6 Top Streaming Songs That Remind Us Michael Jackson Is Still That Dude Posthumously
Fans are flocking back to the King of Pop’s music catalog
As anticipation builds around the newly-released trailer for Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, fans are flocking back to the King of Pop’s music catalog to revisit the songs and visuals that made him a global icon long before the streaming era existed.
Michael Jackson’s artistry has always lived at the intersection of music, film, and spectacle and YouTube’s streaming numbers continue to prove it. To understand which classics still command the biggest digital listeners today, BLACK ENTERPRISE looked at his top-streamed videos on YouTube and here’s what we learned.
Billie Jean
“Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson’s iconic 1982 hit, features a memorable bassline and a video that teases the moonwalk. The official video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube by June 2021, making it his most-viewed video (approx. 1.96 billion views), according to YouTube stats.
Beat It
“Beat It,” a 1983 genre-blending anthem by Michael Jackson, mixes pop and rock with a star-studded video where a young Wesley Snipes has a cameo as a dancer. The official 4K version surpassed one billion views on YouTube, making it the second highest streaming MJ video online with about 1.23 billion views.
They Don’t Care About Us (Brazil version)
“They Don’t Care About Us” is a socially-conscious track that came out in 1995. The video, directed by Spike Lee and filmed in Brazil, also surpassed one billion YouTube views in April 2023. The song currently holds the third spot in Michael Jackson’s YouTube catalog with 1.22 billion views.
Smooth Criminal
“Smooth Criminal,” is a 1987 hit that features Michael Jackson’s iconic “lean.” The music video segment from the film Moonwalker album extended the video. In October 2024, the official video crossed the 1 billion mark on YouTube, making it the fourth most viewed video on MJ’s YouTube/Vevo channel with around 1.12 billion views.
“Bad” (shortened version) by Jackson is the 1987 title track from the Michael Jackson album. The shortened “Bad” video is a version for YouTube. The “Bad” video sits at 522 million views.
David Banner: Stillness, Systems, and Self-Mastery: A Revolutionary Path
The 51-year-old Mississippi native has intentionally defined his contemporary legacy.
SANCTUARY FROM THE DIGITAL NOISE.
Lavell William Crump, known globally as David Banner, is one of hip-hop’s most compelling figures—a platinum-selling producer, incandescent rapper, and entrepreneur who operates as a CEO, futurist, and outspoken cultural critic.
The Mississippi native has intentionally defined his contemporary legacy by championing systemic change and economic self-determination, often years ahead of the mainstream conversation.
His influence spans from defining the essential, aggressive contours of the Southern sound to advocating for radical mental wellness and establishing vital business infrastructure for Black creators.
Banner’s professional journey began not with immediate solo stardom, but with intellectual curiosity and regional pride. He first emerged as a founding member of the duo Crooked Lettaz in the late 1990s, cultivating a raw, geographically specific sound that served as a necessary challenge to the traditional coastal dominance of hip-hop.
The foundation soon fueled an explosive solo career, propelling the distinctive, bass-heavy production signature of the South to the top of the national charts.
As a producer, he crafted anthems that were simultaneously commercially dominant and socially resonant. His signature work—from the infectious swagger of T.I.’s “Rubber Band Man” to his own politically charged club hits—cemented his status as a sonic architect who understood precisely how to manipulate the market while moving the culture. Furthermore, his creative ambition did not halt at the mixing board; Banner seamlessly translated his commanding presence to the screen, embarking on an acting career with roles in films such as Black Snake Moan and television series including P-Valley, demonstrating a versatility that extended his influence into cinematic storytelling.
The relentless demands and intense scrutiny of the entertainment machine—a ceaseless gauntlet of studio sessions, national tours, and the establishment of ventures like Banner Vision—eventually extracted a severe, debilitating toll.
For years, the Grammy-winning producer struggled publicly with significant physical health scares, including chronic fatigue and dramatic weight fluctuations brought on by the unyielding stress of creative and corporate demands. This period of physical and psychological turmoil culminated in what he has described as a fundamental awakening, forcing him to confront the systemic neglect of self that the industry demands and often rewards.
Crucially, Banner transcended the role of artist by becoming one of the first major hip-hop figures to openly and vulnerably address his struggles with clinical depression and anxiety. He used his reach and platform to help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and the music industry while “making peace with God.”
He characterized the industry’s ceaseless demands as a form of spiritual and psychological warfare, detailing periods when the crushing weight of expectation and the systemic lack of internal support nearly broke him. He realized that the most significant, most existential struggle was not against external industry politics, but against his own internal equilibrium, and concluded that his lifelong journey of advocacy and production could only continue if he found a path to sustained wellness.
This shift—from external battle to radical self-preservation—required him to redefine his relationship with visibility and success. To ensure his own survival, Banner began to champion stillness and Transcendental Meditation not as abstract spiritual luxuries, but as critical, non-negotiable tools for sustained existence.
Banner realized that his advocacy, production, and business acumen could only continue if he strategically changed his engagement with the hyper-connected world that demanded his energy and attention.
Banner’s current philosophy became clear: opulence and the good life were not measured in financial output or celebrity cachet, but in protected energy and a clarity of purpose.
The rapper’s perspective now serves as the bedrock of his teaching—a strategic, almost monastic withdrawal to ensure a lasting legacy and unimpeachable discernment.
For Mississippi’s son, one of the industry’s most successful artists and producers, the path to technological and artistic opulence demanded austerity in its highest form: intentional disconnection. Having achieved feats in technology and music he “wouldn’t have even dreamed,” Banner maintains an almost monastic focus, purposefully avoiding news, celebrity gossip, and social anarchy.
Banner’s deliberate isolation is not born of apathy, but of spiritual discernment, relying solely on a trusted inner circle to filter essential truths.
The Doctrine of Discernment
“My life’s path, whether in music or business, is defined by the spirit of discernment. I can look to a mentor, for example, but their journey cannot dictate mine. God may be calling me in such a special way that others can’t relate. My job is to take the plate, pick off what is good, and understand that some messages are meant for later, not now.”
Banner emphasizes the intensely personal nature of his vocation:
“My path is different than anybody else’s.”
This acceptance of a unique, often misunderstood path extends to the creative world. “If you accept the story of David—a figure who was treacherous, yet called ‘God’s man’—you must accept that the paths of artists and revolutionaries are rarely linear. David was an artist whose Psalms are essentially verses. My ultimate lesson is to mind your business and ensure your life is right before you preach to others.”
The Power of Being Still
The key to accessing genius, Banner posits, lies in Transcendental Meditation (TM). Beyond spirituality, TM became a doorway to an acute stillness, allowing the mind and body to become so calm that Banner could feel the blood running through his veins. This stillness is critical for receiving “downloads”—the inspired, creative frequencies Michael Jackson and Prince famously sought—which are otherwise obscured by the world’s “noisy” spirituality.
“I think we pray too much, because if you’re running your mouth, how can you hear God?”
True leadership, Banner argues, is not in saving a community but in saving oneself first; to be a “constant example” rather than a guru preaching without personal proof.
The Mandate of Self-Worship
This doctrine of self-salvation is inextricably linked to self-worth, learned through a provocative question from his therapist: “You’re Black. Why don’t you treat you the way that you want to see Black people treated?”
For Banner, this realization mandated a revolution in self-treatment, understanding that personal opulence is not merely a flex but a necessary standard-bearer of value. When he drove a Bentley, having already accumulated credits with Quincy Jones and Lil Wayne, Banner observed that industry players finally saw him not as a talented artist, but as a producer who paid himself six figures.
His ultimate affirmation is rooted in divine choice: “You are exactly what you say you are.” Since God affords every person the choice to be a god or a whore, a choice he deems the singular power of human existence, Banner chooses self-love and opulence, accepting his success not as “luck,” but as what it is supposed to be.
The Anti-Savior Doctrine and Future Vision
The journey to opulence requires letting go of the savior complex. “I used to want to save everybody, but realized: ‘I ain’t Jesus. That ain’t my place.'” Banner states that we get depressed when we try to do something that is not our job.
He draws a hard line on his personal responsibilities:
“My job ain’t to save all Black people.”
Some people are meant to sit in their valley and suffer; we are not God, and we cannot interfere with that process. Our only job is to give the word.
This word may not be for today’s kids. An artist like Basquiat was so far ahead of his time that he never saw his full blessing actualized. “Perhaps my message is for people a thousand years from now. You must be OK with being in the world alone, as solitude is where we truly enter the presence of God.”
Banner’s immediate future vision is sci-fi. Sci-fi is simply preparation for the future. Since Black people are often not integral to the genre, it means others are preparing our future for us. Black children, men, and women are our responsibility. We must heed the lessons of the movie strike, where tech companies sought to take our likenesses and residuals, and realize we must take control of our narrative.
Banner Vision: Building Generational Systems
“My company, Banner Vision, is a synthesis of my influences, from A Tribe Called Quest to Ice Cube’s ‘Cube Vision.'” There is no way for me to do this alone. Banner realized that if he didn’t build a team, the company would stop every time he stepped away to get a download. He needs people to help him, which is why he surrounds himself with amazing producers whose dreams align with the work.
The wealth Banner accumulates—his quiet money—is essential for this freedom. Banner explains, “I won’t detail how I make it because if I tell you all the ways, people disagree with my mouth and stop what I’m doing. That silence is part of my freedom.” This independence allows him to define his standards, understanding that opulence is a vibration, not a dollar figure. It’s not about the material; it’s the vibration.
The real money and the real revolution are in building systems.
“Systems last for generations.”
Colonization and religion have shown that systems can transcend decades. Instead of fighting “the man,” we need to set up systems in publishing and music and simply pay our people right. At Banner Vision, the company not only makes movies (like serving as an executive producer on Jill Scott’s new album), but also develops technology. Although they use it for entertainment, Banner Vision’s ultimate purpose is to use tech to push Black people into the future.
Jamaica’s Consul General To New York, Alsion Roach Wilson, Has Died
She was the founder of her own financial consulting firm, the Alsion Roach Group, following a celebrated Wall Street career.
Alsion Roach Wilson, Jamaica’s highly regarded Consul General to New York since 2019, has died at her New York home, officials announced last week.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed the passing with “deep sadness” and praised Wilson’s exemplary service as the eleventh person to hold the post.
“Consul-General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence during her tenure from July 2019 to present,” Johnson Smith said in a statement. “Her accomplishments defy the time during which she served with deep commitment to country, the foreign service and indeed to Jamaicans at home and abroad.”
A respected figure in finance before entering diplomatic service, Wilson was known for her dedication to the diaspora, overseeing Jamaica’s interests in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and 33 U.S. states. She was the founder of her own financial consulting firm, the Alsion Roach Group, following a celebrated Wall Street career, which included senior roles at Bear Stearns and Greylock Capital Management.
During her tenure, the diplomat notably spearheaded an assistance program for Jamaican medical professionals overseas to aid the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also chaired the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Consular Corps in New York, focusing on enhancing regional collaboration.
On Nov. 8, New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences, stating via Twitter, “I’m saddened by the passing of the Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Alsion Roach Wilson. She was a committed diplomat who strengthened our ties with Jamaica and the Jamaican community. My condolences to her family, staff, and the entire Jamaican and diplomatic community.”
Wilson, who migrated to the United States after being born in St. Catherine, was appointed to the post in 2019 by Minister Johnson Smith. She was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for her service.
Posts on social media offered condolences as well as celebrated the fallen politician.
“I am profoundly saddened by the passing of my dear friend and Consul General of Jamaica to New York, Alsion Roach Wilson,” Andrew Holness penned on Facebook. “Alsion was a devout Jamaican whose love for her country was as deep as it was enduring. She dedicated her heart and soul to service, to lifting others, to strengthening the bonds between Jamaica and its diaspora, and to ensuring that our nation’s voice was heard with pride and purpose on the world stage. She was a bridge between Jamaica and the United States, using her warmth, grace, and influence to advance Jamaica’s interests with quiet power and steadfast commitment. Beyond her official duties, Alsion was generous of spirit, supporting numerous charitable causes and giving selflessly to those in need.”
He continued, “Her passing leaves a void in our hearts, but also a legacy of devotion, patriotism, and excellence that will continue to inspire all who knew her. Rest well, Alsion. Thank you for your love, your friendship, and your unwavering dedication to Jamaica. You have left behind a great legacy of service, compassion, and national pride.”
Minister Johnson Smith described the veteran diplomat as an “ever-patriotic, generous and beautiful soul” while extending his deepest condolences to her family, including her husband, Omar, and children, Brian and Vanessa.
Childhood Home Of Nina Simone In N.C. Restored Into Inspired Archive Of Singer’s Life
The childhood home will feature historically accurate furnishings and more reflecting Simone's time in the house.
The childhood home of Nina Simone has been restored into a historic landmark of the activist and singer’s legacy.
The home, located in Tryon, North Carolina, became newly reimagined through the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The development revitalized the 650-square-foot, three-room clapboard house where Nina Simone, who was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, lived during her early childhood.
Built in the early 1900s, the home initially fell into disrepair with plans for demolition. However, an artist collective called DayDream Therapy, LLC, saved the historic property in 2016, joining hands with the action fund the following year to develop a new vision for it. Alongside Simone’s brother, Dr. Samuel Waymon, residents of Tyron’s East Side neighborhood, and the very church where Simone’s mother served as a minister, the home was transformed into a memorial to the acclaimed singer’s life.
The restoration, however, will not include Nina Simone’s and her family’s personal belongings. Instead, it will include a historically accurate reimagining of what the home looked like during the ’30s, the time period when Simone lived there. Visitors will soon travel back in time to see the house in a simulation of where Simone spent her formative years.
The Action Fund’s inclusion led to the home being officially protected in perpetuity, with Venus Williams and artist Adam Pendleton leading a fundraising gala to help its restoration. The renovation project officially began in June 2024 and was completed this year.
The preservation project also aims to further legitimize Simone’s place in American culture and history. While not yet available to the public, the house plans to symbolize the legacy of a global change-maker through music.
“Preservation is an expression of what we choose to honor, and Nina Simone’s childhood home is an essential landmark in our nation’s artistic and cultural landscape,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “The restoration of her home affirms her rightful place in the American story—one defined by brilliance, resilience, and the power of art to shape our collective conscience. We share this moment with a coalition of national and local partners, who together dedicated their expertise and resources to safeguard this site of extraordinary significance to our nation.”
The “High Priestess of Soul” was known not only for her vocal depth but also for her artistry in promoting civil rights. A pioneer and legendary voice for blues and social justice, the singer will have a new place that champions her memory.
Aligned with her values of equity and peace, it will also include a preservation-compliant ADA ramp for people of all abilities to travel inside, as well as a geothermal heating and cooling system, providing a tranquil space for visitors to reflect on her journey. The home will even host a nearly 100-year-old Magnolia Tree, named “Sweetie Mae,” keeping its place on the property.
Upon its opening, local residents and DayDream Therapy members will curate strategic, creative programming that further speaks to Simone’s legacy.
Debbie Allen Receives Honorary Oscar Alongside Tom Cruise And Wynn Thomas
Debbie Allen and Tom Cruise partied hard in celebration of their honorary Oscar awards.
Debbie Allen is Academy Award certified after being presented with her honorary Oscar alongside Tom Cruise and scenographer Wynn Thomas.
On Nov. 16, the 16th Governors Awards was held at the Ray Dolby Theater in Hollywood, where Allen was presented with her honorary Oscar from Tony and Grammy-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, as cited by Forbes. Tom Cruise received his award from Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Octavia Spencer came to present Wynn Thomas with his honor.
Dolly Parton accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award via a pre-recorded speech from her Nashville home, unable to attend due to a previously announced medical procedure. The spotlight, however, remained on this year’s Governors Awards honorees, chosen by the Academy’s board for their careers. Unlike the competitive Oscars, which are voted on by the Academy’s 10,000+ members for specific films, the Governors Awards recognize lifetime achievement and contributions to the industry.
Allen, a renowned choreographer, actress, and Broadway director, celebrated the accolade through a pre-award celebration at her famed Debbie Allen Dance Academy, where she jammed out with Cruise in a now-viral moment shared on social media.
A-listers gathered to watch the stars receive their honors, with attendance from the likes of Queen Latifah, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Andra Day, who performed “Jolene” in honor of Parton, Damson Idris, Jurnee Smollett, Regina Hall, Wunmi Mosaku, Ryan Coogler, and more. I’m
After more than 40 years captivating audiences on screen and stage, and mentoring the next generation through her acclaimed dance academy, Allen’s Oscar recognition has long been overdue. In her acceptance speech, Allen became emotional while recapping her decades of hard work and service to the entertainment industry.
“Thank you so much to the Academy and the board of governors for this glorious golden moment in the sun with Oscar,” she said. “Movies were a way in for my sister and me. We used to watch all the movies, and our imaginations could go and wander. We could see ourselves. This is such a profound moment.”
The Fame star even gave a special shoutout to Cruise by making a nod to the actor’s infamous dance scene in 1983’s Risky Business.
“Honey, we loved you when you slid out in those tightie-whities. We said yes!” Allen exclaimed.
Allen is best known for her roles in Fame and Grey’s Anatomy, as well as her work as a director and producer in television and theater. She’s currently directing the latest Broadway run of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and has been tapped to direct the upcoming play about Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman. Over her career, Allen has won five Emmys, a Golden Globe, and earned two Tony nominations. Her honorary Oscar adds to her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, the legacy of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, her decades of philanthropic work, and numerous other accolades.
Indiana Hospital Turns Away Black Woman In Active Labor Who Later Gave Birth In Her Car
An Indiana hospital is under fire for turning away a Black woman in active labor who gave birth minutes later inside her car.
Social media is on fire in response to a video showing a Black woman in active labor being wheeled out of a hospital, only to give birth minutes later in her car—highlighting the ongoing Black maternal health crisis.
Mercedes Wells and her newborn are recovering at a Munster, Indiana, hospital after a now-viral video showed her being denied entry to Franciscan Health Crown Point in Crown Point, Indiana, CBS News reports. In the video, a nurse can be seen wheeling Wells out of the hospital despite clear signs of active labor.
Her family, who recorded and shared the video, said the hospital turned Wells away for being only three centimeters dilated and told her to return later. Just eight minutes after leaving Franciscan Health, she gave birth in the family’s car.
Wells’ sister-in-law, Cherice Joy Thompson, said they were visiting family in Indiana and the baby wasn’t due for several more weeks.
“I feel like my family’s rights have been violated,” Thompson said.
She recalls her brother, Wells’ husband, driving while helping his wife deliver their baby minutes after being forced out of the hospital.
“She said, ‘I’ve got to push.’ … He was driving with one hand, ripped her pants off with the other hand, looked down, and he said he could see the baby’s head. And he was like, ‘Oh my God, here’s the baby’s head,'” Thompson said. “He grabbed a blanket, caught the baby, and then put the baby on my sister-in-law’s chest, Mercedes’ chest, and the umbilical, everything was still attached, and they kept on driving.”
The family called 911 and stayed on the line during the delivery. Dispatchers directed them to a nearby Munster hospital, which welcomed them. Thompson said they are grateful for the care Wells and her baby received, but remain shaken and upset by their experience at Franciscan Health.
“When I went to the hospital yesterday, when I opened up the door, Mercedes saw me, she just started crying, because she feels violated, she feels unheard. You know, she feels dismissed,” Thompson said.
Franciscan Health said it has launched an investigation. The hospital faces widespread criticism on social media, with many citing the incident as another example of the maternal health crisis disproportionately affecting Black women, who are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.
“A whole hospital sent her away while she was literally giving birth, this is exactly why maternal care in America needs serious reform,” one X user wrote.
“From hospital rejection to a highway birth in 8 minutes… this is horrifying. Hospitals need accountability NOW,” another user added.
Akon Counters Wife’s Divorce Request, Asking She Be Denied Spousal Support
Both have requested joint physical custody of their 17-year-old child
In the midst of recording artist Akon’s divorce proceedings, the singer has asked the court to ignore a request from his soon-to-be-ex-wife, Tomeka Thaim, for spousal support.
According to TMZ, the “Locked Up” singer wants the court to deny Thaim’s request in her divorce petition which she filed in September. In her filing, she also stated that the court should deny Akon’s spousal support request. The couple was married for 29 years.
Akon, who filed the response in L.A. Superior Court on Nov. 14, has also asked for joint physical custody of their 17-year-old child. However, Thaim has asked for joint legal custody of their child, but she is requesting full physical custody.
After a string of hit songs over the years, Akon has hit a couple of bumps recently. The St. Louis-born entertainer, who lived back and forth between Senegal, West Africa, and New Jersey, was recently arrested in Georgia for missing a January 2023 court appearance due to a suspended driver’s license. The Associated Press reported that the singer was placed in custody on Friday, Nov. 7 by police officers from the Chamblee Police Department, located northeast of Atlanta. He was released after posting bail on the day of the arrest.
Based on police reports from the Roswell Police Department, Akon, who lives in the neighboring city of Alpharetta, was seen in a disabled Tesla Cybertruck on Sept. 10. Police called a tow truck for the Tesla. While waiting for the truck, the officer found out that the performer did not have any insurance for the vehicle and was driving with a suspended driver’s license.
It was also recently reported that the singer’s “Akon City” project, which has been in the works for seven years, has been scrapped. The Senegalese tourism agency rescinded Akon’s multibillion-dollar plan in July and decided to use that land for a luxury resort model with private investment, Business Insider Africa reported.
Tennessee Judge Temporarily Blocks Deployment Of National Guard In Memphis
A temporary block has been placed on deploying the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee.
A Tennessee judge has sided with local officials in opposing Gov. Bill Lee’s attempt to deploy the National Guard in Memphis, temporarily blocking the effort.
On Nov. 17, Davidson County Chancellor, Patricia Head Moskal, issued a 35-page court order stating that the Tennessee governor’s authority to deploy the National Guard is “not unfettered,” USA Today reported. The judge ruled that Memphis’ crime rates do not constitute a “grave emergency” or “disaster” to justify the deployment of troops as part of Lee’s role as commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces.
“The governor may only call the militia into service in cases of rebellion or invasion and only with the General Assembly’s declaration that the public safety requires it,” Moskal wrote.
“And while the constitution refers to Tennessee’s ‘army,’ Tennessee’s Military Code defines the ‘army’ as the Tennessee National Guard, and establishes the governor’s powers and authority as the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces, including when and under what conditions he may call the National Guard into active service [sic],” she added.
Since October, members of the National Guard have been patrolling Memphis under a directive from Gov. Lee, as part of a task force established by the Trump administration in September. The exact number of Guard personnel in the city is unclear; Memphis Police recently reported fewer than 200, while recent court filings indicate more than 700 are currently deployed.
In her recent ruling, Chancellor Moskal stated that the governor’s decision to deploy the Guard is not immune from judicial review, countering arguments made by Tennessee Attorney General lawyers during a Nov. 3 hearing on the temporary injunction. She also noted that no official order to mobilize the Guard has been issued.
“The absence of a clear documentary record establishing any request made directly to Governor Lee or a command or order by Governor Lee activating the Tennessee National Guard makes it difficult for the court to evaluate the circumstances of and purposes for the Tennessee National Guard’s activation and deployment to Memphis,” Moskal wrote.
Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities nationwide has faced legal challenges. In Chicago last month, U.S. District Judge April M. Perry partially granted Illinois’ request to block troop deployment. A Los Angeles trial court previously ruled the summer deployment there illegal. However, the U.S. Ninth Circuit later overturned that decision in June, citing violence and property damage during anti-ICE protests.
In September, Washington, D.C., sued the Trump administration, claiming the deployment of 2,200 Guard troops is unconstitutional and violates federal law.
Ne-Yo To Make Broadway Debut In Alicia Key’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ The Musical
Ne-Yo will become the next R&B singer to take on the role of Davis.
Ne-Yo is taking his music skills to musicals as he makes his Broadway debut in Hell’s Kitchen.
The award-winning singer-songwriter will take the stage at Shubert Theatre starting Dec. 4. The R&B crooner will join the talented cast in the Tony Award-winning for Best Musical, which features the lyrics from fellow music legend, Alicia Keys.
Hell’s Kitchen explores the diverse New York City neighborhood and its culture through the eyes of Ali, a 17-year-old girl inspired by Keys. In this latest run, Ne-Yo will take on the role of Davis, Ali’s father.
Speaking on this latest venture, Ne-Yo called his role a chance to explore storytelling outside of his traditional artistic medium.
“I’ve performed on a lot of stages in my life, but making my Broadway debut in HELL’S KITCHEN is something truly special,” NE-YO said in a press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Alicia created a world that’s real, raw, and full of soul, and stepping into the role of ‘Davis’ lets me explore a whole new side of storytelling. I’m honored to join this incredible cast and creative team, and I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve got to the Shubert Theatre.”
While a novice to Broadway, Ne-Yo has taken on live theatrical performances before. In the 2015 NBC televised special of The Wiz, the “Sexy Love” singer played the iconic Scarecrow to delight viewers across the country.
Now, he also takes stage acting to the highest level in the Theater district. Of his casting, Keys emphasized Ne-Yo’s “special talent” that will bring a “magic” energy to the production.
“I’m so excited that NE-YO is making his Broadway debut and joining the HELL’S KITCHEN family at the iconic Shubert Theatre,” said Keys. “His special talent is going to bring even more magic to this powerful show! Our story is about finding community, finding your place, and we are excited to welcome him into the role of ‘Davis’! This is going to unforgettable!”
However, Ne-Yo is not the first celebrated singer to join the star-studded cast. Ahead of his debut, Yolanda Adams will join the musical as Miss Liza Jane, with Tank also playing the “dream come true” role of Davis.
Ne-Yo has forged a very successful music career, penning top-charting hits for himself and other greats such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more. Expanding genres from pop to traditional R&B, the three-time Grammy-winner also launches his Broadway career ahead of the 20-year anniversary of his acclaimed debut album, In My Own Words.
He joins a Hell’s Kitchen cast led by Amanda Reid, Jessica Vosk, and Tony Award winner Kecia Lewis until Jan. 25. Tickets for the limited-edition run are available now.
Chicago Mayor Redirects City Funds To Food Banks And Community Orgs Amid SNAP Cuts
Chicago Mayor redirects city funds amid looming changes to the SNAP program.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is springing into action following the more than month-long halt on SNAP benefits during the government shutdown and impending changes to the government-run program.
On Nov. 15, Johnson signed an executive order redirecting city funds to food banks and organizations fighting food insecurity to boost funding for food assistance programs, Block Club Chicago reports. The swift action follows a surge in demand following disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the 43-day federal government shutdown.
“I am proud to sign an emergency executive order that will mobilize a citywide response that protects food access, supports small businesses, and strengthens the longstanding community base networks that serve our residents,” Johnson said.
While SNAP benefits have been restored since the shutdown officially ended on Nov. 12, the Trump administration has already announced new changes and stricter eligibility rules set to take effect in December.
In addition to increasing support for food pantries, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations fighting food insecurity, the executive order will also aid independent retailers and restaurants. According to the Mayor’s office, these businesses are facing a “one-two punch” of reduced SNAP spending plus customer losses driven by immigration enforcement fears, and growing demand for free or donated goods.
“We cannot accept Chicagoans going hungry as a result of the Trump administration’s war on poor and working people,” Johnson said in a press release. “This executive order mobilizes City departments and allows us to partner with philanthropic partners to get food into the neighborhoods where it is needed most.”
About two million Illinoisans rely on SNAP to help cover groceries and other essentials, such as baby formula. With the shutdown ending last week, states nationwide are rushing to resume SNAP distributions. Illinois has been issuing partial payments since Nov. 7 without federal support. Full federal benefits will be paid this month, and Illinois recipients are expected to receive their complete November allotments by Nov. 20, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
New SNAP rules taking effect Dec. 1 under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill will tighten eligibility and leave many without food assistance.
Adults ages 18–65 must now work at least 80 hours a month or be enrolled in school or job training to qualify—expanding previous work requirements that applied only to those 18–54 without dependents under 18.
Exemptions have also been narrowed to only those caring for children under 14, eliminating prior exceptions for unhoused individuals, veterans, and others. Overall, cuts to the program are projected to total $186 billion.
