It's years' like this that makes the tradition more enjoyable. A LOT of good music came out in 2021. Probably one of the more difficult ones to rank. The fam and I compiled our lists again of our top albums that dropped this year. Side note: I just want to give a shout that they are the real MVPs for sending in the artwork with their list this time 'round:D Check out our favorite projects after the jump!
Friday, December 31, 2021
{Personal Post} Photos:: 2021 4th Quarter
Holidays mean inebriation! 4th Quarter had its notable moments. From seeing Dave Chappelle live to partying on a private 3 story yacht with an open bar for Christmas. See it all below!
In Memoriam...2021
My second year doing this and it was just as tough a feeling as it was last year. Gone but not forgotten
In memoriam...
Hank Aaron
Shock G
Suzanne Douglas
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Mood: Stack The Deck x El Michels Affair feat. Bobby Oroza
I can't recall how I stumbled across this breathtaking gem and initially, I thought it was an oldie. The chords were familiar and I FINALLY figured out where I know them from. To my surprise, this is not an oldie at all and actually released this year. The arrangement is out of this world. Levitation every single solitary time.
Related Post: Mood: Slow | Tilla
Time Warp...1975: Let Your Hair Down | Yvonne Fair
Circa 1975
Talk yo shit Yvonne.
P.S. cough up a lung where i'm from...
Related Post: Time Warp...1974: Cross My Heart | Billy Stewart
5 Liquors Recommended to Bring in the New Year
I mean because thanks to Covid and its cousins running a muck, we all finna be in the house anyway? For those going out... chile may the force be with you. For those of us staying in, here are 5 liquors I recommend to get you through NYE.
KNOB CREEK
{Personal Post} Photos:: More October fun x Fall Randoms
I don't post on my social media often, so I have to unload these pics somehow lol. My 34th birthday and some other jazz is entailed in this one. Like I said, the gems are in the videos, but the photos'll do. Part 3 tomorrow.
{Personal Post} Photos:: Street Symphony x Millennium Tour x October fun
October kicked off and I decided I was celebrating my birthday the entire month; our birthdays. It didn't work out that way lol, butttt hopefully THAT post will see the light of day from the drafts. This post doesn't include my actual birthday photos, but rather "Street Symphony", the Millenium Tour, and photos from either of our pre/post bday outings. Libra babies. The gems are really in the videos, but here are the moments I captured...
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Just Dialogue: Movies/TV Shows I Watched during Quarantine (pt. III)
We have reached a part III of this saga... all whilst going into year 3 of the pandemic *sigh. It's becoming difficult to keep these as just dialogue with no spoilers. I have things to say! Maybe that can change for the next one. Anywho, I'm certain there are a few that I'm forgetting. They'll be thrown on the next post. Let's get into it:
BMF (Black Mafia Family)/STARZ
"at least you can wish me luck... ". I had been WAITING for this show since being announced a couple years ago. It exceeded expectations. Everyone played the hell out of their role and the pacing of the story was perfect... which is very important in any series or film. Kudos to 50.
Monday, December 20, 2021
Time Warp...1974: Cross My Heart | Billy Stewart
A new time warp post was long overdue. I stumbled across this randomly one night cooking and it inspired me to bring these back. Just blaze knew.
and I love herrrrrrrrrrrr
Related Post: Time Warp...1972: I'll Find a Way | Black Ivory
{Personal Post} Photos:: B A D D I E presents "A Pop Up for the Culture"
To the first of the many personal posts I have still sitting in the drafts. Back towards the end of September, I attended "A Pop Up for the Culture" in support of the baddie herself, Hannah. The event hosted several vendors of small black businesses in the area, themed cocktails, a few hot DJs, and FOOD :D. An impromptu birthday celebration took place towards the end which kicked off the turn up. Cool people, cooler vibes. Take a glimpse below:
Solange's Saint Heron launches a digital library of Rare books by Black Authors
Solange. ForUsByUs.
her Saint Heron website has since relaunched into a library of rare books by black authors. Through the website's portal, anyone in the U.S. can borrow a selection of 50 books curated by Rosa Duffy, who is the founder of Atlanta's For Keeps Books bookstore. Genres available range from art to history to novels to poem collections and so forth.
“If you’re not invited into these [archives] or you don’t feel invited into these spaces—which Black folks are often not—you can feel like this stuff doesn’t belong to you, like you’re not allowed to put your hands on it, and it’s behind closed doors,”- Duffy.
“We hope that by encountering these works, our community is inspired to further explore and study the breadth of artistic expression and the impact of Blackness in creative innovation throughout history...”
Just a sample of what to look for. Loaners are able to check out one title each, with the loan lasting up to 45 days. For detailed instructions on how the library works, see after the jump!
Last Minute Stocking Stuffers:: Sun Goddess Wines by. Mary J Blige x Raekwon "From Staircase to Stage" Memoir
Christmas is 5 days away! If you have a wine or hiphop lover to gift, this post is for you. Ms. Blige is sharing her world of wines as she teams up with renowned Fantinel Winery (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) for her collection, Sun Goddess Wines. The collection features limited-edition Italian Pinot Grigio (Rosé) and Italian Sauvignon Blanc.
“I’ve always loved the sun, and as a child I always tried to capture the sun’s warmth and energy. It was magical to me, and it’s with that spirit, that my mom began calling me “Sun Goddess.”
You can purchase either wine or both at a Total Wine & More near you. Also, check your local liquor stores that carry a nice wine selection.
_______________________________________________________________________
I grew up on the crime side
The new york time side
We've learned a bit from the Wu-Tang saga hulu series, but now we are presented with Raekwon's own origin story. The legendary Chef is always cooking up fire and this time... it's a memoir. I read an excerpt of this via RollingStone of how Leonardo DiCaprio backed his idea for a Wu biopic, similar to that of N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton film. However, RZA shot it down.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
{Personal Post} Photos:: #SpiritedSoleGarden presented by Charismatic Creations
I said I was going to get back into doing these type posts more often like I used to. I'm making efforts to stick to that. Sunday, Charismatic Creations (@CharismaticCreations) held a super dope and sophisticated event, curated into an oasis for us sneaker lovers and wearers and cocktail enthusiasts. S.o. to Spritz by Serenata. Each cocktail was crafted with ingredients from local Black and Brown Farmers. Adding a cherry on top, 30% of the proceeds are to be used to purchase/donate new shoes to local organizations (DC) for those in need! I knew upon walking up and hearing "My World" by Kid Cudi via DJ Nah Fr blaring... that it was going to be most certainly my type of vibe. And THAT it was.
{Watch} Trailer:: New Complex series, Hiking with Rappers, feat. Lil' Kim, Rick Ross, Big Sean, Coi Leray + more
Complex, via You Tube, introduces a new series called "Hiking with Rappers", presented by Timberland. Tag along with some of your favs as they embark on a trail of adventures and random entertainment. The first episode premieres tomorrow! Watch the trailer below:
{Book Alert}- Things My Grandma Told Me, Things My Grandma Showed Me: A Cookbook Memoir by. Mia X
More greatness from the legend herself. This book is not only filled with savory recipes, but also contains her childhood.. adolescence.. and music career memories. Served up as an ode to her grandmother, Mamaw, who Mia quotes often throughout. If you haven't seen any photos from her #TeamWhipDemPots, tap in on the official website here! Disclaimer: DON'T look if you're already hungry. Take that as a warning :D
Things My Grandma Told Me, Things My Grandma Showed Me... feels like "Home". A perfect cop for the fall season. Make sure you grab a copy!
Related Post: Mia-X celebrates her 51st Birthday by Donating Food to those in Need
Related Post: {New Book Alert}- F*ck It, I'll Start Tomorrow by. Action Bronson
Giving Back:: Gunna opens a Free Grocery and Clothing store in Atlanta
Things that deserve more attention. Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Giovanni Kitchens, has been in headlines recently more for scrutiny of his fashion choices, rather than for more important stuff like this. Last week, Gunna gave back to his hometown Atlanta community and current students at his former Ronald McNair Middle School by opening a free grocery and clothing store within the school. In a partnership with Atlanta non-profit GOODR, founded by Jasmine Rowe, students will be able to get the necessities for free. That's right ... Free.
Each week, fresh produce and frozen meals will be stocked in the grocery including pescatarian and vegetarian options. Families can, also, access this remote by completing an order online and picking the items up at the store in the school.
His philanthropic efforts have not gone unnoticed by the city, though. September 16th was officially named Gunna Day by South Fulton Mayor, Bill Edwards.
"This is things I said I was gonna do when I got in a position to do it, so I just gotta follow that"- Gunna/CBS46.
Amazing.
s.o. to RollingOut
Related Post: Jaden Smith to open a Restaurant that will Give Free Food to the Homeless
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
How You Can Still Help Those in Need affected by Hurricane Ida
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| via WMUR9 |
It has been about two weeks since Hurricane Ida destructively hit Louisiana and many of its parishes. As you may know from previous posts regarding this matter, Louisiana holds a dear place in my heart. Our people still need aid and here's how you can lend a hand. The direct sites are hyperlinked to each one:
Second Harvest Food Bank- serving South Louisiana food boxes that contain items like nutritional drinks and bars, as well as bottled waters. Cooking equipment can, also, be delivered to heat prepared meals. Volunteers and donations (i.e. cleaning supplies, money, etc) are welcome.
Culture Aid NOLA- currently has a cooking hub at the Howlin' Wolf nightclub located in New Orleans. Meals provided by thawing food from the freezers of restaurants with power outages are distributed to people in need. Volunteers, trucks, and takeaway container donations are welcome.
{Personal Post} Photos:: #InsideTheWardrobeDC Pop-Up
Inside the Wardrobe was literally a fashion funhouse. Before arriving, we went to happy hour :D. The entire evening had plenty of random moments including that of uncontrollable laughter. Definitely one for the books this August. There were 20 different sensory moments and interactions throughout and I tried to capture most of them.
Thursday, August 5, 2021
{Watch} Trailer:: new Rick James documentary, "Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James"
this isn't the wizard of oz
there are black people here
and we make music.
We've hung on to the classic Chappelle Show episode of Charlie Murphy's Rick James stories understandably inordinately. The long overdue official documentary is now here. SHOWTIME has a history of producing excellent docs in my book. I.E. Teddy Pendergrass, Hector Camacho, Basketball County: In the Water, Supervillain, Amy Winehouse, and most recently Dick Gregory etc. All of which I have watched numerous times. There is no doubt that they will do this one justice as well.
September 3rd ladies and gentlemen. Watch the trailer after the jump!
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
{Watch} Live Performances:: Tyler, the Creator (Lollapalooza 2021) x Vince Staples (Tiny Desk)
Just in case you weren't able to catch them. Here's the full Lollapalooza set from Tyler and Vince Staples' recent tiny desk performance for his self-titled album "Vince Staples", which is like that btw. Ironically, it was announced a few hours ago that these two were going on tour together. Watch the performances and catch the tour dates below:
Photos:: Album Covers recreated with LEGO by. Waheed Zai
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| via Collater.al |
Social Media may be bad for a lot of things, but it's good for gems like these. I stumbled across this randomly on Instagram. His name is Waheed Zai, IG handle : @waheed_zai. These are just a few examples of his work. Check him out.. his recreations are fantastic.
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| via Collater.al |
{Watch} Trailer:: New Streetwear Competition series, The Hype, feat. Offset, Wiz Khalifa, Dapper Dan + more
Meet the judges:
Marni Senofonte (L) is a popular celebrity fashion stylist, including notable looks for Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Diddy and also Kendall Jenner.
Offset (C) .. well you all know Offset. lol. #Migos
Bephie Birkett (R) job title resume is extensive. Bephie's Beauty Supply, Designer, Co-owner/Creative Director of LA streetwear line "Union", Director of short videos and commercials for over 10 years etc. The list continues to grow.
"The Hype" features 10 street wear designers that will compete for a grand prize of ... an industry co-sign, feature on StockX, and $150,000. Like most televised competitions, special guests will be featured on episodes along the way including Cardi B, Asap Ferg, Wiz Khalifa, Dapper Dan and more. I'll be tuned in. Watch the trailer after the jump!
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Vince Staples announces his very own Graphic Novel, "Limbo Beach"
Rapper Vince Staples is dipping his toes outside the music realm and into the comic world with "Limbo Beach"; written by Vince himself, Bryan Edward Hill, and Chris Robinson. You can pre-order now on z2comics, as it doesn't officially release until December 2021. Prices range from $19.99- $199.99 depending on which edition you get. Read the synopsis after the jump:
{New Literature Alert}- Safe Travels zine by Janicza Bravo
Where Art meets Literature.
Being a fan of A24 films, I came across their latest magazine issue and wanted to share. This issue guest edited by Zola filmmaker, Janicza Bravo, features an essay by sex worker Zuri, interview between Bravo and A'Ziah King, and other cool things. Photography credits include: Deana Lawson, Kennedi Carter, Maxi Magnano, Miranda Barnes, Jeff Zie, Clifford Prince King, Katie Byron, and Alicia Vera.
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