The house lights went down Friday at Allstate Arena and the crowd stood on their feet, cheered, whistled and erupted in deafening applause. It would be a few more seconds before the iconic R&B/pop diva would take the stage.

LL Cool J at the Allstate Arena

LOS ANGELES–Los Angeles County prosecutors said they have decided not to file felony charges against Kanye West and his manager over an incident in which a paparazzo’s camera was broken.

Eric Benet at the House of Blues

Academy Award winning actor Sidney Poitier will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award October 18, during the 44th Chicago International Film Festival’s Black Perspective Tribute. Poitier’s extraordinary career will be celebrated with a selection of film highlights and an intimate oneon- one conversation with special guest interviewer Linda Johnson Rice, president and CEO of Johnson Publishing Inc.