It’s Black Music Month and I’m celebrating by being a black musician. My birthday was also last week so you all owe me a gift! What do you get a man who has virtually everything? You give him a call at 1-877-DONWILL and answer the following prompt:
When you hear the term ‘black music’ what comes to mind? Like in your estimation who makes the blackest music? There are no wrong answers! Be as clever or straightforward as you want.
SHOWS
June 16 - Shouting At The Screen - Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park: We’re doing the show on a Tuesday this time and as usual we’d really love to sell this one out. TICKETS
June 19 - Juneteenth at Weeksville: Family friendly and fun! There will be vendors and performances and it’s all FREE
THE ALMANAC OF RAP
Since the last email two episodes of the podcast have been released. Where does the time go?
The most recent episode featured Jharrel Jerome and we talked about his music. I had no idea he rapped so imagine sitting down for a full conversation with him to chop it up about the projects he’s released and how he integrates music into his career as an actor.
The other episode features Sequoia Holmes who hosts the Black People Love Paramore podcast. We talked about the label of alternative music, moments where rock and rap intersect and debate who made a stronger contribution to hip hop: Nickelodeon or Disney. Hard hitting rap journalism!
You can listen to both episodes here or watch them at the youtube links above.
NEWS
I spent the weekend before last covering the Roots Picnic for my podcast and in turn missed my own writing deadline so there was no newsletter last week. I got a ton of cool interviews at the picnic including Freeway, Beanie Siegel, Tierra Whack, Questlove and other non-Philadelphian artists. I haven’t seen the footage yet and barely remember even being there because in the time since then I’ve had a birthday and then flew to Riga which is where I am currently situated at for the duration of the week. So far I have seen one black person but I’ll have a full tally for you next time we speak. Anyone one to take a guess as to how many I’ll see?
The main bit of news that I’ve got for you is that I’ll be heading back to Twitch very soon to reboot my radio show. The radio show has always been an extension of this newsletter and I’d like to fully integrate the two. I know some of you won’t make the leap to Twitch with me but for those of you that are interested in tuning in as of right now I’ll be going live from 2P -4P EST at least one day a week. Which day? You’ll find out soon!
GOOD - The Knicks are in the Finals and New York is on fire. I haven’t been to a watch party or anything because it feels more stressful than fun to me. There is a lot riding on this!
BAD - I haven’t been to a watch party so I’m experiencing a bit of FOMO. They look fun tho! Okay this isn’t really ‘news’ but I’m in a pinch and I don’t know what else to put here.
UGLY - Trump showed up to the Knicks game. I guess he saw all that orange and thought he’d blend right in. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that they lost when he showed up.
VIDEOS
When I was at the Roots Picnic I got a really quick interview with Tierra Whack and instead of answering one of my questions about Black Music Month she said “June is Whack Music Month cus I’m dropping an album and you are the first person I have told so you have an exclusive now”
That clip never got posted for some reason (…) but she has since went on to announce her upcoming mixtape with this lead single. There’s no telling what the project will sound like but this is a really promising first offering.
I love Pharrell and and I say this with all due respect, this video is slick and the song is cool but it really makes me miss Chad. This also reminds me of some other Neptunes produced song which isn’t surprising because they have been recycling their own ideas for years (it’s part of how they make so much music). I think that’s the part that made me realize how much I miss Chad.
pgLang’s just dropped a surprise album by a new artist named Imani Imani and while this is not the lead single it’s the only other song I heard and I like it better tbh. I have not heard the whole album.
Jungle is an audio visual experience so I’ve gotta post the video that goes along with the song. The choreography for each video is pretty sick and this one is no exception.
Trinidad James has been popping out with the jams lately. This is the latest project he’s launching and the song is a bop. Can’t Keep My Hands To Myself is a jam too. Not mad at all!
ALBUMS
*i don’t use spotify so I am not going to link it anymore. if you guys want the spotify links to return say so in the comments. otherwise this is now a list of things for the time being.
Thee Imaculate - Thurz & 14KT
- I just found out about this and I haven’t heard it but I’m sure it’s gonna be FUEGO
Cry Baby - Vince Staples
- it’s a rock album and it’s pretty good if you’re into that sort of thing.
RBT - Freddie Gibbs
- this is more like an ep than an album and I haven’t heard it.
Football - Monday Night & Evidence
- i don’t know who Monday Night is but he’s got a fully produced album with Evidence and based on the needle drops I gave it I like it.
The Zenith - 9th Wonder, Jada and S14H
- i don’t know who Jada and S14H is but you can’t really go wrong with this one. 9th beats and some dope rhymes.
So & Sow - Nappy Nina & Swarvy
- you already know that i am pro-Nappy Nina so yeah listen to this.
Papercut - Imani Imani
- suprise drop by TDE’s new signee. I have only heard two songs and so far and i like one of them so that’s a good sign.
SONGS
Wax Paper - Tierra Whack
Charlie Brown Returns - Scienze
Cocaine Coltrane - Rome Streetz
I’m Hot - Nina Skyy & Statik Selecktah
Everything Pinka - Monaleo feat Teezo
Right Away - Wiki
Could Be Worse - Bizzy Crook & Leon Thomas
the feeling - Steve Lacy
How Did You Love Me - La Reezy
callin - Syd
Authentic - Lute
Sega Genesis - Domo Genesis
Hurricane - Infinity Song
High Hopes 3000 - Role Model
BONUS
I have been watching a lot of videos about octopus because what do you mean they have 9 brains, can change color and can edit their RNA? Cuttlefish can also change colors and a guy wondered just how far he could push them so he built a fish tank that looked like a living room and well…
CRAZY!