black music month
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The Pop Up: pineappleCITI Just Might Be Your New Favorite Rapper
Some say hip-hop is an overstuffed musical genre. That’s both a gift and a curse because it means there’s a variety of ways to express yourself as a hip-hop artist. And that’s what rapper pineappleCITI loves about music—self expression. “Considering the oversaturation of hip-hop, it is embedded in me to keep going because I’m so…
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The Pop Up: Deva Mahal's Vintage Soul Sound Will Grab Your Attention and Your Eardrums
Growing up, Deva Mahal’s parents made sure that their house was filled with music. “There were no places that were off limits and there were no genres where we were not allowed to go,” she says. So it’s no wonder that now, as an artist, Deva’s music is a reflection of her parents’ early influence.…
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You Gotta Put Me On: For the Artists Who Haven’t Quite Reached Mainstream Success but Are Killing the Game
When black people who are musically inclined choose to pursue a career as an artist, they are proclaiming that they not only believe in their talent but also don’t subscribe to the conventional ways of making an American dream a reality. These people are dreamers with thick skin. Rejection is palpable when you choose to…
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Fade 2 Focused: Why Teyana Taylor Turned Off IG to Turn Up for Her New Album
Fun fact: We still haven’t gotten used to the idea of Teyana Taylor being grown. Yes, we know she’s a 27-year-old wife and mother to toddler Iman Tayla (aka “Junie”). And of course we also vividly remember feeling sick with envy over her sleek and slicked-up post-baby body (and ridiculously sexy dance moves) in the…
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Freedom Over Fear: Janelle Monáe Covers Allure’s Freedom Issue
You strip away the makeup, the costumes and everything you know about Janelle Monáe the artist, and I’m still the African-American, queer woman who grew up with poor, working-class parents. When I walk off a stage, I have to deal with these confrontations. I have to deal with being afraid for my family. The artist…
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Black Music Month: Soul Music; We Make It, They Take It
Did you know that R&B was renamed as “rhythm & blues” from “race music” by Billboard magazine in 1949? The name change reflected upwardly mobile Negroes working diligently to change their social and economic statuses. But, of course, with growth and downright swag comes theft. R&B caught the ears of white audiences, and the rest…
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#MusicSermon Feeds Your Soul With Music History and Sound Every Week
Music is indelibly tied to memory. You remember what song you heard right before you got your first kiss or when you experienced your first heartbreak or when you blew out the candles at your sweet 16? The song you had your first dance to at your wedding reception is just as important as the…
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Lizzo Covers Teen Vogue and We’re in Love (Again)
Fun fact: Every few months, I play this game with my co-workers where I excitedly mention the singer and rapper known as Lizzo, and they all play like they have no idea who I’m talking about, despite likely hearing her music on about half a dozen commercials daily (“Worship,” anyone?). Then I hit them with…
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The Pop Up: Once You Hear the Voice of Roc Nation’s Darling, Victory Boyd, You’ll Realize Why Jay-Z Loves Her
Victory Boyd is Roc Nation’s newest darling. She’s a young black queen from New Jersey by way of Detroit. In fact, Victory’s dad, John Boyd (who came with her to The Root’s office) founded the Boys and Girls Choirs of Detroit. Why am I telling you about Victory’s dad before I tell you more about…
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A Look at the Superfly Soundtrack, Then and Now
Superfly, the remake of the classic flick Super Fly, hits theaters today. The film’s soundtrack is executive-produced by Future. Future, Imma let you finish, but the original Super Fly (1972) had one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time. Produced by Curtis Mayfield with songs like “Little Child Runnin’ Wild,” “Pusherman” and “Give Me…