Pharrell Williams’ Something In The Water Festival Is Officially Coming To D.C.

From NBC4, where you can read the full story:

Ballou High School’s famous marching band played Pharrell Williams’ hit song “Happy” — and then the star himself walked through the door.

Pharrell and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Tuesday that the Something in the Water festival will be held on Independence Avenue, on the National Mall, this Juneteenth weekend, June 17-19.

Bowser promised “three days of excitement” as festivals return to the District.

The eclectic festival lineup includes Pharrell, Chloe X Halle, Calvin Harris, Dave Matthews Band, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Run the Jewels, T.I. and Usher. The go-go musicians Backyard Band, Rare Essence and Sound of the City also will perform.

There also will be “some people we can’t announce,” organizers said.

Masego – Talib Kweli/”People’s Party” Interview (Video)

In this episode of “People’s Party With Talib Kweli,” Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with musician, singer/songwriter and producer:

MASEGO

Here’s what we got into:

• Masego feeling privileged to be part of Ari Lennox’s musical journey.
• Why he coined the term “Trap House Jazz” to describe his brand of music.
• How being the son of two preachers influenced him growing up.
• Becoming an multi-instrumentalist to impress the girls.
• Coming to the conclusion that hip hop is synonymous with pop culture.
• Why he could care less if his music gets radio play.
• The boldness of artists like Tyler the Creator and Childish Gambino.
• Masego’s name meaning “little blessing” in Tswana.
• DJ Jazzy Jeff inviting Masego to his Playlist Retreat.
• Tiffany Gouché and her being featured on ‘Queen Tings’.
• His love for basketball and talking trash to Will Smith.
• Feelings on Drake sampling Masego’s ‘Navajo’ for ‘Champagne Poetry’.
• How ‘Yamz’ was inspired during this trip to South Africa.
• Talk about the history behind the saying “jazz is dead”.
• ‘Disconnected (Shorty from VA)’ having a J Dilla vibe.
• Masego’s love-hate relationship with social media.
• What he was going through when he penned the song ‘White Man’.
• His 2018 album ‘Lady Lady’ and how Ari Lennox helped with ‘Silk’.
• The story behind ‘Black Love’ and his mother’s tearful reaction.
• The collab with French saxophonist FKJ on ‘Tadow’.
• How his touring inspired songs like ‘Well Traveled’ and ‘Passport’.
• Creating ‘Silver Tongue Devil’ featuring Shenseea, produced by Izzy Beats.
• How Alex Isley challenged his pen game on ‘Good & Plenty’.
• ‘Somethin Ain’t Right’ featuring JID & Rapsody.
• Masego’s love for animation.
• Buying up houses to turn into a ‘Tadow Studios’.

Pooh Shiesty Gets 63 Months Over Gun Charge

From WSB-TV Atlanta, where you can read the full story:

Rapper Pooh Shiesty was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for a gun charge two years ago in Florida, prosecutors said.

Shiesty, 22, a Memphis, Tennessee, native whose real name is Lontrell D. Williams Jr., pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2022, to conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking, WHBQ-TV reported.

Williams had been facing up to 20 years in prison, according to The Associated Press.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped three charges, including a gun charge that had a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. According to court records, the charges are related to three separate events.

Williams was indicted in June 2021 on four counts related to an Oct. 9, 2020, shooting at the Landon Hotel in the Miami-area town of Bay Harbor Islands, Variety reported. Prosecutors alleged that Williams and two other people shot and wounded a pair of individuals they were meeting to buy marijuana and sneakers from, according to the website.

Both shooting victims survived, according to Variety.

“Listen, nobody’s happy to go to prison, but he was happy the judge listened to our argument, and the judge received the argument well. He was satisfied with the outcome,” defense lawyer Bradford Cohen told Rolling Stone. “We’re happy with the decision of the court.”

The judge gave Williams credit for the year he has already spent in custody, the magazine reported. With credit for good behavior, Williams could be released from prison in about 3 1/2 years, according to Rolling Stone.

Redveil – ‘Learn 2 Swim’ (Stream)

Featuring 12 songs with assists from Mekdelawit, Renaissance Mic, Sam Truth, Fly Anakin, and Ovrkast. Stream below — also included are upcoming tour dates from the DMV star, the majority of which are in support of Freddie Gibbs.

Tour Dates:

April 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex *
April 29 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theater *
April 30 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom *
May 4 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre *
May 5 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge *
May 7 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade *
May 8 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre *
May 11 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza *
May 12 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *
May 14 – Buffalo, NY – Town *
May 15 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place *
June 21 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues ^
June 22 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre ^
June 24 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans ^
June 25 – Houston, TX – Revention Music Center ^

* w/ Freddie Gibbs, Zack Fox and MIKE
^ =w/ Denzel Curry