Happy February and, most importantly, Happy Black History Month! There's never been a more perfect time to open yourself to new media and celebrate Black art. With this guide, I'll spotlight musical artists, films, and TV shows. To provide a special curation for you all, I've chosen artists who can't be boxed in and are truly devoted to exploration in their creative endeavors. Featuring picks that should be on your must-watch list, the film and TV selections will cover classics and those on their way to that status.
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I hope you spend the month finding new favorites and media to share with others. Let’s get into it!
Meet Kelela
Totally in her own lane and consistently ahead of the game, Kelela is an R&B muse. A discography full of gems, her body of work is a fusion of alternative R&B and electronic components. In tandem with Kelela's flawless musical cohesion would be her sublime writing skills and alluring and impressive vocal range. Derived from her sound, she has created a unique and lively futuristic theme, which has become her signature. With sensational visuals, Kelela specializes in bringing you into her world, which contains hypnotic multitudes and makes you never want to leave. It's always thrilling to come across an artist with a distinctive sound who continues to elevate it throughout their career. While on the topic of reinventing themselves, Kelela also has remix projects for each of her works. Already having undeniably solid tracks, she upgrades them by layering new sounds and collaborating with versatile artists to create a fresh, innovative take on her catalog.
Toni's recommendation for new listeners is Kelela's debut album, Take Me Apart, and her favorite track is "Better."
Meet Yves Tumor
Dreamy, loud, and daring, Yves Tumor is an experimental artist whose work is full of surprises. Their music is genre-bending; with a mixture of psychedelic rock, soul, and electronic elements, they pull the strings on how these groups could sound beyond the typical listener's habitual knowledge. Those genres aren't the end of Tumor's musical style, and it's fascinating to identify more influences in their polished blend. A glam rock and funky grunge aesthetic takes over Tumor's visuals and exhibits abundant creativity. Yves Tumor is a perfect artist for those who want to step out of their comfort zone and explore music that pushes existing boundaries.
Toni's recommendation for new listeners is Yves Tumor's fourth studio album, Heaven to a Tortured Mind, and her favorite track is "Super Stars."
Meet Ravyn Lenae
Making strides in the alternative R&B scene with her soothing and atmospheric sound, Ravyn Lenae is developing a heaven-tinged experience for listeners. Lenae has a soft voice in the vein of beloved songbird Minnie Riperton and leans into her gorgeous vocal abilities over vibrant production. Known for her smooth and groovy sounds, she has tapped into house music, pop, and funk elements, creating an exciting and unpredictable body of work. Incorporating a euphoric fantasy with retrofuturistic styles in her visuals, Lenae is providing the lush escape that we all need. Giving listeners the space to heal from troubling emotions and create a new reality, Ravyn Lenae is confident and a confirmed star.
Toni's recommendation for new listeners is Ravyn Lenae's debut album, Hypnos, and her favorite track is "Satellites."
Watch Miss Juneteenth (2020)
dir. Channing Godfrey Peoples
A story about hopes and dreams and the ups and downs of mother-daughter relationships, Miss Juneteenth, is a slow and moving slice of life flick. Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie) is a working mom and former pageant queen battling financial pressures, old flames, and what fulfillment means in her situation. It becomes her mission to prepare her strong-willed daughter for the Miss Juneteenth scholarship paegant. Throughout the process, she learns the difference between wanting the best for her daughter and projecting dreams onto her. Radiating warmth, I felt in awe of the rich and beautiful Southern culture surrounding this film. Miss Juneteenth deserves more exposure and is a treat for all, especially as a cowgirl boot wearer myself.
Watch Roll Bounce (2005)
dir. Malcolm D. Lee
My best friend and I sang Kool & The Gang's "Hollywood Swinging" on a loop when we were younger because of Roll Bounce. Black skating rink culture is at the forefront and inspired my love for the joyful bonding activity. During a Chicago summer in the 70s, a cherished local skating rink is closed, causing Xavier (Bow Wow) and his friends to go to a flashier rink in a different neighborhood. The friends enter a skating competition to show their talents and represent their hood. Tensions rise as Xavier grieves the loss of his mother and deals with the pressure of the skate-off, but his passion becomes the driving force in mending familial relationships and strengthening friendships. Full of familiar faces, laughs, and touching moments, Roll Bounce is a good time and an underrated classic.
Watch Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
dir. Shaka King
Sharp and poignant, Judas and the Black Messiah delivers the tragic real-life story of the snitch of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and the destruction that ensued. Viewing the film, I felt glad that it managed to avoid the traditional biopic clichés and remain a telling with a lot of heart. Paired with stylish camera work and calculated editing, I was impressed by how engaging Judas and the Black Messiah was as a standalone thriller. The solid performances and the cast's commitment made me feel a myriad of emotions while sitting with the depth of the calamity. Judas and the Black Messiah is definitely a standout in this decade's cinema slate.
Watch Crooklyn (1994)
dir. Spike Lee
Growing up seeing Troy (Zelda Harris) in Crooklyn was a defining moment in my girlhood. In hindsight, it was wholesome for younger Toni to watch someone who looked like her and had such a presence on screen. Spike Lee's semi-autobiographical film follows a Brooklyn family trying to get by through the eyes of the only daughter. At the center of a chaotic family drama, Troy's fiery spirit aids her as she pushes through turmoil and grief. Crooklyn nails the realism of its family dynamic; it's busy and loud, and from the children's perspective, processing mature information in the mix of that is quite the task. My favorite parts of this movie are the scenes where people connect, and community is vital. Crooklyn is a sentimental story with great tunes and warm images that will always stay with me.
Watch Insecure (2016-2021)
created by Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore
The god-tier comedy-drama series for all awkward Black women, Insecure, is hilarious, relatable, and eccentric. On the come-up in Los Angeles, Issa Dee (Issa Rae) experiences highs and lows in her relationships, friendships, and career moves. Although her spirit wavers sometimes, she inspires with her progression, and it feels like we learn and move forward together. The writing in Insecure is unforgettable, with very quotable motifs that still come up often in my conversations. With the soundtracks always offering much, the show has put me on to talented and underrated Black artists. The perfect blend of authenticity and an escape from real life, Insecure lends a hand to 20-somethings, 30-somethings, and, honestly, anyone who needs to know that struggle isn't forever.
Watch That’s So Raven (2003-2007)
created by Michael Poryes, Susan Sherman
Iconic for the theme song alone, That's So Raven was ahead of its time. With two successful and involved parents, Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné) has a big personality, an incredible sense of fashion, and the ability to see into the future. Changing life in the best way that she can with the help of her two best friends, Raven uses her powers for good (for the most part) and has wacky adventures that end with a valuable lesson. That's So Raven covered girlhood, friendships, independence, and even discrimination, one of the show's most realistic parts directly tied to Raven's identity. It's pretty cool that Disney had a show with a Black lead and strong characterization, which became the network's first show with 100 episodes. Groundbreaking and growing older gracefully, That's So Raven is pure fun for those who grew up with the show and newcomers alike.
Watch The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
created by Larry Wilmore
Now you know I had to make sure Black America's uncle makes an appearance. During my childhood, my best friend had me watching reruns of The Bernie Mac Show whenever she came over to my house, and I have realized how grateful I am for those memories. Loosely based on real-life events and stand-up material, Bernie Mac plays a version of himself. In the show, he takes in his sister's children in her time of need and puts on his parent hat to raise three kids with all his might. Bernie's parenting style becomes the funniest part of the show, a balance of discipline and care; his love for them always overcomes his annoyance with some of their behaviors. The scenes where Bernie breaks the fourth wall and candidly shares his thoughts with the audience are some of the best work a sitcom has given us. With lessons in parenting and how to better yourself while adjusting to change, Uncle Bernie has advice for us all. Remember his words, "Have fun, be yourself, make mistakes."
For anyone wanting to engage with Black media, these selections carry insight into the Black experience in different and meaningful ways. It's hard to show all of the beauty within Black culture in projects, but seeing the significant work put in to give everyone a peek at this magical existence is uplifting. No matter what month it is, this type of media keeps me going and makes me love what I do, and I hope these picks create special memories specific to you and how it has made you feel. Happy Black History Month!
amazing examples!