Music
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Disappointed, but Not Surprised: Rihanna Gently Swerves Another Album Release Chat in 'British Vogue' Cover Story
Multitalented, multifaceted musician, entrepreneur and bad-ass Rihanna graces the cover of British Vogue for the publication’s May 2020 issue (by our estimation, her 16th Vogue cover—but who’s counting?). Inside, she not only discusses her Fenty empire and her dream of having at least “3 or 4” kids, but once again hopscotches around the conversation regarding…
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Questlove's 7-Hour Stevie Wonder Set Featured B-Sides, Rarities, and a Phone Call from Mr. 'Very Superstitious' Himself
Like most black men and women of a certain age, I’m obsessed with Stevie Wonder—which means spreading the gospel of Stevland Hardaway Morris at every given opportunity and catching the Holy Ghost at the countless “Wonder-Full” tribute parties that DJ Spinna throws throughout the country. For those who have yet to experience the unspeakable joy…
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Ari Lennox Returns With 'Shea Butta Baby' Remix EP
We don’t deserve Ari Lennox, but we’ll happily take her anyway. After blessing us all with her critically-acclaimed debut album, Shea Butta Baby—“New Apartment” is the perfect ode to domestic autonomy—the D.C. native has returned with its successor: a remix EP. Boasting production by J.Cole and contributions from Doja Cat, Smino, and Durand Bernarr—whose recent…
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If You Can 'Believe It,' Rihanna Has New Music—Not a Solo Project, but We'll Take What We Can Get at This Point
We actually found love in a hopeless place, y’all. And by “love,” I mean, Rihanna’s music. PartyNextDoor released a new album titled Partymobile on Thursday and Rihanna is featured on his track “Believe It.” According to Entertainment Weekly, this is the 32-year-old artist’s first music appearance in 3 years. Now, if you’re expecting a true…
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Some of Your Favorite Songs by Dr. Dre, Whitney Houston Were Just Inducted Into the Library of Congress
Throughout the course of his unparalleled career, Dr. Dre has collected more than his fair share of accomplishments and accolades. But his latest might be his most significant yet, as the National Recording Registry announced that his debut album, The Chronic, will be archived for forevermore in the Library of Congress. “The National Recording Registry…
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What the Hell Is That Mysterious Countdown on Donald Glover's Website About?
I completely understand that it’s now en vogue to heap praise upon Donald Glover’s musical offerings, but once upon a time, there were people like myself who were singing his praises and banging that drum to no avail. (Go listen to 2010’s “Do Ya Like” and thank me later.) But now that Glover has catapulted…
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Lizzo, Anderson Paak Among Artists Calling on Trump to Save the Entertainment Industry From Financial Ruin
With the entertainment industry decimated by catastrophic losses and indefinite delays as it endures the ugliest shutdown it’s ever seen, fan favorites like Lizzo and Anderson .Paak are calling on President “China Virus” to intervene. Rolling Stone and Variety report that a slew of heavyweight artists and executives, such as balladeer Babyface, Grammy Award-winning bassist…
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Cardi B to Donate Royalties From the Aptly Titled 'Coronavirus' to Charity
Life in the time of coronavirus has been scary, anxious and most of all, fucking bizarre. I didn’t think the latest Cardi B hit was going to be a remix of a rant about coronavirus but here we are. I also didn’t think the shit would kinda bop. This bright spot in the nightmare timeline…
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Keep Austin Weird, Keep Artists Paid: How the Cancellation of SXSW Affects Black Creators
I’ve been to SXSW as a patron. I’ve been to SXSW as a member of the press. I’ve always dreamed of going to SXSW with a project. In 2019, I personally witnessed the significance of this (and every) festival’s potential impact on a black creator when I reviewed Numa Perrier’s Jezebel, which has since been…
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Rebels of Black History: How Bad Brains Redefined the Spirit of Defiance
In music journalism, where platitudes like “legendary” often feel like consolation prizes, Bad Brains jazz fusion ensemble are that and so much more.