When it comes to being a Black music journalist, though, the responsibility to uphold the culture and give an honest take on the musicians representing us becomes all the more significant.

The late Amiri Baraka was a poet, activist, playwright and educator whose poetry and writings gained him fame and criticism. The Newark, N.J. native was born October 7, 1934. Born Everett LeRoi Jones, Baraka graduated from Howard University and entered the Air Force in 1954, serving three years before being honorably discharged. He moved to […]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Ras Baraka, son of late militant poet and activist Amiri Baraka, declared victory Tuesday in the race to succeed Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker as mayor of the state’s largest city. Baraka, who served on Newark’s City Council, was a staunch critic of Booker, who stepped down last year to run […]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A cacophony of bagpipes, African drums and jazz riffs creatively blended— much like the elements of an Amiri Baraka poem — at the Saturday funeral for the activist-writer and a founder of the Black Arts Movement, who died earlier this month. The service, held at Newark Symphony Hall, featured poetry, music […]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson will be among those honoring activist poet-playwright Amiri Baraka at a wake in New Jersey. The wake will be held at Newark’s Metropolitan Baptist Church on Friday night. The 79-year-old author of blues-based, fist-shaking poems, plays and criticisms died last Thursday. Baraka’s supporters considered him a genius […]

The first thing that strikes many about Amiri Baraka‘s poetry, most especially his later works, is that it carried the sharp tone of an oppressed,…

Amiri Baraka died today at the age of 79 after battling an undisclosed illness. Indeed, the world has lost one of its greatest literary giants.…

Amiri Baraka died today at the age of 79 after battling an undisclosed illness. Indeed, the world has lost one of its greatest literary giants.…

Amiri Baraka, the militant man of letters and tireless agitator whose blues-based, fist-shaking poems, plays and criticism made him a provocative and groundbreaking force in American culture, has died. He was 79. His booking agent, Celeste Bateman, told The Associated Press that Baraka, who had been hospitalized since last month, died Thursday at Newark Beth […]

Amiri Baraka, former poet laureate of New Jersey and an icon in American literature, has died, according to The Star-Ledger. He was 79-years-old. The literary…

Amiri Baraka, the legendary African-American playwright and former Poet Laureate of New Jersey, has been hospitalized, according to a broadcast report by Roland Martin. The…

Amiri Baraka, the legendary African-American playwright and former Poet Laureate of New Jersey, has been hospitalized, according to a broadcast report by Roland Martin. The…