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Very Smart Brothas

Yeah, Usher…Ummm…Maybe That Wasn't The Best Sweatshirt Slogan Choice

***A conversation with Usher and his team of advisers and close friends from last weekend*** Usher: “I really want to make a statement about the importance of voting; one that resonates and connects with people!” Person One: “That’s great that you’re making a political statement! It’s definitely necessary, and with someone with your platform and influence, it’ll…” Usher:…

By

Damon Young

Published

September 27, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

On Social Media and Real Life Virtual Friendships

Friendship is important. That’s really an understatement. In 2016, friends aren’t necessarily confined to the workplace, school or IRL situations. Social media has become a very viable platform to create new and fulfilling bonds between new people from distant places to whom we wouldn’t, otherwise, have access. The feelings of wanting to belong or be loved…

By

K. Araújo

Published

September 23, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

Atlanta Episode 4: "The Streisand Effect" Recap

“Me and my mans make baby sneakers… for adults!” Everybody has a hustle just like everybody has a price. This is especially true in our digital age where everything is a commodity. Where genuine emotion and thought are distilled down to fifteen second YouTube clips and Harambe t shirts. This week, Paperboi learns a lesson…

By

Jordan Kauwling

Published

September 22, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

10 Breakups That Would Totally Absolutely Devastate Black America More Than Brangelina's

My cousin, the unsinkable sarah huny young, and I regularly frequent the same coffee shop. But we rarely see each other there because she’s usually there early (9am to 1:30-ishpm) and I usually don’t get there until after 2pm. Today, however, I had a meeting there at noon and was able to chop it up…

By

Damon Young

Published

September 20, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

Can We Please Start A Campaign To Convince Rappers To Stop Bullying Meek Mill?

I was a high school teacher for three years. And after that an administrator at a University. And I ran a summer camp one summer. And before any of that happened, I was a school student for 17 years. My point? I know what bullying looks like. I know what it tastes like. (Unseasoned meatloaf.)…

By

Damon Young

Published

September 19, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

The Seattle Seahawks Are Some Bitches. I’m Actively Rooting Against Them All Season.

The entire Seattle Seahawks team is a bunch of bitches. Since Colin Kaepernick’s protest against the anthem became public, several players (and teams) from the amateur ranks all the way to the professional have joined in in hopes of pushing forward a conversation to spearhead change. The protests have seeped into other professional sports and…

By

Panama Jackson

Published

September 17, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

In Defense of Aspiring Rappers Everywhere

On last night’s episode of FX’s awesomely awesome new show, the Donald Glover-helmed, Atlanta, there’s a scene towards the end where Earn’s kinda-sorta girlfriend but definitely baby mama, Vanessa, is doing that thing that people do when you tell them that you do “music”, she lets him know that being an aspiring rapper – or…

By

Panama Jackson

Published

September 14, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

An Ode To My Favorite Outkast Album, ATLiens, Which Is Now 20 Years Old

Outkast’s sophomore album, ATLiens, turned 20 years old on August 27, 2016. I would like to talk about it. For as long as I live, I will never forget where I was the moment I heard “Elevators (Me & U)” for the first time. I was on my way to pick up my boy E.…

By

Panama Jackson

Published

September 14, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

Atlanta Episode 3: "Going For Broke" Recap

“Can I just please get a kids meal?” One of the only good things to come out of the recent push to all things Hipster in the past couple of years is an ability to pass off bargain-basement decisions that come with being broke AF as a facet of Hipsterism. Pabst Blue Ribbon is trendy…

By

Jordan Kauwling

Published

September 13, 2016
Very Smart Brothas

Why Patrice Brown (AKA #TeacherBae) Is The Subject Of A Dumb-Ass "Debate," Explained

Who is Patrice Brown? Patrice Brown is an elementary school teacher in Atlanta. She is also the muse for a verse about “Nicey from Atlanta” from a song that Drake hasn’t produced yet. And in it Drake will lament about that one time he was in a Panera Bread in Buckhead and he met this teacher he wanted…

By

Damon Young

Published

September 13, 2016