Glasses After Dark: Detroit’s Love, Soul x Hip Hop Festival Set for August 8, 2026

Detroit is set to host a major R&B and hip hop showcase this summer as C2 Productions (Creating.The.Way.Out) presents “Glasses After Dark,” a Love, Soul x Hip Hop Festival, powered by E.A.E Musique. The event will take place on August 8, starting at 4 PM, at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, located at 2600 Atwater Street in Detroit.

The festival boasts a stacked lineup spanning classic R&B and hip hop legends, including Blackstreet, Sisqo, Adina Howard, Tweet, The LOX, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crakk, and K.P. Together, these artists bring decades of iconic music to the stage.

Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.com and The Aretha Box Office.

PJ Morton & J Brown Confirmed for Jazzy Nights at Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

Grammy-winning artist PJ Morton will bring his soulful sound to Detroit this summer, headlining a special performance at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre on Wednesday, July 29, at 7:30 PM. The show, featuring special guest J Brown, is part of the venue’s Wednesday Jazzy Nights series, presented by Chase.

PJ Morton has built a reputation as one of the most versatile voices in contemporary R&B and soul, known for his work as a solo artist as well as his role as keyboardist for the Grammy-winning band Maroon 5. His music blends gospel roots, jazz sensibilities, and modern R&B, making him a perfect fit for the Jazzy Nights series.

Joining him on the bill, J Brown adds another dynamic voice to what promises to be an intimate and soulful evening under the stars. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at TheAretha.com.

Chance the Rapper Celebrates 10 Years of Coloring Book with Anniversary Tour Stop in Virginia

Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper will bring his Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour to the Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.

The tour commemorates the 10th anniversary of Coloring Book, the groundbreaking 2016 mixtape that made Chance the Rapper the first independent artist to win a Grammy Award. Widely recognized as one of the most influential hip-hop projects of its era, the mixtape features fan favorites including “No Problem,” “Same Drugs,” and “All Night.”

Tickets are available via www.wolftrap.org.

Keith Sweat’s Birthday Bash Comes to Barclays Center This July

Keith Sweat will celebrate his birthday in style with a star-studded R&B concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on July 25.

Dubbed “Keith Sweat’s Birthday Bash,” the event brings together some of R&B’s most beloved voices, with Joe, Dru Hill, and Kut Klose confirmed to join Sweat on the bill. Organizers say additional artists will be announced in the coming days, promising an even bigger lineup as the date approaches.

Known for hits like “Twisted” and “Nobody,” Keith Sweat has long been a defining figure in New Jack Swing and R&B, and this milestone celebration is expected to draw fans eager to hear classics from him and his fellow performers.

Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster.

Donell Jones & Ginuwine Set for London Concert at Troxy

Recording artists Donell Jones and Ginuwine will take the stage at Troxy on Friday, July 24, 2026. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the iconic venue, which is located at 490 Commercial Road in London, Great Britain.

Known for their extensive catalogs of chart-topping hits, both artists have played a significant role in shaping contemporary R&B. The highly anticipated concert will give fans the opportunity to experience classic favorites performed live, celebrating two of the genre’s most recognizable voices. Get tickets here.

Gym Class Heroes, Lupe Fiasco Team Up for “Back to Basics” Tour

Gym Class Heroes and Lupe Fiasco are joining forces this fall for the “Back to Basics Tour,” a 19-city co-headlining run that will take fans back to the blog era. B.o.B joins as special guest on most stops.

The trek begins Sept. 10 at Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland and wraps up Oct. 25 in Pinellas Park, Florida, with stops including Pittsburgh, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston, and Sugar Land, Texas along the way.

Presale tickets became available July 15, with general on-sale following July 17 at 10 a.m. local time in each market. Get full schedule and tickets here.

Jill Scott and Tierra Whack Celebrate North Philadelphia in “Norf Side” Music Video

Jill Scott has released the music video for “Norf Side,” her collaboration with fellow North Philadelphia native Tierra Whack. The visual premiered on Scott‘s official YouTube channel on July 10, 2026, bringing the hometown anthem to life with a colorful, energetic tribute to the community that shaped both artists.

Produced by legendary hip-hop producer DJ Premier, “Norf Side” is a standout track from Scott‘s latest album, To Whom This May Concern.

The fresh, vibrant video captures Scott and Whack cruising through the streets of North Philadelphia as they deliver their respective rap verses with confidence and charisma. Viewers are also treated to scenes filmed at several recognizable neighborhood landmarks, including the iconic Sid Booker’s Shrimp Corner.

One of the video‘s biggest highlights is hearing Jill Scott step away from her signature soulful vocals to showcase her lyrical skills. Her confident rap performance complements Tierra Whack‘s imaginative flow, making for a dynamic collaboration that feels both natural and refreshing.