American singer, songwriter, producer and philanthropist
The Obama Presidential Center has opened on Chicago’s South Side with a star-studded dedication ceremony and performances. Four living former presidents attended the invite-only event; President Donald Trump did not. The $850 million, 19-acre campus will open to the public on Juneteenth and will house a museum, public library branch, athletic facilities and public spaces.
The Strokes have released Reality Awaits, blending their classic minimalist sound with Casablancas' experimental edge. The album features new textures and lively live performances, while Casablancas balances Voidz hauteur with Strokes pop. The band is touring this summer, including Sea.Hear.Now and a New York date.
Betye Saar has died at 99 in Los Angeles, capping a career spanning more than six decades. A central figure in the Black Arts Movement, Saar transformed found objects into powerful symbols of Black liberation, with landmark works such as The Liberation of Aunt Jemima and Black Girl’s Window. Her work gained broader recognition in the 2010s with major museum solo shows.