Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 187

Leon Bridges, An Introvert, Is Resigned To Fame

'In his music, Leon Bridges exudes an easy confidence. He's got a silky voice that effortlessly dances around the smooth, retro tunes that have made him a star over the course of his last three albums. It's his sense of style, too: vintage button-ups, bell bottoms, and (the day we spoke) a gold chain and a patterned head scarf tied in the front. It all gives the impression of someone who loves to perform, who thrives in the spotlight. But Leon Bridges? He's an introvert. And for his latest album, he found solitude in a place in Los Angeles called Gold-Diggers Sound, which ended up becoming the name of the album. In this episode of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN, he'll tell you about Gold-Diggers Sound and what it's like being an introvert who just keeps becoming more and more famous.'

Surviving Southampton: Vanessa M. Holden in Conversation with Erica Armstrong Dunbar

'Vanessa M. Holden and Erica Armstrong Dunbar are in conversation in support of the publication of   Holden's book Surviving Southampton: African American Women and Resistance in Nat Turner's Community. The 1831 Southampton Rebellion led by Nat Turner involved an entire community. Holden rediscovers the women and children, free and enslaved, who lived in Southampton County before, during, and after the revolt.'

Factory Farming is Pushing Independent Farmers to the Edge of Extinction

'A proposed concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Burnett County, Wisconsin, is slated to house 26,000 hogs and produce millions of gallons of liquid manure every year. Residents fear the irreparable damage a facility of that size could do to their air, land, and waterways, as well as to their property values and the local economy, and many fear there’s nothing they can do to stop it. As part of TRNN’s special collaboration with In These Times magazine for “The Wisconsin Idea,” The Real News Network Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez traveled with Cameron Granadino (TRNN) and Hannah Faris (In These Times) to Burnett and Polk counties to speak with farmers and residents in the area about their underreported struggle to protect their communities from the factory farming industry.'

The Tight Rope: Marc Lamont Hill on Why He Debates Conservatives

'Marc Lamont Hill, award-winning journalist and host of Black News Tonight, walks The Tight Rope Join hosts Tricia Rose and Cornel West for a profound discussion on debating extreme conservatives, Bill Cosby’s recent release from prison, and being grounded by a deep love of Black people.'

Jennifer Hudson Joins Carole King to Discuss Aretha Franklin and 'Respect'

'Jennifer Hudson and Carole King worked on the song together via Zoom — a necessity not just because of the pandemic but because King, an admitted recluse, rarely leaves her longtime home state of Idaho. Variety reconvened them on that platform to talk about how the new song developed and their mutual love of gospel music. Also discussed was King’s impending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and her counsel as a music-business “elder” of nearly 80 to Hudson, who is half her age.' 

PBS Short Film Festival | Chef Steven (dir. Amy Oden)

'Baltimore chef Steven Allbright helps feed others from the Franciscan center during the pandemic. Chef Steven returned from incarceration with slim career prospects until his culinary aptitude paved the way for him to begin a new life. Now he is able to serve the community in Baltimore City through his work at the Franciscan center. Chef Steven discusses his history and goals.'

TheBlerdGurl Podcast with Karama Horne: Erika Alexander has been doing A LOT since ‘Living Single’

'Erika Alexander is known for her roles on the Emmy nominated series Living Single, the Oscar Award Winning movie Get Out, the CW’s Black Lightning and Wu-Tang: American Saga on hulu. In this episode of TheBlerdGurl Podcast with Karama Horne we discuss her work as a producer on Good Trouble the CNN documentary about the late Rep. John Lewis and she co-created at the comic book series Concrete Park along with artist Tony Puryear. They even turned some of their characters into NFTs.  Making them the first Black Indie comic book publishers to do so. Maxine’s been busy!'

Helga—The Armory Conversations: Nick Cave

"When I look outside, when I go to the front door. That is my new canvas. Today. It's not really what happens in the studio. It's what happens outside of the studio."

'Visual Artist Nick Cave joins Helga Davis to talk about the evolution of his sculptural work, his community collaborations, and how to move from Black sorrow to Black excellence.'

Responses to DaBaby's Homophobic Remarks Show Push and Pull of Progress in Hip Hop

'Homophobic remarks made onstage by rapper DaBaby sparked widespread criticism from fellow musicians as well as concert promoters. DaBaby was slow to issue an apology, and while he has since put several out, that hasn’t stopped festivals including Lollapalooza and Governors Ball from dropping him from their lineups. For queer, Black fans of hip hop, offensive comments like the ones made by DaBaby are the latest in a long list of alienating views put out by some of the genre’s biggest stars. At the same time, stars like Lil Nas X are showing how creative and boundary-pushing an openly gay rapper can be today. Joining  The Takeaway to discuss is Michael Jeffries, dean of academic affairs and professor of American Studies at Wellesley College and also author of Thug Life: Race, Gender, and the Meaning of Hip-Hop.'

Get Lit: Madison McFerrin Performs

'Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin joined All Of It for an interview and two special performances.'