genius
-
Cynthia Erivo Sparks Engagement Rumors, But Here’s What We Really Need to Talk About
The Oscar-nominated actress took over the 2025 Grammys stage at one point, but it was her red carpet accessory that spawned initial conversations!
-
Hip-Hop 50: Let’s Break Down the Art of Sampling
As we continue to celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, here's how A Tribe Called Quest helped me appreciate one of the most important aspects of the genre.
-
Genius Season 4 to Center Around Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
'Malcolm and Martin are staggering icons and we have been eager to explore the genius of these two very real men,' Reggie and Gina Prince-Bythewood said in part
-
What Did Cynthia Erivo Learn From Aretha Franklin? How to Ask for What She Deserves Without Being Afraid
This upcoming weekend, Cynthia Erivo will be debuting her portrayal of the late Aretha Franklin in the upcoming limited series from National Geographic, Genius: Aretha. More info on the upcoming series, via NatGeo’s press release sent to The Root: Genius is National Geographic’s critically acclaimed anthology series that dramatizes the fascinating stories of the world’s…
-
Cynthia Erivo to Portray Aretha Franklin in First-Ever Authorized Limited Series About the Queen of Soul
Fresh off the heels of Harriet, Cynthia Erivo will be portraying another beloved woman in black history—Aretha Franklin. According to Variety, Erivo will be taking on the role of Franklin in National Geographic’s third season of Genius, an anthology period drama. “Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a…
-
Some Asshole Tried to Rewrite Hip-Hop History and Alleged That Outkast Was ‘Dressed So Fresh, So Clean’
Like many a southern rap fan, I grew up on André and Antwan, better known as André 3000 and Big Boi, and even better known as Outkast. When all the players came from far and wide, I too wanted to attend the “Player’s Ball.” What’s the funkiest kind of music for my soul? Southernplayalistickcadillackmuzik, of…
-
Black Thought’s Beautiful Mind
I was part of a conversation last week with two writers of color in which the concept of genius in art was discussed—specifically, how white men have anointed themselves both the sole possessors and the arbiters of it and how reluctant they can be to consider works created by people of color to be worthy…
-
Meet the Black Geniuses of 2016
Joyce J. Scott was an artist in utero. She will tell you that while she was safely inside the womb, her mother, an internationally recognized fiber artist, was nourishing her with colors and patterns and craft. Scott wanted nothing more than to be who she has become—a multitalented, multimedium, multipersonality spitfire of a performer. She…