The famed Black-owned hip-hop-inspired gourmet pizza chain Slim + Husky’s is ranked #5 in The Daily Meal’s “101 Best Pizzas in America.”

The three remarkable owners dish out innovative pizza creations to underserved communities.

These best friends share the mission to empower communities while using pizza as their vehicle to engage, offering quality food, employment opportunities, and community events as Slim + Husky’s expand across the nation.

The three Tennessee State University grads and football players Clint Gray–CMO, Derrick Moore-Chief Development Officer, & EJ Reed–CEO, started Slim + Husky’s to serve unique pies and provide jobs to their neighborhood in North Nashville.

Now, they have expanded locations across the country and offer build-your-own pizzas, take-out options, catering services, and national delivery. This includes opening the first Black-owned restaurant to open on Broadway in Nashville.

Their motto, “Pizza. Art. Music” sums up their founding beliefs to create change

and opportunities within underserved communities, while embracing the music culture. Crowds flock to their Tennessee, Atlanta, and Sacramento locations (with additional locations opening throughout 2023) to indulge in artisan pizza while vibing to Hip Hop and R&B classics.

Their famed pizzas are also overnighted nationally to a cult following. The owners consider their biggest accomplishments opening the flagship Slim & Husky’s restaurant in their North Nashville neighborhood, the ability to provide a substantial number of jobs, and the ability to live out their dream while providing a real impact on their community

When they aren’t perfecting their product, Clint, Derrick & EJ are hosting community events and participating in speaking engagements at local schools, nonprofits, small

businesses, and organizations. From hosting events to support local artists to honoring area teachers, they strive to recognize and promote positivity wherever they go.

One of the largest Black-owned hair-care brands in the U.S. and available in the country’s largest big-box retailers and drugstores, Kaleidoscope Hair Products, has launched its game-changing KALEIDOSCOPE X DA BRAT Styling Collection.

This revolutionary product line is designed to provide maximum benefits for those who love and embrace protective styles. Infused with powerful key ingredients, the lightweight and non-greasy products soothe and nourish hair and scalp while promoting healthy hair growth.

Grammy-nominated rapper and actress Da Brat collaborated with her wife and natural hair care mogul Jesseca “Judy” Dupart to create the KALEIDOSCOPE X DA BRAT Styling Collection, offering six innovative products designed to maintain the health of hair and scalp while achieving maximum style benefits.

The collection features ingredients such as coconut oil, ginger, and Manuka honey that soothe and nourish the scalp while promoting hair growth.

The KALEIDOSCOPE X DA BRAT Styling Collection has already taken the beauty industry by storm, selling out within an astonishing six minutes of its online release.

The collection is also available in Walmart, CVS, Sally Beauty and Meijer stores nationwide, so consumers can experience the game-changing benefits for themselves.

“We are passionate about bringing our innovative and effective products to everyone who loves protective styles and desires healthy hair. This collection is not just a hair product line, but a representation of our shared commitment to the protective styling community.

We’re thrilled to share this game-changing collection with the world,” said Da Brat.

The KALEIDOSCOPE X DA BRAT Styling Collection includes six amazing products, each with a unique set of benefits and includes an array of products that are perfect for use on braids, twists, wigs, weaves, locs, and ponytails.

The products are available for individual purchase or as part of bundle deals.

•The Platinum Shine Spray ($15.99) imparts a silky luminous shine, conditions hair and scalp, eliminates frizz, and controls flyaway strands. It is lightweight and does not weigh hair down.

•The Unrestricted Braid & Loc Butter ($15.99) imparts the perfect balance of moisture to hair and scalp, nourishes and soothes the scalp, and adds healthy-looking shine without weighing hair down.

•The Whatchu’Like Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse ($15.99) deeply cleanses without stripping, reduces friction, reduces time to detangle, soothes, moisturizes and refreshes the scalp. It has an easy-to-use applicator tip for a clean that gets right to the scalp.

•The Yo Fav Wrapper Mousse ($15.99) is great for finishing braids, twists, and other protective styles. It can also be used as a wrap or setting foam. The product is non-flaking or drying.

•The So So Slick Braid & Grip Gel ($15.99) helps hold braids and twists for longer protective styles and clean parts. It adds healthy-looking shine without weighing hair down, smooths edges and ponytails and helps to hold them in place. The product does not flake or build up on hair.

•The Funkdafied Soothing Braid & Scalp Spray ($15.99) instantly nourishes hair and scalp, helps strengthen and soften hair, relieves tension, boosts shine, and revitalizes dry, dull hair.

“The KALEIDOSCOPE X DA BRAT Styling Collection is not just a hair product line, but a movement. It’s for all of us who are passionate about our protective styles and care deeply about the health of our hair and scalp.

We’re thrilled to bring these innovative products to our customers, offering maximum benefits that will change the game for the protective styling community,” said Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, founder of Kaleidoscope Hair Products.

To get your hands on this innovative collection, visit https://iluvcolors.com or head to select Walmart, CVS, Sally Beauty and Meijer stores. Don’t miss out on this revolutionary product line that will transform your protective styling experience!

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the National Alliance for Black Business (NABB) signed a historic MOU during the NABB’s first annual National Black Business Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

The NABB was co-founded by the National Business League (NBL) and the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), which represent a combined 153 years of service to Black businesses and are now collectively working to organize a unified national black economic agenda.

“This historic agreement between MBDA and the NABB will strengthen our collective mission to create a strong, equitable economy for all minority businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Donald R. Cravins, Jr., Under Secretary of the Minority Business Development Agency.

“Both MBDA and the NABB have uplifted Black businesses in the decades since they were formed. But together under this agreement, we can break down more barriers, open new opportunities, and create greater access for even more minority entrepreneurs and founders to thrive.”

More than 100 distinguished Black business leaders, organizations, and corporate executives assembled with the Department of Commerce Under Secretary Donald Cravins Jr., Esq. Among them were NABB Co-founders Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D. (NBL) and Charles H. DeBow, III (NBCC);

Hon. Johnny Ford, founder and president of the World Conference of Mayors; Helena Hutton, senior director of strategic purchasing, supplier diversity and environmental sustainability, Cummins Inc., and member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable; Jane Reindorf-Attoh, CEO, JT International; and conference keynote speaker Terri L. Batch, Director of the U.S. Global Diversity Export Initiative, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration.

“The alliance between the NABB and the U.S. Department of Commerce is a powerful collaboration to build Black economic equity through enterprise ownership and development,” said Charles H. DeBow, III, president and CEO of the NBCC and co-founder of the NABB.

The MOU establishes a framework for the MBDA and the NABB to collaborate on efforts to increase the growth and global scaling of more than 3.2 million Black American businesses, with an estimated $141.1 billion in annual receipts, 1.3 million employees, and about $42.2 billion in annual payroll (2022 U.S. Census).

As part of this alliance, MBDA and the NABB will share information and raise public awareness of each other’s programs and initiatives.

In 1969, the late Berkeley G. Burrell, the 10^th national president of the NBL, played an instrumental role in the founding and creation of the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE), known today as the MBDA.

Mr. Burrell was vice president of the Advisory Council for Minority Enterprise and under his leadership, the NBL and OMBE initiated decades of Black business participation in the public and private sectors. 

“The MBDA was born out of the civil rights movement, as an intentional solution to curb the economic conditions experienced in the Black community that caused Black resistance, rebellion, and retribution in the streets,” said Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D., president and CEO of the NBL and co-founder of NABB.

“By continuing the legacy of Booker T. Washington, today we forge partnerships with aligned priorities to broker economic opportunities for Black businesses that are essential in the global marketplace.”

Since its founding in 2016, D’ART Shtajio has made a name for itself as a pioneer in the Japanese animation industry.

As the first American anime studio in Japan, D’ART Shtajio has brought a unique perspective to the world of anime.

Its founders, Henry Thurlow and the twin brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom, have worked in the animation industry for years, bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the studio.

D’ART Shtajio has produced a number of impressive works, including “Indigo Ignited,” “The Doll,” and “Tephlon Funk.” These animations showcase the studio’s dedication to quality and attention to detail. 

They also reflect the founders’ commitment to telling diverse stories and creating representation for people of color in the anime industry.

As Japan’s first Black-owned anime studio, D’ART Shtajio has broken down barriers and opened doors for underrepresented groups in animation. 

The studio has garnered significant attention from fans and industry insiders alike, and its future looks bright as it continues to push the boundaries of what anime can be.

The founders of D’ART Shtajio have brought their unique blend of talents and cultural experiences to the studio. Arthell Isom, in particular, serves as both CEO and Art Director, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. 

Arthell’s background in both fine art and animation gives him a unique perspective on the creative process, and he has worked to foster a collaborative environment at D’ART Shtajio that encourages experimentation and innovation.

The studio’s name, “Shtajio,” reflects this commitment to excellence and innovation. By combining the Japanese phrase “shtaji ga daiji” with the word “studio,” the founders have created a name that represents their dedication to the foundation of traditional anime art styles while also pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity. 

D’ART Shtajio is a studio to watch as it continues to make waves in the anime industry.

The Isom Brothers

Arthell and Darnell Isom, the twin brothers who co-founded D’ART Shtajio with Henry Thurlow, have a rich background in art and animation. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, in the early 80s, the brothers were raised in a creative environment. 

Their father was an entrepreneur and sound designer who instilled in them a love of art and imagination from a young age.

As children, the Isom brothers used drawing to explore new worlds and escape their own. They were introduced to anime through the series Anime Unleashed, which opened up a new world of inspiration for them. 

Arthell, in particular, was deeply inspired by the anime series Ghost in the Shell, and he set his sights on becoming a background artist.

Arthell’s passion for anime led him to pursue his dream of working under Hiromasa Ogura, the art director of Ghost in the Shell. With the encouragement of a college teacher who recognized his talent, Arthell set out to make his mark in the animation industry. 

His dedication and hard work paid off, and he eventually achieved his goal of working with Ogura.

Ogura has praised Arthell as a talented artist with a unique vision and an ability to open up new worlds of creativity. This vision is reflected in the work of D’ART Shtajio, which has quickly become a leader in the anime industry. 

With Arthell and Darnell at the helm, the studio is poised for even greater success in the years to come.

Arthell and Darnell Isom have worked hard to develop their skills and expertise in art and animation. After graduating from college, Arthell pursued further education at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where he studied animation. 

Meanwhile, Darnell studied Industrial Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, honing his skills in design and innovation.

Arthell’s passion for anime eventually led him to move to Japan, where he attended the Yoyogi Animation School to further his studies and develop his Japanese language skills. 

He was soon able to break into the Japanese anime industry, working in Hiromasa Ogura’s studio, Ogura Kubo. There, he worked on a variety of popular anime series, including Bleach, Gintama, Black Butler, Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, and Naruto. 

His time in Japan gave him a unique perspective on the anime industry and inspired him to push the boundaries of traditional anime art styles.

Darnell, on the other hand, made a name for himself in Hollywood. After working as a lead designer at California’s Legacy Effects, he went on to contribute his design skills to major Hollywood films such as Avatar, Pacific Rim, and TMNT. 

His work in Hollywood gave him valuable experience and exposure to new techniques and technologies, which he has since brought to D’ART Shtajio.

Together, Arthell and Darnell have combined their skills and experiences to create something truly innovative and exciting with D’ART Shtajio. 

The studio’s success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it’s clear that their passion for art and animation continues to drive them forward.

Henry Thurlow

Henry Thurlow is an accomplished American animator with an impressive career in 2D animation. His career began in New York, where he worked on a variety of notable projects, including the popular series Superjail and the music videos for MGMT’s “Kids” and Ke$ha’s “Your Love is My Drug.”

Thurlow’s passion for animation led him to discover mature animation through the HBO series Spawn. He later became interested in anime and was introduced to the genre through OVAs of popular series such as Akira, Demon City Shinjuku, and Ninja Scroll. This sparked a love for the anime style that would influence his work for years to come.

To further his skills, Thurlow studied drawing and animation at the prestigious Pratt Institute. After graduation, he began his career in the American animation industry, starting at Cartoon Network. 

However, his passion for anime never waned, and he continued to adapt his style to include elements of Japanese animation.

Thurlow’s dedication to his craft eventually led him to meet Hideyuki Kikuchi, a renowned Japanese anime creator known for works such as Wicked City, Darkside Blues, and Vampire Hunter D. Kikuchi encouraged Thurlow to continue to develop his American animation style and bring it to the Japanese anime industry.

Today, Thurlow is a key figure at D’ART Shtajio, where he continues to create innovative and groundbreaking animation that blends elements of both Eastern and Western animation styles. His work is a testament to his talent and passion for the art of animation.

Henry Thurlow’s passion for animation led him to move to Japan to pursue his dream of making high-quality feature films and series. 

Frustrated with the creative limitations he experienced in America, Henry began his journey by teaching English through the Japanese Exchange Teaching (JET) program while working as a freelance animator. 

His persistence paid off when he landed his first job as an in-between animator at Nakamura Production.

At Nakamura Production, Thurlow worked on several popular anime series, including Gundam Build Fighters and Pokémon Origins. He later joined Pierrot Animation Room, where he worked as an in-between animator and key animator on multiple Tokyo Ghoul series. 

Thurlow’s experience and expertise eventually caught the attention of other studios, and he went on to work on popular anime series such as Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Yona of the Dawn.

Today, Thurlow is one of the co-founders of D’ART Shtajio, Japan’s first American anime studio, and the first Black-owned anime studio. 

With his unique blend of American and Japanese animation styles, Thurlow is helping to revolutionize storytelling in the anime industry and bring diverse perspectives to the forefront of the medium.

D’ART Shtajio has established an impressive list of credits in both Eastern and Western animation. 

Credits

The studio’s Eastern credits include popular anime series such as Overlord, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Seven Deadly Sins, Gintama, Fire Force, One Piece, and Attack on Titan, among others.

Additionally, the studio has directed episodes of Merc Storia: The Apathetic Boy and the Girl in a Bottle, and recently worked on the final season of Castlevania on Netflix.

In the Western animation world, D’ART Shtajio has worked on a range of projects including Sound and Fury, ASOS Commercial Spot, and the Tephlon Funk Trailer. Their most famous work is perhaps The Weeknd’s “Snowchild” music video from the “After Hours” album. 

The studio has also adapted independent comics such as Noir Caesar’s XOGENASYS, a sports anime that blends MMA fights with tech exosuits, and Indigo Ignited, a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy animated short.

Despite their impressive list of credits, D’ART Shtajio has also developed original works, including The Doll ‘Shojo no Piero’. This short story follows a black doll engineer in Japan who creates what could be his greatest invention yet in his search for meaning. 

With their diverse and talented team, it is only a matter of time before D’ART Shtajio releases their own animated series. The sky truly is the limit for this incredible studio.

Source: SCREEN RANT

Origin of the Chow Chow

The Chow Chow, breed of dog differs from most others in having a blue-black tongue. The breed originated in China and is known to date to the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD220); it is believed by some to be one of the oldest of all breeds and is genetically very close to the wolf.

The name Chow Chow is derived from an English term used in the 19th century to refer to cargo from the Orient. The Chow Chow is built compactly, with a large head and a thick coat that forms a dense ruff about the neck. The tail curls over the back or to either side of it.

The coat, which can be either smooth or rough, is evenly colored in any of various shades, most commonly reddish brown, black, or blue-gray. The adult stands about 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) and weighs 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 32 kg). Temperamentally, the breed is usually loyal to owners but reserved and aloof with strangers.

Why I love Chows

it is very unfortunate that living in Los Angeles does not provide an opportunity for a lot of Chows. I rarely see them here anymore. Without question, they probably do better in colder climates anyway because of their heavy coat and not so well in hotter climates because of the same reason. 

That’s the first thing that you have to be aware of is that you’re gonna constantly take a Chow to cut their coat down and you’re also gonna have to brush their hair because it will get tangled easily as well as brush their teeth. 

So far, I have had five Chows and I can honestly tell you they’re really the only breed of dog that I greatly appreciate. 

It all started when I lived in Atlanta, and my next-door neighbor had a Chow who was incredibly friendly, and I knew right then I wanted to have one. It took me at least another decade and a move to LA but five Chows later, they are my favorite dog.

In this article, I will tell you why I think the Chow is the best breed of dog, but if you have another breed that is your favorite,  feel free to tell me why and feel free to comment, But this article is about Chows.

If you’re looking for a Chow, you’re probably going to have to find a breeder someplace. I would suggest getting a full-bred Chow, and of course, the first sign is their well-documented purple tongue. Of course, if you go to a breeder, you will also get papers on him or her to confirm their authenticity.

I prefer to get puppies so that you can learn their temperament. I have never owned a Chow from a Kennel or rescue, and I’m not sure I would be comfortable getting one like that since I would not know much about their history.

Make sure he’s not inbred by checking the feet first. If the dog is inbred you will see really weird things like six toes. I had made the mistake of purchasing a Chow once from someone who had inbred dogs, and he was charging the full price for them. 

I knew something was odd because the dog looked like a German Shephard mix. This was before I fully understood what to look for. In addition, when I got the dog home, I noticed he had six toes on 3 of his feet and eight on the other foot. A true sign of inbreeding.

I would suggest an actual breeder because that’s going to give you the best Chow in my opinion and if you are a hard-core Chow lover you will probably end up going down south to get your dog. The breeder I went to was in Macon, Georgia, but I’m sure there are other breeders in other parts of the country too.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $8000 or more for a quality Chow. In markets like Los Angeles, you can probably make a lot of money breeding them and selling the pups but I’ve seen some really shady things happen to people who breed dogs in their homes. I knew one guy who had a gun pulled on him, and the person took all the puppies. So, I’m not keen on that personally. 

Finally, Chows can survive in an apartment, but I think they need a yard to run in daily. They have a tendency to be slightly on the heavy side especially the males so you want to make sure they get enough exercise having a backyard is ideal.

Ten reasons why Chows is the best breed of dogs.

They mimic your personality

As soon as you get a Chow, it is truly amazing how they study you and learn your personality. Once they learn your personality, they learn to work with it. They don’t necessarily mimic you, but they understand your moods, and they learn how to relate to you.

It is really interesting how they can do that, but they are truly a great companion from the time they were puppies.

In addition, who can resist a puppy, who looks like a bear they will want a lot of attention initially, and they love to play, and you’ll fall in love with them immediately when they’re puppies.

Behavior and Training

I will readily admit, girls, are definitely much easier to train than boys. But for the most part, they’re extremely intelligent dogs and learn very fast even as a puppy I have taught my Chows how to give me five, wave, lay down, and sit, and they would adhere easily. As far as training in the same situation again it’s easier to train the girls over the boys. They are very resistant, as any puppies, to leaches initially, but they learn initially what they learn, and they adapt

None of my Chows ever got into a lot of trouble going through the garbage or eating shoes or anything like that I’ve never had a problem like that so they’re very well-behaved in my experience.

Very protective of the owner.

Once you have a Chow for a while and they get used to you they become very protective not in a negative sense, but they are suspicious whenever somebody comes around or knocks on the door and they will sniff them out.

I moved into a new house once and someone tried to break in and whoever was breaking in my house, saw the Chow and got the hell out of there. I’ve always thought the Chow was so much better of alarm systems than an alarm system itself and there’s something about a big dog that literally scares the hell out of somebody over an alarm system that can be deactivated. I don’t think crooks or burglars are ever prepared for what may happen if they break into our house and run into a dog. Needless to say, I feel much better with a Chow protecting my property because while they are adorable, and look like lions are bears. They’re also very intimidating.

Good temperament

I have heard people say that the Chow is related to Pitbulls, who knows since so many dog breeds are mixed in so many ways but I don’t get the same temperament from a Chow that I get from a pit bull. For the most part, they’re reticent.

They mind their business and they like their space I’ve noticed they don’t bark a lot and they don’t always want to play or run around or create a lot of ways to get attention. I had one Chow who only wanted to sit on the porch all day and just watch people go by that was her favorite activity.

She would literally sit on the porch for eight or nine hours a day never barking, and she would just watch people walk back and forth. She was incredibly docile and cooperative and she was my favorite one out of five Chows that I owned her name was Libra.

Protect your property.

As stated a minute ago, Chows will certainly protect your property and they know how to do so. That’s what I love about them they’re friendly, but they’re also very wise and suspicious, and I stated earlier they have to sniff the situation out to make sure it’s OK for you.

They will always look out, not just for your property but also for you the really incredible thing about Chows is that they will let you know who your friends are. That may sound really bizarre but I had an experience with one Chow, my first one. Who only disliked three people that came to visit me ironically, those three people ended up not being my friend.

He growled at them, or he kept his distance from them, but he definitely did not like them, and it was not only evident to them, but it was also apparent to me they’re extremely perceptive.

Good with obedient kids

Kids can be tricky around any dogs because I don’t really know the rules so they may go up and hit the dog or they don’t understand how to pet the dog but I’ve never had an issue with Chows and kids for the most part.

Chows are good with kids or at least the ones I have owned. You have to teach your child how to treat a dog and a lot of kids don’t understand how to do that but I’ve never seen a Chow be overly aggressive to a child like a pitbull I think any dog responds to humans in the way they are trained by their owner even Pitbulls so Chows are probably not an exception.

Very independent

Chows are very independent as stated before they like their space and give him a couple of toys make sure they have food and water and they may come in for a hug every now and then are they may want to play for the most part they can just chill all day. For an entrepreneur, a Chaw is an excellent choice of dog because they don’t require a lot of attention, and they will keep you company

Very intelligent

Chows are very smart, and they understand commands and learn very quickly. I had one Chow who loved music, and whenever I would play music by Pat Matheny she was hum along. It was quite humorous, but she loved Pat Matheny, and then I had another Chow that loved TV, especially cartoons and she could be entertained for hours with the TV on.

Funny

Chows have a very interesting sense of humor and they will keep you entertained. They do that thing where they look from side to side at you if they don’t understand something, they chase their tails and they may even dance. If you play music, they are very entertaining they hone in on your emotions and they respond to it. They are very keen on things like this.

Chows Live about 11 years

You can expect a Chow to live about 11 to 15 years depending on what size they are when they’re gone it’s very hard because having any animal that long you really do get very used to them while I’m on five.

Chows, only two of them were with me for 11 years, and when they died, I was devastated. You feel the pain when you lose one, but I have learned in the process that the best way to get over a dog is dying to buy a puppy and start the process over again.

A dog will certainly take up a lot of your time, and to a large extent, it is like having a child that never grows up but in the end. The protection they offer you and the companionship are second to none. If you get into a new relationship it can be rather tricky because the Chow has to get used to whoever you’re dating, but I’ve never had an issue with that either.

Once again, there’s a great benefit because they will let you know if somebody’s right for you whether be a friend or a significant other. Good luck with your Chow or whatever your favorite dog is. Please let me know in the comments

There is a fine line distinction between a remake of a song being different from the original as opposed to flat-out superior. Take, for instance, Louisville, Kentucky-based soul band The New Birth’s recording of Canadian rock band Skylark’s epic ballad “Wildflower.” Both are unimpeachably excellent, only arranged in different musical styles.

The same can be said of Maxwell’s take on Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work,” Luther’s version of Dionne’s “A House is Not a Home,” or even The Isley Brothers’ version of Todd Rundgren’s “Hello it’s Me.”

The list below reflects, in this writer’s opinion, those times when a truly inspired artist looked long, hard and deep at a song then caressed and polished it into pristine perfection.

“Killing Me Softly With His Song” – Roberta Flack (1973)

The story behind this one has been known for decades by longtime fans of Sister Flack. Many more just learned it in the recent PBS documentary, “Roberta.” In 1972, Canadian singer Lori Lieberman recorded an easy-listening version of this evocative ballad for voice, guitar, piano, and strings, penned by lyricist Norman Gimbel and composer Charles Fox (the latter also the subject of a new documentary).

It was the lead track of her self-titled debut LP for Capitol Records. Roberta heard it on an onboard music menu for headphones on a flight from L.A. to New York.

After listening to it over and over – mesmerized mostly by the lyric – classically-trained Roberta took the song and arranged it for lead voice, Fender Rhodes, rhythm section, and haunting Gregorian chamber voices, retaining all of the poignancy of the original yet with a more fluid and soulful vibration.

Roberta released the song (produced by the late great Joel Dorn) in 1973 on Atlantic Records on her fourth LP, Killing Me Softly. She was nominated for 3 Grammy Awards and won 2: Record of the Year and Best Female Vocal Pop Performance. She lost Album of the Year (1974) to Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions.

“Betcha By Golly Wow” – The Stylistics 

Philadelphia super producer Thom Bell composed this as one of his earliest collaborations with lyricist Linda Creed. Bell first produced it as a one-off single for actress Connie Stevens (yes, she really can sing) on Clive Davis’ Bell Records label under a different title: “Keep Growing Strong.”

Her B-side was a cover of another Bell classic: “La La Means I Love You,” made famous the year before by The Delfonics. That 45 is a certified collector’s item now. However, when Bell took a sack of songs originally intended to be the next album by The Delfonics and – after a split with that trio’s lead singer William Hart with whom Bell co-wrote many soul classics – he gave them all to a brand-new quintet called The Stylistics.

Bell created an even lusher, dreamier, decelerated, and less bombastic arrangement to quintessentially feature lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr.’s uncannily feminine falsetto. Bell and Creed also retitled the song “Betcha By Golly Wow,” and it became one of several soul to pop crossover smashes from The Stylistics’ self-titled debut LP.

Interestingly, “Betcha” was covered five short years later by Philadelphia soul-jazz impresario Norman Connors on his classic album You Are My Starship, on which he divinely featured a then up-and-coming singer named Phyllis Hyman for an arrangement that floats listeners right up to the moon.

Featuring saxophonist Gary Bartz. Connors’ version (arranged by the late, great Onaje Allan Gumbs), in this case, is deliciously different…but not superior. 

“I Can Understand It” – The New Birth

In 1972, soul singer/songwriter supreme Bobby “The Preacher” Womack cut a slice of troglodyte funk he titled “I Can Understand it” as the lead track of his album, Understanding (the so-so follow-up to his outstanding 1971 release, Communication).

Both albums found Bobby backed by his short-lived band, Peace. That same year, the12-member group The New Birth wasted no time in snatching the song up and turning it into a soulful showtime frenzy featuring newly installed lead singer Leslie Wilson.

Now, Womack is a special kind of soul legend who has had great success behind the scenes as a writer (particularly for “The Wicked” Wilson Pickett) and as a star in his own right. But this time, youngbloods The New Birth straight song-jacked preacher man Womack by self-arranging, producing, and performing his jam.

Otherwise adored for their ballads, The New Birth’s “I Can Understand It” remains the band’s biggest up-tempo smash. “Baby-Baby-Baby!!!”

“Can’t Hide Love” – Earth, Wind & Fire

On its criminally unsung eponymous debut album, Earth Wind & Fire – created and conceptualized by Maurice White – took a strong stance as being a self-contained unit that composed and arranged all of its own material. But from its second album on, they began including versions of material by others – from pop lothario David Gates to folkie Pete Seeger to soul master Donny Hathaway to Brazilian griot Edu Lobo to even jazz legend Eddie Harris. However, the first of the band’s two greatest covers came from within their own brilliant auxiliary forces.

By 1975, songwriter Clarence “Skip” Scarborough was a prolific, proven hitmaker, having penned “Love or Let Me Be Lonely” for The Friends of Distinction, among others.

He also wrote two strong previous album cuts for EWF with “The World’s a Masquerade” and “I’d Rather Have You” (the lead sung by his dear friend and champion Jessica Cleaves, who left “The Friends” to join “The Fire” – briefly). But the song he penned that became a smash for EWF, “Can’t Hide Love,” was first recorded as a soulful samba by a 5-member group of soul brothers and sisters called Creative Source – a group in a similar vein to The Friends of Distinction and The 5^th Dimension (they were managed by The 5^th’s Ron Townson).

EWF’s version, co-produced by Maurice White, who sang the lead and master arranger/orchestrator Charles Stepney, became an instant Quiet Storm classic with its sexy mood and groove, and as one of the five studio recordings on the otherwise live-in-concert double LP, Gratitude (1975).

The vibe of this specific arrangement of “Can’t Hide Love” inspired many additional covers (including Dionne Warwick vocally and Najee instrumentally) and several samples (including Raheem DeVaughn’s “Guess Who Loves You More” and Lucky Daye’s “You Want My Love”). 

“Born to Lose” – Ray Charles

This song was written in 1943 by Ted Daffan, who recorded it with his group The Texans (Daffan using the alias “Frankie Brown”).

A mild hit, it then sat in quiet anonymity for decades. In 1962, “Genius of Soul” Ray Charles, who’d just left Atlantic Records for a much more lucrative and creative freedom deal at ABC Paramount – included it as part of an experimental album he titled Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music.

The heartbreaking “Born to Lose,” along with other uniquely soulful takes on Country classics, set off a fresh look at the genre through Ray’s signature dark shades, broke strictly perceived color/culture lines, and tripled Charles’ already international fan base.

“MacArthur Park” – Four Tops

With music and lyrics composed by the masterful Jim Webb, “MacArthur Park” was first recorded as an elaborate and ornately orchestrated feature for actor Richard Harris in spoken word mode. The novelty soared to the very top of the pop charts.

Of the many artists to quickly cover the song, Four Tops came away with the finest rendition. Produced by Motown’s L.A. guy Frank Wilson and dynamically arranged by Detroit wonder Wade Marcus, their version was originally a side 2 standout of a little heard album titled Four Tops Now (1969).

But following the tremendous success of the quartet’s 1970 masterpiece album Still Waters Run Deep (and less successful sequel Changing Times), “MacArthur Park” was pulled from the Now LP and released as a 2-part 45 but is best enjoyed in all the sumptuous 6-minute glory of the original album version.

Motown wound up re-releasing the Now album with the new title MacArthur Park, and the song became lead singer Levi Stubbs’ literal showstopping concert selection until the day he died in his birthplace of Detroit, Michigan on October 17, 2008. And in 1978, Disco queen Donna Summer had an enormous international hit with the song both as a single and as one of three songs in a 17-minute extravaganza on her Live & More double album.

“All Along The Watchtower” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Rock’s poet laureate Bob Dylan wrote and recorded a prototypical arrangement of this tune for his 1967 album, John Wesley Harding, complete with signature nasal vocals and pitchy harmonica breaks – perfectly fine for a folk-rock song. However, Jimi Hendrix – quite the poet himself – heard FIRE in Dylan’s words.

In 1968, Jimi suitably whipped up a roaring, electrified arrangement for power rock trio – complete with virtuosic drums and percussion by Mitch Mitchell and ascendingly intense guitar solos between every verse by the wizardly Hendrix that underscored the meaning behind each singularly.

Even Dylan himself concedes on the record that Hendrix’s mind-blowing revision is the definitive version of his song. Ever since its release on Hendrix’s third album, Electric Ladyland, Dylan has performed the song in an arrangement mirroring Hendrix’s…to the point that it has been labeled as like “a cover of a cover.”

“Now That We Found Love” – Third World

Canton, Ohio legends The O’Jays first recorded this unifying anthem in 1973 on their second album for Philadelphia International Records, Ship Ahoy (1973). It was penned by label owners Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff.

Though never released as a single in America (the trio was riding high on the success of “For the Love of Money”), the song did get a single release in European territories such as Germany and Netherlands. Jamaican band Third World jumped on the song in 1978 and scored a Top 10 U.S. R&B hit as a 12” single for then-indie Island Records.

The success enabled them to parlay their good fortune into a contract with Columbia Records in the U.S. where their profile was significantly broadened.

“Compared to What (Live)” – Les McCann & Eddie Harris

This searing social commentary was penned by ubiquitous singer/songwriter Eugene “Gene” McDaniels of “100 Pounds of Clay” fame. 

Soul-Jazz pioneer Les McCann recorded a studio version on his LP, Les McCann Plays The Hits on Limelight Records in 1966, then hipped Roberta Flack to it, who recorded it on her debut album for Atlantic Records, First Take (1969). In between, Les took his trio Les McCann Ltd. (Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Donald Dean on drums) to Montreux, Switzerland as guests of Claude Nobs’ incomparable Montreux Jazz Festival, June 20, 1969.

Also performing that year was Les’ Atlantic Records labelmate tenor sax giant Eddie Harris, a popular draw who’d had already enjoyed million-selling jazz to pop crossover hits with “(Theme from) ‘Exodus’)” and “Listen Here.” A last-minute addition was trumpeter Benny Bailey who was also on the festival.

Smelling opportunity, Atlantic house producer Joel Dorn took a gamble and had their set recorded for possible release as a live album. As explosive as the collective’s largely unrehearsed set turned out, McCann initially believed their impromptu jamming was a sloppy bust. But when he sent the tapes back to NYC, Dorn informed all concerned otherwise.

They moved “Compared to What” – actually the finale of the set – to the opening song on the LP titled Swiss Movement, released an edit of the single (with all ‘god dammit’s bleeped), and it became a signature jazz to soul-pop anthem of the era, used in many a movie since.

“Guess Who I Saw Today” – Nancy Wilson

This timeless ballad with a lyrical twist was initially penned by composer Murray Grand and lyricist Elisse Boyd for the Broadway Musical revue “New Faces of 1952,” sung by June Carroll. It was later recorded by Eydie Gorme (57), Carmen McRae (57), and Carol Sloane (59).

Chillicothe, Ohio-native Nancy Wilson, who’d moved to New York to seek her fortune, recorded it on her sophomore LP, Something Wonderful, for Capitol Records in Hollywood, circa 1960. Nancy added perfect diction and the dramatic acumen of an actress to her interpretation, making it an international and jukebox classic. In concert, she added even more to the story in her introductions, much to the audience’s delight.

She also kept adding to the story of a wife who ever-so-accidentally stumbles upon her husband engaged in a clandestine affair at a “most attractive café and bar” to keep it interesting for herself…because “Fancy Miss Nancy” could NEVER leave without performing her most perfect genre defining vision of this classic.

In 2008, Chante Moore recorded it on her album Love the Woman, and just last year, 2x Grammy-winner Samara Joy recorded it on her 2022 sophomore album on Verve Records, Linger Awhile.

 Afro Unicorn®, a fully-licensed character brand founded by trailblazing African American businesswoman April Showers, begins 2023 with a breakthrough year for creativity and authentic representation. Shattering the glass ceiling, Ms. Showers is the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand in major retail.

In 2022, Afro Unicorn hit the shelves of 3,800 Walmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico with party supplies and apparel. For the holidays, Afro Unicorn launched a new gift-giving tradition with its Magic Afro Unicorn gift box, encouraging acts of kindness. The conscious brand also debuted an original EP featuring Grammy Award Winning Anthony Hamilton, Lara D, Brooklyn Marie, and executive produced by producer Askia Fountain, Afro Unicorn’s GM.

2023 promises to be a Jordan Year for Afro Unicorn with a major presence at seven of the world’s top retail stores, including Walmart, Target, HomeGoods, Kohls, JCPenney, Amazon, and NovaKids. Afro Unicorn will also launch at Walmart Canada this February.

The brand will skyrocket onto the scene with 25+ categories, from apparel and accessories to toys, puzzles, books, bedding, bandages, backpacks, collectibles, and more. With 45+ licensee partners worldwide, Afro Unicorn is the “blueprint” to empower and inspire entrepreneurs to enter the licensing space.

Ms. Showers says: “Afro Unicorn signifies two ideas: firstly, empowering and elevating emerging entrepreneurs. Secondly, it’s an homage to Africa and a promise to amplify representation.

We deliver a product that feels ‘true and right’ and normalizes Black beauty. By doing so, Afro Unicorn uplifts women and children of color with the confidence they need to embrace who they are – unique, divine, and magical.”

Building the brand from the ground up, Afro Unicorn started in the e-commerce industry in 2019. Back then, it was an organic, grassroots brand, and Ms. Showers was pressing shirts and selling them through her eCommerce store, adding logos to T-shirts and bags at her customers’ request.

Afro Unicorn burst onto the scene as a brand in August 2021 after a video of a little girl wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt went viral. Then, Ms. Showers received an email from Walmart with the subject title “Afro Unicorn x Walmart” collaboration, marking her start with Walmart as one of the first Black Women to enter the party supplies/celebration category with Afro Unicorn gaining prime shelf placement next to Marvel characters and Disney princesses.

Children will soon be able to live and play in a world of Afro Unicorn with plushies, collectibles, games, puzzles, books, playsets, ride-ons, outdoor play, and live animation in the works. A new line of original Afro Unicorn® books under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint will be released widely in Fall 2023 featuring three Afro Unicorn characters by name across all Afro Unicorn® products.

My name is Kevin Ross. Let me start by saying having a great idea is one thing. Implementation is another.

This year, I’ve been in business for 28 years with my site Radio Facts, a news site for the music and radio industry, and a quarterly magazine.

I’ve had many ideas and encountered many wins and obstacles during that time and things that I had to learn the hard way. One of those things is I wasted a lot of time on ideas I had and needed to implement, and I tried to do most of it by myself.

One of the reasons I tried to do a lot of the work myself was because it was very difficult to find qualified workers in the US regarding writers or designers or many other things that I tried to do to make my job easier. Of course, this was before Fiverr, which, when used properly, is a GREAT service.

If there is one thing that I will tell you that will give you greater success much faster than it would be not to make the same mistake I did in trying to do everything yourself.

Time is not only money. It’s wasted TIME when you don’t do it right the first time, or you have to repeat what you gave someone else to do, and they didn’t do it.

I will tell you right off the bat to have at least $1000 to $2000 for this process of the things I’m about to tell you below. You might be able to do it for less, but that’s a good rate.

When using Fiverr. for example, I would strongly suggest you look at ratings for the person you want to use as well as how many projects they have done.

The more projects and the higher the ratings, the better. I will get a small commission for some of these well-researched links that I am referring you to, but the information I am giving you here for free is worth a LOT more.

For this example, we will create a company called “Carla’s Cheesecakes.” Whatever your company or product is may be very different, but you’ll get the gist of how to have necessary things in place before you get your business off the ground

Getting Your Logo

A logo and your branding are EVERYTHING and are EXTREMELY important when telling a story of what you represent. You want your logo to be clean and precise and have a good resolution.

You want something that tells your customers that you are serious about your business, that you are ready to do GOOD, QUALITY business, and that you are not cutting corners to save money. You don’t have to spend a lot on a logo but if you are not a logo designer I would STRONGLY suggest getting someone on Fiverr to do it

Building a Website – Use Wix

WordPress is the most common site, but if you want the process to be easier, I strongly suggest Wix. It’s easy to implement, everything is in place for you, and you will save a lot of time using their platform. Most importantly, a Wix site will look professional and acceptable and save you a LOT of time.

Domain Name

Domain names are very hard to come by, but you want to pick something descriptive AND unique and something available on social networks for use. So if you make Cheesecakes, your business name should be “Carla’s Cheesecakes.”

By adding “Carla,” there is a very good chance that the name will be available for a domain sa well as on social media networks. Of course, you don’t want to use the “‘” in Carla’s.

You just want to make it “carlascheesecakes.com.” You will have to come up with a unique name for your business, and you may have to think about it for a minute but just realize this is a name you have wanted to use for many years. For this, I would suggest using Namecheap.

The domain name will be cheaper than most sites like GoDaddy, and you can also set up your email with them. Finally, you will be able to use your domain name with Wix so your visitors will not know that you have Wix for your website.

Email

I see a lot of new business owners make this mistake. Never and I mean NEVER, have an email address that says “[email protected]” or “[email protected].”

You will immediately relegate yourself to not being taken seriously and downgrade your business tremendously. If you purchase a domain name, you might as well set up the email for a couple of dollars more on Namecheap with your proper extension, “[email protected].”

Creating Content

You want to have great compelling content on your site. If you make cheesecakes, you want to make sure you have the most delectable image in the header of your social media accounts of one of your best-selling cheesecakes, and you want to create a quality landing page on your website with pictures of your products and how people can order.

If you want to do a blog about your products, this can be time-consuming but can help you rank higher on websites. Then, you can add a blog and post once a week or you can hire a writer. But if you want to make it as easy as possible, you can start with a landing page for your products.

Getting Images for Your Website

If your business does not have readymade images like cheesecakes and you don’t need celebrity images (unless you take them yourself), I suggest using Shutterstock.

They have many images that can be used to convey a message that pertains to most businesses, and you can get a membership for $50.00 or slightly more a month.

Images are essential for blogs because people like looking at images with stories. You don’t want to bombard your story with images, especially if you have affiliate ads on your site or ads for your product, which should be placed in your blog posts because it will not only be too much for the reader, but your page will load much slower. You will be penalized by google for slow pages regarding ranking.

SEO (To Rank Higher in Seach Engines)

Speaking of ranking, there are ways that you can check to see how the names and keywords on your website will rank higher; this is a more complicated process and not crucial at the beginning of your business because it will take a lot of time, but you can hire someone off of Fiverr to do Keyword Research for you to give you the best tagline and keywords to use for your particular brands to rank higher than other Cheesecake companies on Google.

Building Instagram

For a company selling cheesecakes or many other products, Instagram is crucial. You can’t post many links on Instagram, but You can post your website and pictures of your cheesecakes. People will like and share your images, which will help build your brand immensely.

Most people can take good-quality pictures with their cellphones, but I suggest hiring someone to help you build your Instagram followers quickly. One thing you may want to be very cautious about is buying Instagram followers.

It’s best to grow your followers organically. People can tell you bought your followers, and it will hurt your credibility with the actual Instagram users. You can tell because the followers will have a very low number of followers and will usually be in another country.

You may also get a bot on your account, which is almost impossible to get rid of, and you will keep getting these undesirable low-count followers.

Research

This is one thing I am doing now with a new business. The research will save you time and money when starting your new business. If you don’t have time, which you probably won’t have, write down 10 to 20 questions for someone on Fiver who has good ratings and at least 100 completed jobs to do for you.

You need to know about your competition, you need to know about keywords, you need to know about small business loans if you need one, and you need to know about grants for minority or small business owners that you may qualify for. Believe me, when I tell you, you will THINK that you can do these things on your own, but you can’t, not without wasting a LOT of time. Hire someone to do the research!

Bank Account

I suggest opening your first business bank account after creating your fictitious business name and getting your EIN at a credit union.

They lend a lot more money and can give you a better credit card to start with and a higher amount to spend on that credit card, depending on your credit. When starting a business, your credit will be used to build your business credit so make sure your score is as high as possible.

Credit Card

Two companies I like, especially for new business, are American Express and Capital One. Get credit cards for your business and use them for everything.

Make sure you avoid paying interest by paying the credit cards off before the end of the next month, if possible. You don’t want to get caught up in the interest cycle, as this will bite deeply into your profit margin when starting a business.

Credit cards seem like a benefit, and they can be, especially when they give you points back, but they can also be a burden when not used properly.

Hopefully, these tips will help you BEFORE you dive into starting your business. As stated, I wish I had known earlier and could have saved a lot of time and frustration in the process.

Again, trying to do everything will deeply stunt your growth. The more hands on deck, the better and more efficient the process, and these days that doesn’t have to be family and friends, but a company like Fiverr can be a great partner in gaining expedient and reliable success.

Three Things to Be Aware of Before Choosing the cheapest online colleges

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” ~ Warren Buffet

If you’re looking for the cheapest online college education for under ten thousand dollars per year, an affordable online college program may be too tempting to pass up. However, the bottom dollar isn’t the only factor to consider. Accreditation, reputability, and potential scams are also significant things to investigate as you search for the best deal. Here are Three things to be aware of before choosing online school programs. 

Cheapest Online Colleges: Lack of Accreditation

Reputable online school programs will validate their accreditation and display it prominently on their website. If you have to do a massive internet search to determine if a program is accredited, that’s probably a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.

It would be a terrible waste of time, money, and resources to end up with a degree that employers didn’t consider legitimate. You can verify a program’s accreditation through the Department of Education. Although the government agency does not offer accreditation services, it recognizes certain agencies that do. Here is a comprehensive list of colleges that are recognized as accredited programs.

*Note: There are many agencies that accredit illegitimate “diploma mills.” The Department of Education does not recognize these. Here is a list of unrecognized agencies to be aware of.

Cheapest Online Colleges: Poor Reputation

cheapest online colleges? To finally get your online degree and begin applying for the job you’ve been preparing for, it would prove to be disastrous if companies rejected the institution from which your degree came. Bad reputations are not difficult to find. Just ask around, and you will probably get an earful of opinions. Visiting independent review sites like Consumer Affairs or Glassdoor will give you a pretty good idea of how the potential online college ranks.

Keep in mind that not all cheaper online schools have a bad rap. Many of them are legitimate programs accepted by most businesses. However, spending some time researching will pay off in the end. Read here for more information about choosing a reputable and affordable online college.

Cheapest online colleges: Potential Scams

Online College Programs that boast about degrees that can be earned quickly and effortlessly are most likely scams. Legitimate online colleges require the typical number of credits to graduate. (60 credits for an associates degree and 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree)

Websites full of errors or misspelled words may also indicate a scam. If something doesn’t look right, don’t ignore your intuition. Dig a little deeper before automatically choosing the cheapest online colleges. Consumer expert, Clark Howard, suggests these questions to ask before making your final decision.

Getting an online college degree doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive to be legitimate. However, before choosing the least expensive route, there are vital things to be aware of. Be wise by ensuring a college’s accreditation, reviewing its reputation, and eliminating scams. With the plethora of online options today, you can find the right program that fits your budget.

Black Country Singers? These Black Artists Would also be Great Black Country Singers if they ever wanted to give it a shot.

While country music is often disregarded within popular culture, with some insisting that “country lacks diversity and individuality” and others labeling the genre a one-dimensional, “cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right… every country song ever,” this underdog of a genre has surprisingly come a long way from its podunk roots.

Looking at Lil Nas X’s debut song “Old Town Road” exemplifies how far country has come and how audiences have come to cherish its rebranding. One of the reasons behind the success of this 2019 Billboard Hot 100 hit is that it’s so different compared to regular country music. At the beginning of the song’s official movie, a cavalry of black men come to an immediate halt after racing after Lil Nas X, while well-known comedy veteran, Chris Rock, exclaims in a sarcastic fashion, “when you see a black man on a horse going that fast, you just gotta let’em fly.”

As mentioned previously, country has most often been labeled as homogenous and boring, so for Lil Nas X, a black man, to do a country song with a majoritively black cast, he immediately broke many of the racial typecasts of the genre. While having Chris Rock do the voice-over in his usual, wise-cracking tone further elevated the genre from its dull stereotype.

However, even with the success of “Old Town Road” the then 20-year-old singer faced prejudice from longtime country fans, with some saying that he mutilated the genre. Still, the positive singer seemed to take this vitriol in stride and proudly attended the CMA’s, where he rightfully won “Musical Hit of The Year.” With Lil Nas X’s successful injection of diversity and comedy into country music and the growing number of genre-defying, alternative artists out there today, we will be presenting to you the 10 black artists that could make it as country singers:

10. Willow

Willow undoubtedly deserves to be on this list for the potential to be one of the great black country singers. Her ability to seamlessly cross over from a number of dissimilar genres, like indie, pop-punk, and rock. And it is not only her potential to be a great country singer that places her on this list, but it is her advocacy work, which brings more diversity to predominately white music spaces, like rock and country.

9. FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs music interweaves art pop, electronic, avant-garde, choral, pole dancing, shibari (i.e. japanese bondage) and sword fighting. Yes, you’ve read that right, BONDAGE and SWORD FIGHTING. The number of genres she’s defied is still unclear, but what’s clear is that once she gets her eye set on country music, the genre will be irrevocably and beautifully changed forever and she would be one of the great black country singers.

8. Juice WRLD

The late artist Juice WRLD was called the emo-rap sensation, with his song “Lucid Dreams” being his signature sound. He’s also been tied to the pop-punk genre with his song “Come and Go,” so having succeeded in so many disparate genres in his youth, it’s hard to imagine him not excelling at making his own country verses. Johnny Cash’s song “Hurt” would’ve probably been the best song for him to bring his brand of emo-rap to.

7. Janelle Monáe

First and foremost, Janelle Monáe is a powerhouse and indescribable when it comes to a genre but she would be one of the great black country singers if she set her sights on it. Her music fuses soul, funk, hip-hop, and new wave, but when you hear her voice, all you hear is Janelle. With country being genre notable for its low range, she would be keeping most country artists on their toes with her spectacular, high notes.

6. Santigold

As one of the relatively unknown musicians on this list, Santigold is an underrated gem who has the potential to be one of the great black country singers on the list. With her self-titled, debut album, “Santogold,” arriving in the early-200s, she was one of the first genre-benders before there was even a term for the innovative work that she was doing.

Her discography includes new wave, reggae, electronic, hip-hop, so pretty much everything that country isn’t right now, but what it could be, especially if she were to infuse the genre with her dynamic flair.

5. Frank Ocean

I know many will be shocked to see Frank Ocean on this list since when you think of him, you think urban. You think cool, soul, and R&B. However, many of the things Frank Ocean is known for are the same things that make country music which would place him on our list of potential great black country singers.

Queen Esther, a historian and TedX speaker, says that country has deep roots in blues music, so, in a way, Frank Ocean’s music signifies what country music could’ve benefit remained a prevalent part of black culture.

4. Leon Bridges

Like Frank Ocean, Leon Bridges’ sound dances alongside country as well. However, Leon Bridges comes before Frank Ocean on this list, since his soulful tunes sound more aligned with country. The New York Times has even called his third album, “Gold-Diggers Sound,” Southern soul for its natural sound and affirmation of his faith. Southern soul could be closely aligned with black country singers which is why Leon makes our list.

3. Dev Hynes (Blood Orange)

These last three on this list should already be in the country hall of fame (and probably will be) with their ingenious takes on the genre. Dev Hines (Blood Orange), while mainly being known for his influence on alternative, indie music, has dabbled in country music and made it his own.

During his early days as his sad alter-ego, Lightspeed Champion, he managed to make country music both psychedelic and emo, with such songs like “Heart In a Cage” and “Galaxy of The Lost.”

While these songs may not sound overtly country and may not include him on our list of potential black country singers, his chosen folky, acoustic style, and frequent use of duets are reminiscent of the genre. And his lyrics, themselves, speak of a number of country themes, including the frailty of human relationships (particularly unrequited love) and loneliness.

2. Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes)

The former postal worker turned musician is a shoe in for a potential black country singer. Like Lightspeed Champion, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) has already experimented with the twangy genre, with her original fusion of country’s musical cousins: Americana, folk, and garage rock. And with the four grammies she’s already won with her band and seven she’s been nominated for as a solo artist, it looks like she may be coming for a CMA Award next.

1. Beyonce

We of course can’t have this list without Beyonce a singer who can cross many genres which could place her on the list of potential black country singers easily. With the singer’s own Texan roots, her strong southern accent, her rustic song, “Daddy Lessons, ” and her singing that aforementioned song at one of the most notable country award shows (the CMA Awards) with a renowned country band, The Chicks (formerly known as “The Dixie Chicks”), it seems that the queen of pop is the queen of country too.