Benjamin William Lattimore, better known professionally as Latimore, the acclaimed blues and R&B singer, songwriter and pianist whose soulful voice made “Let’s Straighten It Out” a Southern soul classic, has died in August 2026 at the age of 86. Born in Charleston, Tennessee, in 1939, Latimore was influenced from an early age by country music, the…
The world of film and television is mourning the loss of acclaimed actor Michael Wright, best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Eddie King Jr. in the beloved 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. Wright died at the age of 70. Born April 30, 1956, in New York, Wright attended the now-defunct New Lincoln School before studying acting at the…
Hip-hop legends are coming together for a celebration that promises to bring generations of music fans under one roof! LL Cool J is bringing the Rock the Bells Festival back to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for a special “Home for the Holidays” Thanksgiving weekend celebration on Nov. 29. The star-studded lineup includes…
The music world is mourning the loss of Curtis “Curt-T-T” Bedeau, the guitarist, vocalist and founding member of the legendary Brooklyn R&B and hip-hop group Full Force. Bedeau passed away on August 17, 2026. He was an original member of the group, which has been making music since 1976. A cause of death has not…
Finally, the legal battle over the legendary Isley Brothers name is over. Ronald Isley and the estate of his late brother, Rudolph Isley, have reached an out-of-court settlement, bringing their years-long federal trademark dispute over the name “The Isley Brothers” to an end. Attorneys for both sides filed a stipulation of dismissal in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday,…
Super Bowl champion and longtime NFL analyst Damien Woody is leaving ESPN after 15 years with the network. Woody, 48, confirmed that his ESPN contract will not be renewed. He will remain on the air through the end of the month, including Thursday, by his own choice. The former offensive lineman enjoyed a successful 12-year…
Boris Kodjoe is headed to Fox’s crime drama “Memory of a Killer.” The Station 19 veteran has joined the cast for the show’s upcoming second season in a recurring role. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere at midseason in 2027. Kodjoe will portray Tré, the “Fourth Musketeer” and closest childhood friend of Angelo Flannery, played by Patrick Dempsey, Michael…
Let’s get ready to rumble! R&B fans may want to clear their calendars for August 20 because Donell Jones says he and fellow R&B powerhouse Joe are preparing to go head-to-head in an upcoming VERZUZ battle. The announcement came from Jones himself backstage at the Wine & Slow Jams Festival in Maryland on Saturday, August 8, where the…
Damon Wayans is checking into NBC’s St. Denis Medical for the Season 3 premiere, and he’s bringing some serious ’90s comedy nostalgia with him. Wayans will guest star as Dr. Highland, a charming but pompous new physician who arrives at the underfunded Oregon hospital while David Alan Grier’s character, Ron, recovers from surgery. The appearance will reunite Wayans…
Michael J. Fox is set to receive one of the television industry’s most prestigious honors — the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award — at the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026. The Television Academy announced that Fox will be honored for his transformative contributions to Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy, recognizing decades of humanitarian work…
