writing
Black (or Not) Like Me
I know who my colleagues think I am. I’m pretty sure they’ve accepted me as the lightest Black dude in the office. My job demands that I constantly engage co-workers around racial issues, so I have opportunities to represent my Black experience all the time which I’m sure gains me some points. Read more
Thoughts on Whitney
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest singing talents our world will ever know. She was simply one of the best. Her voice, her music, our shining Black princess on the cover of that iconic first album; before it went wrong, everything was so right about Whitney. Read more
Race in the Digital Space
Ok, it’s official. The biggest star in the history of the modern web is…a Black man. Read more
Zoe Saldana | "At The Speed of Life"
I almost didn’t recognize her as she steps into the downtown NYC apartment-mansion in her flat shoes with her sister by her side. Read more
What's Your Hi-Fi Q?
30 years of Black Music trivia, written with my mentor. Read more
Malcolm Shabazz | "Through The Fire"
Malcolm X's only male heir speaks for the first time. Read more
Puff Daddy | "The Hottest Working Man in Show Business"
My first cover story with Puff was in 2001. Then there was my follow-up after Biggie died. Read more.
The Cultural Joy of Obama's Re-election
This felt like a racial moment, but, then again, it didn’t. The re-election of Barack Hussein Obama (love to the New York Times every time they print his whole name) at first triggered the same emotional cues as four years ago when the history making of the “first African-American became President” powered the excitement. But this time something was different. Read more
Jay- Z | “King Hova”
“Do not let him leave!” she yells through the mouthpiece of her two-way radio. “Do not let Jay-Z leave that parking lot!” Read more
Rihanna | An Unapologetic Triumph
It’s here. A moment in pop music where the artist set up to look the best, sound the best and actually be the best, lives up to the hyperbole and wins the prize. Read more
B.I.G. | "Our Burning House"
Before I had the chance to talk and laugh and join him in his world, I was a fan of Notorious B.I.G.. Read more
Prince | "All Day, All Night, All Prince"
Paisley Park Studios, the fabled birthplace of some of pop music’s most revered songs, displays few signs of its treasure. Read more
The Autobiography of DMX
3 years of my life, and my proudest journalistic achievement... Read more