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Abdu Ali sees beyond music and Baltimore with national arts grant
Abdu Ali goes in depth about their new USA Fellowship, the struggles of being a consistent artist and how arts institutions in Baltimore can do better.
Abdu Ali poses for a portrait in their neighborhood, in Baltimore, Monday, February 13, 2023.
The Culture Report: Tate Kobang on his Grammy win with Beyoncé
Baltimore rapper Tate Kobang talks about writing Beyoncé’s “Virgo's Groove” and what it means to be part of a Grammy-winning album.
Tate Kobang
Beyoncé’s Grammy win is a win for Baltimore, too
The global pop star’s win for Best Dance/Electronic Album gave Baltimore rapper Tate Kobang claim to the award as well.
Beyoncé smiles as she accepts a Grammy Award wearing a gown and standing in front of a microphone.
The Culture Report: Baltimore at the Grammys and a look back at a classic track
Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile is up for three Grammys on Sunday. Also, the late Baltimore rapper Smash’s breakout hit “A Bit Too Much For Me” turns 15.
Turnstile, the hardcore band from Baltimore, is pictured performing in a black and white photo.
Rap Research Lab takes an analytical look at the artistry of hip-hop
Tahir Hemphill’s new exhibition at UMBC outlines the intersection of hip-hop, data analysis and visual art.
Tahir Hemphill takes a portrait in his exhibition focused on his many multimedia works, and data visualization in his gallery space at UMBC in Baltimore, Md., on February 2, 2023.
January’s best local rap and R&B
Get your playlists ready: here’s the best the first month of 2023 had to offer in rap and R&B.
Man with microphone, woman recording, pressing play on music app
The Culture Report: Two Baltimore artists selected for prestigious national fellowship
Abdu Ali and Krystal C. Mack were awarded $50,000 each from the prestigious Chicago-based USA Artists Fellowship.
Abdu Ali by Amira Green
The Culture Report: Shordie Shordie returns home
Baltimore rapper Shordie Shordie is coming to The Fillmore Silver Spring for a headlining tour.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Shordie Shordie onstage at the 2019 BET Experience DJ Hed Presents Kicksperience Sponsored by Sprite at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
The Culture Report: A look ahead at 2023 with Chris Rock, the BMA and more
A look into some of the most promising arts and culture-related things Baltimore has coming in 2023.
Comedian Chris Rock holds a microphone while performing. He's wearing glasses, a dark jacket and blue shirt.
The Culture Report: Baltimore Bikelife hits the streets of Accra
Baltimore dirtbike superstar Chino Braxton found himself in Accra, Ghana this week hitting wheelies with Baltimore kids who have idolized his daredevil skills over the years.
A motorcyclist with Dirt 2 Streets rides in the 29th annual Kingdom Day Parade on January 20, 2014.
The 10 Best Rap and R&B Albums of 2022
A look into the best projects from Baltimore and The DMV’s rap and R&B scenes this year, according to Baltimore Banner staff and freelancers.
Young Black folks dancing in the club
The 20 Best Rap and R&B Songs of 2022
The Baltimore Banner staff's picks for the best rap and R&B songs of 2022.
Man with microphone, woman recording, pressing play on music app
From Beethoven vs. Beyoncé to Drake vs. Tchaikovsky, the BSO pairs the old with the new
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s fusion series bridges the legends of classical music and contemporary pop megastars.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is holding a series of fusion concert that meld contemporary music with classical, including a show this year that showcased Brahms v. Radiohead.
The Culture Report: YGG Tay’s downfall is tragic for all involved
The rapper's legal troubles underline a greater issue where artists are incentivized to make sure the Scarface-ified lifestyle in their music lines up perfectly with real life.
YGG Tay in 2016.
The Culture Report: The Afro’s Christmas celebration, art workshops at The Walters and more
This week I cover the historic AFRO newspaper’s annual (60+ years and counting) Mrs. Santa holiday giveaway, a cool art-making class at the Walters for your weekend outing and a new Christmas carol cover by D.C. singer Ari Lennox.
The Walters Art Museum.
The Culture Report: Rico Nasty teases a new track, Jamal Bryant wants to grow weed
In this week's culture report, Lawrence Burney covers a newly-teased Rico Nasty song, pastor Jamal Bryant contemplating the marijuana business and social media sensation Druski planning a comedy show in Baltimore.
INDIO, CA - APRIL 14:  Rico Nasty performs at Mojave Tent during the 2019 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 14, 2019 in Indio, California.
The Culture Report: COVID conversations, Baltimore’s club music impact and more
In this week’s Culture Report, Lawrence Burney highlights the best Baltimore club rap from the year, D.C.’s Shy Glizzy’s new platinum record and a new video series aiming to get more Black Baltimoreans vaccinated against COVID-19.
A healthcare worker prepares a dose of the COVID-19 bivalent booster at the start of a vaccination campaign for people 80 years and older, in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.
November’s best local rap and R&B
Here’s our final monthly roundup of the year, picking some of the best November had to offer from the Baltimore and DMV area.
Man with microphone, woman recording, pressing play on music app
An afternoon with trumpeter Brandon Woody
You may or may have not seen Woody around town on festival stages, on a Calvin Klein billboard shot by SHAN Wallace or entertaining a wine glass-gripping crowd at the Eubie Blake’s courtyard.
Trumpeter Brandon Woody, performs during a show at the Eaton Hotel in Washington, D.C on November 23, 2022.
The Culture Report: Tupac Shakur’s teen residence for sale
Plus new music from Baltimore rapper Rican Da Menace, and information on Park Heights artist Yg Teck’s Thanksgiving turkey drive.
Tupac Shakur in a scene from the film 'Gridlock'd', 1997. (Photo by Gramercy Pictures/Getty Images)
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