Off Ki

Kendrick destroyed.  There's really no debate. Even if you're not the biggest fan of his music. With assistance from actor Samuel L. Jackson, singer Sza, and crip-walking tennis champ Serena Williams, there's no question how Kendrick came with intent to be bold, cultural, and commanding at the same time.  His implementation of the American flag and colors on the dancers and decor was genius considering our political climate. Understanding the history of African Americans in the United States, Kendrick's performance was on point. It made a statement. It was so American and so black.  This will go down as one of the best Superbowl halftime shows to date.  Along with Sza,  Kendrick will be on tour this summer.  Check out the full performance here. 

Sang Ledisi!  The New Orleans native graced the football field with class and soul.  Backed by a local youth choir,  Ledisi wowed with her rendition of the Black National Anthem.  Considering how the National Football League would not be what it is without it's black players and Civil Rights movement from which the song was birthed, it's interesting how this performance was separate from the America the Beautiful and National Anthem offerings.   I'll let you draw your own conclusions.  Check out Ledisi's performance below.  

Have you all heard of my homegirl, Aliah Sheffield? Well, she's not really my homegirl. More like homegirl in my head. We got that Scorpio connection, ya dig?  If you haven't heard of the Savannah, GA native (by way of Newark, NJ), maybe you've heard of her viral hit Earth is Ghetto , lifted from her Def Jam debut These Songs Are For Everyone Who Is Sick of Earth.  Soulful, authentic, a bit pessimistic but so relatable in such a time as this are just some of the things that can be said of Sheffield.  Fresh off a fall tour with singer, Bilal, I feel that Aliah's time in the spotlight is near.  Here's hoping she has as much success as she has gifts and talents.  Take in her visual for Earth is Ghetto below.  

I love me some Bilal.  The way he emotes and gets lost into the groove of a song is unmatched. He loves music like I love music.  Behind his freshly released album, Adjust Brightness,  and subsequent tour, Bilal finally made it to the main table of NPR's YouTube music concert series "Tiny Desk". Having already made an appearance on the platform behind musician-producer Robert Glasper, Bilal headlines with fan favorites like "When Will You Call" and "Soul Sista" with compelling new tracks from his latest release.  Get lost in the groove below. 

Homeboy been through it.  Spinning the block back from assault allegations by a former girlfriend and being dropped from the Disney/Marvel franchises as a result, it's apparent that Majors hit a rough patch in his budding career. Some thought he'd never see Hollywood proper again.  But come through for the bounce back.  Fast-forward with rebound girlfriend/fiancée actress Megan Good in tow, Majors is set for a cinematic comeback with the previously shelved motion picture, Magazine Dreams .  The film is about an aspiring bodybuilder who is consumed by his dream of becoming famous. The film explores themes of violence, celebrity, and the physical and psychological toll of ambition.  I'm intrigued.  Here's hoping this produces a rising second wave for Mr. Majors. I admit, I was a fan at the beginning of his prominence. From HBO's critically acclaimed (and wrongly canceled in my opinion) Lovecraft Country to the all-black western film, The Harder They Fall , I...

Although Natasha Rothwell was shocked by her Hulu creation "How to Die Alone" being canceled after one season, I wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Natasha fan. Her take as Kelly on "Insecure" was legendary. It was important for us as a community to see a pretty black volumptious woman empowered and esteemed, which I'm sure creator Issa Rae was very intentional about. I also enjoyed Natasha's nuanced performance on HBO's "White Lotus".  When I heard about Natasha's venture to produce her own show, I was very excited. I was hoping for a smart and sassy comedy with her as a character similar to Insecure's Kelly.  That's not what we got.  The show is described as "Mel (Natasha) is a broke JFK airport employee who has never experienced love until a near-death accident inspires her to dream and live life again." according to the entertainment database site IMDB.  OK....I guess. I did enjoy some moments of "How...