Latest news with #AFRAM
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Popular singer brutally mocked over disastrous acapella performance of her biggest hit
R&B star Amerie has been savaged online after performing an acapella version of her 2005 hit 1 Thing. The singer, 45, was performing at the AFRAM music festival in Baltimore when she told her band to stop playing so that she could sing acapella. Amerie, who has been under fire for her vocal abilities in recent weeks, seemed to be trying to prove her skills by performing the track completely live and unaccompanied. However, many fans on social media were left underwhelmed by her rendition of the iconic song. 'Is this a humiliation ritual?' asked one, while another wrote, 'You can tell she's tryna prove something here.' A third commented, 'Artists do have off days... They are human. It seems the band not playing in the right keys can throw off the artist as well.' Another wrote, 'Sounds like somebody singing in the shower but I'mma mind my business.' A fifth fan wrote, 'Internet got everybody trying to prove themselves smh. Amerie is a legend in her own right. Who truly cares if she off key?' Other claimed that it's the key of the song and not Amerie's actual vocal abilities that are the issue when it comes to singing 1 Thing live. 'All this could've been avoided by changing the key lol,' wrote one. 'Just change the key!' demanded another, while a third wrote, 'Omg why won't she change the key.' A fourth said, 'That song IS insanely hard to sing. It's so high and so fast.' Other fans jumped to the star's defense and said that she sounds the same live as she does on the recorded version. 'She sounds JUST like the song to me... I don't get the hate,' stated one. Another wrote, 'She sounds EXACTLY like she sound back in the day - if y'all don't know who Amerie is just say that.' It comes after Amerie was ridiculed online following a live performance she did for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert. The 18-minute set went viral online earlier this month, with many fans feeling underwhelmed by Amerie's vocals. 'I genuinely didn't expect her to sound as bad as she did. I think she makes wonderful music, but her background singers suck. She sounded like she couldn't hear herself,' wrote one. 'She's stunning and seems like she had fun. However she doesn't sound that good to be honest,' wrote another. Amerie first shot to fame in 2002 with her debut single Why Don't We Fall in Love. Her career ascended to new heights in 2005 with 1 Thing, which topped the R&B charts and became a major hit across Europe. She recently revealed that her record label almost gave 1 Thing to Jennifer Lopez instead of her, so she leaked her version to radio stations to prevent JLo from getting it. Shortly afterwards, producer Rich Harrison helped Lopez, now 55, record and release Get Right, a track with a similar sound and nearly identical elements. After her success on the music charts, Amerie reinvented herself as a book influencer on YouTube. After building a following in the literary space, Amerie published a children's book in 2017 and released her first novel earlier this month.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
AFRAM brings sense of community back to Druid Hill for 49th year
AFRAM brings sense of community back to Druid Hill for 49th year AFRAM brings sense of community back to Druid Hill for 49th year AFRAM brings sense of community back to Druid Hill for 49th year Large crowds of music enthusiasts attended the first day of AFRAM on Saturday. Festival-goers enjoyed their favorite artists, but were more excited about the positive atmosphere. "This is just unique to Baltimore," said Samantha Potts, one of the attendees. "It's Baltimore flavor. It's Baltimore style, and we always get top talent!" The event attracted a crowd of all ages. "It feels like a community," said Kayla Rich. "It feels like we're all together having a great time. It feels like a Organizers and family members backed this, hailing AFRAM as a family-friendly event. "I'm a mom who's always busy with my son," said Tynisha Brown. "I don't have much time for myself, and today I wanted to make that happen and help him to connect with the community." The crowd rolled in early with tents, chairs, and food. Throughout the day, they heard from R&B artist VEDO, rappers JT and Stefflon Don. Saweetie announced Friday she wouldn't be able to attend AFRAM due to an injury. Many also looked forward to Saturday's headliner, Juvenile and the 400 Degreez Band. However, festivalgoers said AFRAM provides a deeper connection beyond the music. "It means power," Brown said. "It means strength. It means togetherness. It means community. It means new beginnings. It means so much." "It's beautiful Black pride," Potts said. "It's peaceful, well-organized. The food is great." About AFRAM AFRAM is one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast. It draws a crowd of more than 150,000 each day of the festival, according to its website. The event, organized by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, is in its 49th year. The festival picks up Sunday at 12p. Patti LaBelle, Teedra Moss, Amerie, Silk and more will perform.
CBS News
21-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Dangerous, potentially record breaking, heat building in
Welcome to the weekend! Heat is building in and will be reaching potentially dangerous and record-breaking levels starting on Sunday. The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has issued a string of Alert Days for the extreme heat starting Sunday into the middle of the upcoming week. Saturday, however, will still be hot but not as much as we'll see starting Sunday. High temperatures will reach the low to mid-90s. Feels like temperatures peak in the mid to upper 90s this afternoon. The second day of AFRAM will be the first of a string of Alert Days. High temperatures peak closer to 100° for the first time this year. This will be very similar to what we felt during AFRAM last year. When you factor in the humidity, it'll feel like the low to mid-100s. Monday and Tuesday look to be slightly hotter (and most likely the worst days of the stretch). Wednesday will be a couple of degrees 'cooler' - back into the upper 90s but the high humidity will push the feels like temperature/heat index over 100° again. The heat wave will continue into the late week as highs continue to surpass 90° Thursday and Friday. Storm chances return later this week and that could provide some slight relief. Heat tips: Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing Take frequent breaks if you plan to be outdoors Drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty Remember pets and the elderly in the heat Forecast highs vs records for June 22-25, 2025
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
AFRAM Baltimore 2025 performance lineup and schedule
What can you expect at the 2025 Baltimore AFRAM Festival? What can you expect at the 2025 Baltimore AFRAM Festival? What can you expect at the 2025 Baltimore AFRAM Festival? The AFRAM Festival in Baltimore is a celebration of African American culture, a music experience and a foodie paradise. This year's free festival will take place in Druid Hill Park on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. AFRAM runs from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday featuring nearly 20 artists, including headliners Juvenile and Patti LaBelle. What is AFRAM? AFRAM highlights African American culture, music and art. It's one of the largest Black cultural festivals on the East Coast. Each year, AFRAM is held on Juneteenth weekend. The recently recognized federal holiday on June 19 commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. The event, organized by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, is in its 49th year. AFRAM is a family-friendly affair that includes history, education, entertainment and activities for kids. Artists lineup for AFRAM 2025 This year, AFRAM has a star-studded lineup of R&B singers, Hip-Hop artists and DJs. On Saturday, June 21, the following performers will take the main stage: VEDO will perform at 5 p.m. Stefflon Don will perform at 6 p.m. Saweetie will perform at 7 p.m. Juvenile & 400 Degreez Band will perform at 8:30 p.m. DJ Loddie Antonio Herring Baltimore Club Music Kenta Vaun DJ Redds, Cool Ant, Chey Parker On Sunday, June 22, the following performers will take the main stage: Jonathan Nelson will perform at 1:45 p.m. Jonathan Gilmore Project will perform at 3:45 p.m. Amerie will perform at 5 p.m. Silk will perform at 6 p.m. Tedra Moses will perform at 7 p.m. Patti LaBelle will perform at 8:15 p.m. DJ Kenny D and Marc Clarke Ty Alexander and Rome DJ Porkchop The festival also includes a Roots & Family Stage, which will feature performances between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The following artists will perform on the Roots & Family stage:
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Fantastic Friday across Maryland ahead of dangerous heat wave
We get to enjoy a fantastic Friday of weather after a strong to damaging line of storms Thursday evening. Skies will stay partly to mostly sunny today with a comfortable breeze out of the west-northwest. Humidity levels dropped overnight and we'll benefit from the low humidity today. High temperatures will climb into the middle 80s. All outdoor plans now through this evening look picture perfect. Enjoy this beautiful and comfortable weather today as a dangerous heat wave is on the way. Summer heat during AFRAM weekend A surge of heat builds into the region this weekend, just in time for major outdoor events like the AFRAM festival in Baltimore. Highs on both Saturday and Sunday will rise into the low to mid-90s, and when combined with elevated humidity levels, heat index values could climb to near 100 degrees or higher by Sunday afternoon. Festival-goers are urged to take precautions, including wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, seeking shade when possible, and drinking plenty of water. The UV index over the weekend will be around a 9 or 10, so please wear sun protection and apply generous amounts of sunscreen. Dangerous heat wave arrives next week A powerful upper-level ridge of high pressure will establish itself over the Mid-Atlantic, creating a multi-day stretch of extreme heat. First Alert Weather Days have been issued for Sunday through Wednesday of next week. Actual high temperatures will flirt with 100° each day. The heat index could easily exceed that threshold, possibly feeling as hot as 105°. In some highly urbanized areas, heat index values may climb as high as 110°, Monday and Tuesday should be the peak of the heat wave, with some spots potentially experiencing heat index values above 105 degrees. These conditions could lead to heat-related illnesses if proper precautions aren't taken. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities during peak heating hours, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure pets have access to water and shade. Later in the week, the upper-level ridge will begin to weaken, allowing for slightly cooler - though still hot - temperatures in the 90s. As moisture returns to the region, so will the chance for scattered thunderstorms by late next week, offering a potential pattern change as July gets underway. Stay with WJZ for continuous updates on the intensifying heat into next week.
