Gail Mitchell: Celebs Rumors

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The tide of Black women in country is a phenomenon that much of the world has suddenly become aware of, thanks to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and the lesser-known artists being championed through guest slots on the album. Does this mark the true signal change that advocates for diversity in country have long dreamed of? Or is the real progress within the ranks of the music industry that could allow young Black country artists so lacking that the current excitement might be destined to go down as a glorious blip? These were among the topics of a presentation by the Black Music Action Coalition at Live Nation’s Beverly Hills headquarters Wednesday, with Mickey Guyton, songwriter-artist INK (who is a key contributor to “Cowboy Carter”) and academic researcher Dr.

Thania Garcia Lil Baby will be honored with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the second annual Music in Action Awards Gala, hosted by the Black Music Action Coalition and taking place Sept. 22 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The ceremony will celebrate artists, executives, businesses, entrepreneurs, activists, and companies that have utilized their platforms to effect social change over the past year, according to BMAC. Lil Baby will be honored for his contribution to racial and social justice inside and outside of the music industry. Recently, the Atlanta-born rapper hosted his third annual “Back to School Fest” at Atlanta’s West End Mall. In partnership with Goodr, the event provided over 3,000 local children with music, games, carnival rides, food, backpacks, school supplies, and haircuts. Additionally, Lil Baby worked with Atlanta restaurateur Lemont Bradley to offer 100 jobs to young adults and established the $150,000 “My Turn” scholarship program for students at his former high school. Previous recipients of this award include the Weeknd and H.E.R. who both received the award at the inaugural Music in Action Awards Gala in 2021.

Shirley Ju Tank Credits Ginuwine & Aaliyah For “Showing Him The Ropes” Tank, the self-proclaimed “King of R&B,” has a mission: to represent the genre proudly. Recently, the Milkwaukee, Wisconsin native said as much on social media, reminding his followers that, “R&B is not dead because I am alive!” For 22 years, Tank has maintained his status as a well-respected vocalist in the genre, with five Grammy nominations and multiple albums topping Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Among his notable hits are 2001’s “Maybe I Deserve,” 2007’s “Please Don’t Go,” 2017’s “When We,” and most recently, “I Deserve,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart.