……As one of the few remaining kings of Neo-Soul, Maxwell has the luxury of spacing his projects and living/collecting inspiration in-between. The 2009 predecessor was built on the foundation of a broken heart, or at least the concept of disillusion or growing apart. This year’s offering feels like the exact opposite, weariness of relationships altogether… Continue reading Maxwell’s blackSUMMER’snight, CD Preview/Review Link
Author: Lorrie Irby Jackson
Motherofcolor.com showcases the writings of an intelligent and socially savvy wife, mother and journalist who explores a variety of topics (culture, politics, race and gender issues, etc.) with a unique African-American/womanist perspective.*
*COPYWRITTEN CONTENT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (c) . "Melody Charles," "Chocolate Mama & "Le[e] L[e]e Symone" are writing alter egos/pen names*
Act Like You Know: When ‘Tacky’ & ‘Tone-Deaf’ Go Viral
When you don’t know….you don’t know.” The first time I heard that expression was in 1997 when I first saw the film Hoodlum. Two characters were in the midst of a Harlem turf battle during a Depression-era numbers racket in Harlem, and mob boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano grouses to Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson about another gangster,… Continue reading Act Like You Know: When ‘Tacky’ & ‘Tone-Deaf’ Go Viral
“I’m Not Gonna Be Ignored….” AKA Histrionics R’ Us
The last 120 hours have been a trip…and possibly a plot for a lower budget Black version of “Single White Female.” I probably lost a pretty close (internet) pal. There was no huge e-beef. There was no big social justice disagreement. Just a regular ol’ hysterical episode followed by me basically “ghosting.” I won’t use… Continue reading “I’m Not Gonna Be Ignored….” AKA Histrionics R’ Us
“No Matter How Much You Wanna Switch….”
.Just over 26 years ago, Ice Cube cemented his hip-hop status with his seminal debut, Amerikka’s Most Wanted. Along with brilliant sampling and now-classic rhymes, Amerikka… featured a scathing interlude calling out those who insisted on ‘going along to get along’ rather than rocking the boat when it came to confronting racism: “A message to… Continue reading “No Matter How Much You Wanna Switch….”
Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton Dish Up Southern Soul At Verizon
A cursory listen to typical radio playlists might lead folks to believe that true soul music is on life support and few true ‘sangers’ are left to revive it. But if you were at Grand Prairie’s Verizon Theater last night, Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia served up plenty of rib-sticking Southern-fried soul, nourishing the cravings of… Continue reading Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton Dish Up Southern Soul At Verizon