Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 198

Derrick Adams x Jay-Z: Heir to the Throne

'To celebrate the 25th anniversary of JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, his pioneering debut album that forever changed Hip Hop, the legendary artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist has commissioned multi-disciplinary artist Derrick Adams to create a one-of-one animated digital artwork that comments on and recontextualizes the album’s iconic cover, which will be sold by Sotheby's as an NFT in a special single-lot auction. In this video, join Derrick Adams at his studio in Brooklyn as he reflects on the importance of Reasonable Doubt, recontextualizing the cover and his greater artistic practice. This collaboration marks the first NFT either has created and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Shawn Carter Foundation.'

 

Virtual Conversation: The Obama Portraits—Featuring Artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald

'Artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald discuss their celebrated portraits of President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama and the opening of "The Obama Portraits" tour. They are joined by James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director, and Jordan Carter, associate curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.'

How Algorithms are Cutting Americans' Healthcare

'US states are using algorithms to figure out whether people are eligible for public benefits and how much care they should receive. But it isn't without its problems. For example, in Arkansas a combination of design decisions and software errors had left many people without the care they needed. So that begs the question: if government officials don't have the technical knowledge to understand these algorithms, how can they ensure the algorithms are doing what they want?' -- The Guardian

'Almost Famous' by Op-Docs | I’m the First And Only Woman Officially Drafted By the N.B.A.

'As a child growing up in rural Mississippi, Lusia “Lucy” Harris often stayed up past her bedtime watching her favorite N.B.A. players, dreaming of one day playing on the same courts. Reaching 6 feet 3 inches by the time she was in high school, Harris was often called “long and tall and that’s all” by her classmates — but she knew her height would be an asset on the court. And she wasn’t just tall enough to play the game. She was a rare talent who would go on to be a three-time national college champion and an Olympic silver medalist, making her a national sensation by the time she finished her college career.'

Stokley Williams of Mint Condition on Solo Project Sankofa and Being a Sonic Healer

'On this episode of The Tight Rope, Stokley Williams opens up about founding Mint Condition, his new solo project Sankofa, and why he considers himself a sonic healer.'

Yasiin Bey On Fighting Categorization And The Ideology Of Pro-Blackness In Rap

'In this clip from People's Party with Talib Kweli, Kweli and co-host Jasmin Leigh talk with legendary MC Yasiin Bey about the ideology of Blackness throughout Hip Hop.'

All-Star Baseball Player CC Sabathia Shares His Best — And Lowest — Moments In Memoir

'Weekend Edition Saturday's Scott Simon speaks to author and baseball pitcher CC Sabathia about his new memoir, Til the End.'

The Power Of Plants To Heal And Harm

'Michael Pollan is a best-selling author. His latest work, This Is Your Mind on Plants, looks at three psychoactive plants and has left him making some bold claims. He says it wasn't just coal that fueled the Industrial Revolution, but caffeine. Alongside opium and mescaline, caffeine features prominently in his new book, "This Is Your Mind on Plants." This new work is a follow-up to his 2018 bestseller, How to Change Your Mind — What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.'

LA Review of Books: Zakiya Dalila Harris -- The Other Black Girl

'LA Review of Books  hosts Eric and Medaya are joined by Zakiya Dalila Harris to discuss The Other Black Girl, her sharp and often funny debut novel that centers large contemporary questions about the politics of race as it encounters diversity, inclusivity, and representation through the unique lens of working in the publishing industry.'

LA Review of Books · Zakiya Dalila Harris: The Other Black Girl

Invisible Blackness – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, an Interview with Brian Jackson

'Brooklyn raised composer, singer-songwriter, and producer, Brian Jackson, is a true luminary for Black American music. Brian is the long time writing partner of the late Gil Scott Heron. Throughout the 70s, Brian and Gil created music that elevated black consciousness and continues to inspire younger generations. In this episode of Invisible Blackness, host Adrian Younge and Brian discuss Music as a tool for education, the nuances of segregation and how the struggle for civil rights informed revolutionary music in America.'