Over the last 30 years, Mary J. Blige has been in search of self-discovery and freedom. And although she admits to being numb to love on “Love Will Never,” you sense from her newest batch of songs that Blige’s current state in life is loving on herself. Picking up where she left off on Strength of a Woman,...
Category: OP-ED
‘Bel-Air’ Introduces a Fresh Twist to a Familiar Family
This isn’t the same story about how Will’s life got “flipped-turned upside down.” In fact, they dive into the “one little fight” that was far more than a fight, and the no-good guys were up gangbanging and drug slanging. Needless to say, this reboot isn’t anywhere close to the original 90’s sitcom we fell in love with…it’s...
Hear Us Out: Is Method Man Moving Into Denzel Washington’s Territory?
The people have spoken! They have crowned Method Man as the new Denzel Washington. Hear us out! We’re not comparing Method Man’s acting to Denzel’s. We’re talking about Denzel’s likeness and the special category that only Denzel resides in. Last week, Essence Magazine released their February digital cover featuring the Power Book II star. The...
Barbershops Have Evolved But Did Customer Service Fade?
Bring back $700 rent! Bring back $5 dollars making a difference in your gas tank! More importantly, bring back $10 dollar haircuts! We know none of that is going to happen. Especially the $10 haircuts. Gone are the days when going to the barbershop was affordable. Nowadays, going to the barbershop is equivalent to a utility bill. Over the last few...
Is Insecure’s Final Season Lackluster or Just What You Need to Wrap Up A Series
Here we are at the final season of HBO’s Insecure, and fans are left feeling underwhelmed. Most are expressing that this final season is lackluster and without excitement. Well, exactly what do they want? The series is coming to an end, so there’s no reason to build an arch or create a cliffhanger season. The...
Kenya Barris’ Depiction of a Black Family is More Realistic and “BlackAF” Than We Thought
Television writer Kenya Barris returns with another television show similar to the others in his arsenal. This time around, Barris is exploring his very own Black identity, Black plight, and Black experience, which reminds you that he is indeed BlackAF. The creator of Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Mixed-ish makes a declaration with #BlackAF, which is documented and narrated through the scope of his daughter. ...
Nothing is Going to Be Lowkey About Season 4 of ‘Insecure’
After a brief hiatus, Insecure is back with its fourth season to explore more of the Black female experience and… sometimes Black male. No, this season doesn’t have hour-long episodes as constantly requested by fans, but it has gained two additional episodes this time around. The premiere episode “Lowkey Feelin’ Myself” set the tone for...
6 Impactful Things We Took Away From “Queen & Slim”
While Queen & Slim embodies everything from provocativeness, stunning cinematography, injustices, and the visibility of oppression, it is not to be confused as love on the run or Bonnie and Clyde. The film exhibits systematic racism with an impactful ending that’s historic, honest, and heartbreaking on many levels. It’s a tale of ones escape from the hell of America...
25th Anniversary of Mary J. Blige’s ‘My Life’
Who knew in 1994 Mary J’s My Life album would have opened eyes and ears to the pain life and love has to offer. Aside from thrusting her into stardom, the album gave a voice to the voiceless women around the world who were hurting. The classic holds a prominent place in R&B music, and has not...
Remakes, Reboots, and Remastered: The Lack of Creativity!
Another day and another announcement that one of our favorite films, television shows, or albums will be returning with another lifeline. It appears new art isn’t anything more than old art recreated and repackaged as new art. Come again! It implies that artists, creatives, and tastemakers have become stale in their work, but more so,...