Soul music
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Real Love: Mary J. Blige Is Getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Well, here’s a reason to be happy: Just in time to coincide with her Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice best supporting actress nominations for the film Mudbound—as well as a Golden Globe nod for best original song for “Mighty River”—the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Mary J.…
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Feeling Good, Finally? Nina Simone’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Is a Bittersweet Victory
In the world of women in music, there are queens, princesses, first ladies and even a duchess—but there has only ever been one high priestess of soul: Nina Simone. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced today that Nina Simone will be among 2018’s group of inductees—which includes rock bands Bon Jovi, Dire Straits,…
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The 10 Best Brown-Liquor Christmas Songs, Ranked
The best Christmas songs are ones that can be played while sipping brown liquor. I know, I know: the birth of Christ. I love Jesus, too; still, the holiday season overlaps with cuffing season, and with all that cold weather and love in the air, you are likely to spend your time either drinking eggnog…
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10 Best Christmas Soul Songs, Ranked (Also Known as the Hardest List of All Time)
What I’m about to do will possibly be THE most controversial and contentious list ever created. I want you to know that up front. Even as I was making this list, I started a fight with myself that didn’t end well, and I think Brick killed a guy. So let’s just get the most important…
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Happy Earth, Wind & Fire Day!
I’m aghast that 19,000 people disliked this video on YouTube, which only proves one thing: Nineteen thousand people have crappy taste in music. On this day, I ask the simple question: Do you remember, the 21st night of September? Ba de ya de ya de ya. Ba de ya de ya de ya. Ba de…
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10 Songs for Your Black-Ass Playlist for Days You’re Feeling Particularly Black
I love the movie Cool Runnings. Peace be the journey and all that jazz. I especially love the part where Doug E. Doug—playing the role of Sanka Coffie, the movie’s comic relief and spiritual center—says to other bobsledders on top of the hill, “I’m feeling very Olympic today!” I try to work that into lots…
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An Ode To Donny Hathaway and "This Christmas"
If you know like I know you don’t want to step to this Christmas season doesn’t officially begin until the first time I play Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, his 1970 single (that he wrote with Nadine McKinnor) that tanked upon release but over time has become as vital to the Christmas season as Mariah Carey’s “All I Want…
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Black Music Month Means Studio Sessions at The Root
June is almost here—that means sunny skies, warm weather and black music, of course! For Black Music Month, The Root and McDonald’s will honor and celebrate the music (and musicians) of the African Diaspora with Studio Sessions at The Root. This video series will feature contemporary artists from a gamut of genres: global, hip-hop, soul—we’ve…