Jesse Williams on American Racism at the BET Awards
“If you have no interest in equal rights for black people, then do not make suggestions to those who do. Sit down.”
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Grammys Under Fire for Lack of Diversity
During turbulent times of political and racial discourse and constant debates surrounding minority representation in the entertainment industry, it isn’t easy to ignore the stark contrast between the two headliners: “a white, blond woman whose music is shorn of any explicit political edge, vs. a black man whose newest music wears its jagged edges as badges of pride.” Taylor Swift (“1989″) and Kendrick Lamar (“To Pimp a Butterfly”) may be going head to head at the Grammys, but the awards show is facing the same type of criticism plaguing the Oscars.
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Diversity Wins Big At This Year’s MTV VMAs
Funny how things have changed since the early days of MTV when it was a still big deal to see Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, on the channel. Fast forward to 2015 and anyone tuned in to see the VMAs witnessed transgender people, South Korean-born music video director Joseph Kahn and RuPaul’s Drag Race drag queens all gracing the stage as presenters, winners and performers. Things done changed. Click here to read full Mashable article.
Remembering Aaliyah 2015
14 years ago today on August 25, 2001, the Princess of R&B, also known as Aaliyah Dana Haughton died in a tragic plane crash in the Bahamas. Aaliyah was at the peak of her young career, and is listed by Billboard as the 10th most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years. The death of Aaliyah is one of the most well losses in the history of music, and it’s only appropriate that we remember everything she accomplished in her lifetime.
British MC ‘Giggs’ Speaks about the Rise of British Music
Since signing to XL in 2010, Nathaniel ‘Giggs’ Thompson has released three albums and worked with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Mike Skinner, B.o.B, and JME. Currently there is a lot of attention being directed at British MC’s and Giggs attributes that to the fact that they have stopped trying to “fit in” with other countries styles, and started to respect themselves, and form their own style.
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Kendrick Lamar is Being Sued for Artwork
Kendrick Lamar is still hot off of his March 15th release of his third studio album “To Pimp A Butterfly”, and is arguably the best rapper in the game right now. However, this world renown artist now has some major legal issues to worry about.
Chance The Rapper Takes Kids On A Field Trip
Chance The Rapper recently made headlines for putting together a free festival for teenagers in Chicago, and decided to give back to the community again this week. Chance decided to surprise a group of campers and partnered with Chicago Parks to take 6-11 year olds with a trip to the museum.
Kendrick Lamar Releases Powerful New Music Video
Kendrick Lamar has been a rising star in hip-hop since Section.80 was released in 2011. King Kendrick only took off from there with his brilliant fist album good kid mA.A.d city which touched upon many issues that plague poor and rough neighborhoods such as his hometown Compton, California. His most recent album, To Pimp A Butterfly expands upon some of those tribulations with a song entitled “Alright” being one of them. Watch the powerful music video below to see Kendrick reinforce the strong message of the song and continue to be a source of strength for those that look up to him.
The Grammy Conundrum
As hip-hop culture grows more diverse in voice and representation, the Grammys seem slow to catch up. The genre easily boasts several vibrant subgenres and possible spinoff styles of music. They might even deserve categories of their own. But during the industry’s most recognizable awards show, all artists who rap are lumped into the same lane. In this day and age, that’s akin to lumping all singers into the same genre just because they sing. Alas, it seems that hip-hop still may have miles to go before being fully recognized as more than just “rap music” in the eyes of those handing out the coveted golden gramophone. But who’s really responsible for this? Read More →
Racial Diversity in Pop Music
According to data compile by Vocativ.com, Pop music is whiter than it’s been in more than three decades. Only four of the Best New Artists Grammy winners over the past 15 years have not been white. Click here to read more.