The national literary arts organization Youth Speaks, in partnership with The Seattle Public Library, will host weekly writing circles for writers ages 13 to 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at The Seattle Public Library, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Teen Center, Level 3.

When he was 19, Nasir "Nas" Jones began recording what would be one of the most important hip hop albums of all time. The 1994 "Illmatic" is a personal account of life in New York's Queensbridge housing project.

Chris 'Kazi' Rolle was born in the Bahamas where he was abandoned soon after birth by his mother who decided to start over on her own and set out for America. Understandably, Kazi grew up with a hole in his soul, and headed for New York City at the age of 14 to track her down.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Harry MacLean was a daily spectator in 2007 when federal prosecutors put part of Mississippi's troubled racial past on trial in a courtroom in downtown Jackson.

HOLT, Ala. (AP) -- Caroline Shines arrived home last week to find what she says ``is the best Christmas present I can think of.''
Her street off Crescent Ridge Road had a bright new sign designating it Johnny Shines Street, after her father, the late and great blues musician who lived in Holt for the last 20 years of his life before his death in 1992.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Taylor Swift and Beyonce are among the artists set to perform next month at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, it was announced Tuesday.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Police concerns about a terrorist attack stemming from the 2003 arrest of Michael Jackson led to a request for federal help, according to FBI files kept on the late pop star.

Who even knew that any children of slaves were still alive? A debt of gratitude is owed to Sana Butler for compiling this bittersweet collection of revealing interviews with the offspring of folks freed by the Emancipation Proclamation well over a century ago. What makes this book special is how seamlessly the author contrasts her aging subjects' fading recollections with her own expectations of them and her intimate reflections about being Black and female in present-day America.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The year's biggest hits on the Internet's top video channel were anchored by an improbable singing sensation, a groggy boy nursing a sore mouth, a bride and groom dancing down the wedding aisle, supernatural heartthrobs and roller-skating babies.

The Musical Sensation Live on Stage, April 13-18, Keller Auditorium, Early Access to tickets! SAVE over 20%