Music

Prince in Abu Dhabi

Prince Recognized That ‘if There Ain’t No Justice, Then There Ain’t No Peace’ Prince Recognized That ‘if There Ain’t No Justice, Then There Ain’t No Peace’

Prince was always about more than politics, but he called for disarmament, rallied for peace, and announced that “black lives... still matter.”

Apr 21, 2016 / John Nichols

Prince on stage

Good Night, Sweet Prince Good Night, Sweet Prince

The death of the musical legend has me reeling, and remembering vividly what it was like the one time I was in his presence.

Apr 21, 2016 / Dave Zirin

The Prince of Sex

The Prince of Sex The Prince of Sex

When Reagan was president, and sex was death, it was a Prince song that turned me inside out.

Apr 21, 2016 / Richard Kim

The Wire

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

When it comes to the police, there is one gaping difference between pop music and television.

Apr 5, 2016 / Joshua Clover

Kanye West

Faith, More, Safe, War Faith, More, Safe, War

On The Life of Pablo, where Kanye West most fully shares his doubts, he is more convincing as a Christian than on his other albums.

Mar 18, 2016 / Frank Guan

Get Information

Get Information Get Information

Beyoncé’s “Formation” reflects today’s movement from black rage toward a racialized revolutionary politics.

Mar 9, 2016 / Joshua Clover

Rhythm, Water, and Global Blackness

Rhythm, Water, and Global Blackness Rhythm, Water, and Global Blackness

Whether it is in New Orleans, Gaza, Basra, Massawa, or Mogadishu, often where there are ports, there are battles for control over identity.

Mar 2, 2016 / Kristina Kay Robinson

What the Academy Awards Tell Us About the Value of Black Work

What the Academy Awards Tell Us About the Value of Black Work What the Academy Awards Tell Us About the Value of Black Work

The Oscars aren’t just a competition for cultural value: They double as an assessment tool that helps pick the industry’s economic winners and losers.

Feb 26, 2016 / Michael J. Brewer

Robert Craft (left) with Igor Stravinsky in 1966.

The Alter Ego of Robert Craft The Alter Ego of Robert Craft

For many years, the conductor was inseparable from the music and household of Igor Stravinsky.

Feb 18, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Schiff

Beyonce

In Defense of Beyoncé’s Black Panther Tribute at the Super Bowl In Defense of Beyoncé’s Black Panther Tribute at the Super Bowl

The right-wing backlash to her Super Bowl performance only proves how important it was.

Feb 11, 2016 / Dave Zirin

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