The 31st Annual HOT 97 Summer Jam was a night to remember, lighting up the Prudential Center on June 20th with high-energy performances, surprise tributes, and a crowd that came ready to celebrate Hip Hop in all its glory.
During the beautiful spring of May—fittingly, as “May(美)” means beauty in Chinese—we interviewed A2O May following their debut under A2O Entertainment, the new label founded by legendary K-pop producer Lee Soo Man. The interview took place in Los Angeles after their first-ever live festival performance at the iconic iHeartRadio Wango Tango.
The Arti$t
The Arti$t is a genre-blurring force redefining what it means to be a creator in today’s music landscape. With a style that merges soulful vocals, raw storytelling, and experimental soundscapes, she’s become a standout voice for a new generation of boundary-pushing Black musicians. Beyond the mic, she’s a multi-hyphenate visionary. Some of her forward-thinking acumen includes directing her visuals, shaping her aesthetic, and moving with the mindset of a true creative entrepreneur.
We’re closing out the month with some of our favorite new releases. In this edition of our NMR, you’ll find music from Bender, Lunnari, Whipped Cream, and more.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Long Island University Brooklyn — In honor of New York City’s Music Month this June, Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment hosted a Fireside Chat featuring two prominent figures in the entertainment industry: Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, producer, and Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program at the Roc Nation School, Young Guru and Roc Nation A&R Manager and adjunct professor at the Roc Nation School, Anthony Cruz, whose genre-spanning credits include Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Ricky Martin, Ne-Yo, Jessie J, and J. Cole.
Rain or shine, nothing could stop the energy at this year’s All About Us Festival, which returned to Jersey City’s waterfront for its third, and biggest, year yet. The event transformed the area into a vibrant celebration of Black excellence, culture, and freedom.
After solidifying his legacy with the creation of the classic “Cupid Shuffle” back in the early aughts, Bryson “Cupid” Bernard is back with another track prime for all the summer BBQs and family reunions to come this upcoming Summer season and beyond: “The Cookout.”
British Consul General Paul Rennie welcomed industry insiders to his home this week as he kicked off the first-ever UK Music Tech Trade Mission in conjunction with the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade here in Los Angeles.
After a whirlwind year releasing their debut album and touring alongside The Driver Era, this band’s shared creative vision continues to take shape.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and hip-hop icon Sandra “Pepa” Denton hosted Rhythm & Kicks, an intimate Hollywood Hills event that blended sneaker culture, music, and philanthropy to raise awareness for sickle cell disease—a condition that disproportionately impacts the Black community.