Here’s the latest news in music and movies to talk about over your orange juice this morning:
After 14 years out of the spotlight, D’Angelo is certainly keeping busy this year. He’ll be performing as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on January 31, just one week before headlining at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. On top of all of that, D’Angelo is embarking on a European tour for his new album, Black Messiah, on February 11. [Complex]
Pharrell Williams is in charge of the biggest event for the planet as the new musical director for the “Live Earth” climate action concert. “We are going to have one event all over the world on all seven continents,” said concert creator and former vice president Al Gore. “The purpose is to have a billion voices with one message to demand climate action now.” As musical director, Williams plans to “literally have humanity harmonized all at once” at the concert on June 18. [Yahoo!]
TLC is going on tour with Nelly and they’re bringing along some other some other special guests: New Kids On The Block! TLC’s joint tour kicks off in Las Vegas on May 1. In addition to sharing the stage with TLC, NKOTB are also sharing their wealth with the girl group by donating $10,000 to TLC’s Kickstarter campaign to fund their last album. [Huffington Post]
Anthony Mackie, star of the upcoming drama Black or White, says “people are tired of being bombarded with race” when they go to the movies. In an interview with The Grio, Mackie says Selma is having trouble at the box-office because audiences don’t want to see stories about race relations right now. “Everyone is shying away from certain topics and certain movies,” he said. [The Grio]