PLAYLISTS
Journey to Freedom, Week 4: Happiness
Last week’s word in Michelle Williams’ Journey to Freedom journal contest was “happiness.” For our playlist, I’ve selected five songs that always put me in
Nippy is 60: Whitney Houston’s Greatest Live Performances
Whitney Elizabeth Houston lived a life that was akin to a Greek tragedy. The world watched her reach dizzying heights and stunning
Playlist: Music Box (Mariah’s Version)
As I detailed in the Long Island Press, it is clear that Mariah Carey’s “Music Box” album didn’t give a full picture
Journey to Freedom, Week 3: Love
For this week’s Journey to Freedom challenge, Michelle Williams challenges us to “celebrate a mindful moment of self-love.” Self-love, Michelle says, is
IN 1997
Reliving the Splendor: Mariah’s nostalgic storytelling on Butterfly
Arguably the most captivating tracks on Mariah Carey’s Butterfly are the trifecta of “The Roof,” “Fourth of July,” and “My All.” On each of these songs, Mariah showcases her lyrical prowess not solely through rhyme or clever lines, but rather through her superb and imagery laden storytelling. All three have one thing in common: she is yearning for a love she experienced in the past and is feeling nostalgic as she longs to experience it once more. On the album, these three songs are
Wicked: For Good – Ranking Every Song in the Soundtrack
Spoilers ahead. The album itself contains heavy spoilers if you haven’t seen the movie. The wait is over. The Wicked Witch of
Review: “West End Girl” by Lily Allen
Welcome back, Lily Allen. I mean no shade when I say this, but is it 2025 or 2007? Listening to a Lily
Through It All, Mariah Carey is Still “Here For It All”
First Listen: “Here For It All” I was stunned. Before me was an 80-foot-wide, 50-foot-tall glass window overlooking Central Park, a stage
97-Hour Review: On “eternal sunshine,” Ariana Grande proves herself
Upon the release of the lead single “yes, and?,” I wrote that Ariana Grande was selling herself short by successfully emulating her
Someone’s Favorite Daughter: A Different Type of Mariah Carey Album Ranking
It’s tiiiime again, it seems, to reevaluate my Mariah Carey album ranking. Following the release of her 16th set, many publications have done listicles ranking thee D-I-V-A’s incomparable discography. I’ll be doing it
Mariah Carey and the Catalyst of “Caution”
There comes a time in every iconic music superstar’s career when they must accept they have transitioned from icon to legend. Some do so obnoxiously, others are a little more graceful about it.
Big Purr: The Debut of Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton: The Debut It All Started With a Purr. Not quite the kind of vocal purr that Eartha Kitt famously once possessed. This purr was vastly different: vaguely androgynous, with a fry
FOR THE NOSTALGIA
Maxwell’s blackSUMMERS’night (2016) – Retrospective
In 2009, Maxwell made a triumphant and long-awaited return to music with BLACKsummers’night, his first album in 8 years. The melancholic lead single “Pretty
“Miss You Most,” Mariah Carey’s Searing Seasonal Offering
Every year, on the first of November, while children are coming down from their sugar highs and parents are recouping from hours of tricking
Aretha Franklin’s ‘Sweet Passion’ Yielded Mixed Results
Very little has been written about Aretha Franklin’s 1977 album Sweet Passion. Of the three most significant written accounts of Aretha’s life, none of
In 2005 The Black Eyed Peas ruled with ‘Monkey Business’
In the business of hit-making, there's no monkeying around! With their fourth album 'Monkey Business,' The Black Eyed Peas proved they had staying power.
On ‘8 Days of Christmas,’ Destiny’s Child Made Girl Power Festive
In 2001, Destiny’s Child were on top of the world. In May, they released their third album Survivor which had record-breaking first week sales, two
Ranked: Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again”
“Oops!… I did it again, I played with your heart, got lost in the game…” –Britney Spears The title track and stratospheric lead single
“Crybaby,” Mariah Carey’s spiraling serenade
In November 1999, Mariah Carey released her seventh studio album, Rainbow. By this point, Carey wasn’t just a superstar – she was the poster
Mariah Carey, Master of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”
For over three decades, Mariah Carey has cranked out record-breaking number-one hits that set towering standards and were masterclasses in vocal expertise. Besides gifting
Miss Thang: Monica’s hit-filled debut
JULY 18, 1995 When Monica released her debut album in 1995, she was the last of the Teen R&B star trinity to release music.
Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” is Still Just as Sweet
The year was 1995. Mariah Carey was only five years into her career, soaring off the success of her blockbuster selling album, Music Box
Janet Jackson: The Naked Truth
Janet Jackson’s career had been the golden standard up until one very famous performance, with another very famous singer, during the most famous sporting
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