the Kid, mystery Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, horror thriller The Institute, and the romantic adventure Robin Hood, along with cinematic dramatic series Rogue Heroes, Belgravia, and War of the Worlds. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including the critically acclaimed In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, Emmy-nominated Laurel Canyon, My Life as a Rolling Stone, NFL Icons, Hollywood Black, and The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood. Premium movies are also available, includingGladiator II, Nickel Boys, Blink Twice, Challengers, IF, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, The Beekeeper, American Fiction, and Mean Girls.

MGM+ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, digital distribution channels and the MGM+ app. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook,TikTok, and YouTube.

The Festival Only Jersey Could Handle’ Returns in June 2025 for a Third Season of Music, Film, Comedy and More

The festival, produced by NJPAC, reaches an audience of more than 250,000 annually.

Festival to offer Community Arts Awards to enable New Jersey artists to participate.

– Newark, NJ –The Prudential presents North to Shore Festival will return June

2025 to kick off the Garden State summer with another three-city celebration of the arts, entertainment, and new ideas.

Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, the Prudential presents North

to Shore Festival aims to spotlight New Jersey’s role as a destination for the arts and entertainment

and an incubator of new ideas and fresh talent.

Launched in 2023, the festival is a unique combination of performances by artists beloved both

internationally and in their hometowns.

In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows

in approximately 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City.

The 2025 festival will take place from June 9-29 and will be sponsored by Prudential Financial for the second year in a row.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will again produce the festival, in partnership with a

cohort of other live entertainment presenters and producing partners.

Once again, both global headliners and artists who hail from cities along the festival route will take

the stage in front of an audience drawn from across the region.

North to Shore Community Arts Awards will be given to artists, arts organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses to produce and

present free festival events. Additionally, the festival will now include season-long community engagement events in Atlantic City.

A complete list of free and ticketed festival events will be

shared at northtoshore.com in spring 2025. Free events featuring artists from Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City will be presented

alongside the festival’s headlining artists.

During the festival’s first two seasons, headliners

included New Jersey pop diva Halsey, hip hop legends Eric B. & Rakim, classic rocker Santana, New Jersey native Jack Antonoff’s The Bleachers, comedic powerhouse Kevin Hart, multi-platinum award-winning, singer/songwriter Prince Royce, four-time Grammy Award winner Gary

Clark, Jr., and multiple Latin Grammy award winner Marisa Monte.

“What separates North to Shore from other festivals is the breadth of experiences it offers,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “Whether you want to see the biggest names in

entertainment, discover the next big star, or listen to leading innovative voices, this festival has something for you.”

The festival will again collaborate with its local advisory groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and

Newark to provide North to Shore Community Arts Awards of up to $10,000 each.

The aim of the Community Arts Awards is to support New Jersey’s creative economy by providing a global
platform that amplifies the voices of under-recognized artists and arts organizations.

Awards will be granted to independent producers, small businesses, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations in each city to self-produce performing and visual arts events during the festival.

Additionally, awards ranging from $500 to $2,500 will be available for independent artists to perform as part of the festival on community stages in each city.

Local artists and organizations seeking Community Arts Awards can apply now by visiting NorthtoShore.com.

“Like our home state of New Jersey, the strength of this festival is rooted in its incredible diversity

and spirit of innovation,” said David Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer and Executive Vice

President. “We’re excited to take what we’ve learned the past two years and produce something
even bolder and even more Jersey.”

About the Prudential presents North to Shore Festival

The Prudential presents North to Shore Festival, launched in 2023, features all the talent, diversity
and creativity that New Jersey has to offer, delivering performances, screenings, parties and conversations in three of the state’s most iconic cities. In partnership with Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and Newark, the festival guarantees an over-the-top showcase of Jersey excellence, aligned with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision of a celebration worthy of the Garden State’s long legacy of innovation in the arts.

For the latest updates and new concert
listings, visit northtoshore.com.

About NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.

As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.

NJPAC

has attracted more than 11 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.

Black Women Film Network to Honor ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’ Star Aja Naomi King, Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright Katori Hall, and Tyler Perry Studios Exec Angi Bones During its 10th Annual Black Women Film Network Summit in Atlanta

‘Duplicity’ star Kat Graham, ‘Found’ co-showrunner
Sonay Hoffman among the featured speakers for the annual gathering of Black women in the entertainment industry

Atlanta, GA – March 1, 2025) – The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) is thrilled to announce its tenth Black Women Film Network Summit, set to take place on March 22, 2025, at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s Summit features an inspiring lineup of honorees and thought-provoking discussions centered around the theme “Plot Twist: The Art of The Pivot,”focusing on how Black women are successfully navigating change and redefining the future of film, TV, and the entertainment industry at large.

Now in its 28th year, the Black Women Film Network inspires and empowers Black women daily through programming as well as a strong social media presence on Facebook (@TheBWFN) and Instagram (@blackwomenfilm). Sponsored by NBCUniversal, and powered by CVENT, this year’s BWFN Summit marks a 10-year milestone celebration.

The Black Women Film Network Summit, the organization’s tentpole event, offers a unique opportunity for Black women at all points in their careers to hear from some of the industry’s most influential voices, network with like-minded professionals, and be inspired by the resilience and innovation that continues to drive change throughout the broad entertainment landscape. Summit highlights include fireside chats featuring Kat Graham, star of the upcoming film “Tyler Perry’s Duplicity,” and Sonay Hoffman, co-showrunner of NBC’s “Found”; as well as panels on funding, marketing and PR, and more. The programming lineup aims to inspire and empower Black women to strive and thrive even in a difficult climate.

In addition to a day of insightful and thought-provoking conversations, BWFN also hosts an annual awards luncheon to honor extraordinary women whose contributions and achievements have made a profound impact in their respective fields and the entertainment industry at large.

This year’s esteemed honorees include:

AJA NAOMI KING (AcceleratHER Award) – An acclaimed actress, producer, and activist, Aja Naomi King, has received NAACP Image award nominations for her memorable roles on the popular series “How to Get Away with Murder” and Sundance Film Festival hit “Birth of a Nation.” Recently, King starred in the Emmy Award-winning limited series, “Lessons in Chemistry,” where she earned an Emmy nomination in addition to Critics Choice Award and NAACP Image Award nominations for her work. To date, she has also been recognized at Essence Black Women in Hollywood for their Shining Star Award and featured as an honoree for Elle’s Women in Hollywood. A staunch advocate and philanthropist, King currently serves on the Artistic Advisory Board of Opening Act, an organization that provides students in New York City’s most underserved public high schools opportunities for critical development via the arts. Making her return to network TV, King currently dazzles alongside a stellar ensemble cast in NBC’s “Grosse Pointe Garden Society.”

KATORI HALL (StoryTellHER Award)- Katori Hall is an acclaimed writer and director of stage and screen. Her most recent play, The Hot Wing King, won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Katori also wrote the book for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book; West End, Olivier Award nominations). Her other notable works include The Mountaintop (2009 London debut, Olivier Award for Best New Play), Hurt Village, Our Lady of Kibeho, Children of Killers, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, and Hoodoo Love. Katori is currently the Showrunner and Executive Producer of “P-Valley,” the TV series adapted from her stage play Pussy Valley. The series has won four NAACP Image Awards, including the 2023 prize for Outstanding Drama, and multiple Emmy, Gotham, Independent Spirit, and GLAAD Media honor nominations. Recipient of the Susan Smith Blackburn Award, the Lark Play Development Center’s Playwrights of New York (PONY) Fellowship, two Lecompte du Nouy Prizes from Lincoln Center, the Fellowship of Southern Writers Bryan Family Award in Drama, the NYFA Fellowship, the 2010 Columbia University John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement, the 2023 Columbia’s University Medal of Excellence, the NBT’s August Wilson Playwriting Award, and the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award. Alumna of Sundance’s Episodic and Screenwriting Labs, and Ryan Murphy’s Half Foundation Directing Program.

ANGI BONES (ProducHER Award) – As President of Original Programming at Tyler Perry Studios, Bones is coming off a stellar year for TPS. Their Netflix film “The Six Triple Eight” about the unsung Black female postal battalion that sorted the mail against incredible circumstances to boost morale in World War II starring Kerry Washington and “Sistas” star Ebony Obsidian amassed more than 50 million viewers over four weeks, reaching the Top 10 in over 85 countries, scoring several NAACP Image Award nominations and an Oscar nomination for the song “Journey,” performed by H.E.R. and penned by Diane Warren. A top producer in her own right, Bones helped shape and diversify the Atlanta film and TV landscape before rising to her current position in 2021. Her 2025 TPS slate includes “Madea’s Destination Wedding,” “Straw” starring Taraji P. Henson, “Duplicity” starring Kat Graham, part two of the Netflix series “Beauty in Black,” and the new comedy series “She the People,” starring Terri J. Vaughn, among others.

DENISE WILLIAMS WATTS (Beacon Award) – In her position as the Global Editorial Director of Original Content at Apple Music, Watts oversees the creation and development of short-form content including programmatic and short-form documentaries. Watts’ distinguished career as a seasoned creative with an extensive background in video production and marketing includes her former position as VP of Creative & Visual Content at Warner Records, where she was the creative force behind projects for Bebe Rexha, Andra Day, Jason Derulo, and many more. A believer in giving back and uplifting others, Watts works with the Belize International Film Festival in her native country and is the co-founder of Honorable Women in Media (HWIM), a platform that allows women entertainment executives to celebrate each other and share their stories among their peers.

FELICIA JOSEPH (RainmakHER Award) – In her role as SVP of Casting, for Disney Entertainment Television, Joseph is a driving force behind the casting of numerous top television series, including “9-1-1,” “Abbott Elementary,” “High Potential,” “Shifting Gears” and “Will Trent.” During her tenure as senior vice president and head of Casting at MRC, she spearheaded casting for Emmy® Award-winning series such as “Ozark” and critically acclaimed hits like “The Great” and “Poker Face.” At NBCUniversal, she managed casting across more than 30 series, including “The Sinner” and “Queen of the South.” Highly anticipated projects for the 15-year casting veteran and Hampton University alum include “Only Murders in the Building” (season five), “Reasonable Doubt” (season three), and the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

“These trailblazers embody the spirit of transformation, overcoming challenges and creating or fostering groundbreaking work along the way,” said BWFN Board Chair and filmmaker Chiquita Lockley. “For almost three decades, BWFN has had boots on the ground cracking the door to create an entry point for women in film and TV. Our BWFN Summit is our biggest annual event and brings together all we do year-round. As our industry continues to evolve, often bringing uncertainty, we will continue to find ways to help our members navigate the pivot.”

###

Event Details:

Date: March 22, 2025

Location: Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets, Schedule & Registration:

https://web.cvent.com/event/dec81d2d-06f7-49d1-96f8-ed59df2e9df5/summary?rt=suBLmTIMD UqLA8XGzx592Q

About the Black Women Film Network (BWFN)

Established in 1997 as the Black Women Film Preservation Project, the organization was founded to preserve the voice of Black women in film and increase the number of women in the entertainment industry.

Rebranded as The Black Women Film Network (BWFN), our mission is to empower women of color to “tell the untold stories” through feature films, documentaries, television, and digital media. We provide effective programs that develop film entrepreneurs, engage new audiences, and bring awareness to the positive portrayal of women of color in content.

A 501(c)3 non-profit, BWFN provides student scholarships, hosts screenings and workshops, and honors individuals who have excelled in this difficult industry.

SOCIAL MEDIA/Web: #BWFN, #BlackWomenFilmNetwork; IG: @blackwomenfilm, Facebook: Black Women Film Network; blackwomenfilm.org

Renowned DJ, artist, and photographer D-Nice returns home to New York for an iconic 5th Anniversary Celebration of Club Quarantine

A multigenerational and multi-genre experience, Club Quarantine is a global celebration of music, life, and love. Since its inception, CQ has been a cultural linchpin, serving as a catalyst for innovation in music and social media to create a wholly unique event.

Now, Club Quarantine Live returns to The Apollo’s Historic Theater for a once-in-a-lifetime evening with D-Nice at home in Harlem. Join The Apollo, BrandNice, and legendary DJ D-Nice in celebrating five years of community, connection, and culture.

Following sold-out performances across the country, CQ5: New York will feature D-Nice with a special guests Case, Deborah Cox, De La Soul, Kenny Burns, Lisa Lisa, Shirley Jones, Rakim and Tracie Spencer, Melba Moore and more to be announced!

Premium Ticket Options:

Premium Orchestra or Premium Mezzanine tickets include access to an exclusive Welcome Reception event on Friday, March 21st at 7pm at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria.

After Party Tickets:
Tickets are also available for the After Party which will be held immediately following the 10pm show at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria.

Hip Hop Public Health

Special Event: SLY LIVES! Screening & Panel

On Feb. 28, our founder Dr. Olajide Williams will moderate a panel on Black genius and mental health following a special screening of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s new documentary, presented by Hulu, SLY LIVES! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), about the life of Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. Joining him will be Hip Hop Public Health Advisory Council artist Darryl “DMC” McDaniels!

Make sure to follow us on BlueSky or Instagram where we’ll share moments from the event. In the meantime, check out this interview with Questlove on NPR to learn more about the film.

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/10/nx-s1-5290223/questlove-sly-stone-black-genius

TERRENCE -BREEZE- THOMAS BREEZE MANAGEMENT

Q&A Interview with RE Classics
2/6/2025

Since our inception in 1988, RE Classics and RETV has always paid homage to the very best from the world of Hip Hop and Entertainment. That’s always been our mission.

The work and achievements of Terrence Thomas and his Breeze Management is just another example of the rich talent pool that Historic Jersey City, New Jersey has to offer. Check out and share part one of our profile on Breeze Management.


Terrence Thomas


What’s up? My brother.
RE Classics
What’s going on, man, how you.
Terrence Thomas
What’s up with you, man.


RE Classics


Hey Man, hanging tough man.


Terrence Thomas


Oh, man, you! You know I if I had your hand, I’ll trade mine in Bro.


RE Classics


LOL..Yo! I’m calling you breeze man, is that cool?
Thanks for doing this, it’s it’s definitely dope that you are doing this show in our hometown – Jersey City. You know, we we gotta definitely stick together and pool our resources and do lot of lot of positive things, you know?


Terrence Thomas


that’s cool. Bro. That’s what everybody calls me, anyway.
..Absolutely I just had this conversation 2 weeks ago. There’s a project coming up, but I don’t want to spill it yet. 
But Cheryl! I had a conversation with Cheryl Underwood. And she was like, T… You know what I’m I’m so glad you doing this because black comedy we really got to stick together and really keep it out there. Because and I have nothing against the Internet dudes at all. think all the Internet dudes that came up. They really doing their thing. The thing about comedy, though back in the day Peppermint Lounge Club 88. You know every those things you used to you. You gotta go up there and grind Bro.




RE Classics


Yes, sir.

Terrence Thomas


You got to go up there and you got to you know…Peppermint will tell you if you good tonight. If you’re not good tonight they are going to tell you are not good tonight. And that’s the type of love that you wanted to get, whether it’s good or not. If that’s the stinger, it is what it is. So my, vision as I get into it… And you ask me questions.. I will tell you my vision and and how it came about. All of this man. You know it’s just you’ve been in Jersey City long enough to know. And and my mantra about Jersey City is Jersey City made me Jersey City raised me, and you know, with my other career I’ve relocated 9 times around this country I lived up in Perrysburg, Ohio. I had all the Michigan I had all the way up to Ypsilanti. I had all that territory. So I know, moving around
 in different states. I’ve been blessed enough to feel that culture.
and it is giving me always giving me a great appreciation from Jersey City.
 Because if you can make it in Jersey, New York, tri-state area, you can make it anywhere. It’s proven. You can make it anywhere in this country.



RE Classics


No doubt, I agree. Let’s let’s jump right into it!


Terrence Thomas

Let’s roll, Bro. Let’s roll.


RE Classics

Let the people to know how’d you get started, you know, and with with the management company, What do you specializing in, you know, currently.


Terrence Thomas

Right. So how I got started and named it. Breeze management is my nickname – Breeze. One of my good friends back in grammar school. We called chill, chill gave me the name. Cool Breeze, because I was always the fast on the basketball court, track. He’s like we’ll name you cool breeze, so the breeze always stuck, but as I got older I was like I dropped that cool. I just need to have the breeze name.


So I used to always go see Bill Bellamy at the peppermint, and this is when I was still working my regular career job. But I was working nights. So if I had a night off, I was going Thursday nights to the peppermint to check out Bill. So fast forward to I was dating a young lady down 
in Atlanta. And she is a film, right? So she told me about this project. I said, what project you working on? She was like, I’m working with Bill Bellamy on this Who’s got jokes?
 So one day, I asked her about one of our boys that works with Bill and I asked, I said, Yo is my boy here? You seen him? So she said yeah, he’s here. I said, I’m gonna pull up on y’all.. pulled up on them hung out that night, and God bless
 Tommy Ford (R.I.P)! from Martin…So Tommy was on that show. So we all hung out one night. 
So we was meeting up, here and there, and Bill was just like, Hey, why don’t you come aboard? I was like Bro. I control a billion dollar corporation every day. I don’t have time to do this. I can’t do it. He was like, it’s really not that difficult. So we had conversation, I got into it a little bit dibbling, dabbling, and being his event manager. So I would..every city we would go to. I would schedule…I would
 contact promoters. I would meet promoters. So that kept going. So this was back in 2,000 – 2,001
 and at that point, I realized, if I’m gonna do this, I need to eliminate my personal name. I need to establish a company a LLC, so I ended up…You know the young lady I said I was dating, I was like what should I name it. she said. Well, you are always good at management. You’ve been doing management all your life, she said. Why don’t you just call it breeze management? 
I said, there it is. Let’s call it Breeze Management.


RE Classics

So now, what’s your current ventures and projects?

Terrence Thomas

You know the comedy show, believe it or not. This is my 1st produced comedy show that I’m producing, and I said that if I was gonna produce a show I wanted to produce it in my hometown. Nothing against, you know, Essex County, The Oranges. I love them all I do.
 However, I wanted something, a staple to say… I’m from Jersey City. and I want to do it in my city. So that’s the project I came up with, which you know, we’ll be doing that show next week.


My next venture is I got a Mother’s Day project. That actually, I’m gonna do down here in Jacksonville. And I just I came up with that concept a couple of weeks ago… I don’t want to say too much, because There’s some potent people in this lineup..I’m gonna do for mother’s day down here.

And then quiet as kept. I just talked to the theater in Jersey City, I said, hey! And I know we don’t celebrate Sweetest Day like that in October, up north…it’s more of a Southern thing but I said, listen, I still want to bring it – a Sweetest Day. I want to do it. October 18th Back here. They already gave me the nod to say, Yes, and I know exactly the lineup I want and who I want. It’s still gonna be Jersey based, not Jersey City based. It’s gonna be Jersey based until until I get to a point where I exhaust the talent in Jersey.

RE Classics

Let’s talk more about how JERSEY LOVE got in motion

Terrence Thomas

I want to represent the talent we got in Jersey. I want to represent some more talent out of Jersey City. I want to represent that because it that’s all about me giving back to the community. I feel right coming back and saying, because I will always come home, and my mom, daughters all, all still live there. The thing about it is that I have a humbleness about me. I have where I know where I came from in Jersey City. So my thing is coming back and giving to my community. And if I’m gonna give it, no one’s done a show like this in Jersey city because we never had a venue. We tried to like get into the Lowes, and I know they re-doing the Lowes. But it it’s just that, you know the times we live in.

The last 6 months Jersey City has been going through some traumatic stuff man like they’ve lost people. And these people connected to other people. And the the city just needs a lifting. It needs something to really laugh about. So I said, It’s the perfect time. And that’s why I said It’s Jersey love? It’s like everybody on that ticket, the majority is from Jersey City, including DJ Whiz! So I added, Bill Bellamy in there because he’s my guy. So I said, I want you to headline. I want you to do this. So he had no problem with it. We sat down with the team, worked out the numbers, the numbers worked. I got right on the call on the phone.
 I got on the phone with TK. Kirkland, Jersey City born. I want you TK. Got on the phone with my boy Artie Fuqua. Artie Fuqua went to Saint Peters Prep with me. Knew him, knew his sister, knew his parents, cause his parents have a daycare. Oh, shit! and they used to watch my daughter. My daughter used to go there. So it’s that whole small circle right then turned around Monique Latisse. We had Monique on another show in New York, and I always told Monique – Day one I said, You you are really gonna excel. And I said, I will keep my eye on you, and if I do something in Jersey, I’m coming to get you. Sure enough, I came. I circled back to get her, so she’s on it. I didn’t know who Gl Douglas was. But My daughter’s mother was just like, Hey, do you know who Gl is? I was like no, so that’s how I got Gl. And reached out and got her, and then low cash! Whiz told me about low cash, and I didn’t know low cash, and I said, That’s what I want. I want Monique, even though she’s from Patterson.
 They embrace her in Jersey City like she lives in Jersey City.
 So I didn’t want nobody else. That’s why I was called it – Jersey Love.
 because I just want Jersey love – people like TK, and I’ll tell you this, 
He’s been doing comedy for 40 years, and has never done a show in Jersey City.


RE Classics


Wow!


Terrence Thomas


So when I called him and told him what I wanted to do, he was like yo Bill hosting it we doing in Jersey City. I’m in. I’m I’m doing it. So that’s how we bought it all together. And then, my boy, wiz is is pretty much. My my brother, my big brother. We grew up together. I’ve been, I carried records, crates of records for him. Different parties. So it was a no brainer. Everybody knows that wiz is gonna do my music. So it it’s really a Jersey city thing, you know. Even my staff, when you meet them, is my family, either my daughters, my niece, my sister. I put them all on my staff to bring it in, so it’s a family thing. But the biggest thing of the family is a Jersey City family thing
– END OF PART ONE.

Keep checking back for the full video including part two of
Terrence – Breeze – Thomas’ incredible journey – on this platform and our You Tube
channel.

Limited tickets are still available for the JERSEY LOVE COMEDY SHOW –
Saturday February 15 – NJCU CENTER FOR THE ARTS –
MARGARET WILLIAMS THEATRE – 2039 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City NJ, 07305

For more Hip Hop and Entertainment log on to rapentertainment.com

Black History Month Double Feature Fridays in February on Bounce

[Atlanta, GA, February 7, 2025] – Throughout the month of February, Bounce, the popular broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network for black audiences, will honor the rich history, culture, and achievements of African Americans with a carefully curated selection of movies, documentaries, and special programming.

Bounce is committed to showcasing the diverse stories and experiences of Black people year round. During Black History Month, the network is offering a compelling programming lineup that not only highlights key historical moments but also celebrates the contemporary achievements of African Americans.

Highlights of Black History Month on Bounce:

Friday 2/7: Pioneers in Sports
Bounce XL Simulcast

TITLE: From The Rough
CAST: Taraji P. Henson, Tom Felton, Michael Clarke Duncan, Henry Simmons
PREMISE: Dr. Catana Starks becomes the first woman and the first African American woman to coach a men’s college golf team.

TITLE: From The Rough

CAST: Taraji P. Henson, Tom Felton, Michael Clarke Duncan, Henry Simmons

PREMISE: Dr. Catana Starks becomes the first woman and the first African American woman to coach a men’s college golf team.

TITLE: Glory Road

CAST: Derek Luke, Mehcad Brooks, Josh Lucas, Jon Voight

PREMISE: In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black college basketball team to the NCAA national championship to beat an undefeated all-white Kentucky team.

Friday 2/14: Music Legends

TITLE: Cadillac Records

CAST: Beyonce Knowles, Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Mos Def, Cedric The Entertainer

PREMISE: The compelling true-life story of the Chicago record label that helped the world discover such legendary artists as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Chuck Berry.

TITLE: Purple Rain

CAST: Prince, Kotero Apollonia, Morris Day

PREMISE: A young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.

SIMULCAST

Friday 2/21: Race Relations & The Law

Bounce XL Simulcast

TITLE: A Time To Kill

CAST: Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock

PREMISE: In Canton, Mississippi, a fearless young lawyer and his assistant defend a blackman accused of murdering two white men who raped his 10-year-old daughter, inciting a revolt by local racist groups.

TITLE: In The Heat Of The Night

CAST: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant

PREMISE: A black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.

Friday 2/28 : Trailblazers for Equality in Education

TITLE: Best Of Enemies

CAST: Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay

PREMISE: Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.

TITLE: Miss Virginia

CAST: Uzo Aduba, Niles Fitch, Vanessa Williams, Adina Porter

PREMISE: A struggling single mother sacrifices everything to give her son a good education. Unwilling to allow him to stay in a dangerous school, she launches a movement that could save his future, and that of thousands like him.

Simulcast

About Bounce TV:

Bounce (@bouncetv) features a programming mix of original series and movies,

theatrical motion pictures, off network series, specials and events designed for African

American audiences. Bounce is available to 98% of U.S. television homes free and over

the air with a digital antenna, on cable, on DISH channel 359, DIRECTV channel 82,

over the top on Roku, Pluto TV and Apple TV; on mobile devices via the Bounce app;

and on the web via BounceTV.com. Bounce XL is a free ad-supported television (FAST)

channel available on Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV and Xumo. Bounce is part of The

E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).