Music
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DJ Shadow's Endtroducing….. Is the Album That Changed the Way I Listened to Hip-Hop
Like a lot of black men who grew up in the ’90s, hip-hop is the soundtrack for my life and has been for as long as I can remember. I can remember “borrowing” cassette tapes from my older sister—she had a new music plug in high school—dubbing them, and sneaking them back into her room…
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Ari Lennox Returns With 'Shea Butta Baby' Remix EP
We don’t deserve Ari Lennox, but we’ll happily take her anyway. After blessing us all with her critically-acclaimed debut album, Shea Butta Baby—“New Apartment” is the perfect ode to domestic autonomy—the D.C. native has returned with its successor: a remix EP. Boasting production by J.Cole and contributions from Doja Cat, Smino, and Durand Bernarr—whose recent…
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If You Can 'Believe It,' Rihanna Has New Music—Not a Solo Project, but We'll Take What We Can Get at This Point
We actually found love in a hopeless place, y’all. And by “love,” I mean, Rihanna’s music. PartyNextDoor released a new album titled Partymobile on Thursday and Rihanna is featured on his track “Believe It.” According to Entertainment Weekly, this is the 32-year-old artist’s first music appearance in 3 years. Now, if you’re expecting a true…
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Still Wishing to Catch Rihanna, Beyoncé in Concert? Look No Further Than 'At Home With TIDAL'—Oh, and It's Free
In practicing social distancing in order to best avoid one crisis, many of us are becoming dangerously close to experiencing another: running out of shows to binge-watch. Thankfully, the fine folks at TIDAL are offering a cure for our quarantine blues in the form of At Home With TIDAL, a free—no, really; it’s free—exclusive livestream…
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Some of Your Favorite Songs by Dr. Dre, Whitney Houston Were Just Inducted Into the Library of Congress
Throughout the course of his unparalleled career, Dr. Dre has collected more than his fair share of accomplishments and accolades. But his latest might be his most significant yet, as the National Recording Registry announced that his debut album, The Chronic, will be archived for forevermore in the Library of Congress. “The National Recording Registry…
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Lionel Richie Has Considered Writing a Song Similar to 'We Are the World' in the Coronavirus Era
It’s been 35 years since the release of the iconic Grammy-winning song “We Are the World,” by the supergroup USA For Africa, which featured several iconic artists and signified an unprecedented moment in pop culture. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson, is reflecting on the song’s intention. According…
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DJ D-Nice Breaks the Internet and Rallies a Parade of Stars With Daily 9-Hour Coronavirus Quarantine Parties
DJ D-Nice done did it. And he continues to do it. Every night since last Tuesday, the in-demand deejay and hip-hop veteran has mastered the art of social distancing and social media with an infectious music party, aptly titled “Homeschool: Club Quarantine,” via Instagram Live. For the Saturday session, streamed from his high-rise apartment in…
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What the Hell Is That Mysterious Countdown on Donald Glover's Website About?
I completely understand that it’s now en vogue to heap praise upon Donald Glover’s musical offerings, but once upon a time, there were people like myself who were singing his praises and banging that drum to no avail. (Go listen to 2010’s “Do Ya Like” and thank me later.) But now that Glover has catapulted…
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Self-Made and Self-Heard: The Music in the Madam C.J. Walker-Inspired Series Is Entirely by Black Women
For centuries, if you wanted something to be done right, black women typically had to stand up and say, “I’ll do it.” Leading the charge is particularly significant when it comes to telling our own stories. Though writing and directing are routinely considered a form of storytelling, a film or television series’ music also can…
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Hey Guys, The Coronavirus Made Me Realize That Maybe I Don't Hate Kenny G.'s Music
While many of us are responsibly stuck at home during this time of pandemic concern, the need for entertainment and mental stimulation is high. For many, that means scouring the catalogs of the various streaming services available to us, or rewatching classic movies and series. Perhaps it involves marathon games of Monopoly or making TikTok…