Peace. Welcome back to Music for the Rest of Us—an exploration of dope music made with artistic integrity. If you missed the first edition, you can read it here. In short, this column is dedicated to music that’s about something more than just the turn up. I just finished listening to Mark Battle’s new release:… Continue reading Vol 2: Everyday Struggles—Hip Hop’s New Counter-Culture
Results for "Hip Hop"
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Boyz 25: Reflections on a Hip-Hop Classic
“Either they don’t know… don’t show … or don’t care about what’s going on in the hood.” –Doughboy, Boyz n the Hood (1991) Twenty-five years ago, America was dealing with war in Iraq, growing concerns over racial profiling, an alarming rate of black-on-black violence, Donald Trump was in the news, and Bill Clinton was running… Continue reading Boyz 25: Reflections on a Hip-Hop Classic
Black Male Wellness Workshop
The benefits of meditation, yoga, and journaling are well-known, but how many of us make time for them daily? To form new habits and deepen our practice, it’s often helpful to learn with like-minded peers alongside experienced practitioners. In this full-day workshop, we’ll explore and practice activities that can be implemented in our daily lives… Continue reading Black Male Wellness Workshop
Besties: Young Thug and Masculinity
Young Thug’s emergence on the mainstream hip-hop scene was met with some backlash. He is one of the most polarizing artists in the hip-hop industry because his persona, physical appearance, lyrics, and unique fashion sense. Immediately, I (like others) dismissed his music by closing my ears, eyes, and mind. His music and wardrobe reflects his… Continue reading Besties: Young Thug and Masculinity
Endnotes to Jay-Z’s 4:44 : Mental Health Awareness
“It’s like my therapy, making music……When language has reached its limit, disease sets in.” – Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to music videos for the songs… Continue reading Endnotes to Jay-Z’s 4:44 : Mental Health Awareness
Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
“We stuck in La La Land. Even when we win, we gon’ lose.” – Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to music videos for the songs on… Continue reading Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
The Tidal Next Time: Jay-Z’s Examination of Wealth, Race, and Self
“For black America needs a politics whose first mission isn’t the reinforcement of the idea of black America; and a discourse of race that isn’t centrally concerned with preserving the idea of race and racial unanimity. We need something we don’t yet have: a way of speaking about black poverty that doesn’t falsify the reality… Continue reading The Tidal Next Time: Jay-Z’s Examination of Wealth, Race, and Self
Tech Spotlight: Maxime Paul
The Abernathy Tech Spotlight series highlights black professionals working in tech, from freelance developers to non-technical founders. Complete this form to submit your profile. What is your current role and where do you work? I currently work at Jaguar Land Rover’s Open Software Technology Center in Portland, OR. I’m the Collaboration Technical Product Lead there.… Continue reading Tech Spotlight: Maxime Paul
Sipping Vodka in Prince’s Glam Slam
You can always tell how good a nightclub is by analyzing the girls bathroom scene. Prince’s Glam Slam in Los Angeles did not disappoint. I entered the opulent downtown club anointed with the neon gender-blending symbol Prince created after Warner Brothers castrated ‘The Purple One’ over contractual disputes, forcing Prince to forfeit his royal name… Continue reading Sipping Vodka in Prince’s Glam Slam
Contributor Spotlight: Aniefre Essien
Why is writing important to you? I spend a lot of time reflecting on life and pondering its meaning. I’m big on “how” you think about something, i.e. the filter you use, will determine how you understand it. That said, I like sharing ideas to help refine how I, and people who read my work,… Continue reading Contributor Spotlight: Aniefre Essien