Category: observations
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Encore: A Look at Jay-Z’s Law Lyrics Across his Career
In Never Change 2.1, the study which looked at drugs, guns, criminal and law references throughout Jay-Z’s discography, the law theme had the lowest mentions but was the most consistent throughout his career and has a particular allure because of the way it was referenced. Jay-Z’s relationship with the criminal justice system is something he…
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Never Change 2.1
So, if you have been following this blog for a couple of years, you know I did a mini research project about Jay-Z and his rhymes. I re-upped and got a little bit more critical this time with Never Change 2.1. It does the same thing the old one did but with updated stats and…
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“Krazy”
I’ve been quiet lately. I was living inside my head. I have my views, but my voice was silent…until now. But before I got here, I had to go for a run. It was just me, the wind, the sun, and God. By the end, I was emotionally better but exhausted. The drama I was…
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Blessed and Highly Favored
Blessed and highly favored is one of those religious sayings that I have always questioned. Does your good fortunes mean you’re favored over others? What about those who are down and out? What if their struggle or suffering is a lesson for others to learn? I hear people say it and I wonder if they…
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Hey, Dad
Dear Dad, This morning I came to you with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. This morning, instead of saying “Happy Birthday,” I said, “They keep killing us.” You gave me your shoulder to cry on and we had a conversation about the murdering of Altson Sterling and Philando Castile—two Black men that…
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Dressing for the Culture
Last year Kyemah McEntyre, 19, wooed the world with her prom dress in homage to the dashiki. It had a beauty and vibrancy that refused be ignored. This year she has helped to inspire the class of 2016 to show up and show out in their own designs—and they definitely did. Fabrics from Nigeria, Ghana,…
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For the GOAT
“There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.” –David Eagleman When a person dies, I think of this quote because for…
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Somewhere in Brooklyn
Happy Birthday to Brooklyn’s Finest who was not only a client but the player president: Mr.Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace bka Biggie!
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in the details: the Lemonade narrative
Think pieces are flying out from everywhere about Beyoncé’s visual album, Lemonade. So, I was going to chill to the next episode. Yesterday, however, I saw a photo and commentary that made me change my mind. It was the latest selfie set of the Queen Bee, Lil Kim. A very light and hardly recognizable Lil…
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For Prince
Updated 4/23/16 I have so much to do. My roles and responsibilities grow as the days go by, but I had to take a moment to pay respect to a muse who has gotten me through some of my most challenging times: Prince. His full name, birthday, albums and accomplishments can be Googled, but his…
kashema 