Music
-
August Alsina Debuted a New Song—and to the Surprise of No One, It's Called 'Entanglements'
Following the most recent (and most-watched within 24 hours) episode of Red Table Talk, there’s one particular word that everyone can’t get out of their heads: entanglement. The Root even published a whole playlist dedicated to the term. To refresh your memory, “entanglement” hit the pop culture zeitgeist when Jada Pinkett Smith referred to her…
-
The Root Jams Weekly (7/17/2020): 'Entanglements'
I mean, do we even need to intro this one? Shouts out to Will, Jada and unfortunately, August Alsina; that Red Table Talk launched a thousand memes. “Entanglements” (7/17/2020) Danielle Belton Dave Hollister “My Favorite Girl” Gerald Levert “Thinkin’ Bout It” Jocelyn Brown “Somebody Else’s Guy” J’Na Jefferson Usher “Confessions Part II” Destiny’s Child “Say…
-
I Know I'm Late and Maybe Exaggerating a Bit but Renée Elise Goldsberry's 'Satisfied' Performance Is the Best Thing That's Ever Happened in the History of the Universe
I was prepared to hate it. While in London last year, I was invited by Ebele Okobi—my host the week I was there—to attend a showing of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, and I had my “I’m gonna hate this shit” cup of tea ready to sip. I knew it was Founding Father fan…
-
Is T.I.'s Rap Career On The Same Level as Jay Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne? A Discussion
On the heels of a social media back and forth between T.I. and 50 Cent about who would win in a Verzuz battle—probably a more even matchup than either of them wants to admit; neither has made much music worth listening to in the past decade—T.I. went on Big Boy’s L.A.-based radio show and proclaimed,…
-
Four Charged With Murder in Death of Rapper Pop Smoke, Could Face Death Penalty
Four people have been charged with murder in the shooting death of burgeoning Brooklyn rapper, Pop Smoke (born Bashar Jackson). Last week, five suspects were arrested in connection with the case. The 20-year-old was killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles in February. Prosecutors say that the attackers got the musician’s address after he…
-
The Root Jams Weekly (7/10/2020): 'My Headphones'
We usually pick a theme to reflect the current state of affairs or a sentiment. Today, we decided to share what we’re actually listening to at the moment. What are you listening to? “My Headphones” (7/3/2020) Damon Young James Blake “I’ll Come Too” Fiona Apple “Rack of His” Kota the Friend “Chicago Diner” Kids See…
-
The Root Jams Weekly (7/3/2020): 'Road Trippin''
Under normal circumstances, in a world where ‘Rona wasn’t prompt and present and folks weren’t idiots, many (if not most) of us would be heading out of town or to beaches. As a kid, road trips were my favorite thing to do. This July 4th, we’re celebrating with a playlist for the road we’d travel…
-
30 Days of Iconic Music Video Blackness With VSB, Day 30: Kendrick Lamar and SZA, 'All The Stars'
Today is the last day of Black Music Month so I decided to go with one of the Blackest videos in recent memory—which unsurprisingly was the lead single from the one of the (if not the) Blackest moments of the 2010s, Marvel’s The Black Panther—Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “All The Stars.” In fact, the only…
-
30 Days of Iconic Music Video Blackness With VSB, Day 29: Erykah Badu, 'Other Side of The Game'
I had to check when this song and video came out because I associate it so heavily with college. Except, this was a single from Baduizm, which was released in February of 1997 when I was a senior in high school. The video for “Other Side of The Game” came out in the summer of…
-
The Root Jams Weekly (6/26/2020): 'The Definitive Summer Jams'
It’s hot AF, it’s summer AF and it’s still Black Music Month…AF. Sometimes you just need that perfect summertime, summer jam playlist to be the backdrop for or the reminder of the moments created during Sundress SZN. This list hopes to be that. It will be BlackAF. “The Definitive Summer Jams” (6/26/2020) Panama Jackson DJ…