Here’s what we’re talking about over our cranberry kombucha:
In a week of major album releases, Gospel rapper LeCrae is having the best week ever. His new album, Anomaly, earned the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 list. With sales around 88,000 copies, as of last week, Anomaly isn’t the first No. 1 album LeCrae’s won: It’s actually his sixth. But unlike the past five albums, Anomaly has branched out from the Gospel and Christian album lists. And for the first time in Billboard history, LeCrae has a No. 1 album on both the Gospel Albums and Billboard 200 lists—and it’s the fifth album to be on both the Christian Albums and Billboard 200 list. To make this week even better for LeCrae, he’ll be taking his talents to late night tv, as he sits in with The Roots for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Will you be tuning in? [Billboard]
Aretha Franklin will be releasing a new album this month. With Franklin’s vocals all finished and just some minor producing left, fans will be left with amazing new music from the Queen of Soul. The album is to be released September 30, after Franklin makes an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, on September 29. [Billboard]
According a press release, Toshi Reagon is back with the 4th annual Word*Rock*&Sword Festival, which focuses on justice and rights for women. Not only will the festival include live performances, it will also include talkbacks on women’s product rights and health and a screening of Out In the Night, a documentary following four African-America lesbians. The festival ends on September 21. For more information please visit toshireagon.com/wrs.
Orange is the New Black castmember Laverne Cox is producing Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, a new documentary following seven transgender youths premiereing on both MTV and Logo. After the documentary’s premiere, there will be an hour-long “Trans Forum,” hosted by Cox will answer questions about the documentary. The documentary will air on October 147 at 7 p.m. [MTV]
