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If You Don't Have the Keys, Don't Pack the Truck
2010 was a transitional year for me. A three-year relationship ended in the early part of the year, we had to move out of the house we lived in and go our separate ways, and I had to figure out a new life as a single man but one with a child. Life was different…
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Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' ta F' Wit? The Creators of Shaolin Jazz Disagree
To call the Wu-Tang Clan one of the most influential musical acts of all-time isn’t hyperbole. When they burst onto the scene in 1993 as a gritty and grimey Staten Island, N.Y., counterpoint to the Dr. Dre-helmed polish of Los Angeles G-funk, music shifted, too. In the decades since, the Wu footprint has shown up…
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A Line-by-Line Breakdown of Jay-Z's Verse on Meek Mill's Song 'What's Free?'
Meek Mill’s latest album, Championships, dropped today. While I’m not the biggest fan of the Philadelphia yellsmith, I can acknowledge that because of everything that’s transpired in the past, say 18 months of his life, this album release is an event. From a very public feud with Drake (they’re cool now; Drake’s even featured on…
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I Went to Morehouse College, But Morgan State University Was the First HBCU I Fell in Love With
There’s nothing like a good ole Facebook Memory, eh? This morning, while logging into the ‘Book, I was reminded of a discussion I started on November 29, 2017 (a year ago), spurred by an episode of This Is US about which historically black college or university (HBCU) was the most well-known. Here’s an excerpt (edited…
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So, Um, I Don't Think Beyoncé Is a Bad Actor
Since the release of the trailer for the new The Lion King live-action (or CGI or animated, whatever tickles your fancy and allows you fall back from your personal “well, actually’”face-ass principles) film remake—set to drop in July 2019 – the jokes about H-town’s finest, Beyoncé “Sorry, I’m Not Sorry” Knowles’ acting chops have resurfaced.…
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So Disney Just Gon' Kill Mufasa Again for a Whole New Generation of Kids with This The Lion King Live-Action Remake, Huh?
It is officially official: the live-action version of The Lion King, with all of your faves, will hit theaters in July 2019 so we can all excitedly watch Mufasa die. Again. Twenty-five years after he died the first time. There’s no two ways about it, Mufasa’s death in The Lion King is one of the most…
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Dear DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, You Can Be Wrong but You Can’t be Loud and Wrong About Mumbo Sauce
Many years ago I remember getting into an argument with a friend about the documentary, Waiting for Superman, the 2010 documentary that looks at the American public school system. The argument wasn’t about the specifics of the film at all. The argument was about how well-known the documentary was. I argued that because I’d never…
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Is Usher a Legend In the R&B Game? Yes. Yes, He Is
A few weeks back in Atlanta for Spelhouse homecoming, I got into a fun and spirited debate with my crew of Day Ones over Sunday brunch. Because we love to have deep and intellectual conversations about shit that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, music and entertainment are usually an easy go-to.…
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Ray J Is Going to Philander Smith College. Homecoming Finna Be Lit!
Ray J is going to college, y’all. And while that sounds like the name of a new reality show helmed by Mona Scott-Young, it’s an actual factual true statement. According to his Instagram account, Ray J, real name Willie Ray Norwood, has decided to enroll at Philander Smith College, a historically black college located in…
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Dear LeToya Luckett, You Are a National Treasure, Especially Playing Rochelle Cross on Greenleaf
THIS ARTICLE HAS LIGHT SPOILERS, BUT SPOILERS NONETHELESS. I’m going to go ahead and tell on myself and pray that the Beyhive doesn’t feel inclined to come get this smoke: LeToya Luckett was always my favorite Child of Destiny. I remember, way back in the ’90s, running into LeToya and Latavia at Lenox Square Mall…
