Long gone are the days of VHS cassettes and flat screens TVs; today we’re in the era of streaming services. Every show, every character, every moment of television history is now accessible from the comfort of our homes. However, with such an expansive cast of shows, it sometimes becomes a hassle to find just the right one that fits that particular mood that you’re in. Thus, today we bring you the top 10 streaming platforms that will satisfy all your streaming needs, whether that is A24’s mainstream, avante garde films, the latest Marvel flick for your superhero fandom, or a terrifying dream of horror movie screams:
1. HBO Max – Best Streaming TV Services
If you’re looking to catch up on all your favorites in comedy, drama, and action-packed adventures, look no further than HBO Max. This streaming platform offers everything you can think of in new and award-winning shows without the hefty price tag that you would think would go with it. Oh yeah, and did we by any chance mention, Zendaya or Colman Domingo, because they’re there, as well as the best and brightest up-and-coming stars, so if you haven’t already, definitely subscribe to HBO Max. It won’t disappoint.
2. Hulu – Best Streaming TV Services
Hulu has been steadily gaining more and more attention as a streaming platform, despite being overshadowed by Netflix in its earlier years. With such originals like Pam and Tommy (starring Sebastian Stan of Marvel recognition and Lily James of 2015’s Cinderella) and How I Met Your Father, the spin-off to the ever-beloved Neil Patrick Harriss series, How I Met Your Mother, Hulu is definitely a great, if not too often forgotten contender in this list.
3. Amazon Prime – Best Streaming TV Services
Okay, you can’t go two seconds without hearing about the multi-ranging platform that is Amazon Prime. However, Amazon doesn’t just have the best in fresh foodstuffs and ample amounts of goods, but it also has an amazing variety of pretty much every, single show, movie, docuseries that you can think of. If you’ve heard of it, seen it, thought about it, Amazon Prime probably has it and more. And for only $9 a month, this streaming platform is worth every penny.
4. Shudder – Best Streaming TV Services
I know that not everyone is as much of a horror fandango as say Jordan Peele or Tony Todd, but horror has its place in the history of cinema and television, which is why Shudder is in such a good standing in this list. If Netflix or the next streaming platform is not meeting your teen scream needs, then make a Shudder account. This service has horror films dating as far back as the 80s, so you’ll be sure to find something ghoulish or nightmare-inducing that fits your needs.
5. Disney Plus – Best Streaming TV Services
We’re all at that age where if you’re caught watching a cartoon or anime series, you’re probably gonna get a side-eye. However, in the age of COVID-19, we’re all in need of an escape back to a time where things weren’t so turbulent… or rather so much like an end of the world, cataclysmic film. Disney Plus offers exactly what we all want but won’t admit to ourselves: childish whimsy and pure joy. Return to the times when your biggest worry was when the next Toy Story or Hayao Miyazaki movie would arrive to theaters and just sit back and relax.
6. Paramount +
Paramount + has arrived later in the game than many of these streaming platforms; however, it has taken dominion over many of them. If seeing a bunch of adults duke it out on a remote island or seeing various college-aged, young adults have ragers in apartments that cost more than your mortgage is your thing, then Paramount + is for you. It has everything in reality television and an additional host of shows and movies that can satisfy your fix when you need an escape from reality.
7. Showtime – Best Streaming TV Services
Showtime is tough, literally and figuratively. The programs included in this service aren’t for the faint of heart. With such movies like Waves and Hereditary, you better be emotionally prepared for the programs on this platform, because you’ll definitely be moved to tears by the time you’re finished with some of them.
8. Netflix – Best Streaming TV Services
Netflix almost in last place? I know, it’s kind of controversial, but despite this services groundbreaking moves in putting movies on our laptop and cellphone screens, Netflix is playing a game of catch-up to heavy-hitters like HBO Max and Amazon Prime; however, it is still the most reliable of streaming platforms, so if you can’t choose between Shudder and Hulu, Netflix will provide you with the shows and movies that you needed, but never knew you wanted.
9. Apple TV Plus – Best Streaming TV Services
Despite Apple’s success in taking over the world of tech; as a streaming service, it’s more like The Little Engine That Could. It’s rare to have someone hit you up asking for your Apple TV username and password. However, those who do have this platform usually have fine tastes in film. With the latest movie Macbeth just arriving on the platform, whoever has this service, is in for a great time.
10. Peacock – Best Streaming TV Services
Last, but unequivocally not least, is Peacock. Peacock has that nostalgia factor, every 90’s sitcom or late-night Cartoon Network show that you’ve missed is on there, easily accessible, for only $5 a month.
Celebrities are known for many things: their perfect skin, their wealth, and, quite simply, their white picket fence-type life. Nevertheless, no matter how trite the saying is, celebrities are just like us. They deal with heartbreak and loss, and they suffer and get sick. And despite the ways in which we idealize them for their best qualities, they do have their faults. The faults, in particular, that have been emblazoned on magazines throughout the years happened to be drug or mental health-related, so for those who are considering help or looking for a sign to return to rehab, here is a list of 10 celebrities who have gone to rehab and got the helped that they needed:
1. Oprah Winfrey
Instagram @oprah
Despite her current accomplishments as a t.v. host, producer, and award-winning philanthropist, Oprah abused drugs from her early twenties and into the 1980s when she started The Oprah Winfrey Show. However, when the show was on the rise, she knew she had to get clean in order to maintain her success. She received treatment and got sober in the early 80s, and since then, she has become one of the richest women in the world (with a network of 2.6B USD).
2. Kid Kudi
Instagram @kidcudi
In a 2010 interview with Complexmagazine, the award-winning singer and rapper revealed that he started using cocaine as a mechanism to cope with the stress that came with fame, “I started doing cocaine to get through interviews, cause people wanted to know a lot about my personal life and I wasn’t prepared for a 60 Minutes interview every time. Doing bumps I was able to get through the day, but then I would smoke weed to calm me down—it was the only way I could get through the day without people noticing I was doing it.” Despite his past struggles with drugs, the acclaimed performer has sought out treatment for help with his mental health.
3. Naomi Campbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIr5JCf49KM
Naomi Campbell’s struggle with cocaine started in 1994, when she was 24 years old, and worsened after the death of her good friend, designer Gianni Versace, in 1997. After several attempts to quit drugs beginning in 1999, Campbell finally became sober for good upon meeting her good friend and fellow substance abuse survivor, Mary J. Blige,
“We were in a club called Plastic and we were in the bathroom. And you looked at me and you said, ‘We are from the same tribe.’ And I’ve never, ever forgotten that. And the importance of it being that day, I don’t know if you ever knew. The next day, I went and checked into rehab. That very next day. So, hearing that from a sister, it was important to me. It meant a lot to me. Gave me strength. So I always want to say thank you so much for that.”
4. T.I.
Instagram @troubleman31
Following the T.I’s release from prison in 2010, the rapper acknowledged that he had a drug problem. However, with the help of fellow rapper, Eminem, he was able to overcome his habit.
5. Samuel L. Jackson
Instagram @samuelljackson
Samuel L. Jackson has always been forthcoming with his struggles with drugs. He has shared that his wife, LaTanya Richardson, helped him kick his habit. In 1991, he checked into a drug rehab facility, and since then he has remained sober and has become one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
6. Mary J. Blige
Instagram @therealmaryjblige
Mary J. Blige has struggled with addiction, since her early teenage years. Her drug use worsened when she became a rising star in the 90s. As a result of her lengthy drug abuse, it took years for the singer to become sober. Nevertheless, she recently had the opportunity to perform at the 2022 Superbowl Halftime Show; she sang the house down with her hits “No More Drama” and “Family Affair.”
7. Jada Pinkett Smith
Instagram @jadapinkettsmith
Like others on this list, Jada Pinkett Smith has been candid about her battle with drugs and alcohol. While speaking on her Facebook Watch show, Red Table Talk, she revealed that “wine was like kool-aid ” and because of this, she was, “used to that hard hit. I was drinking hard in high school, too, and when I got out here I was doing cocktails. So, ecstasy, alcohol, weed. Let me tell you, I was having myself a little ball.” However, In 2017, she celebrated 20 years of being sober.
8. Bobby Brown
In a 2020 interview with Robin Roberts, Bobby Brown revealed how his marriage to the late singer, Whitney Houston, affected both of their drug habits, “It was terrible. Both of us, you know, trying to be clean, or one of us trying to be clean and the other one don’t wanna be clean. It’s a big struggle…I’m clean from narcotics, yes. I haven’t done narcotics in 10 to 12 years.” However, like many in recovery, Brown is still learning how to deal with his other drug addictions, “Alcohol has been a problem.”
9. Flavor Flav
Instagram @flavorflavofficial
William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. also known by his stage name, Flavor Flav, spoke of his addiction to crack cocaine in his 2011 memoir, Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir. He recalled how moving to L.A. saved his life. He also thanked his family for his sobriety, since they performed an intervention, which led him to check into the Betty Ford Center.
10. Natalie Cole
Instagram @nataliecoleofficial
In a 2010, sit-down interview with Wendy Williams, the late singer, Natalie Cole, spoke of her heroin addiction, “Everybody knew me up in Harlem…When my first record came out, ‘This Will Be,’ on that particular day I was on my way to get drugs.” However, her legacy includes her triumph over her battle with drugs, “People often ask me why I got into drugs. I think they were just waiting to happen, a culmination of not having resolved things….My father’s death was the beginning; it wasn’t till years later that I was able to understand that I was still grieving and that as ‘the daughter of,’ I was still walking in his shadow.”
Whether you’re suffering from an addiction to narcotics or alcoholism, it is essential to know that you deserve compassion from those around you and that you’re not alone. There are resources out there for those like you who need supportive services:
10 Celebrity Romances The Show The Black Love is Alive and Strong
By: Princess Dominiko
The term “black love” has gained traction in the past few years, due to the increasing desire for black people to not only date within their race but to truly and deeply love their blackness. However, despite the growing popularity of the idea of “black love,” a tension still exists within the community for the increasing attention major media outlets put on black celebrities who consistently date outside their race and insult the black experience.
Thus, in light of the lacking representation of black love, we will present to you five new black celebrity couples that are thriving, four older, black celebrity couples that are still going strong to this day, and one black celebrity couple that shows us that you can find love at any time in life:
10. Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert, (m. 2016)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert attend the CFDA Fashion Awards at the Brooklyn Museum of Art on June 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The 31-year-old Trinidadian singer and actress Teyana Taylor has experienced a considerable amount of tragedy in her life, including suffering from, Cholestasis, a liver disease, which makes pregnancies high risk, and also undergoing emergency surgery to biopsy potentially cancerous lumps in her breasts. However, through these trials, her husband, free-agent NBA point guard, Iman Shumpert, continued to care for her and prioritized her health above everything. When speaking on her surgery, the basketball player said, “I’m going to miss my wife, but for the first 48 hours, she can’t have any sort of contact. She’s got to have bed rest.”
The singer also remained supportive and trusting of her husband when rumors of an alleged affair with Dancing With The Stars dancer Daniella Karagach hit news everywhere, “I’m too secure in my s–t to be worrying about that. We have to do movies and TV shows, and I have a love interest and stuff like that — it’s just part of the job. We get our job done and we keep it pushing. And I think that’s the part that we love about each other the most because we do our job and we keep it pushing.” Thus, despite the naysayers, Taylor didn’t lose sight of the truth of the matter, which is that chemistry is necessary for dancing; she also kept her love flowing for her husband.
The couple has remained devoted to one for the past 8 years, and we expect them to continue staying together through thick and thin, as they’ve done before.
9. Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade (m.2014)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union attend The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
While Gabrielle Union’s character Mary Jane on BET’s Being Mary Jane may have issues witWhile Gabrielle Union’s character Mary Jane on BET’s Being Mary Jane may have issues with love,the 49-year-old actress has no such trouble with her husband and 40-year-old NBA star, Dwyane Wade. Their love, though, starting under unusual circumstances–with both meeting as co-host of a super bowl party, while Wade was still married to his then-wife, Siohvaughn Funches (he filed for divorce from her four months after their meeting), and Gabrielle coming out of a recent divorce from NFL running back, Chris Howard–was one that seemed meant to be.
Funches seemed to recognize the chemistry between the two as well, particularly after Union attended Dwyane’s “Summer Grove” charity event in Miami three years later. During this time, Wade and Funches were fresh from their divorce, so she ended up hitting them both up, with lawsuits, with Union receiving one for causing her “emotional distress.” However, it was later dismissed, when Union proved that she was not involved with Wade at the time.
Despite their rocky start, the basketball star and actress now share a family with four of the children that Wade shares with Funches and one child of their own.
8. Mahershala Ali and Amatus Sami-Karim (m. 2013)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Mahershala Ali and Amatus Sami-Karim attend the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Though not one of the older couples on this list, Mahershala Ali and Amatus Sami-Kari share a lot of wisdom. For instance, Ali has frequently advocated improving the compensation and conditions for Oakland teachers. While Sami-Karim has promoted women’s rights as well as the rights of minorities.
However, before they were changing the world, the two met 17 years ago, while they were studying at the highly acclaimed Tisch School of the Arts. While there, Sami-Karim stood out to her future husband, who later recalled that he found her “extraordinarily intelligent…about the right things, spiritually grounded, a beautiful person.” The spiritually-minded Sami-Karim also motivated the famed actor to convert to her Islamic religion, by bringing him to a mosque to attend a prayer service. Ali described the experience as provocative, saying “I just had this really strong response where this prayer is resonating in my body, and I’m, like, crying…Long story short, I converted that day.”
Sami-Karim continues to be a positive influence on the actor’s life, as they both have collaborated on a number of art projects, including the film documentary We Are the Dream: the Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest, where they both served as executive producers executive producers.
7. Chris Paul and Jada Paul (m. 2011)
SANTA MONICA, CA – JULY 19: (L-R) Camryn Alexis Paul, host Chris Paul, Christopher Emmanuel Paul II, and Jada Crawley attend the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2018 at Barker Hangar on July 19, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images For Nickelodeon)
The 36-year-old Phoenix Suns player, Chris Paul (nicknamed “CP3”), will probably be remembered for days to come as one of the greatest point guards to ever play in the NBA. He has made a positive impact on all 3 teams he’s been on, ranking 7th in NBA history for 9,653 assists and 2,233 steals. Along the way in his distinguished career, his wife, Jada Crawley has remained by his side.
Jada Crawley was born and raised in North Carolina and attended the same high school as her eventual husband. However, despite their proximity to each other, the couple didn’t officially meet until college, at a Wake Forest University basketball game.
Surprisingly, Crawley took the initiative and made the first move on her husband, showing that he wasn’t the only one that had gam in their relationship. They spent their first date watching black love on the big screen with Nick Cannon and Christina Milan’s hit Love Don’t Cost a Thing. And unlike many of the other couples on this list, they didn’t have to experience tragedy or turbulence to strengthen their love, but rather, they seemingly enjoyed the simple; yet, beautiful moments they shared.
They have been married for the past 11 years and share 2 kids, named Camryn and Chris.
6. Ayesha and Steph Curry, (m. 2011)
Via intagram @ayeshaCurry
Though one of the younger couples on this list, the NBA couple have been together for as long as many of the older couples in black Hollywood. Their story started 18 years ago–before Bumble and ghosting was a thing–when love was just sweet and simple.
Curry was 15 years old when he first spotted 14-year-old Ayesha at a church in North Carolina. And while it was not love at first sight for the two, they have since admitted that they held a soft spot for each other.
Fast-forward a few years, and the Golden State Warriors player finally got the opportunity to go after the then-aspiring actress, while on a trip to Los Angeles, where she was living. During the visit, Stephen and Ayesha spent the day together as friends, but it later turned into something more. And that something more transformed into their marriage in July of 2011, where 22-year-old Ayesha walked down the aisle to meet her 23-year-old husband. Despite being young newlyweds, Curry said that “I knew I had found the right woman and I wanted to start a life with her.”
5. Viola Davis and Julius Tenon (m. 2003)
Via Instagram @violadavis
It seems that finding love later in life is possible, particularly with this enchanting couple, Viola Davis and Julius Tenon. Prior to her marriage in 2003, the How to Get Away With Murder alum was never publicly attached to any other actors or actresses, but rather she had been waiting for a man like Julius Tenon since she gained stardom in 1996.
In an interview with Essence, she revealed that prayed for “a big black man from the South who looked like a football player,” and who was also “emotionally available, someone who was older, someone who maybe had a family before.” Her prayers were seemingly answered when the two actors met in LA on the set of the medical drama series City of Angels.
Tenon, himself, recounted the meeting in an interview with ENews, “I just overheard her talking to a girl and found her saying, ‘I don’t like L.A. I don’t know anybody here.’ Just kind of complaining. And I was dating a girl who was a little bit of a monster and I was kinda like, ‘Oh, wow. She seems like a nice lady, she doesn’t know anybody. I’m kind of ready to meet somebody else, so at the end of the day, I gave her my card.”
Davis was definitely lucky that she decided to reveal her troubles the day Tenon was on set, since after getting his business card, Davis’ life changed for the better, “Anxiety went away, fear went away. He just made my life better.”
4. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith (m.1997)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 21: Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attends the premiere of Disney’s “Aladdin” at El Capitan Theatre on May 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Though, an admittedly unusual choice for this list, since Will and Jada still seem to be in their “situationship” phase and insist upon oversharing every private detail of their life, we do have to give the couple props for remaining together through the 2020 season of divorces. It was during this time while speaking on her popular Facebook Watch show, Red Table Talk, that Pinkett Smith candidly admitted to her and Will’s prior separation, during which she had a romantic relationship with her son, Jaden, then 25-year-old friend, August Alsina.
While being confronted with the news, Smith looked admittedly and intensely dejected, as he looked his wife in the eyes with a grim expression. And yet, in spite of the devastating news, it seemed that brutal honesty and a barrage of tongue-in-cheek, Urban Dictionary-esque language was what was required to heal their relationship.
Their transparency in all matters of their relationship continues to this day, with Jada’s newest topic being that she and Will sometimes fail to connect in the bedroom, “I think you expect your partner to know , especially when it comes to sex. It’s like, ‘Well if you love me, you should know. If you love me, you should read my mind.’ That’s a huge pitfall.” Though she admits that the Bad Boys 2 actor sometimes doesn’t meet her sexual expectations, she does note that it’s important that she remains accountable as well and needs to communicate her feelings to her husband to keep their relationship strong.
In recognition of what we’ve heard of their private lives from the past two years, we can faithfully say that Will and Jada Pinkette Smith have a surprisingly human relationship, with a host of messiness and awkward talks, but most importantly, love and understanding.
3. Earlitha ‘Cookie’ Kelly and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, (m. 1992)
Like Ayesha and Steph Curry, Earlitha Kelly and Magic Johnson go way, way back.They were college sweethearts at Michigan State University, with Johnson being in the class of 1979. They married 12 years later in 1991 with a small ceremonyin Lansing, Michigan. And all was seemingly going well for the two, until 2 months later when Magic Johnson revealed his HIV diagnosis.
In a 2016 interview with Robin Roberts for Good Morning America, Kelly recalls the tragic event, “It scared me to death. I mean, I fell to my knees; we both fell on our knees and we started crying.” And although such news back then would have ended most relationships (with HIV being relatively unknown back then and derisively termed the ‘gay disease”), Kelly stood beside her new husband.
However, their difficulties soon seemed to be just starting, since Kelly had also recently found out she was pregnant with their first child, E.J. (now 24 years old), “I was scared to death about the baby. I mean, I had just found out I was pregnant so it was early in the pregnancy.” The news came 10 days later that since she was negative, the baby would also be HIV negative and would not suffer so early on.
The couple today have turned their strife into a story of love and how one can overcome adversity with understanding and respect, as they both work to advocate for HIV awareness.
2. Pauletta and Denzel Washington (m.1983)
Coming at number two on our list, this old, Hollywood It couple shows what it takes to make love last. Their romance began six decades ago when they met on the set of Wilma in 1977. Their friendship blossomed in the following year when they reconnected at a party, and eventually, the duo began dating. After more than five years together with little to no hiccups, Denzel and Pauletta married in 1983 and later had five children.
In a 2018 interview with People, the actor spoke on a number of details of their relationship, with one being that the secret to keeping his relationship strong is that he does what he’s “told ” and keeps “ mouth shut.” But it truly seems that the ingredient to a healthy, enduring relationship like theirs is humor and seeing the good in one another. For instance, when asked his favorite things about Pauletta, Denzel said, “There are too many things!”
However, the Equalizer star later revealed the qualities that popped “into” his head: “Security, food, a beautiful home … the difference between a house and a home, it’s a big difference. You can buy a house, but that doesn’t make it a home — and not to say a man can’t make a home a home, but my wife has made our house a home, and raised these beautiful kids, and protected them and sacrificed for them … she did the heavy lifting.” With recognizing such wholesome qualities in his wife, it seems as if love is not lacking in the Washington household.
1. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee (m. 1963)
NEW YORK – DECEMBER 6: (L-R) Actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis arrive at the opening of “The Gem of the Ocean” at the Walter Kerr Theatre on December 6, 2004 in New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/ Getty Images)
Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee epitomize black Hollywood. The two first met on the set of Robert Ardrey’s 1946 play Jeb. And while their play flopped, their relationship flourished, and they eventually married in 1948.
During their marriage, they continued to act beside each other in theater and on-screen in a number of acclaimed plays and movies, including the original 1959 production of “A Raisin in the Sun” and in Sidney Poitier’s 1950, the racial melodrama “No Way Out.” But what’s most notable about their collaborative efforts is the teamwork on the frontlines of social activism.
In their joint autobiography published in 2000, With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together, they recall their tireless fight against Senator Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for Communists and their continuous efforts on behalf of voting rights and civil rights. “We need to make the changes, do the revolutions and make things right that will make it easier for our children and grandchildren,” says Dee. Seemingly their love for each other did not only make their lives better, but it made the lives of all black children and grandchildren’s lives better.
In the end, they were not only together in their pursuit of art and social justice, but also in death, when they died within months of each other in 2005. They are survived by their children, Guy Davis, Nora Day, and Hasna Muhammad Davis.
As shown in this list, black love, like any other love, is messy and turbulent, but it is also beautiful and transformative. It may be difficult to find in the pages of a magazine or in your personal life, but it is there if you’re ready to take on both the good and bad parts of it.
Each week, check out 10 new songs to add to your Spotify Playlists. Plenty of different vibes curated for various moods. Each week the list will consist of artists you may have already heard of or new ones to watch out for. Expand your music palette and check out the new singles below.
North London’s, Col3trane and New Orleans-hailing, Lucky Daye have joined forces for a sultry vocal performance on their enticing new track, “Bag.” The thick bed of heavenly synth patterns and the steady groove held by the drums creates a blissful track. Col3trane and Lucky Daye spill smooth, elongated runs before closing with a refined piano solo. This track is the second taste of what’s to be expected on Col3trane’s upcoming project, “Lush Life,” (set to be relased in March).
2. “Tomorrow” – John Legend ft. Nas & Florian Picasso
Hello to tomorrow. John Legend is back with some new material as he links up with legend, Nas and Florian Picasso, the French DJ and record producer. The new single, “Tomorrow” is not to be confused with the song of the same name from his 2013 album, “Love In The Future.” This song is right in John Legend’s lane and Nas continues his stellar form with his pair of verses.
3. “DFMU” – Ella Mai
After a brief hiatus, Ella Mai returns with a slow-burning new single, “DFMU.” The song (the title of which is an acronym for “don’t f**k mu up”) finds Ella going back to the sound of “Boo’d Up,” with a piano-driven DJ Mustard production. A new man has entered the picture who might just have the key to hear heart, but before she goes giving it away, she gives a warning, singing, “Don’t f**k me up, don’t let me down / You know I wanna be around / You tug-n-warrin’ with my heart / Didn’t think it’d evеr be so hard /Crazy I’m lettin’ down my guard.”
4. “Hate Our Love” – Queen Naija ft. Big Sean
Queen Naija is back with a brand new single, and this time around, she teamed up with fellow Detroit native, Big Sean for the romantic, new track. The pair collide on this track where they speak about staying true to their partners as others try to break up their relationships with rumors and negativity.
5. “Stay Down” – Ne-Yo ft. Yung Bleu
Three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B hitmaker, Ne-Yo unveils his new single, “Stay Down,” featuring Yung Bleu. The song paves the way for his anxiously awaited eighth album and first original full-length since 2018, coming soon.
Raheem DeVaughn and collaborator Bee Boy$oul bring in the new year with new music. “Sugar Love” is a standout track on their new collaboration project, “Back 2 Love,” featuring The HamilTones. The single is a well blend of the modern “Love King’s” R&B and Soul, channeling the spirit of Marvin Gaye.
7. “Rent Money” – Mary J. Blige ft. Dave East
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is back with another single, this time with an assist from Dave East. The two New York artists sail through Blige’s “Rent Money,” a track where Ms. Mary gets a few things off of her chest about a former lover she’s ready to part ways with. This one will make an appearance on Blige’s release this month, titled, “Good Morning Gorgeous.”
8. “Come With Me” – Ant Clemons
If a sexy sound is what you’re looking for, Ant Clemons has you covered with this new single, “Come With Me,” produced by Eric Hudson. On “Come With Me,” Cleamons lets his woman know that he’s ready whenever her body is calling. Although not credited a s feature artist, the single features the unmistakable vocals of Ari Lennox on backgrounds and ad-libs, and their voices play well with each other.
9. “Bliss” – Amber Mark
Following the release of her debut album, “Three Dimensions Deep,” songstress Amber Mark treats fan to a new single entitled, “Bliss.” The single is one of many reasons why “Three Dimensions Deep,” is a must listen. In “Bliss,” Amber Mark details not knowing what true love is until she’s finally found her special someone, her “bliss.”
10. “Chronicles” – Cordae ft. H.E.R. & Lil Durk
Cordae just released a new album last month, “From a Bird’s View,” and now his latest release, “Chronicles,” features H.E.R. and Lil Durk. Cordae brings back the 90s vibe with the track and addition of H.E.R.’s vocals and Lil Durk’s swag, reminding you of the late 90s/early 00s.
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Who are the best black anime characters and what is anime? Here we provide our black anime characters list and further explore.
Anime has been seen winning over almost the whole world in recent years. With the world going into lockdown, it is not surprising that a lot of people were glued to various screens and found out or reconnected with the genre and world of anime altogether.
Afro Samurai
What is anime?
Anime, which is derived from the English word ‘animation’ is defined as any work that is animated irrespective of its origin or style in Japan. Outside of Japan however and to the rest of the world basically, anime is said to be animation that is produced strictly in Japan.
Any other animation that is produced from other areas that embody a similar style to that of Japan is given the name anime-influenced animation. Anime as a film category is comprised of various genres within as well as subgenres.
How did anime get started?
Animation in Japan started in the 20th century by filmmakers who were experimenting with various techniques that had also been done in other parts of the world such as Russia, Germany, the United States, and France.
The first display of works that were professionally done for the public began in 1907, with animators such as Jun’ichi Kouchi who has gained the title of being the father of anime.
The 1960s is when Osamu Tezuka and manga began adapting a technique that simplified the techniques that were being used by Disney animations to reduce the frame counts as well as reduce the production costs.
What was to simply be a temporary measure as he had a tight schedule and was short on experienced staff is what has come to shape the medium’s style. The first anime film on television was Three Tales.
In the 1970s, the work of Tezuka, as well as other pioneers, inspired genres as well as characteristics that have remained key elements in anime to date.
For example, mecha which is also known as the giant robot genre originated from Tezuka and was then passed on to Go Nagai as well as other animators who developed it and was finally revolutionized by Ayaoshiyuki Tomino who is responsible for the development of the real robot genre.
Top ten Black Anime Characters
Anime is all-inclusive when it comes to race and this makes the film category even more appealing as the world is finally evolving in the sense that there is now more representation on the media of the true diversity of the world. Some of the top black characters in anime include:
Yoruichi Shihoin
Yoruichi is found in the series Bleach which was created by Tite Kubo and is voiced by Satsuki Yukino. She is acted out as Kisuke Urahara’s lifelong friend as well as one of the very first allies of Ichigo as well as the companions. She helps them when it comes to not only the discovery of their powers but also their development.
They are developing their powers because they are anticipating freeing Rukia by clashing with the Shinigami. Yoruichi is first introduced into the film presenting herself as a black cat, but this is just a guise.
She is one of the popular black anime characters who has the power to transform whenever she wants. As a human, she is a woman who has very defined curves, purple distinguishable hair, and dark skin.
Her character is easy-going and playful, she specifically enjoys transforming when other people do not expect it as well as using a masculine tone when she is a cat such that people do not know that she is actually a woman.
Afro Samurai
Afro Samurai
What anime has a black main character?
Afro Samurai is one of a few black male anime characters from the series Afro Samurai that was created by Takashi Okazaki and voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. From his name being the series name, you can already tell that the whole show centers around him. Afro is indeed the main protagonist and is an extremely talented swordsman who has a lot of trauma.
He watched his father get beheaded when he was just an innocent boy and that memory haunts him.
He vowed from then to get revenge on those who had committed the assassination. Afro grows up to be a cold-blooded murderer who hardly has any conscience. He slays many people in defense as well as in vengeance for his father’s murder.
Canary
Canary is found in the series Hunter x Hunter that was created by Yoshihiro Togashi and has been voiced by Reiko Kiuchi and Motoko Kumai. Canary is an apprentice butler to the Zoldyck family and takes her job very seriously and is extremely loyal to the Zoldycks. Anyone who attempts to take her position is seen to be removed forcefully.
Initially, Canary was introduced as a strict guardian who has no problem attacking intruders but it is unveiled that she is indeed not as heartless as she tries to make herself be perceived. Canary develops feelings for Killua who is her young master and although Killua offers her friendship, Canary denies the offer due to her position.
Her feelings for Killua make her go against his orders on various occasions. Canary is in her early teens and dark brown skin, grey eyes, and hair that is a dark purple that she usually ties in the back in thick tufts.
April
April is in the series Darker than Black that was created by Bones and Tensai Okamura and voiced by Takako Honda. April is seen to be an MI-6 agent, with not much being revealed about her past life or history.
She has been working with July as well as November 11 for what can be assumed to be a good amount of time as their relationship is close and they also work very well as a team. The bond April has with her team can be attributed to how much they depend on each other while doing missions.
November 11 is the leader of her team. April is a heavy drinker as it is seen that she turns to alcohol for solace, and she is even able to outdrink owners of bars. She is also able to act on her own whenever the situation calls for her to.
Killer B
Killer B stars in the series Naruto that was created by Masashi Kishimoto and is voiced by Hisao Egawa. Killer B acts as a shinobi who is from Kumogakure. Killer B is tasked with the responsibility of protecting the village. His heart however lies elsewhere as he has dreams of becoming the best rapper worldwide.
Killer B is very powerful and is even able to overpower the whole of Taka’s team that is comprised of dangerous fighters all on his own. He was able to accomplish missions that were considered team missions on his own as a child with his partner A, which enabled him to appreciate how much more talented his brother was.
Jet Black
Jet Black is in the series Cowboy Bebop which was created by Hajime Yatate and voiced by Unsho Ishizuka. Jet Black is a 36-year-old from Jupiter. He is a former officer in the police force and is also known as Black Dog as he is very tenacious. Jet is tall and muscular and has a beard with a bald head.
Jet is brave and is interested in a variety of subjects. He is seen to have been an inspector for several years with the Inter Solar System Police up until when he lost his arm. The left-arm he lost during an investigation that went south was replaced.
This was done by a cybernetic limb. It is this injury as well as the corruption in his former place of work that drove Black into becoming a freelance bounty hunter.
Katara
Katara is found in Avatar: The Last Airbender which was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and voiced by Mae Whitman and Eva Marie Saint. Katara is one of the main characters of the show and is a water bender.
She is from the South Pole tribe and has a brother, Sokka who is the last Airbender as well. Sokka and Katara accompany Aang in his mission to restore peace among the globe’s four nations by defeating the Fire Nation. Katara is seen to get more mastery of her gift over the episodes until Hama even teaches her how to Bloodbend in the final season.
Kuzan
Kuzan is seen in the series One Piece which was created by Eiichiro Oda and voiced by Takehito Koyasu. Kuzan is also known as Aokjii and is a former Admiral in the Navy. Sengoku appointed him for the post but he later loses the post to Sakazuki which makes him resign altogether. He then joins the Blackbeard Pirates, with no reason behind this. He is an antagonist together with other marines of the Marineford Arc.
Darui
Darui is from the series Naruto that was created by Masashi Kishimoto and voiced by Ryota Takeuchi. Darui is the Fourth Raikage’s right-hand man who is a shinobi. He becomes the Fifth Raikage.
When Darui was still an apprentice under the Third Raikage, he got knowledge on a lot of things, including the unique technique used by the Raikage known as black rai. His accumulated skills make him in the end able to defeat the Gold and Silver Brothers.
Kaz Kaan
Kaaz Kaan is in the popular Netflix series Neo Yokio which was created by Ezra Koenig and voiced by Jaden Smith. Kaz is an occasional demon slayer, a bachelor who is quite decent, a Caprese’s official boy, and a magistrate. Kaz is seen to be quite outspoken and will say what is on his mind, irrespective of whether someone’s feelings get hurt or not. He is also seen to be selfish at times.
Conclusion
There are many other black anime characters out there, especially as almost all anime films are now inclusive. It is in watching various anime that we can appreciate this fact.
In an effort to find great workers hiring GenZ’rs has almost become comical. In the process, it is really hard to realize who is the business owner and who is the employee by the way GenZ’rs respond this should be a welcoming situation for all the workers who still know how to be polite and considerate even though at times stuck in our ways. Here is a general synopsis and it’s of what we have heard before when interviewing GenZ’rs. This is the absolute truth if you can stand it
To a certain extent, you can actually respect their attitude and wish that you had had the courage to address certain bosses the same way during your tenure but to another extent as an employer it comes off as extremely disrespectful and entitled but never short of hilarious
The difference between older workers and Generation Z
Training…
What time can you start?
Older Workers: What time do you need me to start?
What time can you start?
Gen Z: I have to start when I feel like it!
Payday is every other Friday
OW: That’s fine
Payday is every other Friday
Gen Z: I need to be paid every Tuesday because of my lifestyle.
360NFTthe first of its kind Black owned music NFT platform, powered by Trapchain, Inc., has collaborated with indie music artist and native Chicagoan, Willie Taylor, to drop his first NFT for his music project, “Write My Wrongs.” Taylor first gained notoriety as a contestant from MTV’s “Making the Band 4,” where he was chosen by Sean Combs to be a member and one of the main vocalists for the band Day26 on August 26. 360NFT’s November 26 launch and debut NFT release commemorates the band’s popularity and success.
Headed by Chicago, IL natives, founder Casmir Patterson, Chief Technology Officer, tech pioneer, Mark Bush co-founder and Chief Possibility Officer, and Lathan Hodge, the Chief Operating Officer, 360NFT’s uniquely designed, streamlined ecosystem makes it easy for users to thrive on the blockchain, without the need to code, navigate complicated technology, or handle delivery.
360NFT endeavors to help artists leverage exposure while maximizing their economic potential with an innovative cryptocurrency technology platform that monetizes content and music assets. Built specifically for the music and entertainment industry, 360NFT allows artists, agents and labels to seamlessly make their content and music assets available by leveraging their technology to monetize collectible assets for compensation under the Ethereum and SKALE network.
Creating a seamless customer experience is critical for 360NFT.io as well as choosing the right partners like the SKALE Network and Digiwaxx. By utilizing SKALE, 360NFT is able to completely avoid the high gas costs for deploying the smart contracts and minting NFTs. Additionally, customers can claim their NFTs without any gas fees, which can amount to hundreds of dollars during peak times.
Ultimately for fans, this helps get music into their hands quickly and easily, so they can enjoy the hottest tracks within seconds. Digiwaxx, a free online digital music pool for DJs for the past 20 years, is the leading platform for marketing and digital music promotion for the music industry in hip hop, R&B, reggae and dancehall music.
“What sets 360NFT apart from other NFT experiences, such as platforms like UJO, is that most others cast too wide of a net. They haven’t built or provided an adequate solution to the pain points of music specific genres needed to be addressed across the board,” explains Casmir Patterson (pictured to the left), a Certified Consensys Developer and Binance fellow, who has been in blockchain since 2011. “360NFT has streamlined and applied a particular structure to develop a strong community around our token curated playlist within the entertainment sector.
We also provide a white label solution to assist genres starting with trap music and hip hop, as well as Afro Beat, Latin, reggaeton and K-Pop,” adds Mark Bush, whose company, SongPro, pioneered the first African American owned portable, digital multimedia device manufactured in history in the early 2000’s. “360NFT has the distinguishing characteristics of creating a platform that does not have limited metadata structures and offers a custom metadata field, along with custom smart contract opportunities.”
“While there are other choices I could have made to drop my first music NFT, I thought it was important to show that our culture’s capability and talent goes beyond just the front end of what folks see on the creative side. We have the intellectual capital for the technology to build, mint, and deliver our creative assets on an ecosystem that we created and developed,” adds Willie Taylor, who was also a cast member on the popular VH1 franchise, “Love & Hip Hop.”
The official drop time for “Write My Wrongs” will be at noon on Day 26 of November at https://360nft.io. There will be three NFT music tracks with ONLY 126,000 downloads per song in a 24-hour period, accompanied by NFT digital artwork by Israel Wilson.
Despite economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic barriers, Black and Latino entrepreneurs saw unprecedented business performance over the past 12 months, according to a survey produced by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) titled The Entrepreneur’s Paradox: How Black and Latino Entrepreneurs Are Balancing Growth and Uncertainty. This research reveals that while nearly nine out of 10 established Black and Latino entrepreneurs met or exceeded their performance expectations this past year, nearly all are concerned that it was driven by a short-term boost in attention.
“Black and Latino entrepreneurs are an economic force, and our research underscores their business resiliency and output,” said Lee Henderson, Americas EY Private Leader, and Executive Sponsor, EY Entrepreneurs Access Network. “But more action is needed from consumers, investors and the entire business community to address disparities caused by lack of access to capital, mentors and networks, and to sustainably ensure the long-term economic growth of minority business owners.”
The survey was commissioned by the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network, an immersive mentoring program and business accelerator for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. This research set out to understand the unique experiences of these leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of a national reckoning on racism and discrimination. More than 1,000 established Black and Latino entrepreneurs, who lead businesses across industries and produce annual revenues from $2m to $25m, were asked to reflect on how the current social, political and economic environment has impacted them, their businesses and their outlook.
Key findings include:
Strong and sustained performance: Despite the disruptions of COVID-19, 88% met or exceeded performance expectations, 73% experienced moderate to significant business growth, and 77% anticipate additional growth in 2022 compared to 2021.
Impacts of America’s racial reckoning:88% say that the strong focus on racial equity has increased attention for their businesses, and 99% say this allowed them to invest in their businesses in ways they might not have otherwise by innovating products, improving infrastructure, and hiring.
Concerns about waning attention: Among those who experienced increased attention for their business, nearly all (93%) worry that it will provide only a short-term lift, and nearly half (48%) say a pullback on momentum would make it difficult to retain existing employees.
“Our research shows that Black and Latino entrepreneurs are rightly concerned that their businesses might be negatively impacted as focus on them fades,” said Nit Reeder, EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Program Director. “The greatest equalizer of wealth disparity is business ownership. We must maintain strong support of minority entrepreneurs to make lasting change.”
Additionally, the survey highlights how Black and Latino entrepreneurs engage with mentors and professional networks. Of those surveyed, 56% say a network of trusted vendors and partners is key to business growth, and 53% identify access to a mentor as a similarly valuable resource. This underscores the impact of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network model, which not only welcomes participants into an elite network of entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and other business leaders, but also provides each participant with a dedicated EY executive as their personal mentor.
“The Entrepreneurs Access Network has been invaluable,” said Maurice Brewster, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Mosaic Global Transportation. “My EY mentor facilitated connections with venture capital firms and has even helped me launch a brand-new electric vehicle business. Although I’ve been a CEO for nearly 20 years, this program gave me the opportunity to work on my business, not just in it – with real results.”
The EY Entrepreneurs Access Network currently includes 120 Black and Latino entrepreneurs from across the US and connects participants with resources, networks and one-on-one mentoring to close long-standing disparity gaps. The next cohort of entrepreneurs for this program will be announced in December 2021.
The EY Black and Latino Entrepreneurs Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 established Black and Latino entrepreneurs from organizations with revenue in the $2m to $25m range. The survey was fielded using an email invitation and an online survey between August 3 and August 18, 2021.
