Harry Belafonte, a transformational figure in American entertainment and activism, died at the age of 96 at home in Manhattan on April 25. The figurehead in popularizing calypso in America in the mid- ...

Joshua Jelly-Schapiro is the author of the books Island People, Names of New York and a forthcoming book on Harry Belafonte, part of Penguin Press' Significations series edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr ...

Four hours into the marathon recording session that yielded the 1985 hit “We Are the World,” its nearly 50 participating recording artists were on the verge of taking a break. It was almost 2 a.m., ...