The rich music history and soul of Detroit engraved its presence within Key Wane’s soundscapes the moment he decided to become a producer. Serving as the home of Motown, the Motor City has birthed some of music’s past and present forerunners like the late J. Dilla, Black Milk, Dej Loaf, Royce da 5’9″, Big Sean, Eminem, Tee Grizzley and more. (Read More)
The sky matched the color of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on a cloudless Saturday afternoon (June 3), marveling attendees with an Instagram-worthy backdrop at the star-studded Roots Picnic. There’s a sort of symbolism within that structure in correlation to the annual event. The purpose of a bridge is to transport something from one point to another, ensuring safe passage to your destination. For concertgoers, each artist on the festival’s bill served as an overpass to a destination that’s worth the price tag. (Read More)
You can’t just listen to Juslisen on a partly sunny day. The skies have to be as clear as Lupita Nyongo’s skin and the sun has to show out in all its splendor like Saturday’s NYC weather (May 6). The grooves of a hip-swaying bass to the endless melodic discoveries of a stage piano deserve to be listened to on that perfect day. However, in addition to the instrumentals stand the lyrics of unabashed love and passion. (Read More)
Apartment 7 has no heat. On this January day, the temperature tapped in at 44 degrees, with a wind chill that rudely pushes you to your enclosed destination for warmth, but for its longtime resident, he’ll have to brave the cold for yet another day. The space has an air of luxury with seven gray marble steps, ushered by gold banisters leading up to a cathedral style golden door. It’s a busy neighborhood, located five blocks south of the Empire State Building, but Apartment 7’s appreciative tenant doesn’t complain. Although he’s living rent free, the occupant doesn’t have much furniture; only a tan blanket, a book bag that a tourist would purchase in a store in Times Square, and a Coolpad cell phone. (Read More)
Ms. Venida Browder’s house collected sounds that cemented lifelong memories within its walls. In her Bronx abode, the matriarch raised seven children who would go on to keep the seams in tact in the fabric of family. Sounds of fun times passed through every nook of the two-floor house, but sounds of despair also found a space within her home. (Read More)
Fast forward 20 years later, and “Bye Felicia” is still going strong. The hilarious character has provided Angela Means with a platform to launch her organization Angie’s Kids, which focuses on educating people on health, wellness, and early childhood development. Ahead of the film’s 20th birthday on April 26, Means discusses life after Friday, the magic behind the film’s impact on pop culture, and if she actually uses the phrase “Bye Felicia.” (Read More)
On Labor Day (Sept. 7), a day of rest, my mind was moving a mile a minute. I was preparing myself mentally for the epic match-up between Serena and Venus Williams. I purchased my ticket to their fifth U.S. Open bout—their 27th meet-up career-wise—for the following day, triple-checking to make sure my coveted stub was still in my Ticketmaster account. I couldn’t believe I was about to watch two of the greatest athletes in the world, no matter how far up my seat was. (Read More)
Scott Lazer graduated in 2011 with a degree in journalism from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., but swiftly learned he had a passion for being behind the lens instead of behind the pen. He landed his first major film project within his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., nearly three hours west of Cole’s esteemed Fayetteville. With the Democratic National Convention in town, Lazer and one of his creative partners shot around 100 short films that showcased various artists, inventors or institutions that highlighted Charlotte’s uniqueness, and later sold their work that became a part of the DNC host committee’s campaign. But he quickly hit a ceiling and saw the level of creativity he wanted to reach would be an uphill battle if he stayed within his stomping grounds. He decided to make that 2,500 mile move to Los Angeles where he came into contact with the Dreamville collective. (Read More)
Eighteen months ago, NAO nervously uploaded her first song to SoundCloud from her bedroom. In collaboration with fellow Brit, A.K. Paul, “So Good” found a cozy spot on the World Wide Web. But NAO, who was initially unsure of how the song would be received, decided to turn off her phone in an attempt to avoid any and all notifications of what the masses might think. While she went about her day and found some down time in between a rehearsal, she caved in, turned on her phone, and what she only dreamed of happening actually occurred. (Read More)
On the steps of Langston Hughes’ abandoned Harlem-based home grew a new idea that will change the course of a young black man’s future. Erica Buddington, an educator and scholar from New York, sat on those steps of the famed poet’s home everyday for lunch, alone, with her thoughts on how to make kids love to learn again. One day while enjoying her afternoon meal, an unnamed caretaker of Hughes’ 127th and 5th Avenue property interrupted her routine. (Read More)
Camille Augustin 