JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
In this June 19, 2020, photo, people attend a peaceful rally in Chicago to mark Juneteenth. The holiday celebrates the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
'Lift Every Voice and Sing' hymn ignites hope across nation

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jul. 05, 2020 09:45 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Black national anthem was born more than a century ago,

This Jan. 27, 2020 photo shows Matthew A. Cherry during a portrait session at the 92nd Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Los Angeles. Cherry is nominated for an Oscar for his animated short "Hair Love." (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
'Hair Love' director wants to win Oscar in honor of Kobe

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jan. 31, 2020 10:06 AM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Matthew A. Cherry became an Oscar nominee, that was

This combination photo shows performers, from left, Meghan Trainor, Meek Mill and Rapsody, who will perform in a free pregame concert on Sept. 5 in Chicago's Grant Park before the Bears face off against the Green Bay Packers. (AP Photo)
Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor named NFL Inspire Change advocates

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Aug. 30, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Meek Mill and Meghan Trainor are helping kick off the new social

Actor Jamie Foxx, right, watches the teams warm up, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Gladys Knight, Chloe x Halle give thanks after performance

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Feb. 04, 2019 12:35 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Not everyone is watching Super Bowl 53 for the love of football —

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2016 file photo, actor and director Peter Berg poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Deepwater Horizon" in London. Berg directed a new Super Bowl commercial called "The 100-Year Game" that paid homage to past and present NFL players including Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Joe Montana, Dick Butkus, Deion Sanders and Patrick Mahomes. The 2-minute ad will air during Super Bowl 53 on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
Berg: Directing NFL 100th season commercial was 'emotional'

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Feb. 02, 2019 09:39 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Director Peter Berg said he had an "emotional and satisfying" feeling

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 file photo, Cardi B performs "I Like It" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Cardi B says she received an offer to perform at the Super Bowl, but struggled with the decision to turn down the lucrative opportunity in support of ex-NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The Grammy-nominated rapper told The Associated Press on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, that she had "mixed feelings" after she declined to take the stage at Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
Cardi B declined Super Bowl halftime with 'mixed feelings'

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Feb. 01, 2019 11:41 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Cardi B said she received an offer to perform at the Super Bowl, but

FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2014, file photo, Lil Jon arrives at the iHeart Radio Music Festival at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Lil Jon says he understands Maroon 5’s decision to cancel its news conference to discuss the band’s Super Bowl halftime performance with reporters. Maroon 5, with frontman Adam Levine, was supposed to speak with the media Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, to promote their Super Bowl 53 appearance, but decided to cancel and let their “show do the talking.” (Photo by Andrew Estey/Invision/AP, File)
Lil Jon supports Maroon 5 canceling halftime press event

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jan. 31, 2019 06:13 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Lil Jon says he understands Maroon 5's decision to cancel its news

FILE - This May 24, 2018 file photo shows music maker Jermaine Dupri during an interview in New York. Dupri and Travis Scott have been criticized for taking part in Super Bowl-related events, but their shows among others will still go on. Dupri will host a concert series called Super Bowl Live while Scott is expected to perform at the Pepsi Super Bowl Party two days before performing at Super Bowl 53 on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Carucci, File)
Super Bowl week to feature Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Migos

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jan. 30, 2019 12:42 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Travis Scott to Jermaine Dupri are among the music artists who

This undated image provided by Stella Artois shows a scene from the company's Super Bowl spot with Jeff Bridges. Star power abounds in this year’s Super Bowl ads. Sarah Michelle Gellar, for instance, is making a horror movie parody for Olay, while Jeff Bridges revives his “The Dude” character from “The Big Lebowski” in a pitch for Stella Artois. (Stella Artois via AP)
Carrie Bradshaw, 'The Dude' to star in Super Bowl commercial

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jan. 28, 2019 12:11 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sarah Jessica Parker and Jeff Bridges are bringing a couple of

FILE - In this July 20, 2018 file photo, a pedicab driver dressed as a character from the anime franchise "Dragon Ball" gestures as he carries passengers during Comic-Con International in San Diego. "Dragon Ball” is a revered anime that has influenced pop culture for years, earning praise from the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Ronda Rousey and Chris Brown, showing up in end zone celebrations and even at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With the new film "Dragon Ball Super: Broly" releasing this week in the U.S., the franchise’s popularity with its famous and non-famous fans is likely to grow. (Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP, File)
Celebs, athletes give 'Dragon Ball' pop culture super status

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Jan. 15, 2019 03:38 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Dragon Ball" may be a Japanese-born anime, but the series has