Opinion

Musicians George Clinton, Beyonce and Donny Hathaway

It’s Juneteenth! Here are some songs to add to your Black liberation, freedom (every) summer playlist 

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For Democrats, Black fathers matter

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Bipartisan gun safety framework is a good start, but doesn’t go far enough

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Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker, stop lying about Black dads. Put some respect on our names

OPINION: Herschel Walker, a Trump man, for years has been one of the loudest spreaders of the lie the Black…
/ June 16, 2022

‘Dear Culture’: 15 of the Blackest Songs (in celebration of Juneteenth) with The 80z Babies’ Yinka Diz and Outlaw

It’s still June in African America and that means a time-honored tradition is also upon us: Juneteenth, aka Freedom Day.
/ June 16, 2022

Folks weren’t ready: 10 albums that were ahead of their time 

theGrio highlights 10 albums that have been reappraised as high quality and influential, despite not being positively received when released.
/ June 15, 2022
Pop star Lizzo

Lizzo offers a lesson for us all

The legend of Lizzo has grown even greater. She’s a beloved, body-positive, life-affirming pop star who makes us feel better…
/ June 14, 2022

6 of the best storytelling rap songs ever

One of my favorite things about hip-hop and rap music, in particular, is its origins within the griot storytelling framework. 
/ June 14, 2022
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Ca.), Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Vice Chairwoman Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.)

The dark tie between Juneteenth, Watergate and Jan. 6

It’s been said that democracy dies in the dark. This line of thinking is, at least, as much about darkness…
/ June 14, 2022
Prince performing on stage during the Purple Rain Tour

Top 5: Prince’s purple reign begins with these 5 albums

Stevie Wonder may have had the best five-album run in modern music history, but dammit, if Prince didn’t give him…
/ June 14, 2022
Poster for "Soundtrack vs Movie"

This or that! Which is better, the soundtrack or the movie: ‘Soul Food’

Last week, we broke down which was better: "Love Jones" or the soundtrack. This week, we have a new one…
/ June 13, 2022
Country singer Russell Dickerson

Ban on Confederate flags at CMA Fest is a good first step, but the country music industry must do more

Last week, the Country Music Association announced its ban on the Confederate flag at the CMA Fest for the first…
/ June 13, 2022
75th Annual Tony Awards - Press Room

5 biggest moments at the Tony Awards

theGrio highlights five of the biggest moments from the 75th Tony Awards on Sunday, airing live on CBS in New…
/ June 13, 2022

Thanks for having me: A reflection on my seat at the table

Whether it be a writers’ strike or a global pandemic, a national cultural reset always seems to upend the powerless.
/ June 12, 2022

I miss Lauryn Hill

I miss Lauryn Hill. I know she’s still around, occasionally showing up super late for her own shows, but once…
/ June 11, 2022