The US Supreme Court hears a case involving Black voters on Wednesday that could have lasting repercussions on whether Democrats or Republicans control the House of Representatives.The case touching on the thorny issues of race and politics is a challenge to a congressional map adopted by the Louisiana state legislature creating a second Black majority district.The conservative-dominated top court actually heard the case last term, but in an unusual move it decided not to issue a ruling and scheduled it for re-argument during the current session.African-Americans tend to overwhelmingly vote Democratic and they make up one-third of the population of Louisiana, which has six congressional districts.Following the 2020 census, Louisiana created a new congressional map that included only one Black majority district instead of the previous two.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others filed suit claiming the new map diluted Black voting power and violated the Voting Rights Act, which was passed during the civil rights movement in 1965 to remedy historic racial discrimination.The Louisiana legislature released a new map last year with two Black majority districts that was met with the legal challenge from a group of “non African-American” voters. It has now reached the Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.The opponents of the redrawn map argue that using race to design congressional districts is racial gerrymandering prohibited by the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.”The stakes are incredibly high,” said ACLU attorney Sophia Lin Lakin. “The outcome will not only determine the next steps for Louisiana’s congressional map, but may also shape the future of redistricting cases nationwide.”Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House and an increase or decrease in the number of Black majority districts could help tip the balance in the November 2026 midterm elections, when all 435 seats in the chamber will be up for grabs.- ‘One-party control’ -According to a report by two voting advocacy groups, Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter, a Supreme Court ruling striking down Voting Rights Act protections for minorities could lead to Republicans picking up an additional 19 seats in the House.”It’s enough to cement one-party control of the US House for at least a generation,” they said.The Louisiana voting case is being heard against a backdrop of redistricting moves in both Republican- and Democratic-ruled states. Republican-led Texas is drawing new congressional district maps that are expected to flip up to five House seats from Democrats to Republicans.Several mainly Latino or Black districts which Republican Donald Trump lost in the 2024 election in Texas were broken up to dilute support for Democrats.Democratic leaders in California responded with a redistricting push to offset potential Republican gains in Texas, though it will first be put to a state-wide referendum.

Grammy-winning musician D’Angelo has died at the age of 51 after “a prolonged and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family told US media Tuesday.The R&B icon and neo-soul pioneer melded genres and opened doors as he stretched the boundaries of Black pop traditions while producing sensuous hits including “Brown Sugar” and the “Untitled (How Does It Feel).”The risque, shirtless music video for the latter track catapulted the artist to superstardom, though he struggled with the weight of his newfound pop culture fame. “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” his family said in a widely reported statement. “After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home.” Fellow artist Lauryn Hill, who dueted with him in “Nothing Even Matters” on her Grammy-winning debut album, shared praise and prayers on Instagram Tuesday.The similarly reclusive singer wrote of D’Angelo’s “undeniable beauty and talent,” noting his ability to present an image of “strength and sensitivity in Black manhood to a generation that only saw itself as having to be one or the other.”On her website, singer Beyonce called him a “pioneer of neo-soul” who “changed and transformed rhythm and blues forever.”- ‘Rare and beautiful voice’ -Known as a creative perfectionist with a silky voice who could play piano and guitar, D’Angelo released three albums with RCA Records: his 1995 debut “Brown Sugar,” “Voodoo” in 2000 and “Black Messiah” in 2014. The record label said in a statement Tuesday D’Angelo “was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B and jazz with a hip hop sensibility.” Voodoo’s lead single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” won him the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and the album was named Best R&B Album.Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea lamented the loss of D’Angelo Tuesday, saying “no one did anything funkier over the last 30 years,” adding “what a rare and beautiful voice and an inimitable approach to songwriting.”D’Angelo was a fan of analog production and favored long jam sessions, and was a sought-after collaborator. “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’Angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING,” DJ Premier wrote on X in tribute.D’Angelo and DJ Premier collaborated on the 1998 single “Devil’s Pie.” Music industry bible Pitchfork credited D’Angelo with helping to “define the neo-soul movement.”Born Michael Eugene Archer in Virginia, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, D’Angelo was something of a recluse, periodically surfacing to release music or perform.In 2016, he was featured on a playlist used by then US president Barack Obama, alongside other musical greats such as pop superstar Janet Jackson, soul singer Janelle Monae and blues rocker Gary Clark Jr.Tyler, The Creator posted a black and white photograph of D’Angelo on X, while The Alchemist wrote simply “Man. Rest in peace D’Angelo.”