black culture
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Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch Lead 2020 BET Award Nominations; Show To Broadcast On CBS Too
Musicians Drake, Roddy Ricch, and Megan Thee Stallion lead the nomination pack for the 2020 BET Awards, which is set to air live across ViacomCBS networks including BET, BET HER, and CBS on June 28 at 8 p.m. ET. Drake is up for wins in six categories, including Male Hip-Hop Artist and Video of the…
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The 10 Blackest Shoes That I Own
While I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a sneakerhead—perhaps that’s some sort of reluctant denial; my wife is absolutely tired of my sneaker deliveries—I spend more than a little bit of time perusing sneaker websites and videos from people named Foamer Simpson, Jacques Slade and Seth Fowler, watching sneaker unboxing videos of shoes that I try…
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How Black Is it Not to Know the Real Names of Folks in Your Family? Possibly Ever.
So, I have a question that’s been perplexing me that will illuminate some things, possibly about me and you, your momma and your cousin, too. I’m hoping that I’m not alone in this; in fact, I’m assuming that I’m not. The question is: How black is this? But there’s a sub-question here, too. You see,…
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Apparently, White People Had No Idea Who Frankie Beverly Was Until Black Twitter Taught Them
If you woke up this morning and were shocked to discover that one of Black America’s favorite musical legends had gone home to glory, calm down. You don’t have to pull out your white painter’s cap, put on “Joy & Pain” and contemplate what steps you should take before you let go. Nothing happened to…
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They Good: Meet the Team Behind the Epic Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Social Media Campaign
On August 19, 2019, #TheChickening came home to roost when the Popeyes Chicken Twitter account tweeted two simple words in response to Chick-fil-A: “Y’all good?” Naturally, we all wanted to know the face(s) behind such a tweet. Then, I, along with the rest of Black Twitter, noticed a pic floating around of this year’s Brandweek…
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30 Days of Musical Blackness With VSB, Day 30: MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly 'Before I Let Go'
I’m not even sure I need to explain why “Before I Let Go” would be the final song of the 30 Days of Musical Blackness With VSB series. If you’re black and have congregated with other black folks and this song comes on you know it signals one of two things: 1) It’s time to…
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6 Ways Beyoncé's Cover of 'Before I Let Go' From Homecoming: The Live Album Just Changed the Game
Last night, Beyoncé did what Beyoncé does and dropped a whole ass 40-track album, Homecoming: The Live Album, out of nowhere that we didn’t know was coming but we’re all better off for having. Beyoncé, ever since that first secret drop back in 2013, just comes through whenever she wants and takes over the entire…
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Spread Love: Alvin Ailey Embarks on Its 60th Anniversary National Tour
Still looking for the perfect gift to surprise your sweetie with this Valentine’s Day? How about a night filled with music, beauty, passion, and “Revelations”? Acclaimed dance company Alvin Ailey has now been stunning us for 60 years with dance, original choreography, and themes that celebrate the unique beauty and history of blackness in America.…
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When, If Ever, Should We Explain Blackness, for The Culture?
VSB, in conjunction with a black-owned and -serving bricks and mortar bookstore in Washington, D.C., Mahogany Books, started a book club a few months back. So far we’ve read James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, Glory Edim’s Well-Read Black Girl Anthology, and Kiese Laymon’s Heavy. Next month’s book is all about love by bell hooks.…
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Pointe in Platform Heels: Harper Watters Is Breaking the Boundaries of Ballet
If you Google dancer Harper Watters, you’ll come up with a variety of results: His work as a soloist with the Houston Ballet, his hilariously candid YouTube channel and Instagram page, his growing profile as an influencer, and many, many mentions of stilettos. It’s a fitting amalgamation of the multifaceted approach Watters is taking to…