June 2016

For Beyoncé, 4 was a professional and personal triumph

June 25, 2016

June 24, 2011. Beyoncé released her long awaited fourth album on June 24, 2011 – the anniversary of the release her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. In many ways, 4 was like a rebirth for Beyoncé – creatively, personally and professionally. She had parted ways with her father as

Slate Magazine, You Tried It: Views From the Clickbaited

June 23, 2016

In Depth·Music·Now

Slate, girl. We need to talk. So this morning, I was sipping on my coffee and living my life like it’s golden, when I saw some really aggressive tweets on my Twitter timeline. Never one to neglect the tea, what I saw absolutely shocked me. Right there, in black and white on

Black Music Month Spotlight: Phyllis Hyman

June 20, 2016

Music

It’s week three of our month-long Black Music Month celebration, and today brings us to one of my favorite vocalists of all time, the incomparable Phyllis Hyman. Born on July 6, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this multifaceted songstress was born with all of the natural gifts needed to become a superstar,

Toni Braxton’s Secrets is unforgettable

June 19, 2016

Featured·For the Nostalgia·In Depth·Music·Then

June 18, 1996. In 1993, Toni Braxton strutted onto the scene with a sultry voice and a seeming penchant for sad love songs. She quickly became an R&B superstar and racked up the hits. Naturally, the follow up to her debut was hotly anticipated, coming three years after her debut, arriving

Concert Review: Aretha Franklin at NJPAC 06/16/16

June 17, 2016

Music·Reviews

I have a bit of a ritual- it basically consists of going to see Aretha Franklin every single time she performs in the area. I’ve been pretty religious at it for the last few years, and have seen her live 12 times now (11 if we’re only counting performances). She’s

Black Music Month Spotlight: Bobby Womack

June 13, 2016

Featured·Music

As we continue our journey through the decades, this week we would like to put the spotlight on one of the best and most prolific singers and songwriters in the R&B world, Mr. Bobby Womack. With a career spanning 6 decades, Womack first started making moves in the music world in the

Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable… With Love” at 25

June 11, 2016

In Depth·Music·Then

“I was just ready.” In 1991, after more than 15 years in the music industry, Natalie Cole dug into her roots and found the biggest success of her career. The one thing Natalie Cole avoided early on in her career was her father’s music, she was determined to be her own musician. She achieved

The Post-Formation Hangover: How Beyoncé snatched my life

June 10, 2016

In Depth·Music·Now

It’s been one week since Beyoncé strutted out on stage in Philadelphia in that black “Formation” hat to snatch my life at The Formation World Tour, and I am still hungover. I have been a Beyoncé fan since she was slinging her original, pre-Formation braids during 1999’s The Writing’s on the Wall era. Sure, I knew

For The Nostalgia: Alicia Keys’ Songs In A Minor

June 10, 2016

For the Nostalgia·Music·Then

The road to stardom was not immediate, nor was it easy for Alicia Keys. Born Alicia Augelio Cook on January 25, 1981, the New York-born and bred piano prodigy was always destined for greatness. After signing her first recording contract with Columbia Records in 1995 at the age of 14, Keys spent

The 7 Wonders of Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour

June 7, 2016

Featured·Music·Now·Reviews

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is the epitome of Black girl magic. It’s been two weeks since her Chicago concerts and I still don’t have myself together. As a matter of fact, I’m writing his review from the afterworld, because Bey put me in Formation, stole my soul and then took it with her to

For Beyoncé, 4 was a professional and personal triumph

Slate Magazine, You Tried It: Views From the Clickbaited

Black Music Month Spotlight: Phyllis Hyman

Toni Braxton’s Secrets is unforgettable

Concert Review: Aretha Franklin at NJPAC 06/16/16

Black Music Month Spotlight: Bobby Womack

Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable… With Love” at 25

The Post-Formation Hangover: How Beyoncé snatched my life

For The Nostalgia: Alicia Keys’ Songs In A Minor

The 7 Wonders of Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour

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In 97 Words

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Review: “JEANS” by Jessie Reyez & Miguel

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June 2016

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In 97 Words

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