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Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards light up The Beverly Hilton, see the red carpet Grammy nominations drop this week, who's in the running? New releases from R&B's hottest acts hit streaming tonight Afrobeats crosses 10 billion streams worldwide in 2026 Black Beat June/July/Aug 2026 Relaunch Collector's Edition on sale now, order your copy Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards light up The Beverly Hilton, see the red carpet Grammy nominations drop this week, who's in the running? New releases from R&B's hottest acts hit streaming tonight Afrobeats crosses 10 billion streams worldwide in 2026 Black Beat June/July/Aug 2026 Relaunch Collector's Edition on sale now, order your copy
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A Financial Summit for the Music Creator

Financial knowledge. Financial freedom. Financial legacy. Keynote speaker Will Roundtree and guest speaker Kevin J. Nelson break down building wealth from your music, protecting your brand & rights, tax strategies that save, and turning your talent into long-term wealth.

  • 📅 Friday, August 14, 2026
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In Memoriam
Peaceful Journey
Peabo Bryson, A Man of Soul
A voice that touched generations. A legacy that lives forever. Read our tribute →
Cover Story Relaunch Collector's Edition · June/July/Aug 2026

Brandy
A Timeless Icon

Three decades in and freshly honored with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, "The Vocal Bible" graces the cover of Black Beat Magazine's historic relaunch.

Read Full Story
Brandy Norwood, featured in Black Beat Magazine's historic relaunch
Cover Story
Live Review
Bobby Brown Proves He's Still the King of Stage Presence at the Saban Theatre
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Chris Brown: 20 Years a Showman
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Southern Rap in 2026: Who's Holding It Down?
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Black Producers Taking Over Hollywood's Soundtrack
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Streetwear That Slaps: Brands to Know Right Now
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The Founding Five of Hip Hop Fashion
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Natural Hair Isn't a Statement, It's Non-Negotiable
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Watch: The Best Performances of the Month
Just Released Black Beat Magazine Tribute Issue cover honoring actress and comedian Christy Knowings
Memorial Tribute Edition

Christy Knowings A Black Beat Memorial Tribute Issue

By Kevin J. Nelson  ·  20 pages  ·  Published August 15, 2026

A special Black Beat Magazine memorial tribute celebrating the life and legacy of Christy Knowings. From Sesame Street and Nickelodeon’s All That to her work as an actress, comedian, singer, and creator, this commemorative issue honors her remarkable talent through archival photographs, career highlights, personal reflections, and heartfelt tributes from friends and cast members.

  • Sesame Street
  • All That
  • Archival Photography
  • Career Highlights
  • Personal Reflections
  • Cast Tributes

Print & digital editions · Fulfilled by MagCloud

On Sale Now Black Beat Magazine, June/July/August 2026 Relaunch Collector's Edition, featuring Brandy on the cover
The Print Edition

Black Beat June/July/August 2026 · Relaunch Collector's Edition

By Kevin J. Nelson  ·  66 pages  ·  Published July 28, 2026

The wait is over. Black Beat Magazine returns with its Relaunch Collector's Edition, celebrating the music, people, and stories shaping Black culture today while honoring a legacy that began in 1983. This special edition features Brandy, along with compelling coverage of New Edition, Prince, Stephen Hill, Frank McComb, and Jussie Smollett, plus emerging talent in The Indie Corner.

  • Brandy
  • New Edition
  • Prince
  • Stephen Hill
  • Frank McComb
  • Jussie Smollett
  • The Indie Corner

Print & digital editions · Fulfilled by MagCloud

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Hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, soul, jazz, go-go, we cover the full spectrum of Black music with the depth it deserves. Charts, reviews, and exclusives.

★ Song Choice of the Week
IT
DEP
“It Depends”
Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller
Why we picked it: A smooth, grown R&B record that flips the bridge of Usher's “Nice & Slow” into something brand new, and earned Grammy nods for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Breezy and Tiller still have the formula.
✦ Artist to Watch
DD
Detroit Diamond
Artist · Songwriter · Detroit / LA
An independent artist, songwriter, model, and actor who turned grief into purpose, channeling the loss of her brother into music that keeps his legacy alive. A self-described “professional risk taker” who refuses to follow trends, she built her fanbase city by city, including a breakout run on MossFest. Authentic, versatile, and driven, exactly the kind of original Black Beat is built to champion.
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// Music Feature
R&B and Soul singer Just’N
R&B / Soul
Just’N: Carrying the Torch of Soul Into a New Generation
Church-raised, studio-disciplined, and guided by his uncle Calvin Richardson, the North Carolina singer behind “Good Ol Lovin’” is building a Soul catalog that belongs to him.
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Latest Reviews
GK
Blue Flame
Gold Kizz · Hip-Hop / R&B
Masterclass in vulnerability and bravado. His most complete project yet.
9.4
/ 10
MO
Frequencies
Monét · R&B / Soul
Commands your attention through restraint and raw vocal power.
8.9
/ 10
AK
Lagos Unlimited
Ayra Kemi · Afrobeats
Bridges continents without losing her roots. A crossover that doesn't compromise.
8.5
/ 10
Lifestyle.

Fashion, beauty, health, culture, and events. Black lifestyle isn't a niche, it's the standard. We cover it with the respect it deserves.

Rob Malloy, Black Beat Magazine Lifestyle and Red Carpet Correspondent
Media & Culture, Announcement
Rob Malloy: Where Culture, Lifestyle and Connection Meet
Black Beat welcomes the Atlanta personality as our Lifestyle and Red Carpet Correspondent, bringing his voice, relationships and front-row perspective to On The Beat ATL with Rob Malloy.
Prince Kameron · 6 min read
Read Full Story
Fashion
Streetwear That Slaps: The Brands You Need to Know Right Now
From independent Black-owned labels to major collabs, these are the pieces defining the look of 2026.
Jade Harris · 5 min read
Health & Wellness
Mental Health in the Black Community: Breaking the Silence in 2026
More artists and athletes are speaking openly. What's driving the shift, and who's leading it?
Dr. Amara Osei · 8 min read
Culture & Events
Summer 2026 Events: The Festivals, Concerts, and Celebrations You Can't Miss
From Essence Fest to local block parties, your complete guide to Black summer 2026.
Tiana Cross · 6 min read
Food & Culture
Soul Food for a New Generation: Black Chefs Reclaiming the Kitchen
Comfort classics reimagined on their own terms, no compromise, all flavor.
Rashida Okafor · 7 min read
Sports & Culture
Athlete, Activist, Artist: The Triple Threat Refusing to Stay in Their Lane
A new generation of Black athletes is redefining what it means to show up, on and off the field.
Marcus Bell · 9 min read
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Disrupting Urban Culture

The urban source for celebrity news, music, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment, since October 1983.

Our Story

Black Beat Magazine was born in October 1983 with a single, clear purpose: to give Black music and culture the platform they deserved, not as an afterthought, but as the main event.

For over four decades, we have been the urban source for celebrity news, music, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment. We've covered the icons who shaped history, and the rising voices who are writing the next chapter.

From hip-hop's earliest days to the global rise of Afrobeats, from the pioneers of R&B to the new jazz underground, Black Beat has been there. Not just as observers, but as participants in the culture.

We are not a mainstream publication that occasionally covers Black stories. We are a Black publication that covers everything that matters to our community, with the depth, respect, and unapologetic pride it deserves.

What We Cover

Celebrity news and interviews. Music reviews, charts, and exclusives. Film & TV coverage. Style and beauty. Health and wellness. Culture and events. Video highlights. And everything in between that makes up the rich, layered tapestry of Black life in America and around the world.

We cover B2K reunions and Grammy nominees. We introduce you to the underground rapper from your city. We profile the culture creators nobody else is talking about. We give you the full picture, because our community deserves nothing less.

1983
Founded, October
40+
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Kevin J Nelson
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Beats Gordy
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Vernell Dillingham
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