So, Rihanna let Snapchat have it this week for running an ad that she says is insensitive toward domestic violence. Of course, the social media platform quickly apologized, but Riri was not having it. I don’t blame her. Using her image and name in a game of Would You Rather where the choices are slap … Continue reading Snapchat, Rihanna Does Not Accept Your Apology
So, Janelle Monae knocked everyone’s eyes and ears out this week releasing two songs from her upcoming 3rd album “Dirty Computer.” “Django Jane” is an unapologetic female empowerment jam where she knocks mansplaining and tells the world, there’s no point in denying the power of melanin or femininity considering how well both have been performing … Continue reading Janelle Monae: Let It Hang, Let It Bounce, Take a Risk
Forget the dozens of people killed and more than a 100 who were injured in the Istanbul Ataturk Airport bombing in Turkey this week. The speech actor and activist Jesse Williams gave at last Sunday’s BET Awards is still a hot topic if the plethora of posts circulating the web are any indication. I didn’t … Continue reading We Can’t Win Without White People
I had no plans to blog this week. I was content to bask quietly in my latest accolade – thank you so so much Folio for naming me on of the top women in media for 2016 *cheese* – that and I had little miners testing their pick axes out on the back of my … Continue reading Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and All Lives Matter
So, the trailer for the upcoming Nina Simone biopic was released, and the Internet has gone wild with commentary this week, most of it against lead actress Zoe Saldana. It can’t compete with a nude Kim Kardashian West shot in terms of sheer click power, but calling Saldana’s portrayal of the late singer and Civil Rights … Continue reading Zoe Saldana and the Case of Too Light to Be Right
Janelle Monae released a song yesterday. It’s a fairly simple tune called “Hell You Talmbout.” The lyrics consist of a series of black people’s names – all of whom were killed by police. The singer wrote on Instagram that “We recorded it to channel the pain, fear and trauma caused by the ongoing slaughter of … Continue reading Singer Janelle Monae Fights a Loud Silence With Music
So Jay Z launched Tidal.com this week, his new music streaming service. I poked around a little. It looks like a haven for music lovers. For a fee you can gorge yourself on whatever genre of music you want, and apparently you’ll be able to access exclusive content from artists as well. 
My beef came yesterday morning as I drove to the train. I habitually flip through my favorite stations on the off chance they’ll actually play a song rather than talk, and Jay Z was the topic of discussion. Some rapper/artist-type person — I don’t know who because his comment got on my nerves and I immediately turned on a CD — offered this opinion: I think it’s a great (or something along those lines) thing because as a businessman, as a black business man; that’s when I turned him off. Continue reading “Must we state the obvious? Jay Z’s more than a black businessman #diversity #inclusion #race”
I ran into this article where For Harriet writer Michelle Denise Jackson discussed her quandary — being a feminist and simultaneously loving ratchet music.
You know ratchet music. You may have nearly broken a finger or two frantically pushing buttons on the radio while driving to get away from it. Whereas I look forward to riding in my car just so I can listen to Drake and crew on 107.5 or 92.3 in Chicago.
Sometimes I jam so hard my Sonata turns into a little mobile dance club. In my more enlightened moments, I know I shouldn’t be listening to this music. I should be writing a blog on how horrible it is that a Muslim couple and her sister were killed this week — a very obvious hate crime in my opinion — but the music is an escape from that reality. Continue reading “You Can Be a Feminist and Love Modern Music #feminism #music #Drake #diversity”
A Life Not Grey 