X xxxxy
xxxxxxy
Stevie Wonder says he won't perform in Florida and other states with a "stand your ground" law.
In a video posted on YouTube, the 63-year-old singer said at a concert in Quebec City, Canada, on Sunday “that until the ‘stand your ground’ law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again.”
Wonder added: “Wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.” The “stand your ground” law allows people to use deadly force if they believe their life is in danger. George Zimmerman shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin during a February 2012 confrontation in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman said he fired his gun in self-defense. A six-member jury acquitted Zimmerman of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges on Saturday. Wonder’s representative said the singer had no further comment.
X xxxxy
xxxxxxy
Country music star Randy Travis was awake and interacting with his family and friends Monday as he recovers from surgery following a stroke, his doctors said. In a news release and video from the Texas hospital where the 54-year-old singer is recovering, doctors said Travis remains in critical condition and on a ventilator, but is off a heart pump and is breathing spontaneously. His breathing support is gradually being reduced and he has begun the early stages of physical therapy.
Mary Davis, Travis’ fiancee, thanked the singer’s friends and fans for their prayers and support. “I know that Randy feels each and every one of those,” Davis said in the video. “He feels the hands of the doctors and the care of the nurses and the love of his fans. His friends and family have all been touched by that. He is responding well to voices and he sees and he understands. He’s miles beyond where any of us thought he would be a few days ago.”
X xxxxy
xxxxxxy
Nas has rapped his way to Harvard University. The Ivy League school announced Tuesday that the 39-year-old rapper is being honored with the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship at its W.E.B. Du Bois Institute. It's a joint venture with Harvard's Hip-Hop Archive.
The fellowship will assist students who excel in the arts “in connection with hip-hop.”
Nas is one of hip-hop’s most celebrated lyricists, best known for his reflective rhymes and deep storytelling. His 11th album, “Life Is Good,” was released last year. It earned four Grammy nominations. His hits include “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” “Street Dreams” and “I Can.”
The Hip-Hop Archive was established at Harvard in 2002. It supports growing research in hip-hop.
