We spoke with R&B singer Xavier Omär about his new album, his background in the church, and how getting married affected his songwriting. Xavier Omär taught himself to play the drums when he was a child. He played by ear in countless churches throughout his life. “I would just listen, repeat the sound back in … Read moreXavier Omär Reimagines Himself on His New Album ‘if You Feel’
In celebration of the 40 year anniversary of Stevie Wonder’s Hotter than July, we spoke with engineer Lon Neumann, who provided a vivid account of how this classic record came to fruition. The 1970s were a transcendent decade for Stevie Wonder. Between 1972 to 1976, he recorded, composed, and produced songs for himself and other … Read moreThe Making of ‘Hotter than July,’ The Album That Revived Stevie Wonder’s…
We spoke with The Ohio Players’ drummer James “Diamond” Williams who explained to us, in great detail, how Ohio Players recorded their 1975 classic Honey. The Ohio Players’ story begins in Dayton, Ohio in 1959. During this early period, they were known as the Ohio Untouchables and were the band for a Detroit-based vocal group … Read moreThe Making of The Ohio Players 1975 Masterpiece ‘Honey’
Both rap veterans and contemporary up-and-comers rely on independent music venues to sustain themselves, but the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a majority of those venues permanently closing. In June, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) conducted a survey with over 2,000 of its members, which includes venue owners, bookers, and promoters throughout the United … Read moreCan Hip-Hop Shows Survive When 90 Percent of Independent Music Venues Face…
The coming of age story is one rich with nostalgia and longing for simpler times. Here are 10 coming of age movies that are centered around Black girls. Growing up, getting older, maturing — no matter how you label it, the passage of time is inevitable. Aging is a universal ritual everyone experiences, which is … Read moreTen Modern Coming of Age Movies That Center Black Girls
With an unapologetic Black coach and an all-Black team based in “Chocolate City,” John Thompson Jr.’s Georgetown Hoyas reveled in being Black America’s team. Mali historian Amadou Hampaté Bâ once stated, “When an elder dies, a library is burned to the ground.” That wisdom captures the sentiments of so many upon hearing the news of … Read moreJohn Thompson Jr. Was Black America’s First Coach