Lifestyle Archives

Allen Iverson Discusses Breaking Michael Jordan’s Ankles 20 Years Later (Video)

As much as any in his career, the last 6 months have been a victory lap for Allen Iverson. In September, the 6 foot warrior was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. His raw and honest acceptance speech was one for the ages, and all the way Hip-Hop, as... Read more

March 7, 2017 Lifestyle

Dave Chappelle Stands Up Before His City Council For Change Instead Of Laughs (Video)

Dave Chappelle, the comedian known for his outspoken views about American racism, has once again taken to the microphone to voice his concerns. However, it wasn't on a big stage, but rather at a local community meeting in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio. There, on the night of December... Read more

March 7, 2017 Lifestyle

Preventable Environmental Hazards Are Killing 1.7 Million Kids Each Year

In the first report of its kind, the World Health Organization has published some horrendous statistics: every year, more than one-million children under the age of five are dying as a direct result of hazards in our environment. That figure translates to roughly 25% of all deaths of children in... Read more

March 7, 2017 Lifestyle

Ice Cube Is Raising Money & Awareness For Autism. It’s A GREAT Day (Video)

Ice Cube's evolution is one of the most remarkable in Hip-Hop. While he was always gifted with the pen, few would have realized that the man who was writing rhymes for Eazy-E and N.W.A. would go from being Amerikkka's Most Wanted to one of the most sought after and respected... Read more

March 3, 2017 Lifestyle

Two Dave Chappelle Comedy Specials Are Coming In March. Here’s The Trailer (Video)

Late last year, news broke that comedian Dave Chappelle was releasing his first stand-up special in 12 years. Three different programs were confirmed, with at least two planned for 2017. While the Half Baked star and creator of Chappelle's Show has not been active in the format of specials or... Read more

March 2, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Talib Kweli Discusses Digital Media’s Role In Shifting Discourse To Disagreements (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most active Hip-Hop voices on social media. The Brooklyn artist touted for his lyrical content is also celebrated as a vociferous opponent of racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other microaggressive and blatant acts of abuse online. On any given day, the MC can... Read more

March 1, 2017 Lifestyle

Oddisee Goes Beyond the Surface of the Muslim Experience in America (Audio)

Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, producer and rapper Oddisee is a Muslim African-American whose unique experiences with identity and race influence in large part his phenomenal new album, The Iceberg. During a time in U.S. politics when the term "Muslim ban" has become commonplace, Islamophobia and our perceptions of Muslims... Read more

February 28, 2017 Lifestyle

Jay Z Is Launching A Venture Capital Fund To Help Early Stage Entrepreneurs Succeed

Even a casual Jay Z fan has to admit that the Brooklyn, New York MC has redefined what it means to be a businessman. The young hustler from Bed-Stuy is now one of the wealthiest and most successful entrepreneurs and artists in music history, pushing the boundaries of Rap fame... Read more

February 22, 2017 Lifestyle

Under Donald Trump’s New Immigration Laws, Millions Can Be Deported…Immediately

Donald Trump has made good on a promise he made during his recent press conference regarding the unveiling of new directives concerning immigration. Today (February 21), the Department of Homeland Security explained the new laws, which both enforce parts of laws already on the books while adding entirely new and... Read more

February 21, 2017 Lifestyle

The NFL Could Allow Marijuana In Place of Addicting Painkillers for Players

Just weeks after the Super Bowl, the National Football League is already focusing on the well-being of its athletes in future seasons, with cannabis potentially becoming a viable option for pain treatment in its players. For years, American football has been criticized for being a sport in which injuries can... Read more

February 14, 2017 Lifestyle

Nick Cannon Refuses To Be Silenced By NBC. He Leaves America’s Got Talent

After eight years of hosting America's Got Talent for NBC, Nick Cannon has left the show, amidst a firestorm. Today, Cannon posted a searing message on Facebook and other social platforms, explaining his departure: "I write this from a deeply saddened and dolorous mindset. After days of deliberating over some... Read more

February 13, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

The Post-Information Age Is Here & It Is Drowning Us In Straight Garbage

For every moment we live in the Information Age, we live two in the Misinformation Age. The Internet has both democratized and degraded information, providing us with all we could ever want to know about the world, and a lot of stuff that is untrue, misleading, offensive; in a word,... Read more

February 7, 2017 Lifestyle

Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban Happened Without GOP Leaders Even Knowing About It

Donald Trump has been in office for less than two full weeks, and there is already incredible fallout from the executive orders he's signed thus far. His controversial immigration policy banning travel to the United States from seven of the world's most predominantly Muslim countries has elicited massive blowback from... Read more

February 1, 2017 Lifestyle

These Immigrants Became U.S. Citizens The Day Trump Was Inaugurated. Their Stories Are Filled With Hope (Video)

With 30 minutes to go until Donald Trump is sworn in as the country’s 45th President, I am saying the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time since I was ten. Not for the inauguration, mind you — I have no way to watch, since they took my phone at... Read more

January 30, 2017 Lifestyle

Janelle Monáe Says “Choose Freedom Over Fear” In Her Powerful Women’s March Speech (Video)

On the heels of her critically acclaimed appearances in the hugely successful films Hidden Figures and Moonlight, Janelle Monáe made an appearance at this weekend's historic Women's March in Washington, D.C. and made a powerful speech. In it, she urged the importance of embracing immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and all... Read more

January 23, 2017 Lifestyle

Taylor Bennett Comes Out as Bisexual, a Major Step for Inclusiveness in Hip-Hop

LBGTQ visibility has been nearly nonexistent when it comes to Hip-Hop artists. For all of its inclusive, progressive, and positive aspects, Hip-Hop has very few artists in its history who have come out as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or any other sexual identity other than heterosexual. In fact, the... Read more

January 19, 2017 Lifestyle

“Atlanta” Is Returning for Season 2 & Donald Glover Has Signed a MAJOR New Deal.

Fresh off two Golden Globe wins for his critically acclaimed television series Atlanta, Donald Glover has formally inked a deal ensuring the return of the show for its second season. Glover and FX announced the news today (January 12), though its return to the air is not exactly a surprise.... Read more

January 12, 2017 Lifestyle

Allen Iverson Will Play In Ice Cube’s New BIG 3 Basketball League (Video)

This morning (January 11), Ice Cube and his partners in his new BIG3 basketball league held a private press conference in New York City. There, details emerged about the emerging half-court 3-on-3 league designed for professional players who have since retired from the NBA. Late last month, Cube's league, a... Read more

January 11, 2017 Exclusive, Lifestyle, News

Stephen Colbert’s New Trailer Shows What To Expect From “Hidden Fences” (Video)

Amidst the excitement over Golden Globe wins from Viola Davis, Donald Glover, and Tracee Ellis Ross and projects like Atlanta, Fences, and Moonlight, some are sensing that Hollywood's long history of overlooking African-American storytelling in film and television may be nearing its end. However, there still remains a general sense... Read more

January 10, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

D.L. Hughley Uses Comedy & Intelligence To Show How Hypocritical We’ve Become (Video)

D.L. Hughley has built a career on making light of current events. The creator of The Hughleys has been active for more than 25 years, using his family, personal life, and world at large to illustrate powerful points, sprinkled with humor. Recently, the Los Angeles, California native stopped by Sway... Read more

January 9, 2017 Lifestyle, Video

Donald Glover, Tracee Ellis Ross & Meryl Streep Used Awards For Acting To Get Real (Videos)

Last night (January 9), the Golden Globes aired and with only 11 days until Donald Trump's inauguration, the evening was peppered with political commentary. Donald Glover, Meryl Streep, and Tracee Ellis Ross all used their time on stage to accept awards to address the current climate of racism and politics,... Read more

January 9, 2017 Lifestyle

Pharrell & Ellen Aren’t Runnin’ From Homophobia. They Tackle It Head On. (Video)

This morning (January 5), Pharrell Williams appeared on Ellen. The Neptunes/N*E*R*D co-founder was not joined by "Runnin'" collaborator Kim Burrell, as originally planned. Earlier this week, the Grammy-nominated Gospel/Christian singer was cancelled from appearing on Ellen DeGeneres' show, following her sermon at Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International. After those... Read more

January 5, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

A Trump Presidency Will Likely Make the Failed War on Drugs Even Worse. Here’s Why.

In 2016, much headway has been made to counteract some of the harmful lingering effects of the so-called "war on drugs." Criminal-justice reform has taken on invigorated energy, with more attention being focused on overturning the excessively harsh sentences placed on low-level, nonviolent drug offenders. Marijuana continues to become more... Read more

January 3, 2017 Lifestyle

Ice Cube Launches Star-Studded Basketball League For Retired NBA Players

Ice Cube has changed the sound of Hip-Hop, the face of Hollywood, and now he aims to rearrange the retirement age in professional basketball. Cube, a former high school athlete who has been a devoted sports fan to the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Lakers, and other pro franchises, is launching... Read more

December 27, 2016 Lifestyle, News

Nas Says We Need Racial “Healing” & Looks To Muhammad Ali For Guidance (Video)

Earlier this year, the world lost an icon in Muhammad Ali. The legendary boxer and civil-rights activist made history inside and outside of the ring, by boldly standing up against the U.S. government when conscripted into the military in protest of the Vietnam War, and adopting the Islamic faith and... Read more

December 22, 2016 Lifestyle

President Obama Is Not Done. He Has Big Plans For The Nation’s Next Leaders (Video)

In a month's time, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be vacating the White House, along with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. The First Family has given new meaning to the word "influential," and have maneuvered a very public life with class, grace, and humor. With... Read more

December 19, 2016 Lifestyle

Jay Z’s Examination of How the Justice System Fails People of Color Is a Must Watch (Video)

Far too often, a person's story of pain and struggle only receives its due attention when it's too late. It's true for Kalief Browder, who at 16 was arrested for a crime he didn't commit. After spending three years in prison without ever being convicted (let alone awarded his right... Read more

December 16, 2016 Lifestyle

Killer Mike Explains the Racist History of the Chronic War Against Legalization

In a new essay he penned for Rolling Stone, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) addresses the racially motivated disproportions in the marijuana industry, a topic that has become a major talking point as the movement for nationwide legalization continues to gain steam. By 2020, the recreational marijuana industry is expected... Read more

December 13, 2016 Lifestyle

Talib Kweli Takes Donald Trump To Task & Sounds Off On Kanye For Supporting Him (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most engaged social-media users in Hip-Hop, and he can be seen addressing issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression online, using his extensive base of followers to elicit ongoing discussions about any given sociopolitical issue. Of course, fans have loved him... Read more

December 12, 2016 Lifestyle

Pharrell Williams Says Women Will Lead the Revolution in 2020 (Video)

In what is proving to be a monumental year for African-American visibility in Hollywood, films like The Birth of a Nation and Moonlight exist side-by-side with television shows like Luke Cage and Atlanta. On January 6, Hidden Figures will join those ranks as a significant piece of storytelling in Black... Read more

December 9, 2016 Lifestyle

Brian Tyree Henry Drops Gems About Why All Of Us Are Paper Boi (Video)

One of television's standout offerings in 2016 was Atlanta, the FX series created by and starring Donald Glover, who is joined on-screen by Brian Tyree Henry. Henry plays Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles, an up-and-coming MC who juggles his fledgling Rap career with a street-life mentality. As a guest on yesterday's... Read more

December 8, 2016 Lifestyle

Trevor Noah Says America Should Begin Treating Racism As a Disease (Video)

Today (December 7), The Daily Show host Trevor Noah was the guest on The Breakfast Club, where the South African comedian and author discussed in great detail the racially-fraught history of his native country and its relation to the United States. To begin the discussion, Noah explains that "apartheid made... Read more

December 7, 2016 Lifestyle

After A 9 Year Break, Chris Rock Returns With 2017 Stand-Up Tour Dates.

Legendary comedian Chris Rock will be hitting the stage in over 25 cities on his first tour in almost a decade. Dubbed the Total Blackout tour, an ode to his tweet posted before hosting the Oscars earlier this year, it will commence a year to the month since, in February,... Read more

December 6, 2016 Lifestyle, News

Trevor Noah Grills Tomi Lahren On Black Lives Matter & It Gets HEATED (Video)

Conservative media darling Tomi Lahren is not short on fans - nor critics. At only 24, she has made a name for herself as a far-right-leaning media personality, one whose voice has come to represent fiscally and socially conservative millennials. Her outspoken viewpoints have helped make her one of the... Read more

December 1, 2016 Lifestyle

A Business School For Former Drug Dealers Argues You Can’t Knock the Hustle

One of the most insidious byproducts of the horrendously destructive so-called "war on drugs" is its direct role in steering millions of Americans into a life of street crime. Dealing drugs can be a lucrative option, especially for those who live in communities in which other, legal opportunities are scarce.... Read more

November 29, 2016 Lifestyle

A New Film Urges Americans to Start SERIOUSLY Worrying About Unemployment (Video)

Robots, immigrants, and low-wage workers in other countries have all been scapegoated as potential threats to America's employment. And sometimes for good reason. Automation and artificial intelligence have already taken away thousands of jobs from U.S. employees of the human kind - in factories, on computers, and even at Uber.... Read more

November 28, 2016 Lifestyle

Erykah Badu Gives A Message Of Love & Inclusion. She Says There’s No Need For Alarm. (Video)

This week, Erykah Badu appeared on Ebro In The Morning. The veteran singer, producer, and DJ spoke about the world. She considers herself "an observer," and the mother of three had some hopeful sentiments to those who may be emotionally downtrodden, given current political, social, and environmental developments. Approaching the... Read more

November 23, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

What Happens When Robots Become Judges? A New Study Examines The Question (Audio)

It's everywhere. From the self check-out aisles at the grocery store to the self-driving vehicles appearing on roadways across the country. Artificial intelligence is moreso the technology of today than it is the technology of the future, but there are still aspects to it we have not quite yet grappled... Read more

November 22, 2016 Lifestyle

The “Hamilton” Actor Who Stood Up to Mike Pence Has Much More to Say (Video)

Vice-president elect Mike Pence is a conservative's conservative, earning him the skepticism of Americans who champion civil rights for women and other minority groups. As such, his presence at a recent production of Hamilton earned him the attention of the musical's cast, itself a melting pot of color and gender.... Read more

November 21, 2016 Lifestyle

Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock Challenges New Yorkers & The World To Stand Up Against Hate (Video)

Since the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, there has been a spike in hate crimes against various groups, including Muslims, Blacks, Jews, members of the LGBTQ community and more. In fact, more than 800 incidents have taken place across the country, and no... Read more

November 20, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

A New Documentary Shows How F.E.D.S. Became The Source Of Street Knowledge (Video)

Since the late 1990s, publisher and writer Antoine Clark had a vision for a magazine. "Finally Every Dimension of the Streets" filled a void not represented at newsstands and in bookstores. F.E.D.S. magazine was born, and told the stories of street culture from those closes to it. This vision is... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, Video

Mike Pence Booed At “Hamilton.” The Cast Asks Him To Govern For Us ALL (Video)

Many musicians, athletes, and celebrities have been theatergoers at Broadway's Hamilton. Last night (November 18), United States Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest notable attendee at the play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Presently serving as Indiana's governor, Pence was the recipient of boos from fellow ticket-holders who noticed him.... Read more

November 19, 2016 Lifestyle, News, Video

A Powerful New Filtering System Could Help Silence Online Abuse

Harassment in the digital age has become an issue both omnipresent and difficult to address, given the anonymity of the Internet and the relative ease with which we can ignore those with whom we don't wish to communicate. Nevertheless, it remains a toxic and dangerous reality for millions who encounter... Read more

November 18, 2016 Lifestyle

Implanting “Wi-Fi” in the Human Brain Could Cure Paralysis Forever

The marriage of cutting-edge technology and medicine has been one of the most important areas of growth for humankind, allowing us to live far longer and healthier lives. But it's also been one of the most controversial areas of human development, as artificial intelligence and robotics continue to change the... Read more

November 16, 2016 Lifestyle

A New Book Details The Rich Hip-Hop History Of NYC’s Latin Quarter Club

In No Half Steppin': An Oral and Pictorial History of New York City Club the Latin Quarter and the Birth of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, legendary musician, archivist, and activist Claude "Paradise" Gray shares over 175 color photographs and flyers. Along with Giuseppe "u.net" Pipitone, Paradise has provided scholars of Hip-Hop... Read more

November 15, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

November 15, 2016 Lifestyle

Donald Trump’s Presidency Presents a Threat to the Entire Planet, Literally (Audio)

Issues like the economy, foreign policy, healthcare, and immigration all dominated the 2016 presidential campaign. What all of these issues have in common is they all require a living planet in order to function. As such, one would think the issue of climate change would be the foremost issue of... Read more

November 10, 2016 Lifestyle

Killer Mike Explained Donald Trump’s Victory Before It Happened (Video)

Just minutes ago, Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump. There is no doubt that today, November 9, 2016, will go down in history as a clearly marked moment in time when, years from now, we will all remember where we were the... Read more

November 9, 2016 Lifestyle

President Obama Outlines Hopes for Young Americans on Election Day & Forever (Video)

With just one week until Election Day, President Obama is moving into his final few months in the Oval Office. While millions of Americans are saddened at the prospect of a White House without Barack and Michelle, there is mounting pressure on getting out the message to voters, particularly the... Read more

November 1, 2016 Lifestyle

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Climate Change Documentary Is the Most Important Film Of Our Lifetime (Video)

Many of the world's oldest civilizations include great floods in their origin myths, tales of a planet being washed away by the gods only to be reborn. For followers of Christianity, the Biblical fable of Noah's Ark is one such origin myth, and it has oftentimes been cited as proof... Read more

October 31, 2016 Lifestyle