Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 535

In 'Moonlight,' Actor Mahershala Ali Found Characters He Recognized

'Mahershala Ali earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as Juan, a drug dealer who becomes an unlikely father figure to a boy who is being bullied at school and neglected at home; He talks with Fresh Air host Terry Gross about his star turn in the Barry Jenkins film Moonlight.' -- NPR  

Michael K. Williams Asks The Damn Question: Am I Typecast?... Am I a Damn Stereotype?

In this latest segment of The Atlantic's "Question Your Answers" Michael K. Williams aka "Omar" wonders whether he has been typecast throughout his career.  

We Are Not Smarter Than How We Feel: on Art, Influence and Power.

'Author Nato Thompson explains how art and culture became a weapon aimed at the public - by expanding the influence of the powerful across society, and revealing the deeply emotional dimension to life and politics long concealed by liberal appeals to rationalism - and what Roger Ailes understands about human nature that Plato just couldn't get. Thompson is the author of Culture as Weapon: The Art of Influence in Everyday Life from Melville House.

With Politics, NBA Speaks Its Mind?

'If you enjoy sports only as an escape from political give and take, commentator Pablo Torre warns there's some bad news: You can no longer enjoy the NBA. Players and coaches are talking politics.' -- NPR 

Late Playwright, August Wilson, Nominated For Academy Awards For 'Fences'

'Constanza Romero Wilson speaks about continuing the legacy of her late husband, playwright August Wilson. His play-turned-film Fences, is nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture. Of her husband's vision Romero Wilson says 'It was the world he knew. The story may be focused on the Hill District of Pittsburgh in 1957, but it reaches deep down into our hearts and brings out all kinds of emotions'.' -- +NPR

BBC's The Forum: The Birth of Hip-Hop with GrandMaster Caz + Michael Holman + Mark Anthony Neal

'The story of early hip hop, from 1970s 'block parties' in the South Bronx to the next decade when some musicians used rap for harsh social critique while others looked to it for big commercial success. Trevor Nelson talks to Duke University hip hop historian Mark Anthony Neal, film maker and impresario Michael Holman, and one of the central figures in early hip hop, Grandmaster Caz.' -- +BBC World Service 

dance music therapy -- a Afro-House Mix from DJ KamauMau

T. I. on Violence, Excuses, and a Regressive State

'Legendary hip hop artist and actor, T.I., talks about making excuses for the violence between authorities and the black community, and how sometimes we can resort to a regressive state.' -- +q on cbc  

Helga: Singer-Songwriter Solange on Her Journey, Owning Her Body & Art

'In this episode of Helga , Solange and host Helga Davis retrace the pop-star’s journey from being a young mother in Idaho with a major-record publishing deal, to self-autonomy and accountability in the music business. The two also discuss the themes behind her recent album, A Seat at the Table, of living authentically and of owning your voice, body and art while being black and beautiful in contemporary America.' -- +WQXR  

Shana Tucker ReImagines the Classic "What's Love Got to Do with It"

'Shana Tucker's  jazz-infused re-imagining of Tina Turner's classic pop anthem "What's Love Got to Do with It" feat .Shana Tucker - vocals, electric cello; Estuardo Galeno Stapleton - keys; Romeir Mendez - bass; Billy Williams - drums. Produced by Shana Tucker and Estuardo Galeno Stapleton for ChamberSoul Media and Alma Pura Productions. Recorded in Nashville, TN. Mixed by Nolan Shaheed. Mastered by Chris Boerner.'