Music
-
Icon, Unfiltered: Stephanie Mills Talks Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and Why the Music Industry Doesn't Honor Black Artists
Stephanie Mills has got opinions. Lots of ‘em. The Grammy-award winning singer and actress best known for playing Dorothy in the original Broadway production of The Wiz is not one for holding her tongue. She’s now a woman of a certain age—read: She has no time for the BS. “I’m not apologizing about anything I…
-
Detroit Police Investigating Claim R. Kelly Sexually Assaulted 13-Year-Old Girl, Gave Her Herpes
A new set of allegations has cropped up against singer and accused sexual abuser R. Kelly, this time from Detroit. According to CBS Chicago (h/t Page Six), detectives in the Motor City are investigating a new allegation that the self-proclaimed “Pied Piper of R&B” sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl at a hotel in Detroit in…
-
Pharrell Williams To Honor His Hometown of Virginia with First-Time Music Festival
Clap along if you feel like reppin’ Virginia at a music festival. If so, Pharrell Williams has the function for you. According to Billboard, Pharrell announced Something in the Water, a Virginia Beach festival featuring several events, including beach and oceanfront concerts. “Allen Iverson. Missy Elliott. Dave Matthews Band. Ella Fitzgerald. Virginia has been home…
-
10 Thoughts About Solange’s New Album, When I Get Home, Because Enough Time Has Passed to Talk About It For Real, For Real
At the intersection of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, at midnight on March 1, 2019, Solange Knowles, aka Solange, aka Solo, aka The Knowles We All Love to Love, dropped her fourth album—the one right after the expectations-creating A Seat at the Table, so we all care—When I Get Home (WIGH). I had…
-
Cardi B Puts on for Selena, Breaks Garth Brooks’ All-Time Attendance Record at RodeoHouston
In a past life, country music icon Garth Brooks held the all-time attendance record at Houston’s rodeo. But after selling out her RodeoHouston debut in 40 minutes for a jaw-dropping 75,580 attendees, it’s safe to say that Cardi B is breaking more than records these days—she’s breaking boundaries. And while performing in front of damn…
-
Please Me Music Video by Cardi B and Bruno Mars— You'll Be Pleased
Want to be pleased? Join the club. Or… you can join Cardi B and Bruno Mars who dropped the music video for their ultimate “got me in the mood” single, “Please Me.” From the moment Cardi teased the single art on her Instagram, I knew this would be a hot one. The chemistry between the…
-
When I Get Home: There's a New Black Planet and Solange Is Its Fearless Leader
Imagine landing on Black Planet after it’s been classified as abandoned property for years, uttering the words, “take me to your leader” and Solange motherfucking Knowles glides toward you? That’s what happened after the end of a less-than-stellar Black History Month. It all started when Mrs. Tina Knowles Lawson’s quality sequel announced she was on…
-
On the 20th Anniversary of ‘Back That Azz Up,’ We’re Still Dropping It Like It’s Hot
Twenty years ago, during the early days of the Cash Money Records administration that took over for the nine-nine and two thousand, a young visionary gave unto his people a new negro spiritual. This man, who we shall call Juvenile, blessed us with a hymn that gives strength to the weary and power to the…
-
The 15th Anniversary of Kanye’s 'Fuck Higher Education' Album
On February 10, 2004, Kanye West, aka Yeezy, released his debut album, The College Dropout. The album remains a classic that won multiple Grammys and the certification of triple platinum. Its message also explains why it remains important today. The album was the most popular indictment of the higher education system. West formed a lyrical…
-
Jennifer Lopez's Motown Tribute at the Grammys Gentrified the Genre
During Black History Month 2019, the Recording Academy decided to gentrify Motown by having Jennifer “Don’t Be Fooled By the Rocks that I Got” Lopez do a tribute to an undeniably black-ass genre of music. Motown’s music has indeed touched the lives of many, but a performance from Lopez raised a few questions. Did they…