#Janelle Monae

Daphne A. Brooks on Writing Liner Notes and What She Would Like to See in Solange's Archive

Daphne A. Brooks (Photo: Mara Lavitt) "Sometimes, it feels like I've been writing this book all my life," says Daphne A. Brooks, author of the recently released Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound. Brooks, a Yale professor who previously wrote Bodies in...

Liz Ohanesian

black. lives. matter.

As a music and media publication dedicated to supporting marginalized communities, we're using our platform to fight against racial injustice, particularly at the hands of the police. On Blackout Tuesday, an initiative was created by Atlantic Records exec Jamila Thomas and Platoon’s Brianna...

Annie White

AF 2018 IN REVIEWThe Best Music Videos of the Year

It's been a long time since music videos have aired on television, but as the popularity of YouTube soars among a generation who doesn't even remember what MTV used to be, artists are now approaching the medium with a new creative fervor. As you'll note from this list, by and large we're seeing...

Desdemona Dallas

AF 2018 IN REVIEWHow A Wave of Queer Hitmakers Helped Me Assert My Identity

illustration and words by Ysabella Monton Drunk on $2 strawberry margaritas during my very first visit to Cubbyhole, my 19-year-old self and a friend struck up a conversation with two women who led with, “Aww, how cute, two straight girls at the gay bar!” We looked at each other, confused. She was...

Ysabella Monton

AF 2018 IN REVIEWOur Favorite Albums and Singles of the Year

Here we are again! As the new year approaches, it's time to look back and take stock of the albums and singles that defined this moment in music history. 2018 was an eclectic year, to say the least, and there are a lot of new names on the list: Tirzah, Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, Noname, King...

Lindsey Rhoades

NEWS ROUNDUPKelis, Avicii and More

Kelis, Avicii and More By Jasmine Williams Kelis Opens Up About Abusive Marriage Compared to the film industry, the music has been slow to acknowledge the #MeToo movement. While the rock and rap blares, sexual abuse accusations against major musicians have largely fallen on deaf ears. Thanks to...

Jasmine Williams

VIDEO OF THE WEEKCHVRCHES "Miracle" and More

With the impending release of their third studio record, Love Is Dead, slated for release May 25, Scottish synth-poppers CHVRCHES shared a video for the LP's fourth single, "Miracle." It's a bit of a bait-and-switch, featuring lead singer Lauren Mayberry lit in gauzy neon hues, her voice sweet from...

Desdemona Dallas

NEWS ROUNDUPThe Return of Kanye West and More

Kanye West, The Latest Releases and More By Jasmine Williams The Return of Mr. West Kanye West has been largely silent since the end of 2016, when he was hospitalized for a mental health emergency following a series of outbursts and the early cancellation of a major tour. This week, Kanye West made...

Jasmine Williams

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VIDEO OF THE WEEKDrake "Nice For What" and More

It seems Drake is attempting to brand himself as socially conscious in his latest music videos. Back in February, he released a clip for "God's Plan" in which he is portrayed as a sort of Robin Hood character, giving huge wads of cash to people living in impoverished neighborhoods. Its message was...

Desdemona Dallas

VIDEO REVIEWJanelle Monae "Make Me Feel"

Janelle Monae has spent her artistic career being inspired by the free. Monae's creative influences stem from the greats who came before, like Prince and Bowie. Her latest video “Make Me Feel” is an honest nod to those who inspired a space for artists like Monae to be their own version of free. In...

Desdemona Dallas

NEWS ROUNDUPSade, The BRITs and More

The Return of Sade! It’s been eight years since Sade released Soldier of Love, but on Tuesday the sultry singer’s return to music was revealed in a very 2018 way - via Twitter! Movie director Ava DuVernay announced that the British-Nigerian musician and her eponymous band wrote a song for her...

Jasmine Williams

ONLY NOISERise

Sometimes, these columns are damn hard to spit out. It’s not always easy to remain enthralled with the music world, especially when the real world seems to be crumbling around us. We don’t have to pretend. 2017 has been a fucking nightmare. We’ve witnessed the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, North...

Madison Bloom