2026 has been a hard year for a lot of us, including my family. After my daughter’s accident, my priorities shifted overnight. The plans I’d made suddenly seemed less important than being there for my family. Some days, optimism felt out of reach. That’s when “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness took on a deeper meaning for me. The song reminds me that better days are possible, even when I can’t see them yet. I know I’m not the only one with a song like that. Maybe yours is an old-school R&B...

I've never understood why we feel the need to turn art into a competition. The MTV Video Music Awards recently returned to Los Angeles, and the Soul Train Awards are back after a hiatus. I'm sure plenty of music fans are excited, but I'm not particularly interested. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy seeing great performances, discovering new artists, and watching musicians receive recognition for their work. But I've always questioned the idea of declaring one song, album, or artist better than...

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to meet several Houston artists who are doing some amazing things. It’s encouraging to see so much creativity thriving across our city, especially from independent artists who continue to make music and create their own opportunities. But great music needs listeners. If you discover a Houston artist you like, support them. Go to their shows. Stream their music. Follow them on social media. Share a song with a friend. Those small actions can make a...