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Chicago Filmmaker Wins Oscar for “Hair Love” & Brings Special Guest Teen On The Red Carpet With The Team

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Chicago filmmaker Matthew Cherry took home the Oscar for best animated short film for “Hair Love,” a six-minute short film about an African American father attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.

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Chicago filmmaker Matthew Cherry took home the Oscar for best animated short film for “Hair Love,” a six-minute short film about an African American father attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.

Matthew and the “Hair Love” team brought the Texas high school teen DeAndre Arnold who’s story has recently gone viral in the news for refusing to cut his locs. DeAndre was suspended for wearing dreadlocks and told he couldn’t attend his graduation ceremony in the spring unless he cut them in accordance with school dress code. Arnold, who has been growing his hair in locs since the seventh grade, has said that his hairstyle —rooted in Black pride, culture and sometimes religion — is a nod to his Trinidadian heritage.

As a surprise to Arnold, Cherry teamed up with Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade (who helped produce this short film) to create a special video invitation for the Texas teen. On Oscar Sunday, DeAndre walked the red carpet and attended the full Oscar’s ceremony along with the “Hair Love” team. During the acceptance of their award, Matthew directed the following statement to DeAndre and the crowd saying, “I want to say “Hair Love” was done to normalize black hair.”

 

Alongside co-producer Karen Rupert Toliver, Cherry who also directed and co-wrote the film gave tribute to Kobe Bryant saying, “May all our second acts be as great as his”. Bryant and Glen Keane won the best animated short film Oscar in 2018 for “Dear Basketball.”

When speaking of the inspiration behind the short film, Matthew shares his personal story. As a former NFL player and graduate of Loyola Academy in Wilmette and the University of Akron, Matthew shared: “You have a situation where Mom may have to go into work early and Dad has to get the kids ready. The gender norms that existed back in the day aren’t really the same as they are now.

“I feel like everyone has to step up and get it done. Black fathers have had one of the worst raps in mainstream media as being portrayed as being deadbeats and not being involved.”

“It was important to us to showcase a black father that was young, that had tattoos. I think if you saw someone like him on the street, you would assume that wasn’t a loving father that does his daughter’s hair,” Cherry said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re just trying to change the conversation, one project at a time.”

Our hair is an extension of ourselves,” Cherry previously told HuffPost speaking about the short film. “And the cool thing about this story is that it really represents pure love: what we’re willing to do for the people we love even when they ask us to do something we don’t know how to do.”

 

 

 

 

 

Tamara is the founder of ArtSoulRadio.com and a contributor for Ebony/Jet Magazine and other publications. She also works in TV/Film production and has a strong passion for the arts, community outreach, teaching and working with the youth. Learn more at www.tamarallyoung.com and follow her on social media.

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Rolling Loud – Hip Hop’s Largest Mainstream Fest Adds 1st Christian Hip-Hop Experience This Year!

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Rolling Loud is the world’s largest Hip Hop festival and it’s making history this year! This month Rolling Loud festival will feature its first-ever Christian hip-hop set on Sunday, Dec. 15th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami! Christian artists will perform on the festival stage, blending faith and mainstream culture in a groundbreaking moment for music.

Atlanta radio host DJ Trendsetter Sense was instrumental in making Christian Hip Hop part of the Rolling Loud Fest this year. In collaboration with Rodney Jerkins’ new label Alienz Alive, along with DJ Five Venoms, they’re essential to bringing this faith drive segment to the main stream stage.

For years, Christian artists have pushed to prove their place on mainstream stages. Events like Rolling Loud show that faith-based musicians are just as skilled, creative and impactful as their secular counterparts. This moment is a testament to their gifts making room!

This year’s line up includes Celeb Gordon, Jon Keith, GAWVI, Hulvey, nobigdyl and Alex Jean. Their set, “The Chosen Journey”, represents a powerful step forward, showing how faith-based artists are breaking barriers and owning mainstream stages.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON INSTAGRAM:

For tickets or more information, head to rollingloud.com/chosen.

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Christian R&B Artist Franchesca Announces Partnership w/ Tribl Records & Music Video Release

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Franchesca is quickly rising as a force in Christian R&B with her powerful voice and deeply relatable music. Recently, she dropped her new single “Distance” and revealed her exciting partnership with Tribl Records, joining an incredible roster that includes Maverick City, Naomi Raine, Travis Greene, and more​!

Franchesca has been independently doing music for years but has recently gone viral on Tik Tok and a variety of other social media platforms which has catapulted her career. Her soulful voice and relatable stories in her lyrics have become the soundtrack for thousands on social media as they have used her songs in their social media content. Franchesca has been able to build a strong following of fans who stay connected for her soulful and faith filled music which has become the soundtrack to their lives.

This powerful track dives into how God will call us out of situations just to bring us closer to Him and His purpose for our life.

If you have ever felt God tugging at your heart to break away from toxic environments or from unhealthy relationships, but found it difficult to actually take the needed steps to make it happen, this song is for you!

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE:

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Jonathan McReynolds Announces His First Christmas EP, Tour & His Newest Label Home

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November 22, 2024) – Today, Grammy-winning gospel singer-songwriter Jonathan McReynolds brings a fresh sound to the holiday season with the release of his first-ever Christmas EP, Red & Green, via Life Room Label/Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel. This collection features an eclectic blend of original songs, offering the perfect soundtrack for festive celebrations or cozy nights by the fire. Known for his signature voice and heartfelt lyrics, McReynolds delivers a unique take on Christmas music with entirely new compositions that capture the spirit of the season.

McReynolds shares, “Christmas comes at the end of the year. And sometimes that year took a lot out of us. The cost and the benefit of being able to put on your red and green and get in the spirit of the season and remind yourself of God’s greatest gift to us gets higher and higher. I wanted to make some original music to reflect that.

Stream Red & Green HERE

In conjunction with the EP, McReynolds is readying to embark on the Red & Green tour, a six-city concert series starting December 1 in Chicago and concluding December 21 in Atlanta. This tour offers fans the opportunity to experience McReynolds’ original Christmas songs live, creating an unforgettable holiday experience. Tickets are available now: shor.by/jonmcreynolds

Adding to this exciting period, McReynolds has signed with Motown Gospel/Capitol Christian Music Group, marking a significant milestone in his career. “We’re thrilled to welcome Jonathan to Motown Gospel/Capitol Christian Music Group,” said the label’s Co-Presidents, Brad O’Donnell, and Hudson Plachy. “Jonathan is a special talent that we’ve admired for some time, and we couldn’t be more excited to be his partner.

Additionally, McReynolds has joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA)’s roster, aligning himself with the leading entertainment and sports talent agency. With this transition, McReynolds is poised to expand his reach and influence, opening new avenues for his music and message to resonate with a broader audience. He is positioned for a remarkable 2025, with more creative projects and milestones anticipated, including a forthcoming book release.

Tour Dates

December 1, 2024 / Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL

December 8, 2024 / Minglewood Hall / Memphis, TN

December 12, 2024 / Palladium Times Square / New York, NY

December 18, 2024 / The Fillmore / New Orleans, LA

December 20, 2024 / Texas Trust CU Theatre / Grand Prairie, TX

December 21, 2024 / Buckhead Theatre / Atlanta, GA

Connect with Jonathan McReynolds

Official Site | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube

About Jonathan McReynolds

Award winning Gospel artist and musician Jonathan McReynolds continues to share his music, heart, and journey with all of his family, friends and fans as he travels the world professing the gospel through a beautiful and inspiring song ministry. 

As he continues to garner the fellowship and support of fellow talented musicians and singers such as Lalah Hathaway, Kirk Franklin, Stevie Wonder, H.E.R, Maverick City Music, and many more, Jonathan McReynolds has created a distinct standard for what it means to be Christ led and how to live a full life while still honoring God. At just 34 years old, Jonathan uses his incredible voice and beautifully, brutally candid approach to songwriting to reach the ears and hearts of fans worldwide.

Jonathan’s full-length album Make Room debuted #1 on Billboard Gospel. It was undeniably regarded as his best work to date, winning eight Stellar Awards and obtaining two Grammy nominations. The title track “Make Room” and hit single “Not Lucky, I’m Loved” gave Jonathan his first two #1 Billboard songs. His second album Life Music: Stage Two features another superstar fan in India.Arie and maintained at #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart for 4 weeks. It then went on to grab a Grammy nomination, multiple Stellar nominations and a Dove Award win. For his EP Sessions, Jonathan teamed up with another beautiful voice, Tweet. This unannounced, surprise release reached the top of the iTunes Christian chart overnight.

In April 2020, Jonathan McReynolds released a transparent, thought-provoking album entitled “People”, with the single gaining notoriety, being sung, tweeted, and shared all over social media. “People” allowed Jonathan to express his feelings about the influence, opinions, and effects of people in his life and throughout his budding career. The album also includes the single that made Jonathan a certified Grammy Award winner, Movin’ On featuring Mali Music.

In May 2015, Jonathan attained his Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Jonathan uses his education and experience to share knowledge and wisdom to help us see God in a new perspective. He has a great desire to have a genuine, positive impact on society far beyond the music industry. With that, he is an adjunct instructor at his alma mater Columbia College, an official contributor to Huffington Post and the founder of Elihu Nation, a nonprofit organization that promotes wisdom and has awarded over $40k in scholarships for youth. Jonathan McReynolds has also been honored as a member of Mensa, an international high IQ society.

Jonathan continues to break major grounds in the gospel music industry. In March 2018, his one hour TV special aired multiple times on TVOne and Jonathan was the first in his genre to form a major partnership with Tidal Music. His appeal stretches across generational, cultural, and musical lines. Over the span of his career, Jonathan McReynolds has had the pleasure of gracing such stages as Black Music Honors (2018), BET Celebration of Gospel (2014, 2016), Essence Fest (2014, 2015), 106 & Park, Stellar Awards (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), Joyful Noise, Revolt TV Live, and the Dove Awards. In addition to headlining monster shows reaching as far as Oslo, London, and Port-of-Spain, Jonathan has already headlined two sold out American tours spanning 33 cities, a 30 city arena tour, and has toured with India Arie and Lalah Hathaway, and recently starred in the BET Original movie “Favorite Son”. 

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