And the list keeps growing. Common, Ne-Yo and Elijah Kelly have just been added to the star-studded cast of NBC’s upcoming The Wiz Live! Common will play the Oz gatekeeper, Ne-Yo will be stepping into the shoes of the Tin Man and—drumroll, please—Kelly landed the highly coveted roll of the Scarecrow. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Bad girl RiRi is on her way to network television. The “BBHMM” singer has joined the cast of NBC’s singing competition The Voice, where she will be acting as an advisor to the celebrity coaches. Looks like coaches Pharrell Williams, Adam Levin, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are about to get Rihanna-fied. [Entertainment Weekly]
Your life is about to get flipped-turned upside down. Everyone’s favorite prince—Will Smith—reportedly announced that he and his production company, Overbrook Entertainment, are in the process of creating a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot, which they will be shopping around to networks in the coming weeks. We’ll be chillin’ out, maxin’ and relaxin’ waiting for updates! [TV Line]
Gabrielle Union is going to be a mighty king! Twenty years after its original release, The Lion King is coming to television with Th Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, which follows Simba and Nala’s cousin. Gabrielle Union has been cast as the voice of Nala, and she will star opposite Rob Lowe, who will be voicing Simba. [E! Online]
The Gospel Music Association has released its nominees for the 2015 Dove Awards, and Christian rapper and ESSENCE Fest alum Lecrae snagged a whopping seven nominations—more than any other singer. Catch the awards show on Oct. 13. Congrats, LeCrae! [Billboard]
Janelle Monae and Jidenna are lending their voices to the movement. The two singers led rallies in both Philadelphia and New York City yesterday, where they were leading crowds in chants of “Say his name: Michael Brown.” [IB Times]
This month marks the 25th anniversary of two classic films, both Boyz N the Hood and New Jack City. In honor of these films’ releases, the African American Film Critics Association is organizing “Celebration of Hip-Hop,” a ceremony and concert that will gather some of the genre’s biggest names to commemorate the most iconic movies in Black culture. “The influence hip-hop has had on Hollywood has never been fully realized or celebrated,” AAFCE cofounder Shawn Edwards said in a statement. The awards are scheduled to take place in February. [AAFCA]
