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Meet BJ The Chicago Kid: R&B Music’s Savior

It's no secret that R&B is going through a bit of an identity crisis. But BJ the Chicago Kid's In My Mind looks to reinstate everything that made the genre great to begin with. If you watched the 2016 Grammys, you didn't see any R&B. Clearly, that genre of music isn't important or popular enough to get a slice of the 2 1/2 hour airtime. But that doesn't ...

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If Only Black Artists Today Were Like Black Artists in 1998

After reading Jenn's reflection on Lauryn Hill's Miseducation, I was triggered into remembering the magical year in music that was 1998. For all of its merits and flaws, '98 was a banner year for good black music. The 90's were a great decade for black music. And in my life, 1998 was the point when I really grew my interest in music, exerting my teenage freedom to ...

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Jazmine Sullivan and the ‘Injustice’ Paid To Black Soul Singers

I love black people. I love black music. I love that Motown sound, that in the pocket, that slow groove, that bass, and that flow. I love the riffs, the runs, the scats, and the growls. I love it all. As such, I am a fierce defender of the art that we produce and of the artists that do it best. That's why Jazmine Sullivan's recent comments on the state of the music ...

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Joss Stone’s Billboard “#1 Reggae Album” Is Further Evidence of Our “Adele Problem”

This week, I wrote an article that more than a few people were upset about critiquing British singer Adele. In 9 Black Soul Singers That Move Us More Than Adele Ever Could, I made the claim that even though Adele is talented, the showering praise she receives is unwarranted. And despite claims from commenters that everything doesn't have to "be about race" or that we ...

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The NAACP Image Awards Nominations Leave Much to be Desired

This week, the nominees for the 47th NAACP image Awards were announced. And the further down the list I read, the larger my disbelief grew. Not because they got it all wrong. Just because they overlooked some really great talent from the past year. I can only guess that this was more of a "who you know" than a "what you know" thing. Read More

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Here Are 7 Reasons To Care About the 2015 Emmy Awards

We are not fans of award shows. More often than not, they are just a big celebration of White Privilege and a reminder of how left out minorities and women are. Sunday night’s 2015 Emmy Awards was different though. They gave us a few reasons to celebrate which, hopefully, signal a sea change in the awards industry overall. Read More

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Don’t Celebrate Black Artists Topping This Summer’s Streaming Music Charts

If you take a look at the songs most streamed over this summer, one thing is blatantly clear: Black rappers were all the rave. While this might seem like a “Mama we made it!” moment, it most definitely is not a cause for celebration. It’s just another example of White consumption of “Black culture” without real appreciation for Black excellence. This ...

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Tyrese Revives Classic R&B With ‘Black Rose’

Remember when R&B music was about singing? When lyrical content meant something? When it was true to its name, rhythm and blues? Tyrese is here to remind you of that simpler, better time with his final album Black Rose. Yes, you heard that right. This is Tyrese’s last ever solo album. And while that statement leaves the door open for him to do group work ...

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Pharrell and The Difference Between an Homage and Theft

The “internets” have been abuzz about the recent verdict handed down in the “Blurred Lines” copyright infringement case. Some have called this the end of creativity in music. I call it an indictment on those that mask repurposing (e.g. stealing) as creating art of their own. Pharrell is famous for his productions. In truth, a lot of what he does is ...

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Tank is “Quitting” R&B but is it the Fans’ Fault?

Tank is fed up and he ain’t gonna take it no more. The crooner extraordinaire has had enough of going unappreciated, and as such, has given up on R&B music. But, are fans to blame? Or, should he be looking to his label to brand him better? Tank took to his Instagram page to vent about the current state of his career. Fans had been asking when he would put ...

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