Elujay & J.Robb’s “GEMS IN THE CORNERSTONE” an Impressive, Timeless Effort [Album Review]

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! With elements of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and lo-fi, GEMS IN THE CORNERSTONE might be the most widely likable album we’ve written about in this newsletter thus far. With Elujay’s baby-powder vocals and J.Robb’s funky basslines and futuristic styles, this album is one of 2020’s best and a strong … Continue reading Elujay & J.Robb’s “GEMS IN THE CORNERSTONE” an Impressive, Timeless Effort [Album Review]

Album Appreciation: Young M.A.’s “Off The Yak” Stakes Royal Claim

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! This is your yearly reminder that Young M.A. is making some of the best drill and trap music these days. Off the Yak is a noisy collection of heavy hitting beats and undeniable braggadocio. “Hello Baby” sees the Queen of New York body Fivio Foreign, showing that … Continue reading Album Appreciation: Young M.A.’s “Off The Yak” Stakes Royal Claim

Interview: Muwosi Describes Gentle Confidence, Creating “Of Compassion”

Focusing on a strong yet gentle sense of self-assuredness, Muwosi’s recent EP, Of Compassion sees the young artist beautifully cultivate personal and airy lyrics and aesthetics.  Produced by LA jazz pianist-composer-producer Lionmilk, Of Compassion displays Muwosi at her core; an empathetic artist seeking to curate gentle and holistic music.  She says it’s relieving to finally release the EP, which was inspired by and started in … Continue reading Interview: Muwosi Describes Gentle Confidence, Creating “Of Compassion”

Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 4: But You Caint Use My Phone Keeps Badu Boundary-less

This is part four of a four-part series on Erykah Badu’s massive role in communicating and normalizing Black feminism in contemporary discourses. Check out parts one, two and three. Badu’s most recent project, But You Caint Use My Phone, is a fascinating case study and provides plenty to discuss from black feminist and afrofuturist perspectives. The cover art is comparable to The New Amerykah, Pt. … Continue reading Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 4: But You Caint Use My Phone Keeps Badu Boundary-less

Tune in Tuesday: Greentea Peng, Fire in Little Africa Show Out

Fire in Little Africa ~ Fire in Little Africa In the goal of memory and re-education about the Tulsa Massacre, a group of local artists created this album along with a multimedia education project you can find on their website. Mndsgn ~ Rare Pleasure A gentle, easy-on-the-ears listen, Mndsgn’s romantic musings will keep you repeating this album over and over. THE 6TH LETTER ~ Coneman … Continue reading Tune in Tuesday: Greentea Peng, Fire in Little Africa Show Out

Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact, Part 3: The “New Amerykah” Series Promotes Afro-Futurist Thought

This is part three of a four-part series on Erykah Badu’s massive role in communicating and normalizing Black feminism and Afro-futurism in contemporary discourses. Check out parts one, two, and four. At this point in her career, Erykah Badu had cemented herself as one of the all-time greats in music. Not only had she released three timeless albums, her work collaborating with members of the … Continue reading Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact, Part 3: The “New Amerykah” Series Promotes Afro-Futurist Thought

Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact, Part 2: “Mama’s Gun” & “Worldwide Underground” Cement Legacy

This is part two of a four-part series on Erykah Badu’s massive role in communicating and normalizing Black feminism and Afro-futurism in contemporary discourses. Check out parts one, three, and four. Erykah Badu set a strong foundation in 1997 with Baduizm and “Tyrone.” Each track introduced listeners to her afro-centric ideology and penchant for empathetic and intellectual lyricism, a rare mix in pop culture. She … Continue reading Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact, Part 2: “Mama’s Gun” & “Worldwide Underground” Cement Legacy

Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 1: “Baduizm” & “Tyrone” Set the Foundation

This is part four of a four-part series on Erykah Badu’s massive role in communicating and normalizing Black feminism and Afro-futurism in contemporary discourses. Check out parts two, three, and four. From her debut in 1997, Erykah Badu and her music have empowered people across intersections of race, gender, ethnicity, and class. ‘Baduizm,’ her personal philosophy, is based in empathy and honesty and impacts the … Continue reading Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 1: “Baduizm” & “Tyrone” Set the Foundation

Tune in Tuesday: Conway the Machine, Young Thug & YSL Drop Albums

Happy Tune in Tuesday! This week we celebrate new releases from Conway the Machine, Young Thug, AJ Tracey, and Gotham, a duo made up of Talib Kweli and Diamond D. Conway the Machine ~ La Maquina Conway’s back with tighter production and harsher bars. Staking his claim as the lyrical member of Griselda, “La Maquina” proves Conway to be the “GOAT, the grimiest of all … Continue reading Tune in Tuesday: Conway the Machine, Young Thug & YSL Drop Albums

Tune In: Joyce Wrice, BROCKHAMPTON, Highlight Recent Drops

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! MARSELA ~ Dark Days Over a silky & soulful instrumental, British-Albanian songstress, MARSELA, released a smooth ballad titled “Dark Days” on Feb. 26. Her bassy delivery romanticizes the climbing out of phases of emotional and spiritual pain. MARSELA is a newcomer in the world of soul and R&B, … Continue reading Tune In: Joyce Wrice, BROCKHAMPTON, Highlight Recent Drops