This Week in Good Black News: D’Angelo Ends Hiatus to Headline Roots Picnic, Cynthia Erivo to Host 2025 Tony Awards, and Kendrick Lamar Shatters Spotify Record
From record-breaking milestones to legendary performances, this week is packed with major moments in music and entertainment.
First up, Grammy Award winner Kendrick Lamar is making history once again, proving that his impact knows no bounds.
Meanwhile, another legendary name is making a rare return to the stage—D’Angelo. The neo-soul pioneer is set to headline the 2025 Roots Picnic. As for another major night in entertainment, Broadway’s finest are gearing up for the 78th Annual Tony Awards, with none other than Cynthia Erivo taking the reins as host.
For more on these stories and other positive updates, keep reading.
Kendrick Lamar smashes a Spotify record
Kendrick continues to make history. As of Monday (Feb. 17), he officially became the first hip-hop artist to surpass 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Fans had anticipated this moment, especially after his Super Bowl halftime performance sent his streaming numbers soaring.
Lamar is also the first lead artist in the U.S. to hit a billion streams in 2025. For an artist who moves on his own time, K.Dot’s dominance again proves that real artistry stands the test of time.
Mattel highlights Black designers with 45th Anniversary Barbie
In honor of Black History Month, Mattel is celebrating the 45th anniversary of Black Barbie—and its trailblazing creator, Kitty Black Perkins—through a new partnership with the Black in Fashion Council (BIFC). Announced on February 19, this collaboration aims to promote diversity in fashion and inspire young Black girls to explore careers in design.
“It has been so rewarding to witness our organization, Black in Fashion Council, drive long-lasting change in the fashion industry," said BIFC co-founder Lindsay Peoples. “Now we can add Barbie to our list of partners who share our commitment to breaking down barriers.”
To mark the milestone, designers Larissa Muehleder, Nia Thomas, and Fumi Egbon are spotlighted. Additionally, a limited-edition 45th Black Barbie, a 1980s-themed collection, and a Black History Month apparel line are now available on Amazon, celebrating Black Barbie’s enduring legacy.
D’Angelo tapped as headliner for Roots Picnic 2025
Neosoul pioneer D’Angelo is set to headline the 2025 Roots Picnic alongside The Roots. The veteran singer’s appearances are rare, and his collaborations with The Roots run deep, making his performance one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.
The lineup also boasts several other heavy hitters, including Lenny Kravitz, Meek Mill, GloRilla, Tems, Latto, Jeezy, and more. The festival will take place on May 31 and June 1 at The Mann in Fairmount Park, Pennsylvania.
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Wendy Williams celebrates a major milestone with her dad
Wendy Williams is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s for a heartwarming reason. The former talk show host was all smiles as she arrived at Miami International Airport on February 15, rocking fishnet stockings, fluffy boots, and an all-black ensemble. Her trip wasn’t just a getaway—it was a long-awaited reunion to celebrate her father, Thomas Williams Sr., turning 94.
This visit marks a significant moment, as Wendy had previously expressed doubt about whether she’d be allowed to leave her New York living facility due to her court-appointed conservatorship. “My dad is going to be 94 next month. I don’t know if I’m able to fly to Miami,” she told The Breakfast Club in January, calling her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, the “person who is holding me hostage.”
Fortunately, Wendy got her wish. She not only spent time with her father but also reunited with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., for brunch at Matilda’s Kitchen. The two have had a complicated history, with Wendy revealing in “Saving Wendy” that Kevin’s alleged financial mishandling led to her conservatorship. Despite this, she still describes him as a good person.
Cynthia Erivo to host the 78th Tony Awards
Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo will be this year’s host at the 78th Annual Tony Awards.
Erivo, who earned her first Tony Award for her performance in The Color Purple on Broadway, opened up about receiving the opportunity, sharing, “I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor.”
Broadway’s biggest night is returning to Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Nominations for the Tony Awards will be announced on May 1, 2025.
Delta Sigma Theta co-founder to receive historical marker
The Albany alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is ensuring that Osceola McCarthy Adams’s legacy remains prominent by placing a historical marker at the site where she was born and raised.
“Osceola was a barrier breaker. She broke the color barrier on Broadway,” said Pat Jackson, a journalist for the chapter.
Born in Albany in 1890, Adams later co-founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard University in 1913. The founders’ first act of service was joining the women’s suffrage march—despite not being invited.
Adams went on to become a Broadway pioneer and mentor to legends like Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.
Now, nearly 41 years after her passing, the city is honoring her impact. The marker is set to be placed by June 2025, and Albany Mayor Bo Dorough has officially declared February 1 as Osceola McCarthy Adams Day.
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