Gay rap, at this point, almost sounds like an oxymoron. The term 'gay' itself is derogatory whether one is using it as slang for 'appalling' or whether using its true definition. There's so much homophobia in the hip-hop community that it's surprising that it hasn't alienated the homosexual audience completely. Being nearly the same age as contemporary rap music (a child of the 80s), I honestly can't think of ...

How ironic. I'm sitting at a Starbucks in midtown Atlanta and one of the employees and his older friend (an older gentleman) are discussing the effects of "crack-cocaine" on families in america. Nothing wrong with that, but these two guys are rather loud, obnoxious and they're definitely invading everyone's personal space by being so outspoken. This conversation is less than intelligent, full of profanity and ...

I was introduced to the work of Photographer Cindy Sherman as a teenager, in an art class. Enthralled by her stark imagery and imagination, she quickly became a personal favorite as I researched her career. The collection she's best known for is entitled "Untitled Film Stills" and was comprised of black-and-white photographs that appear to depict still frames from fictional movies. While the photographs never appear ...

I grew up doing alot of things that most don't necessarily consider 'black'. I read alot, I played alot of out-door sports, and was very much into electronic music, raves, and comic books. I didn't listen to much hip-hop because in the 80's hip-hop was either comical (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince) or activist (Public Enemy). Being around 8 at the time I ...

When I was younger, I was an avid comic book reader. Tales of self-sacrificing heroics, super-powers, mutants with incredible powers and gods come to earth to protect us from ourselves, enthralled my pre-adolescent mind. With no father in my house growing up, super-heroes were the role models that raised me. By chance one day I picked up a comic book a cousin had, a much more mature ...

I woke up this morning at 7AM. I usually get up around this time to go to the gym, jogging, or kick-boxing but today I was feeling a bit lazy. I had a little bit of nostalgia that came from a discussion some friends and I had lastnight about favorite childhood TV Shows. One of these shows for me was the 80's venerable classic, Punky Brewster! From ...

Aaron McGruder would like you to believe that he's an interesting fellow. He'd then like you to ask him about his background so he can lash out at you for having a superficial interest. He'll tell you that you don't care about his work or the statements that he's trying to make. After all, you're only interested because now he's famous. He's your ...