Kendrick Lamar Sent Coded Message To Black America During Super Bowl, Amanda Gorman Warns Florida Parents After Inaugural Poem Gets Banned, Why Super Bowl Star Jalen Hurts Rents Modest Philly Apartment, What Happened During The Red Summer of 1919 And More

A collection of our most popular culture stories from the week.

Kendrick Lamar Sent A Coded Message To Black America During Super Bowl. And We Got It

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur

If the only takeaway you got from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance was that he gave another deathblow to Drake’s career – I’ll need you to watch it again. And probably again after that. - Ernest Owens Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

After Florida Banned Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural Poem, She Sent This Warning to Parents

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024 Photo: Getty Images Mandel NGAN / AFP

When Amanda Gorman read her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at former President Joe Biden’s inauguration, she became the youngest poet to deliver a poem at a presidential inauguration. Although the 26-year-old Los Angeles native says she felt an immense sense of pride at being included in such an important moment in American history, she had no idea her work would resonate the way it did. And in a recent interview with “Meet The Press,” Gorman opened up to moderator Kristen Welker about how she felt when she learned that there was an active campaign to remove “The Hill We Climb” from schools around the country. - Angela Johnson Read More

Why Super Bowl Star Jalen Hurts, With His $255 Million Contract, Rents a Modest Philly Apartment

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

After winning his first Super Bowl, you could expect Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts would need a bigger trophy cabinet, but it seems the NFL star has no plans to upgrade his lifestyle, and he has a pretty good reason for it. - Phenix S Halley Read More

Jalen Hurts and Bry Burrows Love Story

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles and fiancee, Bry Burrows, embrace after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a lot to celebrate these days. Hurts, who just led the Eagles to a 40 - 22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to become one of just four Black quarterbacks with a Super Bowl “W” under his belt, is about to join an even more exclusive team, as he prepares to say “I Do” to his fiancée Bryonna “Bry” Rivera Burrows. And because there’s nothing we love more than Black love around here. we’re taking a little time out to celebrate their story. - Angela Johnson Read More

This Black Philly Eagles Player Takes a Shot at Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift Fans are Dragging Him Over It

Photo: Getty Images Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire // Frazer Harrison // Cooper Neill

Philadelphia Eagles star C.J. Gardner-Johnson is feeling what it’s like to be an enemy of the Swifties after attacking Travis Kelce on social media. But before he even has a chance to respond, his mother is coming to the rescue. - Noah A. McGee Read More

You Heard of the Tulsa Massacre, But I Bet Nobody Told You About Red Summer of 1919.

Photo: Getty Images Unidentified Photographer, June 1921

Most Black Americans have never heard of the Red Summer of 1919…but it is an element of Black history that we need to pay attention to. This country specializes in committing monstrous atrocities and then ignoring the consequences of their actions. It happened with Native Americans and the Trail of Tears. And, of course, it happened with Black folks. This truth is best captured when we consider what happened in the year 1919. - Lawrence Ware Read More

This Black Commercial Pilot Went Viral For Having Locs and a Grill...You Can Probably Guess Why

Screenshot: TikTok

Even though social media can instrumental in building community amongst Black folks, it has become just as easy to peddle hate. One TikTok user was reminded of this fact when he posted about being a commercial pilot. - Candace McDuffie Read More

Etsy Sellers Clapped Back at Kanye West’s Anti-Semitic Shirt With This Anti-Kanye Tee, And That’s Not All...

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

Earlier this week, we told you that Kanye West — who now goes by Ye — bought local ad time in Los Angeles during the Super Bowl to promote the latest from his Yeezy fashion line. The ad, which was shot on his iPhone from a dentist chair (we’re also confused), encouraged viewers to visit his website where the only thing for sale...was a t-shirt with a swastika on it. - Angela Johnson Read More

‘Dirty South’ Georgia Lawmakers Want to Do What to Cornbread!?

Photo: Getty Images Karen Warren / Houston Chronicl

While many states have a plethora of foods recognized as “state foods,” it seems one southern state is looking to add cornbread to its growing palette... yes, that’s right— cornbread. - Phenix S Halley Read More

The Great Marcus Garvey and His Scandalous Tale of Two Wives

Marcus Garvey “Africa’s Provisional President” during the renaming of the ship from the “General G.W. Goethals” to the S.S Booker T. Washington. Photo: Getty Images NY Daily News

We know Marcus Garvey as a powerful figure in Black history who dedicated much of his life to promoting self-love among Black people and encouraging an eventual return to their ancestral homeland of Africa. An outspoken Black nationalist who is said to have influenced other civil rights leaders including Malcolm X, many of Garvey’s supporters believe his 1923 conviction on mail fraud charges was politically motivated. However, former President Joe Biden issued a posthumous pardon to Garvey on his way out of the White House in January. - Angela Johnson Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

If you're planning your Fourth of July cookout playlist, these songs by blue-eyed soul artists should be in the mix ...
A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A look at how the "Best Dressed Rapper Alive" leveled up in fashion ...

Flint's Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

Flint’s Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

This milestone marks a record for one of the worst water crises in the nation's history ...
NBA's Mike Beasley's Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to <i>Who??</i>

NBA’s Mike Beasley’s Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to Who??

The amount of money Beasley apparently owes to his barber is insane ...
Diddy's Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All...

Diddy’s Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All…

After giving death stares to reporters and throwing up heart symbols to his children throughout the trial, Diddy's demeanor has taken a turn ...
Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

The popular singer is finally sharing some secrets behind her amazing weight loss journey and we're taking notes! ...
Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can't

Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can’t

Can we have a frank and honest conversation? It is time we told the truth ...
Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It's About Time!

Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It’s About Time!

Bailey appears to be basking in her newfound happiness and a newfound man. And the social media streets are hot about it! ...
50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

A handful of famous faces are finally starting to speak out about and the responses are...interesting! ...
Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Cassie Ventura might not be viewed as sympathetic for this one reason ...
WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

As soon as Diddy was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, fans took to the streets lathering up in... baby oil ...
Carnival's New Rules Got Black Folks <i>All</i> in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Carnival’s New Rules Got Black Folks All in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Are Carnival's new rules restrictive, or racist? Some folks say it's the latter, and they're cancelling their reservations expeditiously ...

The Story Behind the Viral ‘Boots on the Ground’ Dance Performed By Beyoncé and Michelle Obama

As we roll into the Fourth of July weekend, we're looking at the story behind the latest viral line dance ...
Why This Phone Call From Ray J's Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

Why This Phone Call From Ray J’s Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

The "One Wish" singer is no stranger to making headlines, but this time might be cause for serious concern ...
Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Diddy was just found not guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking but guilty on prostitution charges ...
The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

While it's been nearly 15 years since the couple ended their marriage, we now have a good clue as to what exactly caused its dissolution ...
Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji's Daughter's Death in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji’s Daughter’s Death in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...