Music Op-Ed
The Music Industry Is Where No Artist Stops Working—Even When They Die
How else do you explain Nipsey Hussle and Juice WRLD ending up on a... Maroon 5 album?
Black Women Still Need to Be Protected
Xavier Omär wrote a call to action to protect Black women. Later that day, footage of a physical altercation between Saweetie and Quavo went public.
Is There a Right Way to Boycott the Grammys?
The Weeknd will no longer submit music to be nominated by the institution. Does that fix the problem?
Verzuz's Virtual Return Shows Celebs Have Always Lived in Different Worlds
A second postponement of Ashanti and Keyshia Cole's Instagram battle highlights how celebrities are still more insulated from turmoil than the rest of us.
'On the Record' Shows the Ripple Effect of Music's Sexual Misconduct Problem
The HBO Max doc details the sexual assault allegations against Russell Simmons and the consequences of silencing Black women in the industry.
Revisiting 'Pure Moods' in the Age of Coronavirus
An investigation into whether the memorably vibey 90s New Age compilation can offer any solace in this time of chaos.
Buying Merch Is the Best Way to Support Musicians Right Now
The industry is suffering serious blows as festivals and tours are canceled en masse, but buying shirts and records can help the musicians we love.
The New 'Reply All' Episode About a Lost 90s Song Is Making Listeners Cry
The latest episode of the popular Gimlet podcast is a masterful meditation on the nature of memory and the quirks of late-90s pop-rock.
Ari Lennox's 'Shea Butter Baby' Deserves Better Than Its Award Season Snubs
The industry’s omission of an album created deliberately for Black women means it hasn’t overcome its inherent biases.