Let's Address the Elephants in the Room
The Carters with Meghan Markle for the Brit Awards.
let's address the multiple elephants in the room (news) this week...
First, was I the only one surprised that J.Cole's All-Star game performance was very entertaining? Well, if I'm alone I will just say I was very impressed because normally he bores me. However, sometimes I wonder if his boredom for me exists because everyone says he's boring. Apparently, sometime in my past life I made this video claiming that I thought he was fine--to be young. At this time I also wore blue eye shadow and colored contacts so I was clearly all over the place--but my hair looks awesome.
Secondly, did Jussie Smollett really fake being attacked? I've heard lots of odd things in my 30 years of life, but this is really a WTF, WYD Bro moment if I've heard one. Very confused why he would lie so I'm on the fence with this. I do say however, if he lied--I wish he would've created his fable in April because this kind of messes with Black History month and next month is Women's History Month so that's poor timing as well. Very elaborate so let's all just sip some tea and see what happens. The two brothers only got $3500 for the attack which in hindsight is not really that much. They are saying Jussie self inflicted himself with the scratches and bruises. All I can think of with that is something terrible BUT when Tina was hitting herself with fruit in What's Love Got To Do With It (sorry).
Third, the Carters are cool. I love the above photo from the Brit Awards, and although it goes with nothing I wrote in this week's newsletter it's a fierce photo. Also, look at Meghan in the back. Can I just say, I'm ready for her to have her baby. Why do women do the two hand belly cup thing when they are pregnant? We all know you are with child--she does it a lot so I'll be glad when there's nothing there. For the time being, I'll just put my hands on my two boobs since you all know those are there too. #twinzies.
That's all
As always, thanks for reading.
Tell your friends.
P.S. I have some pretty exciting news. Are you ready? If you know me, you know I watch Jeopardy every night--hence why I am so smart. Well this week, for the first time, there's been Jeopardy All-Stars and my Jeopardy Bae Buzzy is back on the show as a captain. Well, I kept tweeting about him and normally he favorites it but this week he wrote me back and I was so excited, and I figure you should be excited too. Read the tweet here, and follow me if you're there and we aren't friends. Okay really done now, drop mic, dances like YG off the stage.
Donation Opportunity: Thrive Through Literacy
Reading is fundamental, and is one of the things that I found most solace in growing up as an only child. My mom always put me into reading programs at the public library where I won cool prizes like personal pizzas, and my dad always succumbed to my book store temper tantrums even though he would call my mom and say he was getting me nothing.
I say all this to say, reading gave me an escape that took me to different worlds and on different adventures and I believe children need access to great books. Which is why I'm so excited for the work my friend Kristen is doing with organizations like Read to Kids, which instills a love of reading in underserved children across the community. The program is Los Angeles based, which has the second lowest literacy rate in the nation, and 45 million Americans cannot read above a fifth-grade level.
Kristen has been volunteering with the Junior League of Los Angeles, and they are currently raising money to fund a project of their own "Thrive Through Literacy." I'm going to donate, and I think you should consider it to.
Read about the work they are doing and donate by clicking here. They are taking taking donations until March 22nd, and anything helps. Tell your friends!
CURRENTLY LISTENING:
Growing up, Whitney Houston was my go-to lady as she was my mom's favorite singer ever. Word on the street is that my mom met Whitney at a previous job, and Whitney gave her free tickets to her show because all her coworkers told her of my mom's obsession. This weekend, we watched the documentary, Whitney, that is streaming now on Hulu and man let me tell you--so many feelings. As we know, Whitney has one of the best voices ever and an outstanding career. The documentary showed the rise and fall of her career and left me feeling drained.
This week however, I wanted to highlight two of my favorite Whitney albums ever, I'm Your Baby Tonight, and My Love is Your Love. I'm Your Baby Tonight is one of the first albums I learned all the words to. I remember sneaking into my mom's collection, and even my stepmom's to listen to that album. My favorite, favorite, favorite Whitney Houston song is on that album too. Say hello to "My Name is Not Susan." My Love is Your Love, houses some of my other favorite jams like the anthem "It's Not Right But It's Okay," "Heartbreak Hotel," and "In My Business" with my favorite outro--"get a job."
As always, I've added my favorite Whitney songs to my playlist here.
In other music new, word on the street is that Mac Miller and Madlib recorded an album together called Maclib--Thundercat confirmed. I wonder if any of that music will surface because I'm sure it's tight. Still, RIP Mac. Soulection, one of my favorite music collectives is now partnering with Tidal for visual music experiences--sucks I don't have Tidal. But, they just released some pretty cool new tunes: Sango's Make Me Well (EP) - One Track, and this YUKIEBEB mixedfeelings pt 2 mix for Valentine's Day.
Also, can I say how ready I am for Spring or Summer. This snow is only good for two things: fire photos, and snow days. This song however makes me want a Moscow Mule, or a Jalapeno Margarita--and again, a really long 32-inch weave so it blows in the wind (this will happen one day).
CURRENTLY READING:
I finally finished reading Bad Blood, and let me tell you... drama, drama, drama. If you've been following the newsletter, I've talked about this book and all Elizabeth Holmes drama for the last few weeks, but I'm overly invested. Earlier this week, I finished the book and listened to the last episode of the podcast at the same time and it's so intense that it almost doesn't feel real. Not only was Theranos a fraudulent company, they were also intimidating people around the time of the article coming out to expose them and threatening to sue people. Plus, when shit hit the fan, sis dipped out and snitched on her old zaddy Sunny. Read the Book, and listen to the podcast so we can discuss. Read this new Vanity Fair article too. Also, if anyone is down for a watch party for the documentary, let me know. I'll supply some wine, if you bring some bread or cheese or something. Holla at me.
Additionally, I'm loving photos this week. Obsessed with the Lauren London and Nipsey Hussle photo spread from GQ, and these beautiful photos from the Bustle article on black women with 4C hair. I met Nipsey one day at Roscoe's and he was so sweet, so fan forever.
Also, my girl Chasity has a great newsletter on things that we love, WINE! I loved this week's newsletter.
"Many women want monogamy. It's a cozy arrangement, and one our culture endorses, to put it mildly. But wanting monogamy isn't the same as feeling desire in a long-term monogamous partnership." // The Atlantic
"Our country was built on the backs of men who inherited money from their fathers, but somehow a woman who inherits is a spoiled brat." // Harper's Baazar