Music
-
No Drake, Childish Gambino or Kendrick Lamar? Basically, Cardi B Is Putting on the 2019 Grammy Halftime Show
It’s about that time—the 2019 Grammys ceremony is coming up soon! However, it looks like the awards show deemed “music’s biggest night” had a tough time booking performers. According to the New York Times, major artists in the pop and hip hop industries— including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Childish Gambino—have opted not to perform at…
-
After That Super Bowl Halftime Show, It's Safe to Say Black Girls Are Not Like You, Maroon 5
Can you believe it? It’s been 15 years since the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” entered our respective lexicons. I didn’t watch one second of the 2019 Super Bowl on Sunday. But thanks to the internet and digitized programming, you can pretty much watch an entire show via social media commentary. Blah blah blah lowest score in…
-
In 1st Appearance Since Attack, Jussie Smollett Performs Live in LA; Says Now Is the Time to Be 'Blacker and Gayer'
Jussie Smollett may be bruised, but he isn’t broken. The 35-year-old made his first public appearance on Saturday night since his reported attack. “I had to be here tonight. I couldn’t let those motherfuckers win,” he shouted to the exuberant crowd in triumph, per The Hollywood Reporter. Chicago police are currently investigating an attack on…
-
Cardi B and Nicki Minaj Join Forces to Create More Opportunities for Women in Music
While female recording artists have always been at the forefront of the music industry, it’s behind the scenes where things gets a bit more scarce. In fact, according to Dr. Stacy Smith’s USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study, only 2 percent of music producers and 3 percent of engineers/mixers within the music industry are women. Thankfully,…
-
Mike and Slim of 112 Talk Super Bowl Halftime Show Erasure, Favorite Video Look, and Their Rivalry with Jagged Edge
The evolution of 112 has been an intriguing one, going from the “good boys” of the Bad Boys fraternity to the “rebellious” and increasingly flashy men they came to be. From white suits to black, to “even more black.” As the sun blazed through the glass walls of a Los Angeles hotel lobby, Mike and…
-
Chance the Rapper Joins the Backstreet Boys for a Super Bowl Commercial—and Folks Don’t Want It That Way
True life: I love hot chips. So when I learned Doritos was officially adding the Flamin’ Hot flavor to its medley of choices, I licked my future-Dorito-dusted fingers in anticipation. Mmmm. Doritos is the GOAT of Super Bowl commercials, rivaled only by Pepsi. In fact, let’s just say a bag of Doritos goes perfectly with…
-
It's Her Turn: Diana Ross to be Honored at the 2019 Grammys, Will Perform Live
Can you feel a brand new day?! The Recording Academy is set to honor the legendary diva known as Diana Ross at the 61st Grammy Awards. Ms. Ross will also perform live at the awards ceremony, aptly dubbed a Special 75th Diamond Diana Birthday Performance. The living legend hits her birthday milestone on March 24.…
-
Spotify Quietly Enabled a Feature to Allow Listeners to Literally Mute R. Kelly
The #MuteRKelly movement, founded by Oronike Odeleye and Kenyette Barnes, has rightfully been on these streaming platforms’ and record labels’ necks, which has resulted in true progress. Following the Surviving R. Kelly doc and the movement’s persistent callout for accountability, RCA/Sony recently ended their relationship with the R&B artist. Now, according to Vulture, Spotify is…
-
Grammy-Winning R&B Singer-Songwriter James Ingram Dead at 66
The music industry has suffered another incredible loss. R&B singer-songwriter James Ingram has died. According to FOX San Diego, sources say the Akron, Ohio, native died on Tuesday. TMZ reports the cause of Ingram’s death was brain cancer. He was 66 years old. One of his dearest friends, Debbie Allen, took to Twitter on Tuesday…
-
26 Is Too Young to Die
My life changed on Sunday, July 16, 2000. Even though the official reports, the newspaper, and the family story all say July 17, my big cousin never saw Monday. After going to see the recently released film, Scary Movie, my younger cousin (his little sister) and I pulled into the driveway of my grandmother’s house…