Music
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Conversations Are Being Had to Dust Off Aaliyah's Catalog and Try Again to Make It Available for Streaming
As an Aaliyah fan, I’m at the point where I’m so frustrated by the runaround in regards to the availability of her music catalog that I want to write a “4 Page Letter” to whoever is in charge. It will not be enclosed with a kiss, by the way, just filled with complaints and frustrations.…
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This Is Not A Drill: Brandy and Monica Confirmed for Next Verzuz
Dreams do come true, and we very likely will get to see a 2020 version of “The Boy Is Mine” duet, because it is now official: Brandy and Monica will be facing-off in the next Verzuz on August 31. The two R&B icons have come up frequently in discussions about ideal Verzuz pairings, ever since…
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Pharrell and Jay-Z Release Music Video for New Song 'Entrepreneur,' Featuring Some Familiar Faces and Shade to Black Twitter
Pharrell has followed up his curated issue of TIME magazine with Black leaders of “The New American Revolution” from earlier this week by dropping a new song and accompanying music video on Friday. The track “Entrepreneur” features Jay-Z, whose own Black entrepreneur cred is well-established and is frequently boasted about by the rapper himself. I…
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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…