Celebrating Black Excellence: Must-See Films, TV Shows, Albums and Books of the Last Decade

It is officially Black History Month – a time to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry, resilience, and achievements of individuals throughout Black history. And yes, while that should happen every day; because February is officially designated as Black History Month, I feel it’s only right that I acknowledge it with a specific post.

Unquestionably, there is a plethora of resources and literature on various black history topics, which means there is no way to make a definitive list. However, I wanted to share a few films, television shows, music, and books that have shaped the last decade of black history and culture.  

Here is a curated list of must-see films, television shows, albums, and books to explore this Black History Month.

Films:

• Black Panther – Marvel’s groundbreaking superhero film not only shattered box office records but also brought Afrofuturism to the forefront.

• 12 Years a Slave – Based on Solomon Northup’s memoir, the Academy Award-winning film for Best Picture, offers a raw portrayal of slavery in America, while showcasing the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

• Moonlight – Another Best Picture winner, Moonlight is a poignant coming-of-age story that explores identity, toxic masculinity, and love within the Black gay community.

• Selma – Chronicling the historic 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights, this film is a stirring reminder of the tireless fight for civil rights led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Television Shows:

• When They See Us – This gripping miniseries by Ava DuVernay tells the harrowing true story of the Central Park Five, nee The Exonerated Five, highlighting the many racial injustices and flaws within the criminal justice system.

• Dear White People – A witty and insightful satire, this Netflix series delved into the experiences of Black students at a predominantly white Ivy League university, tackling issues of race, identity, and activism.

• The 1619 Project – Adapted from a New York Times journalism project, the six-episode anthology series is a blistering and unflinching examination of slavery in the United States through various themes and cultural expressions. 

• Black-ish – Created by Kenya Barris, Black-ish offered a humorous yet insightful exploration of contemporary Black family life, addressing social issues with wit and warmth. A must-watch for its blend of comedy and cultural commentary.

Albums:

• To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar – A masterful blend of jazz, funk, and hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar’s magnum opus explores themes of racial inequality, identity, and self-discovery with poetic lyricism and musical innovation. Also, he was totally robbed at the Grammys for Album of the Year (just saying…). 

• Lemonade by Beyoncé – Through a stirring mix of genres, including R&B, pop, and country, Beyonce’s visual album is a powerful ode to Black womanhood, showcasing various themes, including love, betrayal, resilience, and empowerment.

• Ctrl by SZA – Before the career-defining success of SOS, there was Ctrl, SZA’s debut studio album. A raw and vulnerable exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, the album features soulful vocals and introspective lyrics.

• Black Panther: The Album by Various Artists – Curated by Kendrick Lamar, the soundtrack to the billion-dollar Marvel film is a musical celebration of Black excellence and African culture, featuring a diverse lineup of artists and genres.

Books:

• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates – Coates’ powerful and intimate letter to his son explores the realities of being Black in America, tackling issues of racism, identity, and systemic oppression.

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – This groundbreaking YA novel follows the aftermath of a police shooting through the eyes of black teenager Starr Carter. It offers a raw and unflinching look at race relations and activism.

• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Gyasi’s sweeping debut novel follows the descendants of two half-sisters, one sold into slavery and the other married off to a British slave-owner. Spanning continents and centuries, Homegoing offers a profound exploration of the intergenerational trauma of slavery and the enduring legacy of family ties.

• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead – This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel reimagines the Underground Railroad as a literal train network, following the journey of a young enslaved woman named Cora. Whitehead’s gripping storytelling shines a light on the harrowing realities of slavery while infusing elements of magical realism.

Whether on screen, in music, or through literature, there is a wealth of wisdom and creativity to explore this Black History Month. Let us take the time to honor and uplift these diverse voices, stories, and contributions and remember to celebrate Black excellence not just in February, but every day of the year.

10 Biggest Grammy Awards Upsets of the 2000s

While working on my article about the biggest snubs of this year’s Grammy Awards nominations, it got me thinking about the multiple moments of the last two decades in the show’s history that have made me go “WTF”. And trust me, there were quite a few. But for the sake of brevity, I’m limiting this list to only ten.

Like many award shows, there are times The Grammys get it so right – Adele winning Best New Artist (BNA), Outkast winning Album of the Year (AOTY) for Speakerboxx/The Love Below (the last time a rap album won AOTY though certainly not the last time the genre deserved to win…more on that in a second) and other times when they get it so wrong that it just leaves you baffled.

As is always the case, let me be clear that these were moments that stood out for me. Naturally, I’m sure there are those who don’t think some of these moments were upsets or who felt other moments were bigger upsets. Fair enough.

And let me also add that I wasn’t necessarily angry or even disappointed by all of these moments. Some of these were just moments that based on various factors – biggest hit that year, critical acclaim, etc. – the winner was surprising and so yes, would be considered an upset. So without further ado, here are my top 10 Grammy Awards upsets of the last two decades.

1989 Beats To Pimp a Butterfly for Album of the Year – No, just no. And before any of the Swifties come with the argument of, “Taylor had five Billboard Top 10 hits from the album”, I will remind all that one Katy Perry had five Number 1 Billboard hits off her Teenage Dream album. The only artist to do so since Michael Jackson’s Thriller. And by my last count, Katy Perry not only did not win AOTY for Teenage Dream, she still doesn’t have a single Grammy Award. So let’s get that weak argument out of the way. And then the next go-to is of course, “1989 sold a lot…” Yes, yes it did. But if we were basing quality and awards only on what sold a lot, there would be some very questionable winners over the years. Popularity does not always equal good. That said, I want to be very clear that I believed then and still do that 1989 was a good pop album and it deserved to be nominated for Album of the Year. What it didn’t deserve, in my opinion, was to win. 1989 was a good, solid album – To Pimp a Butterfly was a masterpiece. Lyrically, thematically and musically, it was stellar and career-defining from beginning to end. There will never be any argument that will convince me this was the right call.

Maroon 5 Bests Kanye West for Best New Artist – This is one of the moments on this list that I wasn’t necessarily outraged about but would still categorize as an upset. To be clear, I was a fan of both Maroon 5 and Kanye West during their debut years. Songs About Jane still gets heavy rotation on my playlist. And in the interest of fairness, the album had significant commercial success, spawning multiple Billboard Top 20 hits. However, the critical and commercial response to The College Dropout was something significantly greater. That album positioned Kanye West as one of the most prolific and powerful voices in music.

Herbie Hancock Wins Album of the Year – This win would have been surprising if only because Jazz often gets slept on in the major categories. But what made it particularly shocking is that Hancock defeated both Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and Kanye West’s Graduation. To say this one came out of left-field for many would be an understatement.

Steely Dan Upsets Eminem and Radiohead for Album of the Year – Much like Herbie Hancock’s win, this would have been a surprising win for many regardless. But what made it particularly shocking is that it came at the expense of some of the most critically acclaimed albums and artists of the year. Unlike some, despite being a fan of Eminem’s, I never thought he would win. There was too much controversy around him and the album at the time. Not to mention he was still a relatively new artist and award shows sometimes like for artists to “pay their dues.” But with Beck, Radiohead, and hell Paul Simon in the mix, Steely Dan is not the name I expected to be called that night.

Esperanza Spaulding Wins Best New Artist – I feel like no one was more surprised when Esperanza Spaulding’s name was called that night, than Esperanza herself. As previously noted, Jazz isn’t often shown much love in the major categories (unless you are a phenomenon called Norah Jones) and that fact in itself made Esperanza seemingly a longshot. But then you considered who she was up against that year, and it seemed all but impossible that she’d have any chance of winning – i.e. Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence and The Machine and Mumford & Sons (they would win Album of the Year just two years later). But win she did.

Eminem’s Recovery Loses Album of the Year – So remember that thing I said about artists paying their due? Well, Eminem’s comeback year with Recovery was supposed to be that. After a few years of personal and emotional upheavals owing to his addiction, Eminem got things back on track, channeling all he’d been through into his best album since The Eminem Show. Recovery was a commercial and critical smash. The media and industry were no longer screaming about boycotting his music and how evil and dangerous he was to impressionable youths. In short, Eminem had earned the respect of many and solidified his legacy. All that was missing was a win for Album of the Year – and, it didn’t happen.

John Mayer’s Daughters Wins Song of the Year – There is nothing inherently wrong with John’s Mayer’s Daughters. Albeit it’s a bit maudlin and sleepy. However, it’s not an all-around awful song. It just wasn’t in my opinion, the song of the year. Especially not when it was competing against Kanye West’s Jesus Walks and even Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You.

Kendrick Lamar is 0-7 at 2014 Grammy Awards – Yes, you read that correctly. For the 2014 Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar had seven nominations for his breakout debut album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. He lost in every category. And the losses might not have been so disappointing, were it not for who he lost to, particularly in the Rap categories. Yes, I am, of course, referring to the saga of Macklemore & Lewis sweeping the Rap categories. Here’s the thing – much like Maroon 5 versus Kanye West, I’m not going to argue that Macklemore & Lewis had a stellar year and The Heist was a good album. Kendrick’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City however, was better, which was a sentiment seemingly shared across the industry. And yet come Grammy night the votes went Macklemore & Lewis’ way.

Lose Yourself Loses Record & Song of the Year – Considered by many to be the best song of Eminem’s career, Lose Yourself was commercially and critically, an unquestionable smash. The song spent a whopping 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and was certified diamond in sales (that’s 10 million records sold, for those who don’t know). Oh, and there was also that whole Academy Award for Best Original Song. And yet, come Grammy Awards 2004, it lost ROTY and SOTY to Clocks by Coldplay and Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross, respectively. And it’s no shade to either of these songs that are both perfectly fine. And of course, Dance with My Father had, at the time, the additional emotional punch of Luther Vandross’ having passed away prior to the song’s release. But the plain truth is neither of these songs was in any way as exceptional and well-crafted as Lose Yourself, and time and distance have only furthered this belief. Lose Yourself has aged like fine wine and still holds up almost twenty years later. Case in point, even former President Barack Obama is talking about how Lose Yourself was one of the songs that inspired him during his 2008 presidential run.

O Brother Where Art Thou Wins Album of the Year – A certain person is going to agree with this one. At the 2002 Grammy Awards, a quirky, bluegrass-inspired soundtrack, perfect for the Coen Brothers film of the same name, O Brother, Where Art Thou? won the award for Album of the Year. There was one major problem with this – many assumed and deservedly so, that U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind was the forgone winner. All That You Can’t Leave Behind was unquestionably U2’s best album since 1991’s Achtung Baby. Just the previous year, on the strength of the lead single, Beautiful Day, the band won both Song and Record of the Year. So it just seemed inevitable that the album was going to win Album of the Year. Alas, it was not to be.

10 Essential Albums to Get Through Isolation

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything” (Plato) – isn’t that the truth. And as we all continue to make sense of our current reality and try to put our best foot forward, the healing power of music has never been more essential.

So if you’re looking for another playlist to add to your growing musical library, here is a suggested list of some essential albums to help get you through any mood you’re currently in. As an aside, most of these suggestions could fit multiple categories.

1. For Having a Dance Party – 24K Magic by Bruno Mars. Thirty-three minutes of just pure unadulterated fun. An eclectic mix of Pop, Soul, R&B, and Funk, Mars channeled all his musical idols to deliver a sound that was both retro yet modern, classic yet experimental. Arguably one of the best male artists out today, Bruno Mars has a way of giving you what you didn’t even know you wanted or needed. Good luck staying seated during the singles 24K Magic, Finesse, That’s What I Like… I could go on.

 

2. For Staying Calm and Easing Anxiety – Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. Seriously, I dare you to suggest a more calming musical voice than Norah Jones’. Subtle, yet powerful; listening to Norah Jones is like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold morning. There’s just a calm and a softness that envelopes you when listening to her music. And Come Away With Me is truly her magnum opus. Falling and being in love never sounded so good.

 

3. For Nostalgia – Legend by Bob Marley. The title of this greatest hits compilation is pretty apt. Because there really is no other word to describe what Bob Marley meant to reggae and music in general and the legacy he left behind. And whether you were alive or not during his years of success (I wasn’t), this album is a perfect representation of his musical legacy.

 

4. For Singing Along (Loudly) – 21 by Adele. Admit it, you probably already have, numerous times. I mean come on, who wasn’t singing along to every song on 21, back in 2011-2012. And yes, for anyone who’d ever had their heart broken, was going through a breakup, you probably dramatically sang along with tears streaming down your face as you reminisced about the one that got away or the asshole you hoped to never see again. So go on and let it rip once more, and belt out Someone Like You to your heart’s content.

 

5. For Introspection – To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Against a backdrop of various musical styles that celebrates the black tradition, i.e. Funk, Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Spoken Word, Kendrick Lamar delivered a musical masterpiece that explores the themes of race, culture, discrimination, mental health, and self-identity. Jam along to I, pump your fists to Alright or contemplate your own socially conscious journey with The Blacker the Berry. From beginning to end, every song on To Pimp a Butterfly will make you feel something, make you question your own beliefs and values and those of the world around you. Not one song on this album is filler. It’s all part of a masterfully constructed dialogue between an artist and his audience.

 

6. For An Underrated Artist – Body Talk by Robyn. Chances are you’ve probably already heard and been singing along for years, to Dancing on My Own by Robyn. It was the unofficial theme song for Girls and in 2015, Calum Scott became a worldwide sensation for his beautiful cover, which he first performed on Britain’s Got Talent. But trust me when I say, Dancing on My Own is just a tease of how incredible Robyn’s music is. Body Talk is chock-full of her signature Pop/Dance infused ballads. A mix of electro-pop, reggae-funk, you never stop moving all the while you go through a roller coaster of emotions.

 

7. For Feeling Like a BOSS – Lemonade by Beyonce. Let’s face it, is there any other choice? From “middle fingers up” to “fucking up all his shit” to pushing and keeping on no matter what because “a winner don’t quit on themselves”, Queen Bey will have you booty popping while feeling like you have the strength and power to conquer the whole damn world.

 

8. For a Classic – Purple Rain by Prince. All hail his majesty. Still one of the greatest albums of all time. Just a solid collection of pop perfection from beginning to end. What could the man not do? Singer, songwriter, musician – Prince did it all and did it all brilliantly. And Purple Rain is without question the seminal album of his illustrious career. So go on and get crazy and have a Prince Party.

 

9. For a Comeback – Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple. For her first album in eight years, Apple delivers a collection of songs that continues down the whimsical and off the beaten path that’s been the cornerstone of her career. Listening to this album will leave you feeling confused (there are some very interesting sounds on there), amused, enchanted, and spellbound. Because no matter how weird it gets and it gets plenty weird, you can’t turn away from it.

 

10. For a Great Soundtrack – 8 Mile Soundtrack by Various Artists. I swear this is not because of Eminem’s surprise performance of Lose Yourself at this year’s Oscar ceremony – at least it’s not the sole reason. Because admittedly, that appearance reminded many, in case they’d forgotten, just how brilliant said song is. But here’s a little secret, the entire 8 Mile Soundtrack is brilliant. While Lose Yourself is understandably the standout, Eminem’s masterful wordplay and delivery in Rabbit Run and 8 Mile showcases him at his absolute best. Jay-Z’s appearance on 8 Miles and Runnin is Hov doing what Hov does best. Even the non-rap songs were amazing. So if you’re looking for a great movie soundtrack to jam to and not feeling Disney at the moment, get reacquainted with this classic.

And there you have it. Just a few musical suggestions for your next private listening party. What are some of your musical picks that you’ve been jamming to?