The Zodiac

06/20/2024

"You don’t have to say anything to the haters. You don’t have to acknowledge them at all. You just wake up every morning and be the best you you can be. And that tends to shut them up" - Michelle Obama

06/20/2024

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04/03/2024

"Undercover Brother" (2002) is a blaxploitation satire directed by Malcolm D. Lee and written by John Ridley and Michael McCullers. Blaxploitation movies were popular during the 1970s due to the representation of Black people in Hollywood. Before, Black actors primarily earned parts as butlers, maids, or enslaved people. Films in the 70s offered a broader range of roles, which many showed Black people fighting back against 'The Man.' "Undercover Brother" illustrates that period in comedic fashion. Based on "Undercover Brother: The Animated Series" (2000). Nobody can make me hate this movie.

Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Writers: John Ridley, Michael McCullers

Starring Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, Aunjanue Ellis, Dave Chappelle, Chi McBride, Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Anthony Williams, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Noseworthy, J.D. Hall, James Brown, Robert Trumbull, Robert Townsend

Storyline
Recruited by the clandestine B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D., Undercover Brother (Eddie Griffin) joins a team of agents fighting the anti-black plot of the supervillain known as "The Man" and his lieutenant, Mr. Feather (Chris Kattan). With the help from Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis), The Chief (Chi McBride), Conspiracy Brother (Dave Chappelle), Smart Brother (Gary Anthony Williams), and the Lance (Neil Patrick Harris), Undercover Brother tries to foil 'The Man's' attempt to white-wash the minds of black through drugged up fried chicken marketed by black leader General Warren Boutwell (Billy Dee Williams). However, 'The Man' unleashes his secret weapon, White-She-Devil (Denise Richards), which Undercover Brother must resist her temptation.

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Available on streaming services and Blu-ray.

03/31/2024

Tracy Chapman, the singular Black woman credited with a solo writing credit on a No. 1 country song with 'Fast Car,' boasts a life and career filled with remarkable achievements and contributions to the music industry. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1964, Chapman's journey to musical stardom was shaped by her early exposure to music, her resilience in the face of racial tensions, and her unwavering dedication to her craft.

Raised by her mother, Chapman's musical journey began at the tender age of three when she was gifted a . By eight, she was already strumming the guitar and composing her own songs. Despite the challenges of growing up amidst racial turmoil and tensions in , Chapman found solace in her music, viewing education as her ticket to escape poverty and adversity.

Enrolled in a private boarding school in Connecticut on scholarship at 16, Chapman pursued her passion for music alongside her academic pursuits. Graduating from Tufts University with a focus on anthropology, particularly West African cultures, Chapman's diverse interests and talents set the stage for her future endeavors in the music industry.

Signing with Elektra Records after college, Chapman's eponymous debut album catapulted her to fame, selling an impressive six million copies in the United States alone. Her rise to prominence was not without its serendipitous moments, notably her iconic performance of "Fast Car" at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in 1988, where she stepped in last-minute for Stevie Wonder.

"Fast Car," a poignant reflection on the desire for escape, resonated with audiences worldwide, earning Chapman a Grammy Award and a permanent place in music history. The song's enduring popularity was further cemented by its inclusion in Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The Greatest Songs of All Time."

Despite her immense success, Chapman remains a private individual, preferring to keep details of her personal life out of the public eye. However, her impact on the music industry is undeniable, with four Grammy Awards, numerous platinum and gold-certified albums, and a groundbreaking achievement as the first Black songwriter to win Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards in 2023, 35 years after the song's initial release.

03/30/2024