Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness
In his recent special The Closer, and his response to critics of it, he outlines a strange version of identity politics where comedians are always the victims.
Nov 9, 2021 / 2021 Year in Review / Stephen Kearse
All Eyes on Lil Nas X All Eyes on Lil Nas X
His debut album, Montero, is attuned to the spectacle of celebrity, but doesn’t cohere into compelling music.
Sep 28, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Barry Jenkins’s American Saga Barry Jenkins’s American Saga
In The Underground Railroad, Jenkins focuses how people survived slavery rather than on its brutality.
Jul 27, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Armand Hammer’s Guide Through History’s Underbelly Armand Hammer’s Guide Through History’s Underbelly
The New York rap duo’s searing songs shed light on outrages around the globe.
Apr 21, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Judas and the Black Messiah’s Stark Binaries Judas and the Black Messiah’s Stark Binaries
A new biopic of Fred Hampton poses a question: Will a film ever capture the radical spirit of the Black Panthers?
Mar 18, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Playboi Carti, Rap Iconoclast Playboi Carti, Rap Iconoclast
His recent album Whole Lotta Red boasts not just rockstar appeal but a sense of self-discovery and experimentation.
Mar 2, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Worldmaking of N.K. Jemisin The Worldmaking of N.K. Jemisin
Through her speculative fiction, Jemisin builds worlds and probes them—exploring who they work for and how.
Jan 25, 2021 / 2021 Year in Review / Stephen Kearse
The Legend of MF DOOM The Legend of MF DOOM
On the legacy of a rap music auteur.
Jan 7, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Open Mike Eagle’s Songs of Redemption Open Mike Eagle’s Songs of Redemption
His new album—Anime, Trauma and Divorce—uses rap as a vehicle for self-examination and restoration.
Dec 30, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics
A conversation with Vicky Osterweil about misconceptions around the politics of looting and its radical tradition.
Sep 3, 2020 / Q&A / Stephen Kearse