Wayward Pines (May 14)
Terrence Howard co-stars as Sheriff Pope in this thrilling drama about a seemingly perfect town with ever-smiling residents. The only catch is, you can’t leave.
Orange Is The New Black (June 12)
Christmas is coming in June this year. Orange Is The New Black season 3 is coming to Netflix and it’s shaping up to be more silly, sexy, and crazy (Eyes) than ever before.
Power (June 6)
STARZ is bringing back 50 Cent’s harrowing drama about drugs, love and money starring Naturi Naughton and Omari Hardrict this summer.
Key and Peele (July 7)
Beat the heat during the hot summer months and stay inside and LOL with Key and Peele’s sketch comedy show on Comedy Central.
Extant (July 1)
If you want your mind blown this summer, check out Halle Berry in this sci-fi drama about an astronaut who’s possibly impregnated with an android by a robotic engineer. You have to see it to believe it.
Chocolate City
We are melting from all this hot chocolate. A college student is encouraged to pursue a career in male stripping after he flops during his first amateur night. And to that we say: AMEN. The chocolatey goodness, starring Tyson Beckford, Vivica A. Fox and Ginuwine, hits theaters May 22.
San Andreas
Don’t miss this action-packed summer blockbuster starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a man searching for his estranged daughter in the wake of a deadly earthquake. In theaters May 29.
Nightingale
Five months after playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., David Oyelowo is back as Peter, a war veteran who is dealing with a “fractured mind.” The psychological thriller airs on HBO on May 29.
Dope
All Malcolm wants is an acceptance letter from his dream college—Harvard—but he first must navigate the aftermath of a wild night in his rough L.A. neighborhood. Starring Zoe Kravitz, Shameik Moore and Forest Whitaker, Dope hits theaters June 19.
Ted 2
Everyone’s favorite crude-talking teddy bear is back for round 2. In the sequel to the 2012 hit, Ted must prove that he is a human. As if it could get any better, Morgan Freeman plays the stuffed animal’s lawyer. This sure-to-be-funny flick comes out June 26.
Magic Mike XXL
The boys are back, and we can’t stop drooling. Channing Tatum reprises his role as Magic Mike, and he’s joined by Jada Pinkett-Smith, who plays a nightclub owner. We know where we’ll be on July 1!
Fantastic Four
Michael B. Jordan is joining the legion of superheroes as the Human Torch, along with Kate Mara, Miles Teller and Jamie Bell. Catch the heroic flick on August 7.
Jason Derülo (June 2)
Everybody is on Jason Derulo’s upcoming album Everything is 4. Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, K. Michelle, Megan Trainor and more can be heard along with Jason this June.
Tamia (June)
Tamia had us starving for a new album after she dropped “Sandwiches and Soda” and we’re excited to hear from her this summer on her upcoming album LOVELIFE.
Miguel (June 30)
Finally! New music from Miguel! Wildheart is Miguel’s follow up to his 2012 album Kaleidoscope Dream and it’s set to bevery autobiographical.
“I really am wild hearted. It just means that I follow my instincts. That’s what this album is about,” he said.
Frank Ocean (July)
Frank Ocean is about to drop his sophomore album and it’s about damn time. We haven’t head from Frank since his critically acclaimed LP Channel Orange. He shared his plans for a new album and a new magazine, both tentatively titled “Boys Don’t Cry,” to be released this July.
Nas (July)
Nas also announced that he’d be releasing his first new album since 2012 this summer. He gave a sample of new music last October with a new track “The Season.” Looks like this is the season for new music.
‘No Excuses’ by Derrick Coleman Jr. (June 2)
Derrick Coleman Jr., the first deaf athlete to play in the NFL and win the Super Bowl, tells his story in this inspirational memoir due in the first week of June.
‘The Ultimate Betrayal’ by Kimberla Lawson Roby (June 8)
The Black Family Saga continues when we’re reintroduced to Alicia Black, daughter of Rev. Curtis Black, who’s divorced from her second husband and trying to balance her love life and the lives of her friends. Kimberla Lawson Roby’s summer read promises to be as enthralling as the novels before it.
‘Go Set A Watchman’ by Harper Lee (July 14)
Harper Lee, author of the literary classic “To Kill A Mockingbird,’ is gracing us with a new novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” featuring characters from Mockingbird some twenty years later. This is definitely a must-read.
‘The Power Playbook: Rules for Independence, Money and Respect’ by La La Anthony
La La Anthony’s following up her No. 1 New York Times Bestseller “The Love Playbook with an all new about achieving balance in your career and personal life.
ESSENCE (duh)
Of course you can’t forget to pick up a copy of ESSENCE Magazine’s June issue featuring our sexy cover guys Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers and Bryshere Gray. We’re adding a little extra heat to your summmer (you’re welcome!)
Nicki Minaj
The Pinkprint singer is going on tour with her boo, Meek Mill. Nicki kicks off the tour on July 17 in Dallas, and wraps it up the following month in California. Buy your tickets here.
Jill Scott
Jilly is leavin’ Philly! The soulful singer is hitting the road on June 26, performing in Virginia and kicking off a two month tour. Get your tickets here.
Summer Jam
The popular music fest is coming back to New Jersey on June 7th. Check out performances from Chris Brown, Childish Gambino and Big Sean. Buy your tickets here.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is still at it! The legendary group launches their Heart and Soul Tour on July 15 in California. Buy your tickets before it’s too late.
Drake
Before going back to his home country of Canada, Drake is finishing up the American leg of his tour with a final three performances is Texas, Michigan and Chicago. You don’t want to miss out.
ESSENCE Music Festival
OBVIOUSLY you don’t want to miss our hot summer festival. From July 2 to 5, catch everyone from Kevin Hart to India.Arie to Missy Elliott to Kendrick Lamar at our New Orleans fest. Tickets are on sale now!
Kevin Hart
After kicking off the first leg of his summer tour at ESSENCE Music Festival, the comedian will take his “What Now?” tour on the road, stopping in Connecticut, Sacramento and everywhere in between. Get your tickets now!
Boyz II Men
The soulful singers settle down in Las Vegas this summer, performing dozens of shows at Las Vegas’ Mirage. Don’t miss out on buying your tickets!
