Negro swan by Blood Orange (2018)
Micah Oliphant | Correspondent
“Negro Swan,” is the fourth studio album by the band Blood Orange, led by Devonté “Dev” Hynes. It is an Alternative R&B, Neo-Soul and Experimental Jazz album that takes you through the struggles and common experiences of a Black person within majority white spaces. In songs like “Minetta Creek” and “Charcoal Baby,” Hynes accurately depicts being Black in America. He even references times in his adolescence when he was attacked because of his skin tone, in other songs like “Dagenham Dream” and ‘Orlando.” “Negro Swan” is easily one of the most compelling bodies of work by Hynes to date and is worth the listen.
Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (2021)
Isaac Davis | Correspondent
“Son of the Storm” is a captivating African fantasy novel set in the bustling city of Bassa. The story follows Danso, a young scholar, on his journey of self-discovery. After discovering dangerous secrets about his city, Danso must choose between uncovering family secrets and his cushy life in Bassa. With the help of Lilong, a mysterious warrior from the Nameless Islands, Danso and his guardian, Zac, must navigate the treacherous political landscape of Bassa while coming to terms with their new lives. This engaging tale is full of adventure, mystery and magic, making it a must-read for fantasy lovers.
The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive by Marvelyn Brown & Courtney E. Smith (2008)
Jaz Bryant | Editor-in-Chief
“The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive,” is about the journey of a young teenage girl diagnosed with HIV in the early 2000s. The memoir starts with a tale as old as time: an older man preying on a young woman. After deciding to take their relationship to the next level, Brown, a former track and basketball athlete, finds herself lying sick in a hospital bed. This narrative displays the different ways Brown’s loved ones responded to
her illness, highlighting the misinformation and stigma around
HIV in the Black community. This compelling book is definitely worth the read.
Bad Girls by Donna Summer (1979)
Rebecca Hernández | Correspondent
“Bad Girls” is Donna Summer’s seventh studio album. It is a disco album with aspects of pop and takes you out for a night on the town. Summer was a disco icon throughout the 70s, closing out the even more iconic decade with this album. Unlike her previous albums, the Queen of Disco decided to move away from the glimmer of that disco dance floor and into other genres such as soul, pop and rock. Bad Girls tells a story through the perspective of a streetwalker portrayed by Summer. This came after her very public return to Christianity, further displaying the multifaceted and iconic Donna Summer.
Originally Published 2/23/2023
