Image : Tems with former United States President, First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. Photo credit: Tems

Grammy-winning Afrobeats star Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has met with former United States First Lady Michelle Obama at the newly opened Media Suite of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, where both figures engaged young aspiring artists in a conversation on confidence, creativity and self-expression.

The meeting, which was shared in a video posted by Michelle Obama on X on Monday, formed part of activities at the Obama Presidential Centre’s creative hub in Jackson Park.

The Centre, which opened just days earlier during its June 18–21, 2026 launch events, includes a Media Suite designed to give young people access to tools for music production, podcasting and other creative training.

In her post accompanying the video, Michelle Obama wrote: “Tems and I met with some aspiring artists at the Obama Presidential Centre’s new Media Suite! Barack and I hope this Media Suite will become a place where young people can find their voice, learn about music, and make beautiful art.

”Inside the session, Tems expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the participants, while also highlighting the importance of authenticity in building confidence as an artist.

“I got a chance to meet these beautiful, talented girls, and I’m so grateful to the Obama Centre and to Michelle Obama for inviting me,” she said.

Michelle Obama also told the participants that the Centre was created as a space for young people to explore their talents and find their voices, adding that she and former President Barack Obama envisioned it as a long-term creative hub.

In a response to a student’s question about stage confidence, Michelle Obama emphasised consistency and practice, noting that self-assurance is developed over time through experience.

Tems, in her own contribution, encouraged the young artists to embrace individuality and creative honesty. She said:“You have to do things that bring more of you out, like that, make you more authentic. That helps with confidence…. I really believe in what these guys are doing here, which is also why I started the Leading Vibe initiative, who supports young women in music in every way

Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, has been stabbed to death at the age of 35 in East London, sparking an active murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Emergency services responded to reports of a stabbing around 9 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at a property on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown. Riley was found with multiple stab wounds in the garden of the property and was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts.

A second man was also injured in the incident and hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested three individuals nearby on suspicion of murder; two have since been released, while a 27-year-old man remains on bail pending further inquiries.

Born in Nigeria and based in the UK, Talay Riley was renowned as a hit songwriter who collaborated with global stars including Dua Lipa, Usher, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Nick Jonas, and Khalid. He also worked closely with Craig David on the 2018 album The Time Is Now.

Tributes have poured in from the music industry. British rapper Stormzy commented, “I’m sorry, bro.” Craig David wrote: “Sending so much love to you and the family. His beautiful energy will continue to be felt and shown from the other side.”

In a family statement, relatives described Riley as a “beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend whose kindness, talent, and spirit touched many lives.” They added: “We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit, and remarkable talent.”

Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

The velvet-voiced R&B balladeer and two-time Grammy Award winner, Peabo Bryson whose soaring duets defined a generation of Disney classics, has died at 75.

Bryson is survived by his wife, Tanya Boniface Bryson, his children, and his grandchildren.

His family confirmed that the singer passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The news follows reports from earlier in the week that Bryson had been receiving medical care after suffering a stroke.

In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed both their grief and their gratitude for the life he lived.

“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments,” the statement read.

“His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories, and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song.”

Born Robert Peapo Bryson on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, he began his professional musical journey in the 1970s.

Over the course of his distinguished career, he established himself as one of R&B’s most consistent and respected performers, celebrated for his smooth tenor and emotional range.

While his solo catalog featured numerous hits—including “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” and “Can You Stop the Rain”—Bryson gained international fame for his legendary collaborations. He is perhaps best known for his work on two of Disney’s most iconic animated films:

“Beauty and the Beast” (1991) where his duet with Celine Dion -the film’s title track- and earned him his first Grammy Award.

Also, “A Whole New World” (1992) which is his collaboration with Regina Belle for Aladdin became a global phenomenon, winning him a second Grammy and cementing his status as a master of the romantic power ballad.

Beyond his commercial success, peers and colleagues remembered Bryson for his deep passion for his craft and his genuine connection to his fans.

Comedian and television host Loni Love, reflecting on a recent encounter with the singer on a cruise ship, described him as someone who spoke with immense love for his music and shared stories with profound warmth.

As news of his passing spread, fans and fellow artists took to social media to share tributes, celebrating a career that bridged decades, genres, and cultures, leaving behind a timeless body of work that continues to resonate with listeners worldwide.