Happy Sunday! Whether you're a new subscriber or an existing subscriber, welcome back. Here are a few articles you should check out from this week!
Soul Train Awards
This week, BET announced that it has indefinitely cancelled the Hip Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards. The Hip Hop Awards have been airing since 2006, with the most recent one being broadcast in 2024. The Soul Train Awards are an older creation. They go back to 1987 and last aired in 2023.
Over the years, BET has naturally gone through changes. Most of these changes are largely a result of time rather than an outside force. Viewership has changed to a reliance on social media for content, and the change in programming on the network. But one can argue that these award shows are, for a chunk of people, the only time they tune into BET. Now with an indefinite cancellation, a concern should be if another network or production company steps in and fills the void that the Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards are leaving.
One thing that’s important for the Black audience is authenticity. To take that a step further, there have been multiple complaints about other award shows not creating a safe space for Black artists or not having the wherewithal to give proper credit to artists because they don’t understand the cultural context in which the music sits. Removal of what should be considered cultural institutions like the Hip Hop Awards or the Soul Train Awards could mean that either BET lost the motivation, talent, or innovation to continue these things or they realized the audience didn’t care and it was a waste of money to do these every year. It is difficult to believe the answer is the latter.
Even if it is, and the audience started to dwindle. Is the answer to indefinitely cancel it all? Or is the answer to figure out why and solve the problem? Black entertainment plays too pivotal a role in telling our stories, honoring our legends, and being a place where we can be ourselves for the programming in Award Season to be limited.
Drake
A couple of weeks ago, Drake’s legal team released a witness list of a group of people his team wanted to call to the stand and testify for his UMG case. Within this list was a man named Kojo Menne Asamoah. His team believes that this is the man with vital information that can expose secret payments to artificially boost ‘Not Like Us,’ and his testimony is vital for the case. They tried to deliver a subpoena in person, but so far have not been able to.
The team filed a motion to deliver the subpoena through alternative means. This would include email and simply delivering or posting the subpoena to one of his various addresses. A judge this week approved that motion, which is a big win for Drake and his team, since this would mean that Asamoah will have no choice but to testify since he will be notified somehow. It also means that whatever information he has concerning his work with UMG for the song ‘Not Like Us,’ if this goes to trial, will inevitably be exposed. This will be interesting to see since, for years, fans have speculated, but insiders have been well aware that labels can create a hit if they want to. The general public may be one step away from discovering exactly how.
Of course, as has been mentioned before. You can’t throw stones if you live in a glass house. If the mechanisms for making ‘Not Like Us’ a hit are exposed. There is potential that UMG may just fall on its sword and also mention if they’ve done the same work for Drake in the past, in artificially creating hits via various payment systems and boosts to radio.
"The Terminal": Where we navigate the vast sea of information to bring you the essential stops for our global Black audience. As a bustling terminal serves as a gateway to new destinations, our curated content will be your passport to knowledge, empowerment, and connection. Embark on this journey with us as we explore the world from a unique perspective—yours.
Victoria Mboko defeats Naomi Osaka at the Canadian Open. She became the 2nd youngest player to defeat 4 Grand Slam champions in a single tournament. The first was Serena Williams.
Amy Sherald cancelled her Smithsonian exhibit due to sensorship concerns.
Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken franchise has become one of the fastest-growing franchises in the United States.
Byron Allen has agreed to sell 10 TV stations to Gray Media for $171 million.
Conversations this week
Kirk Franklin sits with Lou Young to discuss faith, fatherhood, and music.
Check out our Malindi Press Play playlist that’s updated weekly! Listen Here!
Check out the Press Room Collection in the Malindi Press store! Use the code WELCOME10 for a 10% discount! Shop here!
Song of the Week: “No Cap” by Disclosure and Anderson .Paak (U.S. & U.K.)
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