The writing prompt Pierce McIntyre dropped to set off the new year seemed pretty straight forward. Help your readers get to know you through 5 songs and/or movies that define the singular cypher that is you.
Then I started reading some of the early entries and realized that like a…
“It’s 5 AM my time again, I’ve soaken up the moon again, can’t sleep,” The Weeknd warbles atop the jittery drum programming and descending bass synth of “Gasoline,” immediately orienting the listener in that peculiar moment when today sits in limbo, not yet immortalized in yesterday’s past tense, nor fully…
The class of 1983–84 represents the coronation of hip-hop’s first “new school”. While Run-DMC and LL Cool J scored their well earned spots on the honor roll for stripping away the theatrical varnish of the first generation with their sonic reductionism and blunt force deliveries, the evolution of rap songcraft…
Our political dialog is only as good as the language with which we conduct it. Let’s face it, in 2021, much of that language was every bit as empty and reductive as the discourse itself.
The new year brings the prospect of renewal; a chance to do better. So let’s…
With the world still ravaged by chaos, and the dystopian shadow of 2020 still looming heavy, I found myself drawn to hip-hop’s introspective side.
Luckily, many of our most talented artist felt the inclination to explore themselves and their surroundings, resulting in an inspired and inspiring collection of albums from…
R&B has always been uniquely suited to speak to the heart, laying bare the gut-wrenching emotions we too often suppress.
In the latest in a long line of years defined by anger, fear, and isolation, we looked to a wide variety of R&B artists across styles and generations to bring…
There’s something about the magic of the holiday season that fills the air with romance! It’s why the classic Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas” is as timeless as re-gifted fruit cake.
But courtship is different in the digital era. Few suitors are wooing fair maidens with fruit trees…
On paper, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot was the least likely artist to break through in the summer of 1997. At a moment of hyper segmentation, she embraced an eclectic array of sounds that defied categorization. At the height of the music video era, Missy - dark skinned, heavy set, and pushing…
Three arguments are inevitable come the holiday season.To open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Turkey or Ham for the Christmas entrée? And is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
The first two can be quelled with compromise. Open a few presents each day. Serve two proteins. You’ll need the…
Dear Salvation Army,
I’m sorry to hear of your recent struggles collecting donations to fund your charitable work during the holidays season. I was disheartened, but hardly surprised. …
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