Very Smart Brothas
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Which Album Cover Is Worse? Big Bear Vs. Big Mike
Either way, the Bigs have it. *rimshot* Get it? The Bigs? Because Big Bear vs… Nevermind. *ahem* When it comes to bad hip-hop album covers, no conversation is complete (or relevant) unless it includes a discussion of Big Bear’s Doin’ Thangs album cover. Please examine this cover in all of its glory. When Pen &…
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Why The "Unmasking" Of Viola Davis On HTGAWM Is The Blackest Thing We've Ever Seen This Week
1. Because Blackness, in its essence, is about innovation and creativity born out of circumstance. It’s assigning practical solutions to less than ideal situations. It’s the perpetual shifting of an imperfect paradigm. It’s how soul food was created. It’s why ball players from Chicago are traditionally adept at getting to the hoop because it’s too…
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I Just Want To Talk To My Mom Today
It feels odd to type that The Sopranos helped prepare me for my mother’s death. It seems like a something Rob Gordon or some other character in a movie a bit too self aware to be completely realistic would say, not a real person. But I am a real person. I’m really sitting here, really…
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PJ and The Playlist Thursdays, Vol 1
I dont know why I never did this before. But better late than never they say. They say a lot of things. Anyway, because so many folks here at VSB are self-appointed music heads (myself being one of them) and have such vast and expansive musical tastes, I think I’m going to start doing a…
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An Ode To The First Black Twitter: Vibe Magazine's 20 Questions
Last week I did my biannual mourn over what Suede Magazine (Fall 2004-Spring 2005 RIP RIP RIP) could’ve been if it hadn’t tanked after four BOMB ASS issues. I love Googling “I miss Suede Magazine” and finding all the new Pinterest boards and blog posts in its honor. Suede came and went my junior year…
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A Ranking Of The 10 Whitest Guys Rashida Jones Has Been Romantically Paired With On Screen
While watching Parks and Recreation with the wife person, I mentioned something about Rashida Jones being Quincy Jones’ daughter. To my surprise, the wife person had no idea. This segued into a discussion about Jones as an actress (we agreed she’s likable, has great timing, and plays the “normal woman” to the manic surrounding characters pretty well),…
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2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards Recap
In keeping with the stereotype that Black folks are always late, BET aired the 2014 Hip-Hop Awards last night something like three weeks after it filmed in Atlanta. Why? My guess is because there’s usually a fight or twelve at the hip-hop awards and BET wanted the ability to edit it out, ya know, just…
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A Ranking Of The 25 Best Black Television Shows Of All-Time
Two things: 1. There’s no real science to determining what makes a show “Black.” For instance, Scandal has a Black creator and a Black star, but it’s not a Black show, while The Wire had a White creator and the closest that show had to a protagonist (in the first three seasons, at least) was…
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Love & Hip Hop Hollywood Ep. 5 Recap: "Truth Be Told"
It’s Tuesday, which means that last night, the house that Mona Scott-Young built invaded our living rooms for a little bit of country and a little bit or rock and roll. So now that we’re back to life and back to reality, let’s delve in, shall we? Yes. Let’s. As usual, let’s start with the…
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How To Celebrate Columbus Day In The Most Columbus Day Way Possible
Today, America celebrates Christopher Columbus, the man who discovered our great nation. In honor of this momentous and joyful occasion, here are a few ways to honor our country’s founder in true Columbus Day fashion. 1. Go to the supermarket. If no supermarkets are nearby, a corner store or bodega will do. Ask the salesclerk…