Aug. 15, 2018 | Felix Contreras -- Some folks around the NPR Music office said they felt an almost spiritual connection to Erykah Badu during her visit to the Tiny Desk. And that was before she and her band even played a single note. It came from the waft of earthly scents that followed in her wake, to the flowing dreads and clothes that hung on her like robes.

After her self-introduction, which included a rundown of her spiritual and creative aliases, Badu rolled into one of her earliest musical calling cards, "Rimshot." It's an ode to the sound the percussionist makes when a drumstick is struck against the metal edge of the snare drum. On this performance, as on her 1997 album Baduizm, it becomes a device to play with time — stretching it, stopping it, suspending it. Propelled by jazz chords on the piano and the steady pulse of the acoustic bass, the playful performance unfolded in the tradition of the best bebop.

But the panoramic song "Green Eyes" is the centerpiece of Badu's Tiny Desk performance. It's wide-ranging in scope and musical arrangement and brilliantly executed by the jazz and hip-hop musicians in her backing band. The story of heartbreak is striking enough, but her interpretation showcases her formidable vocal skills. By the time it was over, we were all just as emotionally and spiritually spent as she was from the experience.

Erykah Badu is an artist for the ages. To old-school jazz fans like myself, names like Nina Simone, Betty Carter and Shirley Horn come to mind as much as Billie Holiday because of Badu's singular approach to a lyric. They all cut their own creative path and left behind a legacy that you can identify with just one note. Erykah Badu is on that same path, and one day her name will be mentioned along with the other Elders who share her spirit of musical adventure.

Set List
"Rimshot"
"Green Eyes"

Musicians
Erykah Badu (lead vocals), RC Williams (Keys), Braylon Lacy (bass), Cleon Edwards (Drums), Frank Moka (Percussion), Kenneth Whalum (Sax), Keyon Harrold (Trumpet), Dwayne Kerr (Flute)

Credits
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Khun Minn Ohn, CJ Riculan; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR.

'The Cabinet' is where it goes down. Alex Haynes convenes #TheCabinet to discuss the latest cultural, political and trending topics. Nothing is off limits and no stone is left unturned. Tiff Lanelle joins.

Unmuted Nation is a daily culture, entertainment & political TV show/podcast hosted by Alex Haynes on BossFM Radio's #TALK channel. Listen weekdays at 1p ET/10a ET on BossFM Talk or via podcast anywhere a podcast is available.

⁣Let's talk about this same sex marriage petition the Supreme Court got...
This is Part 1 of 2 for this video

Rappers Nelly and Snoop Dogg are set to grace the stage during Trump's inauguration weekend festivities. Columnist Toure weighing in on some of the criticism they've faced for the move, saying he sees the rappers as "apolitical artists" and that he thinks their performances are "more about capitalism than politics." #CNN #News #DonaldTrump

#celebritynews #news #Globebuzz

Looks like D.L. Hughley wasn’t a fan of Mo’Nique’s latest interview with Shannon Sharpe.
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As we previously reported, Mo’Niques made an appearance on Club Shay Shay and called out a few people in the industry. During the conversation she spoke on multiple people such as Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson and more. After Mo’Nique’s interview began to make rounds on social media D.L. Hughley went on his Instagram account and called Mo’Nique a liar.
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“The reason LIES and FALSE NARRATIVES continue to go on and circulate is because they go unchecked. What you’re not gonna do is call me out my name and not get checked… MONIQUE IS A LIAR!” He continued to write in his caption for the three minute long video he posted. “She is constantly throwing the rock and hiding the hand. You don’t get to tear people down and then soften the blow by calling them “brotha… sista… sweet baby”. That’s NOT love, far from it. I’m sure Ike thought he “LOVED” Tina too! Apologize?? I will NEVER FORGIVE OR FORGET the way you tried to manipulate my daughter’s trauma to fit your sick narrative. I don’t play when it comes to mine because “I LOVE MY FAMILY FOR REAL” AND THEY ACTUALLY LOVE ME BACK!!”
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Former daytime talk show host Wendy Williams is opening up about her troubled life. New Lifetime documentary "Where is Wendy Williams?" features Williams’ friends and family as they grapple with her struggles. The 59-year-old battled Graves' disease and spent time in rehab for alcohol abuse. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., is worried about her. "She has people around who are 'yes' people and allowing this to continue," he says.

Kash Doll has officially joined OnlyFans, but she says her intentions for joining are different.

Briahna Joy Gray and Robby Soave recap Tuesday's pro-Israel rally in Washington, D.C. #israel #proisrael

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Since I am still getting over Covid I kept my participation to less than an hour and only rode an ebike for a bit while also some light walking and chillaxing on the Park Avenue medians. It allowed me to continue to have made at least one Summer Streets event every year they have been held.

Here's a quick montage. It shows just how crowded it is getting. We need it to run for longer mileage, longer in time and many more events during the Summer - at a minimum.

Usher was in town recently to officially launch the 2023 Usher’s New Look Disruptivator
Summit: Be Your Own Super Hero, the largest youth conference in the Southeast with over 300 high school students
from coast to coast. The Summit was preceded by an invitation-only Usher Experience at Nobu Hotel Atlanta’s stunning Nobu Villa and Rooftop Terrace.

The $2,500 per-person Usher Experience raised more than $75,000 to benefit UNL’s programs designed to provide critical resources for youth disproportionately affected by poverty and educational inequality. Co-hosted by UNL President and CEO Careshia Moore, the event drew an array of distinguished guests including the UNL Board, private donors, sponsors and select media who enjoyed cocktails courtesy of Rémy Martin, exquisite light bites and stunning views.

Usher was back on the scene the next day on the campus of Georgia State University for Day One of the two-day Disruptivator Summit. Students were treated to a rousing pep talk by Usher and a performance by the Atlanta Drum Academy. The UNL Disruptivator Summit featured two days of sessions including mentorship, financial literacy, health and wellness workshops and excursions to corporate headquarters and local businesses.

Usher’s New Look was founded by Usher in 1999 to give young people a “New Look” on life and to help them find their “spark.” Since then, UNL has helped transform the lives of more than 55,000 young people around the world.