Panama Jackson

7/29/21

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Apparently Don't Know the Meaning of Water Nor Soap. They Are Not Alone. I Haz Questions

Apparently being nasty out here, as a general rule, is just something folks are OK doing.

7/27/21

'You Wanna Race?': A Cultural Norm That Has Black Folks Running Down Streets at Midnight

When there are more than four Black men (typically) gathered, it is entirely possible that a pride-induced footrace…

7/23/21

The Black Mainstream: Black Television Theme Songs

What show had the best theme song? Which one had the worst? And why is Michael Harriot trolling us all?

7/22/21

Ya Know, I Never Thought Arsenio Hall Dissed De La Soul on <i>The Arsenio Hall Show</i>

Ya Know, I Never Thought Arsenio Hall Dissed De La Soul on The Arsenio Hall Show

A comment made by the famous talk-show host set off a whole campaign on a GOAT hip-hop album, De La Soul Is Dead

7/21/21

The Black Mainstream: Black Famous

Who is the most Black famous person you can think of? Wait...what even is Black famous?

7/19/21

The Black Mainstream: Black Hair

There is no conversation about Blackness without a conversation about Black hair.

7/19/21

Welcome to The Black Mainstream

A week of Black celebration dedicated to parts of our culture that are for us, by us and about us. In essence,…

7/7/21

I'm Happy That Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ta-Nehisi Coates Are Going to Howard. Now, Howard Folks Get to Be <i>More</i> Insufferable. Yay

I'm Happy That Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ta-Nehisi Coates Are Going to Howard. Now, Howard Folks Get to Be More Insufferable. Yay

From one 'elite' HBCU graduate to a legion of others up in Washington, DC...congratulations.

7/2/21

11 Thoughts, Prayers and Concerns About the Verzuz 'Battle' Between OG Bobby Brown and OG Keith Sweat

The two R&B legends went head-to-head and it was as entertaining as expected, often in unexpected ways.

6/28/21

'Wanna Battle You'll Be Baffled at the Stuff Stated': In Tribute to Gift of Gab, One of My Favorite Hip-Hop Lyricists Ever

Gift of Gab, the rapping half of West Coast hip-hop group Blackalicious, died on June 18 at the age of 50.

6/25/21

'I'm Still Spending Money from '88': 9 Thoughts About Jay-Z's <i>Reasonable Doubt</i>, One of the Best Albums of All Time on Its 25th Birthday

'I'm Still Spending Money from '88': 9 Thoughts About Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt, One of the Best Albums of All Time on Its 25th Birthday

On June 25, 1996, Jay-Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt and launched a legendary hip-hop career.

6/18/21

Did You Realize That You Were a Champion In Our Eyes?

For the 'A Song For My Father' Father's Day Series, Panama shares about learning more of his father and his father's…

6/18/21

Watch: This Father's Day, Very Smart Brothas Is Giving Some Flowers to a Few of Our Favorite Unsung TV Dads!

Uncle Phil gets all of the flowers when it comes to favorite Black TV Dads, but this year we're going to share the…

6/11/21

Beyoncé's Internet Made Me Listen to Destiny's Child's 'Cater 2 U' for the First Time in Like 15 Years. I Have Thoughts

A song from 2004's 'Destiny Fulfilled' album has made a resurgence, and wow, is it worth talking about in 2021.

6/9/21

It's Feeling Like a Cool Dad Kind of Father's Day This Year: Very Smart Brothas Has You Covered With Gift Ideas

The days of monochromatic socks are over. If there must be socks, they will be fly!

6/8/21

A Cicada Got Into My House and Tried to Eat My Family

A cicada homie from the Brood X set invaded my home.

6/4/21

I'm Here for 'The Bando,' a Trap-Experience Restaurant in Atlanta Where You Can Get 'Crack Wings' (Along With Various Other Food Items, of Course)

This is not going to go the direction you think it might. I just want that to be clear upfront. If you’re looking…

5/28/21

Does Common Have the GOAT Hip-Hop <i>Career? </i>Making the Case

Does Common Have the GOAT Hip-Hop Career? Making the Case

A few months ago, I was a guest on a podcast that I really enjoy called the 80z Babies Podcast. The show—hosted by…

Some Thoughts

My Washer Broke and I've Had to Outsource My Favorite Chore—Washing Clothes. I've Learned a Few Things

Washing clothes is my favorite chore. I don’t know exactly when this started, but since I was younger, I’ve always…

5/27/21

Bad Poetry, Blogs, Open Mics and Nightclubs: A Story About My Writing Journey on <i>Pass The Peas</i> With Panama Jackson

Bad Poetry, Blogs, Open Mics and Nightclubs: A Story About My Writing Journey on Pass The Peas With Panama Jackson

You know, I think I’ve told the story of how Very Smart Brothas came to be a million times at this point. In fact,…

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