Music
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A Line-By-Line(s) Breakdown of Alleged Foolywang Jam, Donnell Jones' 'Where I Wanna Be'
In October 1999, singer/songwriter/producer Donnell Jones released his second album, platinum-selling Where I Wanna Be. The first single featuring Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was a hit—his highest-charting hit, in fact—landing inside the top 10 of Billboard’s pop charts. Interestingly, the first record I remember hearing from the album was “Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me),”…
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Barack Obama Shares His 2020 Summer Playlist, Further Solidifies That He Loves a Bop
Gosh, I really miss Barack Obama every single day. Every time he posts on Instagram, I’m quick to “double-tap” whatever he’s put up, solely based on the fact that it’s Barack Obama who posted it. However, on Monday, I ‘liked’ what he posted because it shows his incredible musical palate. That’s right folks: Our Forever…
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If an Album Isn't Streaming Online, Does It Really Exist? A Theoretical Discussion
I did something recently that I haven’t done in probably 10 years—I made two compact disc (CD) purchases. That’s right, in the year of our lord 2020, I purchased Adriana Evans 1997 self-titled debut album and De La Soul’s Five-Mic classic, 1991’s De La Soul Is Dead. I spent $21 and $25, respectively, of my…
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100 Percent That Block: Lawsuit Against Lizzo for 'Truth Hurts' Dismissed by California Judge
You tried to break her heart? Oh, that breaks my heart. The lawsuit against Grammy-winning musician Lizzo for her hit song “Truth Hurts” has been dismissed by a California federal judge. The Hollywood Reporter writes that on Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee accepted Lizzo’s dismissal of the suit by Justin and Jeremiah…
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The L.O.X.'s Bond Is Tighter Than Ever…and They Still Have a L.O.T. to Say
BET’s five-part docuseries Ruff Ryders Chronicles follows the formation, highs and lows of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Through their look, lyrics and sound, the hip-hop collective and label—founded by Swizz Beatz’s uncles and aunt Joaquin “Waah” Dean, Darin “Dee” Dean and Chivon Dean in 1997—aimed to bring real street shit to the people amidst the late-’90s…
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The Root Jams Weekly (8/14/2020): 'Wet Ass Playlist'
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion set the internet on fire with their song and video, “WAP,” which stands for “wet ass p***y.” Well, after probably a million formal and informal takes on the song, the staff at The Root decided to curate a playlist of Raunch-jams for your listening pleasure(s). Shouts out to Cardi…
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7 Quick Thoughts About Nas' New Blackness Jam, 'Ultra Black'
God-level MC, hip-hop mainstay and legend, Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones—aka Nas aka Nasty Nas aka Esco aka “N-A-S are the letters that spell, Nas Nas Nas”—released a new Hit-Boy produced record, “Ultra Black,” (and announced a new album, King’s Disease) for our listening pleasure on all streaming platforms. I have 7 thoughts to share. This…
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DJ Screw's Legacy Is Being Celebrated After TikTok Teens Tried Gentrifying His 'Chopped and Screwed' Style
According to social media, white TikTok teens are now discovering the “chopped and screwed” production style created and popularized by late deejay, DJ Screw. However, they’re not properly attributing it to the Houston legend and—surprise surprise—they’re calling it “slowed + reverb.” *Insert heavy Black sigh* The “new” trend is being called out because of a…
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Dolly Parton Talks Black Lives Matter, Says 'Do We Think Our Little White Asses Are the Only Ones That Matter?'
Sometimes you just need someone to put it plain. Enter country legend, Dolly Parton. In a recent cover story interview with Billboard, Parton discussed her life during the global pandemic, the possibility of selling her publishing, and she even opened up about the importance of making sure her estate is in order. The standout part…
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Replay, Revisit, Reject: Samples, Sangers and Social Justice Are Ruling My Headphones This Week
We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds. While new tunes are usually released…