Cover Story
A bad rap: Why so many Detroit hip-hop shows get canceled
Rapper BossMan Dlow hit the stage at Detroit’s Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre last month as one of the hottest emcees of the summer, fresh off the cover of XXL’s “Freshman Class” 2024. However, the Florida native only performed his hit “Get In With Me” and a couple of other crowd favorites before his performance, part of…
This Detroit beauty salon aims to give stylists a bigger cut
Over the course of her career as a hairstylist, Kelsie Angst says she’s appreciated the camaraderie with her coworkers and the opportunity to learn new skills along the way. That’s the spirit she hopes to cultivate at her new beauty salon Studio Vera, which recently opened in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood. “I’ve worked in a few…
Detroit artists invited to represent Stroh’s in art contest at The Old Miami
The Old Miami is teaming up with an iconic long-standing local brand to offer Detroit artists a unique opportunity to showcase their talent. In partnership with Stroh’s, the artsy Cass Corridor dive bar is hosting an art contest as part of its “Boondoggle in the Backyard” event on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 2 p.m. to…
Democrats blast Trump’s rally in Michigan town with troubling KKK ties
Michigan Democrats are slamming former President Donald Trump for choosing Howell as the location for his rally on Tuesday, a month after white supremacists rallied there, chanting “We love Hitler. We love Trump.” Trump plans to talk about “crime and safety” at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in the town of about 10,000 residents that…
The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery planned for former Franklin Grill space
New plans have been revealed for the site of the former Franklin Grill, which closed in February after 16 years in business. Dubbed the Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery, or “The Franklin” for short, the new restaurant is slated to open later this year at 32760 Franklin Rd. The development will see the renovation of…
Slopmonster
Man, life’s a trip, and not always the good kind. I tried to write a book once—too many words, man. Short stories? Nah, couldn’t keep it short enough. Poems? Don’t even get me started. But billboards? Now, that’s something I could wrap my head around. Just a few words, screaming out to the world like,…
Judge, prosecutor overlooked red flags before Canton Township man allegedly killed neighbor over mulch
The fatal shooting of a Canton Township man that stemmed from a dispute over mulch earlier this month might have been avoided if prosecutors and a judge hadn’t overlooked glaring warning signs about the suspect, Metro Times has learned. Before Devereaux Johnson, 47, allegedly shot his neighbor, he was charged in June 2023 with assault…
Mersiless Amir, one of Detroit’s most important emcees, on his career and staying the course
It’s 5:30 p.m. and there’s a quiet hush inside Detroit’s Vinyl Society bar and lounge. The late-evening patrons haven’t trickled in yet and the emcee known as Mersiless Amir is the only customer inside. As he finishes a glass of Grand Marnier, the waitress asks him if he wants another but he politely declines. Amir’s…
Detroit’s first Hip-Hop Theatre Festival will bring hip-hop songs to life
Hip-hop tracks will be transformed into plays at this upcoming festival, merging the worlds of music and theater in a new way. The BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival, a one-day event celebrating the stories of hip-hop music through live performances, will hold its inaugural event on Saturday, Sept. 7. Unlike traditional hip-hop theater, which typically infuses…
Double Winter makes it last with new album ‘Hourglass’
Steve Barcus says he isn’t used to being called “chill.” He says this while slightly reclined in what appears to be a cozy, thrifted linen kaftan robe, one barefooted leg crossed over the other, with a cat in his lap. He says this even as he’s accompanied by three of his bandmates in the Detroit-based…
Lapointe: Do the Tigers really need more luxury boxes?
Fret not about improving the hitting, pitching, fielding, and payroll of the mediocre Detroit Tigers. Oh, no. Instead, the Ilitch ownership is about to give Motor City baseball fans what they really want and need: Luxury seating and a private club around home plate at Comerica Park so fat cats can pay big bucks for…
NBA’s Kevin Johnson ready to open Fixins Soul Kitchen in Detroit
Former NBA All-Star and 55th mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson is ready to bring his Fixins Soul Kitchen restaurant chain to Detroit. Announced last year, the restaurant will be located at 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, in a space formerly occupied by Detroit Seafood Market in the Harmonie Park neighborhood. Related A grand opening celebration has…
Redford Theatre offers 500 free tickets to rare 35mm screening of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
The historic Redford Theatre in Detroit is featuring rare 35mm film screenings of the first Indiana Jones adventure Raiders of the Lost Ark next weekend, and 500 tickets are available for free. The free movies are sponsored by Pluto TV, a popular streaming television service. Pluto TV partnered with 14 family-run, independent theaters across the…
Detroit Historical Museum opens new Detroit Lions exhibit
The football season is just around the corner, and this upcoming art exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum promises to get Detroit Lions fans even more excited. On Saturday, Aug. 24, the same day as the first Lions home game of the 2024-25 season, the museum will debut Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes, an exhibit celebrating…
At Detroit concert, Missy Elliott takes fans on an expeditious odyssey of music and legacy
Everything about Missy Elliott’s “Out of this World Tour” felt like an anomaly. It’s an anomaly that a four-time Grammy Awards winner who’s sold over 40 million records would be headlining her first arena tour since debuting 27 years ago. It’s also an anomaly that the openers — Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, and Ciara — are…
House of Dank to Host Gas Station Event at Woodward Dream Cruise Featuring Cars, Entertainment & More
Detroit, MI – August 13th – House of Dank, Michigan’s leading cannabis retailer, is thrilled to announce its upcoming House of Dank Gas Station event, which will take place during the iconic Woodward Dream Cruise from August 16-18. This exclusive and private event is set to be an extraordinary celebration of automotive artistry, vibrant entertainment,…
Jack White to reunite with former Hentchmen bandmates at Hamtramck Labor Day Festival
This year’s Hamtramck Labor Day Festival will culminate with a performance by local rock ’n’ roll heroes the Hentchmen, who will be joined by none other than former bandmate Jack White for a Monday evening headlining set. That’s according to a press release sent by the festival Thursday evening, which states that the garage rock…
Detroit is one of the most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians, study finds
Be safe walking in Detroit. Don’t forget to look both ways when you cross the street. The Motor City was just named one of the most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians, according to a study from The Texas Law Dog, a website for personal injury cases. The study researched cities’ pedestrian fatality rates, walkability, accidents…
Corporate welfare took $1 billion from Detroit’s schools, city services over past decade
More than $1 billion intended for Detroit’s schools, libraries, and city services has been diverted to pay for real estate projects that benefit wealthy investors over the past decade, according to public records. The whopping amount of corporate welfare comes at a time when the city and schools are struggling to pay for basic services.…
Don’t miss these Afro Nation Detroit parties and events to have fun beyond the festival
Afro Nation Detroit is set for this weekend and the party has already started. There’s a chance to catch Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other music from the Black diaspora outside of the festival all day and night around the city. We compiled a list of the best Afro Nation afterparties, pre-parties, and other events so the…
Benefit show for cancer-stricken Trash Brats bassist Tony Romeo set for Small’s
Friends and supporters of longtime Detroit musician Tony Romeo, best known as the bassist of glam-punk legends the Trash Brats, are hosting a benefit show for Romeo Friday night in Hamtramck as he faces a battle with cancer. After recently losing his longtime partner, artist and photographer Debbie Sipes, to cancer, Romeo is now facing…
Detroit’s Leña restaurant is hot stuff
A Spanish restaurateur might chuckle at the idea of a place that closes at 10 p.m., when his customers are just settling in, but hey, we’re Midwesterners and this is how we roll. No complaints here — and Basque-Catalan Leña is full to the brim not just on weekends but on weeknights. Leña bills itself…
Families demand justice as Wayne County prosecutor refuses to reexamine cases
Family members of Black men who are still behind bars after a disgraced Detroit detective was accused of mishandling their investigations are incensed that Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has so far declined to review criminal cases. Detective Barbara Simon was featured in a two-part Metro Times series that showed how she confined young suspects…
Free Will Astrology (Aug. 14-20)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Years ago, when I worked as a postal delivery person in Santa Cruz, California, I mastered my route quickly. The time allotted to complete it was six hours, but I could easily finish in four. Soon I began to goof off two hours a day, six days a week. Many great…
The Metro Times Best of Detroit poll is now open!
The Metro Times annual Best of Detroit Reader’s Poll is now open! You can vote for all the people, places, and things to do that make Detroit great across 400+ categories — including arts & entertainment, food & drink, goods & services, people & places, and sports & recreation. Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday,…
