June is Black Music Month, also known as African American Music Appreciation Month. It began in 1979, when President Jimmy Carter recognized June as a time to celebrate the impact of Black music on American culture. The celebration was driven by music industry leaders, including Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams, who understood that Black music deserved applause, recognition, protection, and economic power. Black music is one of America’s greatest cultural exports. It gave us...
3 days ago • 3 min read
Rob Base Gave Us Pure Joy In 1988, I left Houston for Howard University and experienced a culture shock I wasn’t prepared for. Back home, my soundtrack was soul, R&B, gospel, and the laid-back drawl of Southern rap. Howard introduced me to East Coast rap, house music, and dancehall. I immediately fell in love with those new sounds because they felt fresh, urgent, and alive. Rob Base’s music sat at the intersection of everything I was discovering. Read Article Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Mocha Man Music is entering a new phase. When I first started building this company, the idea was broad: create a space to support music, artists, and culture in Houston. That mission is still there, but the focus is sharper now. Mocha Man Music is now centered on three core areas: artist development, publishing, and sync. We want to help artists grow creatively and professionally, protect the value of their songs, and create opportunities for their music to live in film, television,...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Kandy G. Lopez Stitches Everyday People Into Majestic Portraits When I first saw a photo of Kandy G. Lopez’s work online, I thought I was looking at a painting. Then I looked closer and realized it was not painted at all. It was made with yarn, thread, and fiber, built strand by strand with an extraordinary level of patience. I was amazed by the skill and precision, and I knew I had to see her work in person. Read Article Clarence Heyward’s “Eden” Reimagines Paradise Through Black Experience...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Ten Years Without Prince Prince was one of the greatest musicians who ever lived. His music could move your body, break your heart, and stretch your mind, sometimes in the same song. You can hear it across his catalog, but you can see it most clearly in moments like his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” when he reminded the entire world that there are gifted musicians, and then there was Prince. Read Article That Time When Prince Fired Questlove If you...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
The Hyundai Boulder Concept I’ll admit, I’ve never driven a Hyundai vehicle. I don’t have anything against the brand. In fact, I think they’ve made huge improvements over the years. I just haven’t had an opportunity to get behind the wheel. But the Boulder Concept vehicle has me excited to drive my first Hyundai. Read Article The 2027 Subaru Getaway Is the Family EV That Doesn’t Settle As a dad with a family of seven and two dogs, I want a vehicle with power and personality. I also need room...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Cimafunk Brings the Funk to Discovery Green When I visited Cuba in 2016, I fell in love with the people, the food, the art, and especially the music. That trip deepened my appreciation for Buena Vista Social Club, Chucho Valdés, and Celia Cruz. So when Cimafunk took the stage at Jazzy Sundays in the Parks at Discovery Green, I came expecting a connection to Cuba. What I got was a performance that reframed the way I think about Cuban music and its place in the larger Black musical world. Read...
2 months ago • 1 min read
How to Choose the Right Cowboy Hat I received my first one in elementary school. It looked exactly like Woody’s from “Toy Story.” I wore it around the house while riding a broom pretending to be the Lone Ranger. That hat started a lifelong collection. Read Article How to Buy Cowboy Boots You don’t have to live in Texas to wear cowboy boots. This fashionable footwear is good for city dwellers and country boys alike. If you’d like to Cowboy Up and buy a pair for yourself, consider the following...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Art Lover Champagne Mingle Join us for an exciting gathering of art lovers at The Gite Gallery. Whether you're an artist, collector, or simply appreciate the beauty of art, this event is perfect for you. Connect with like-minded individuals, network, build community, and discover new African artists. There will be complimentary champagne and light bites. Music by DJ Alkemy. RSVP Mocha Man Music Moment De La Soul’s Tiny Desk performance blends humor, legacy, and reflection. Celebrating their...
3 months ago • 1 min read
