16 Dec

Posted at 22:03h in Music, Throwback
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Most of the TBT entries on this website are old songs I have a long-standing relationship with, but every now and then, I post an old song that is totally new to me. Today is one of those days.

I was deep in my new wave bag this week when I stumbled upon “Secret” by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and I fell in love instantly. It had all the things I tend to look for in a good song, and I proceeded to listen to it at least 10 times in a row.

Released in ‘85 as the second single from the group’s sixth LP, Crush, “Secret” is sung from the perspective of an admirer who is keeping his feelings for his crush a secret. It’s not entirely clear why, which leaves the secretiveness open to interpretation. The song is nearly four minutes of synth-y goodness with layered, airy, somewhat solemn vocals.

“You make me sad as you make me glad” is one of the lines in the second verse, and in a way, it perfectly describes how this song will make you feel. Click play and thank me later.

16 Dec

Posted at 17:03h in Podcast
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No Hipsters Pod just reached a milestone — 50 episodes! Can you believe it?!

Belles & Whistles founder Alexis Garner stopped by to discuss the journey so far as well as some trending news. And for the first time, we were joined by an audience!

09 Dec

Posted at 21:36h in Music, Throwback
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TLC is, first and foremost, an R&B group. However, on FanMail, they dipped into their rock bag to give us a gem called “Unpretty.”

Released as the album’s second single, “Unpretty” is a song about self-love in the face of a society that doesn’t miss an opportunity to tell you how imperfect you are. The song was first written as a poem by T-Boz while she was watching an episode of Ricki Lake where women on the show were being derided for their looks. The poem was handed to Dallas Austin, who put the lyrics to a melody and made the executive decision to produce a song that was alternative rock yet R&B-ish.

“Unpretty” would become TLC’s fourth and final No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

09 Dec

Posted at 18:40h in Television
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Jussie Smollett has been found guilty of five out of six felony counts of disorderly conduct for making a false report to the police. A disorderly conduct charge for a false police report is punishable by up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

In January 2019, Smollett reported a hate crime where supposed attackers assaulted him while calling him racist and homophobic slurs. The supposed attackers turned out to be Abel Osundairo and Ola Osundairo, two brothers who had worked with #Smollett on #Empire. They would later tell authorities that the actor paid them $3,500 to stage the incident.

08 Dec

Posted at 00:52h in Television
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Jussie Smollett took the stand for the second day in his trial and accused the Osundairo Brothers — who he allegedly paid to attack him as part of a hoax — of trying to extort him of $2 million. He says Abel and Ola Osundairo told him they’d recant their previous statements — and basically accept hate crime charges — if he paid them $1 million each.

Seems legit.

06 Dec

Posted at 18:33h in Television
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While taking the stand earlier today in his false police report trail, Jussie Smollett claimed that he had a sexual relationship with Abimbola “Abel” Osundairo, one of the two brothers he allegedly paid to “attack” him. According to TMZ, Smollett said he met Osundairo at a gay club and later made out and masturbated with him at a Chicago bathhouse, where they also did coke and weed together.

When asked why he didn’t call the police after the “attack,” Smollett reportedly said, “Because I am a Black man in America and I do not trust police.”

05 Dec

Posted at 15:09h in Television
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When it rains, it pours.

A former “junior colleague” came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Chris Cuomo just days before CNN fired him for helping his brother, Andrew Cuomo, respond to allegations of his own. The accuser is represented by attorney Debra Katz.

In a statement made through a spokesperson, Chris has denied these allegations, which come just months after former ABC executive producer Shelley Ross wrote a New York Times op-ed where she accused the former CNN prime time host of groping her 16 years ago.

05 Dec

Posted at 00:37h in Music
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For some odd reason, Doja Cat is refusing to release a music video for “Get into It (Yuh)” despite its immense popularity, but in the meantime, we have a visual for “Woman,” another popular track from Planet Her.

Between the ancient Egyptian theme and reddish filter, its impossible to watch the “Woman” video without seeing similarities to Nicki Minaj’s “Ganja Burn” clip. Also, some of the special effects are reminiscent of MJ’s “Remember the Time.”

The “Woman” video — which features a speaking cameo from Teyana Taylor — almost wants to have a storyline and then changes its mind, but either way, the visuals are stunning. Check it out below.

02 Dec

Posted at 23:00h in Music
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The prime suspect in the Jacqueline Avant murder has been identified as 29-year-old Aariel Maynor, who was reportedly arrested within an hour of the shooting. According to TMZ, he tried to break into another home after the Avant break-in, and somehow shot himself in the foot along the way.

Maynor was released from prison on parole in September after being sentenced to four years in November 2018 for second-degree robbery. He had also been convicted on a separate second-degree robbery charge — along with a charge for inflicting great bodily harm — in November 2013.