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Source: Getty Images Black music has always moved the culture. Without us, 85% of popular music, fashion, language, and mannerisms wouldn’t exist. The real story, though, isn’t just about the artists and tastemakers. It’s about ownership. Who controlled the masters? Who owned the publishing? Who built the infrastructure? For over a century, Black creatives have fought not just to be heard but to be paid, credited, and respected. As we […]

Source: John Phillips / Getty Afrobeats didn’t just pop up overnight. Before it was running up streams and selling out arenas in New York, London, and Paris, its foundation was being laid in West Africa decades ago. The genre itself traces its roots back to highlife in Ghana and the politically charged Afrobeat sound pioneered by Fela Kuti in the ’60s and ’70s. Afrobeat was rebellious. It was layered. It […]

Source: Brian Rasic / Getty As we all know, award-winning recording artist Prince is a timeless icon and a true legend. His music speaks for itself, which makes sense as to why it can be difficult sometimes for productions to get his music cleared, but not impossible. Two of his songs actually were cleared to be used in this year’s series finale of Stranger Things, one being the classic ‘Purple […]

Paul Natkin It’s a real queen’s birthday! The ethereal Erykah Badu makes her milestone 55th lap around the sun today (February 26), still managing to possess that same youthful spirit we all fell in love with back in 1997 when she first emerged on the scene. Even though her signature head wrap that seemed to reach the clouds is far gone — you’d easier find her rocking a mohawk these […]

Source: R1 / R1 As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Muslims around the world prepare for a period of reflection, fasting, and spiritual growth. This festive time is also an opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity. One way to do so is by bridging the gap between the R&B music scene in the Arab world. In recent years, Arab R&B artists have emerged, blending traditional influences with current R&B sounds […]

Leon Bennett / Sarah Bond / Xbox Following the massive leadership shakeup at Xbox, a new report seems to place most of the blame for the gaming company’s failures squarely on the shoulders of Sarah Bond. Last week, the gaming world was thrown for a loop when news broke of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s sudden retirement, the installation of his replacement, Asha Sharma, and of Sarah Bond’s unceremonious resignation. Bond […]

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty   Signifying the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is dedicated exclusively to strengthening prayer, reflection and community amongst the Muslim people. One major well-known practice is the act of sawm, the fourth pillar that acts as another word for fasting. The customary act of abstaining from food and drink, starting at dawn and ending when nightfall arrives, is actually very valiant in its […]

Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz Nicki Minaj is never one to hold her tongue, and this time she’s coming at Gavin Newsom. During a recent speaking engagement in Atlanta alongside Mayor Andre Dickens, the California governor attempted to connect with Black voters by joking about his academic shortcomings. “I am like you, I’m a 960 SAT guy. I can’t read,” Newsome said. SMH… Social media wasted no time reacting, but […]

Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz83 It’s going on seven years since the tragic death of the beloved Nipsey Hussle. While he’s no longer with us in the physical, his legacy continues to loom large in the Hip-Hop culture, and steps continue to be taken to immortalize the Los Angeles rap icon. Almost a year after the Victory Lap rapper had a Metro Station in LA renamed after him, ABC7 is […]