The Root

The city of New Orleans might still be recovering from hosting the Super Bowl, but that's not stopping the birthplace of jazz music from getting ready to celebrate it's biggest annual holiday this year.Read more...

It's been three years since the slap heard around the world went down at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony when Will Smith rushed the stage and took a blow at host Chris Rock after he jokes about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the ceremony. Although Rock wasn't on hand at this year's show, he did pop out at...Read more...

The Oscars returned with a bang on Sunday night. The 97th Annual Academy Awards aired on Sunday evening, recognizing the best cinema had to offer this year from blockbuster juggernauts like Wicked" and Dune: Part Two," to critical favorites like Nickel Boys" and The Substance." - Jared AlexanderRead more...

As if Sean Diddy" Combs' life couldn't get any worse than it already is, it appears the disgraced music mogul's reputation was further thrown under the bus thanks to an ex-employee and Danity Kane member Aubrey O'Day.Read more...

Tony Todd's family expected the late actor to be honored along with several others during the 2025 Oscars In Memoriam tribute. However, they immediately became frustrated with the Academy Award's treatment when his name wasn't included.Read more...

SZA's world domination is truly something to behold. The R&B songstress is seemingly everywhere, cleaning up at the Grammys, hitting the Super Bowl stage alongside Kendrick Lamar, and dropping viral hit songs like it's nothing. One could say 2025 is SZA's year, the same could've been said in 2024 (when she dropped...Read more...

Wicked" may have only walked away with two Oscars at last night's Academy Awards ceremony, but there's no doubt that the movie's stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, got plenty of love from those who watched their emotional duet, which opened the show. Erivo and Grande were shut out of their Best Actress and Best...Read more...

The internet is still buzzing about Adam Sandler's bizarre Oscars outfit on Sunday, March 2. While stars like Colman Domingo and Cynthia Erivo opted for designer's tailored and stunning ensembles for the 97th annual Academy Awards, Sandler's casual approach was so noticeable that even host Conan O'Brien called him out...Read more...

As fans remember and revisit the music that Angie Stone left behind after her shocking death, they are also learning about things that they previously never knew about the accomplished soul singer. In clips that have been reshared on the internet, Stone talks about the struggles she had to endure throughout her career.Read more...

In times like these, when disinformation and scams have found a way into practically every aspect of our culture, it's easy to understand why you might side-eye an email warning you that your Google account is going to be deleted, because if you didn't fall for that pyramid marketing scam that landed in your inbox...Read more...

Do you believe in fairytales? Well, after hearing the story of how Oscar nominee Colman Domingo and his husband, Raul, first met, you'd be convinced that fate really does exist!Read more...

Behind the spotlight of police brutality and justice rallies in 2020, a very sinister crime occurred claiming the life of a 70-year-old woman. The woman's granddaughter was charged with her killing and now, the judge has delivered a verdict determining her fate.Read more...

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance is still making noise and now people are doing his two-step down the aisle! Will the Kenny two-step be replacing the electric side? Is it the new dance for the Millennial and Gen-Z folk. Either way, one thing that is undeniable is that Kung Fu Kenny is wedding certified!Read more...

Jim Jones is in a precarious situation. He's beefing with 50 Cent and Cam'ron, two of the loudest and most petty individuals in all of hip-hop. However, Jones has no plans of backing down from either one of them.Read more...

The Trump administration has made a huge impact on America's federal workforce - and not in a good way. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by billionaire Elon Musk, has fired both new and career workers less than just two months after it formed. Even though the agency stated that large-scale...Read more...

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Baltimore police are investigating a road rage incident after a driver nearly hit a bike rider as he rode down the street. However, in shocking video footage, the suspect appeared to be even angrier than the biker and went all the way off.Read more...

We know America runs on Dunkin'" but this New Jersey man allegedly took the company slogan to a whole new level after police connected him to at least 14 different robberies across the state. According to officials, a weeks-long investigation into the burglary string led police to the 24-year-old man.

After shining at the 2025 Oscars, stars and celebs alike traditionally head on over to the second most popular spot in Hollywood that night: the Vanity Fair Oscar Party! Whether it's the always debonair Colman Domingo or the super sultry Jodie Turner-Smith, our Black faves made sure to step in major style.Read more...

Even though Conan O'Brien is the one who made the joke about the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef during the 2025 Oscars, the person who wrote the joke seems to be getting the most heat for it.Read more...

We finally know what will happen to the Georgia cop behind the fatal shooting of a Black man who was just exonerated from a wrongful conviction before his death: absolutely nothing. Prosecutors made their decision about whether the cop should face charges.Read more...

Celebrities are used to dealing with crazed fans, but one man is catching heat after a series of weird celebrity encounters is making its way around the internet. It all started when the man named Israel approached actress Taraji P. Henson outside of a hotel while she was headed to the Essence Women in Hollywood gala...Read more...

Last week, we told you about journalist Don Lemon's shocking confession that he frequently gets approached by MAGA men trying to shoot their shot while reporting at Republican events across the country. While that admission definitely raised some eyebrows, Lemon just dropped another bomb on us that has the internet in...Read more...

Though the 2025 Oscars had it's fair share of high moments, one of the lows was unfortunately the highly-anticipated Quincy Jones tribute led by Queen Latifah. And folks on social media aren't mincing words about it!Read more...

From being a possible plus one at industry events to having lavish star-studded playdates, there are plenty of perks that can come with being the child of a famous rapper. Just ask O'Shea Jackson Jr., son of rapper-actor Ice Cube. In a recent interview with Julian Edelman on the Games With Names" podcast, Jackson...Read more...

Bad Boy Entertainment founder and rapper Sean Diddy' Combs is facing a three-count federal indictment including charges of racketeering and sex trafficking against an alleged three victims. However, his legal troubles didn't begin here but approximately a a few dozen lawsuits later.Read more...

Though Halle Berry didn't walk away with any gold at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, she still secured a golden moment at the prestigious ceremony with the help of fellow actor Adrien Brody. And you won't believe how they did it!Read more...

Middle school students at Travis Intermediate School, located in North Texas, allegedly applied tattoos to each other using temporary ink and the same needle. Now, the teachers who were assigned to the classrooms where the incidents took place have been suspended pending the results of an investigation.Read more...

The Oscars are over, and what an exciting night it was! There were so many stars on the red carpet ready to be recognized for the incredible work they put into the films nominated. Paul Tazewell made history by being the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design. Rightfully so, the costume design in Wicked...Read more...

The Oscars returned with a bang on Sunday night. The 97th Annual Academy Awards aired on Sunday evening, recognizing the best cinema had to offer this year from blockbuster juggernauts like Wicked" and Dune: Part Two," to critical favorites like Nickel Boys" and The Substance."

The world lost a legend on November 3, 2024, when Quincy Jones passed away at age 91. For more than half a century, the musician, composer and producer was responsible for bringing us unforgettable music and movies, working with legends like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and Celine Dion.Read more...

Black stars and celebs showed up and showed out at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday and you've to get into all the goodness. From stars like Wicked's" Cynthia Erivo to Sing Sing" stars Clarence Maclin and Divine G-our faves made sure to end awards season on bang.Read more...

Queen Latifah may be royal when it comes to the rap game and the acting game, but her singing took centerstage at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday during her Quincy Jones tribute.Read more...

It's Oscars season once again. The Academy Awards are back for their 97th year, bringing Hollywood together for cinema's biggest night as we celebrate the best the film industry has to offer. Stars like Cynthia Erivo, Zoe Saldana, Coleman Domingo and more are nominated in acting categories this year, two of whom are...Read more...

The Hip-Hip community is taking a hit after music executive Kevin Liles is now facing serious allegations. According to a lawsuit filed on Thursday (Feb. 27), the former Def Jam president is being sued for alleged sexual assault during his time as president. - Phenix S HalleyRead more...

While there are some famous faces we always hope to see walk away with the Oscar (looking at you Colman Domingo and Cynthia Erivo), given what we know of this famous awards show's history-we're preparing ourselves for things to go a different way. After all, the Academy Awards have an unfortunate history of not...Read more...

Every year before the Oscars, Black Celebs come together at the Black Women in Hollywood Brunch" in Los Angeles. And while there's always good conversations and tributes, we come for the looks and this year did not disappoint. Everybody who showed at the event hosted by Essence, took their invite seriously and ate-and...Read more...

Real Housewives of Potomac" star Dr. Wendy Osefo is breaking her silence about her costar Karen Huger's recent DUI prison sentence. And she's not holding back!Read more...

Singer, dancer, and flute player extraordinaire Lizzo has been going viral on social media, and it's not because of her music-although her music is still good-and it ain't because of the lawsuit her dancers filed against her-that case was dropped. Everyone is talking about how different and gorgeous she looks .Read more...

Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, reminded us all on Feb. 9 exactly why Democrats are as soft as Charmin toilet tissue. Maybe even softer.Read more...

You can always count on the Philadelphia Eagles to stand on business! After their second Super Bowl win, the NFL team make it clear they have no plans to follow tradition and accept President Donald J. Trump's invitation to the White House. - Phenix S Halley Read MoreRead more...

The small city of Bogalusa, La. made big headlines when its 25-year-old mayor was arrested and charged in connection to an alleged drug trafficking ring. Now, Mayor Tyrin Truong is speaking to the press for the first time since his arrest two months ago.

With Sean Diddy" Combs facing a slew of felonies, his lawyers are doing everything they can to take some weight off their already hefty load. In their newest attempt, Combs' attorneys are going after Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee with major allegations.Read more...

During his prime, Quincy Jones helped write, compose, and arrange some of the greatest pop hits in modern history for some legendary artists, including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, and many more.Read more...

The news of a Black man allegedly being slain by a white woman who turned out to be his girlfriend (during Black History Month btw) shocked many Black readers. However, when a few people did some digging into the victim's social media profile... they were traded in their remorse for disgust.Read more...

March 2 is Read Across America Day. The day, which is meant to encourage and celebrate a love of reading in young people, might sound like a great idea if you've been watching the news lately. Luckily, there are plenty of great new books by Black authors that have hit the shelves and are just perfect for curling up...Read more...

Friday'smalice at the White House - in which Donald Trump tried to browbeat Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - evokes thoughts of the recent Marvel film, Captain America: Brave New World." Stay with me on this.Read more...

An attorney who worked for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been accused of disturbing online behavior. James Rodden, who worked as the agency's assistant chief counsel, allegedly operated a racist, bigoted, xenophobic, hateful, harassing and dishonest" X account, according to a legal complaint...Read more...

While Black leaders have been seemingly mute when it comes to holding Donald Trump accountable for his attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett has once again publicly condemned him. In an exclusive interview with The Root last week, Crockett pointed out how white women-not...Read more...

Updated as of 2/28/2025 at 6:00 p.m. ETRead more...