Dirty Computer: An Emotion Picture

An unapologetic album. An album of empowerment. A collection of songs for self. A carefree anthem album.

This is how I would describe the long awaited 4th album and emotion picture from Janelle Monae, Dirty Computer.

In February, she dropped the songs and videos for "Make Me Feel", a jam that had Prince nostalgia and funky grooves written all over it and "Django Jane", a track with her signature self-empowerment anthem melodies and a few bars -- both accompanied with beautiful visuals.

The album flows seamlessly with great production while giving us some very personal lyrics, something we haven't typically gotten from Janelle. And the emotion picture is properly titled, taking us on an adventure through a Black-Mirror like society, a bit different than the Archandroid journey we've been on with Cindi for the past few years.

If Janelle is going into the business of directing visuals regularly, we're here to watch AND listen.

Stream Dirty Computer on all platforms and watch the short film below.

SZA's CTRL Snatched My Wig

For a a couple years now, me and every other SZA fan has been waiting (im)patiently for her project to drop. Waiting anxiously to the point that when she tweeted about "quitting" music, my heart was broken. And in the same turn, when Love Galore dropped, it was singing from my speakers until I got the next drop. By the time I got "Doves In The Wind" (sis was IN HER BAG) and an official release date, I. Was. READY.

At least I thought I was.

Between the opening track "Supermodel" and closing track "20 Something", I had gone through an array of emotions. I could go track by track of how each song made me feel (Drew Barrymore has ripped me to tears streaming shreds) but the importance lies here: SZA made you FEEL.

The prime importance of CTRL is how open it is. Black women are considered to be always in all ways, strong. Bend but don't break. Be bulletproof. The vulnerability of this album to the point that it can rip the listener open just the same is nothing to be regarded lightly. Every woman has gone through experiences of trying to have their magic stripped of them via venomous people but many are considerably quiet about it. SZA posing the question of "am I warm enough for you?" was triggering to say the least but also comforting to know that you're not the only one to have experienced such a bleeding love.

In the same turn, "Love Galore" "Doves In The Wind" "Go Gina" and most notably, "The Weekend" are taking power back ANTHEMS. The latter mentioned track debunks the idea that women can't also have a roster to be rotated; little is it known, we're usually better at doing so. Sometimes Tuesday and Wednesday is a little much -- all ya need is a 3 day weekend.

SZA gave us Black girl magic. She gave us straight-out-the-diary lyrical stories. Heartbreak. Rejoice. Vulnerability. Empathy. A reminder that you are as much of the shit that you think you are and that p***y does indeed and will forever run the world. Most importantly, she shared her magic to an undeniable degree to forever have on wax.

SZA handed us control on a gold plated platter with CTRL and my rotation is eternally grateful.

Go Gina. 

Why I'm A Fan of Vic Mensa Dragging DJ Akademiks

Today's episode of Complex's "Everyday Struggle" with Vic Mensa got a little (very) heated. The promo that set Twitter on fire showed Vic going in on DJ Akademiks for his previous comments and film on Chicago's violence. 

Wikipedia describes DJ Akademiks as a disc jockey that has "dedicated his career to covering hip-hop news in a satirical fashion"-- in layman's terms, a certified troll. In fact, in 2015, the Daily Dot deemed him "hip-hop's one man TMZ": a title NO hip-hop "representative" should be proud to boast. As previously stated, his wiki also discusses how his "coverage" of the drill music in Chicago drove him to popularity. Needless to say being from the South Side of Chicago, a fan is not something I would call myself.

Those familiar with Vic Mensa know that he is a rapper very proud of where he's from, his SouthSide neck tattoo being a prime indicator. We also know that Vic is not only very opinionated, but very vocal in said opinions that he has. So it is of no surprise that he vocalized his perspective as he did.

Here is why I believe that Vic's interview is very important, calling Akademiks a bitch and all.

As a person from Chicago's South Side, there is a lot that I have experienced first hand. Plenty of RIP messages I have written. Several funerals to attend. Several half-empty "it will be okay" to loved ones that are left to survive their murdered friends and family. Millions of "please be safes" every time I depart from friends and family. Then there is the representation that the media has. "Chiraq" IS NOT an acceptable term. 
 

I have had this same conversation several times with several people across several platforms. And funny enough, Vic was FAR calmer than I usually am. I have dealt with several Akademiks in my days that have plenty of opinion on what they feel is going on in Chicago but no actual knowledge of the issues (school closures, projects being torn down, over policing, etc). They have never buried a close friend or relative due to Chicago violence. Many of them have never even set foot or flown over Chicago but these are the people with opinions and platforms not knowing shit about what they are speaking on.

I personally over the past 6 months have lost at least 5 people to violence in Chicago. In that, seeing Vic publicly school a purposely ignorant person on what goes on in our city put a smile on my face.

May all of Chicago's angels continue to Rest In Peace.

Watch the interview below. 

The Importance of #Blonde

FRANK OCEAN HAS DROPPED THE ALBUM. THIS IS NOT A TEST!

Since the gem that is Channel Orange dropped in the early summer of 2012, Frank's fans have been fiending for another serving of the amazing gift that is his music.

My personal attachment to Frank began in 2011 once I discovered nostalgia, ultra.  and I've been swooning ever since. As he sneakily threw himself into some of our fav's music via features (Beyoncé's "Superpower", Kanye's "Wolves"), the anticipation for an album grew stronger and stronger. Like the other 6.9 billion people in the world, I've been waiting for the release of a new album (not so patiently) and have fallen for every. single. fake release. Needless to say, when I got Endless I was ecstatic; once I got blonde, I was completely euphoric. I literally dropped what I was doing, hopped in the car, and drove home to listen to this album.

Once I got home, I unplugged, sat and did nothing but listen to the album from end to end. I truly wanted to hear every in and out, and tap into everything this album was supposed to make me feel. After about my 6th or 7th listen to fully digest (this is not an exaggeration), I'd decided I was truly in love with the album. From the pitched-up Frank in Nikes and Self Control, the angelic background vocals of Beyoncé in Pink + White, signature sounding Solo,  the amazing flow and BARS ON BARS that is 3Stacks on Solo (Reprise)  to the wrenching emotion that is stitched in every lyric of Godspeed: the album was a beautiful love story that I was grateful to have been able to delve into. It was a rip straight from his heart's diary put on tracks for us to hear. In fact, it was the only thing I listened to for about two days after its release and eventually moved to listening to his entire discography. 

To add to the brilliance that was already the album, I later discovered that Endless was the release to break him from his Def Jam contract. Blonde is all bare Frank, an independent release. Hearing this made me that much more grateful for the album. 

Now that we have two albums, a magazine, and some visuals from Frank Ocean, it's safe to assume that he'll go back into his turtle shell for a while. This is not at all an album review. It's a letter from a deep music lover and true fan; a thank you in HTML. 

And with that I say, thank you Frank.

To indulge in blonde, the link is attached to the exclusive Apple Music release below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id1146195596?app=music