An Oriki Tribute to Janelle Monáe for this Rolling Stone Cover
Janelle of House Monae. First of her name. Citizen of the Future. Breaker of Chains. Walker of Tight Ropes. Sprinkler of #NoirPixieDust. Rocker of the Baddest Suits. Giver of No Intergalactic Fucks. Head Android of Wondaland. We celebrate you. You free ass motherfucker. Thank you for celebrating yourself and others …
Beychella is Proof That Beyoncé is the Greatest Performer Alive. I’m Not Arguing
Beyoncé Giselle of House Knowles. First of her name. Snatcher of Edges. Killer of Stages. Exemplar of Excellence. Citizen of Creole Wonderland. Legendary Black Girl. Wakandan Council President. Queen. I gotta up my intake of B12 (Biotin) and re-order my supply of Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Beyoncé stays coming for …
#NoEdgesLeftBehind: Important Lessons from Remy Ma’s Nicki Minaj Diss Track ShETHER
I was minding your business on this quiet Saturday when Remy Ma derailed all my plans by dropping ShEther. It is her manifesto of shade, directed at Nicki Minaj. I am here, as a witness, to the annihilation of Onika Maraj, in the hands of Reminisce Mackie. I stand before thee, …
I Got Questions about the 2017 GRAMMYs: Recap
Yesterday was the biggest night in music: the GRAMMY Awards. The one thing we can count on is a rollercoaster of thrills and disappointments. And many performances that make me take the time to go to the kitchen to re-up on snacks. It was hosted by James Corden of car …
A Comprehensive Guide to Going to a Lauryn Hill Concert
I was gonna have this post be one word: “DON’T.” But I’m trying to change my peak petty ways in 2017. LMAOOO. No, I’m not. Lemme not even tell that lie. Look, I love(d) Lauryn Hill and all her gifts but she is perpetually flagrant and people still hold out hope …
Beyoncé’s LEMONADE is Sweet Tea
This is a far cry from “Crazy in Love” Bonnie and Clyde Beyoncé. Hell, it’s a ways away from the FLAWLESS Beyoncé. She had a growth spurt. You know when your kid goes to summer camp in June and when they return in August, you barely recognize them? Yes. Bey. …
Brandy, Fantasia and Jazmine Sullivan Just Made Melanin March Blacker
When good news drops nowadays, we gotta hold on to it like the last piece of perfectly fried, golden brown, chicken. We gotta hold on to its ankles like the spider monkey of life. And today? We got some GREAT news. Fantasia aka Tasia Mae aka She Who Will Squall …
On Tributes, Taylor and Kendrick the Great: My 2016 GRAMMY Awards Recap
I always judge an awards show on how many times throughout that I felt like sliding out my chair unto the floor. If the answer is “less than 4” then I was relatively entertained. If the answer is “zero” then it was an incredible show. The 2016 GRAMMY Awards gets …
Beyoncé’s Formation is Her Best Thing Yet and it’s the IDGAF Anthem
I have always been a fan of Beyonce and respected her work. I’ve loved many a song. But I’ve never been a member of the BeyHive. I was in that group that liked her enough but stood on the sidelines as people debated if she ruled just Earth or Venus too. I …
Aretha Franklin is Every Older Black Woman at the Kennedy Center Honors
Last night was the airing of the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, saluting Rita Moreno, George Lucas, Cicely Tyson, Seiji Ozawa and Carole King. Aretha Franklin performed “Natural Woman” to a standing ovation to honor Carole. President Obama and FLOTUS Shellie were getting their entire good times because the Queen of Soul …