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Black Movies That Aren't Nearly As Good (Or Even As Black) As We Pretend They Are
Every fall Hollywood releases the important films—that is, the movies they think will garner Oscar attention. There will be the obligatory biopics with actors embodying disability or overcoming adversity. There will the political films that uncover a scandal or tell stories centered in human misery. Then there will be the artistic achievements, you know,films about…
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The Hip Hop "Other Guy" Hall Of Fame
If you’re a fan of hip hop, you know what I’m talking about. In most rap groups, there’s a stand out emcee who is the face of the franchise, the leader of the team and the straw that stirs the drink. But we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about the other guy in the…
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Thanks to Chance the Rapper, #BlackBoyJoy Is a Thing
Chance the Rapper is awesome. Not only does he have the kind of music that makes hip-hop exciting again, with his horns, his elastic lyricism and his constant praise of the most high, but he’s also got the kind of personality that can’t be ignored. He’s lovable, humble and hilarious. All of the goodness of…
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The 10 Best (And Worst) Moments From The Blackest VMAs I've Ever Seen
The realization occurred during Rihanna’s extended dancehall set. As I watched her emerge from a sea of dozens of niggas from Flatbush grinding and winding and puppy-tailing on the VMA stage, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever seen that many Black people on the VMAs at the same time. (No.) Which then made me…
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10 Black-Ass Mysteries You Always Wanted To Know About But Never Thought To Solve
Blackness in America is an all encompassing state and experience that encapsulates a collective history and heritage. With that history and heritage comes a common wisdom, but counter to that common wisdom are mysteries. Gather ‘round the big wicker chair as we examine and explore some of these Mysteries of Blackness and search for the…
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10 Reasons To Get Down With "The Get Down"
On Friday, Netflix dropped the first half of their latest original series, “The Get Down,” Baz Luhrmann’s creation about the inception of hip-hop in the South Bronx in the summer of 1977. The story centers around a young fellow named Ezekial “Zeke/Books” Figuero and Mylene Cruz, two kids trying to find their way: Zeke in…
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Things I'm Just Too Damn Old To Give Any Fucks About Anymore, Ranked
10. Taking pictures At this point, I wouldn’t terribly mind if people wanting to take pictures of me just photoshopped a default picture of me in front of wherever they wanted to take the picture of me. 9. Removing shells from shrimp before I eat them Just takes too much effort, and wastes time that…
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8 GIFs to Celebrate Obama’s Birthday
Revered (and also hated) by many, President Barack Obama has had his fair share of GIF-able moments over the past eight years. And though his time in the Oval Office may be coming to an end, we’ll never forget his lasting legacy, as well as the entertainment he’s given us throughout his time as the…
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10 Thoughts About the Malia Obama Lollapalooza Non-Story Story
I can’t imagine growing up in the spotlight the way that Malia and Sasha Obama have. We’ve seen more discussions about their facial expressions and decorum at events than you can shake a stick at. And because of this, I’m sure they get “the talk” from their mama, ALL THE TIME before major events. “Make…
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A Dummy's Guide To Chicago Gun Violence From Somebody Who Lives There
I have a friend moving to Chicago this fall to start a master’s program at the University of Chicago. As she prepares to leave from her Washington, D.C.-area home, many people in her life have expressed some degree of fear for her safety following her move. As if the moment she steps out into clear…
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