black bubblegum

in thinking about why mariah carey, one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, doesn't receive the recognition someone of her stature deserves, i honed in on the flurry of misconceptions that have been present throughout the 30-plus years of her career, including her racial identity and the myriad implications and complications that arose, payola and industry plant allegations, songwriting, and diva allegations.

mariah interview recommendations:

rolling stone music now 2022

questlove supreme

genius level

normally i don't condone spinning the block but i'll make an exception for myself. in celebration of one year of black bubblegum, i wanted to circle back to a few of the women i discussed last year. in this episode, i discuss:

• rihanna's continued streaming relevance
• the whole she has left in the pop music space
• fefe dobson's new music
• ice spice's whirlwind of a year, from taylor swift to dunkin
• the continuation of the ice spive v. latto feud
• megan thee stallion's "cobra"
• and a few asides!

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in this episode, i look back at janet jackson's 2004 halftime show and offer some thoughts on the performance itself, the infamous reveal, the aftermath, and the cultural reassessment of the last few years.

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some quick high-level musings about taylor swift and the allegations she's never beating about her lack of style. then i conclude the episode with some reflections spurred by recording this on the night of new year's eve.

catch me on the jesse's girls podcast chatting/giggling about mariah carey! (apple) (spotify)

my first episode centered around a man (but really, it's about women). in this episode, i cover:

• chris brown's trajectory and his road to being a golden boy
• the inflection point that changed it all
• his attempted redemption arc
• an abridged rundown of his legal troubles
• highlights/lowlights of his interpersonal skirmishes
• the contours of his support - from different parts of the industry as well as his fans

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in this episode, we are talking about black women's sexuality as it's represented in the media. specifically, i talk about the responses and the psychosis that has been directed at janelle monáe, chloe bailey, megan thee stallion, and sexyy red. i get into capitalism, colorism, the male gaze, and in general, try to untangle the many cultural forces that inform sexual expression and our reactions to it.

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spotify playlist

show notes

a cute look at a moment in time! this episode was inspired by the 2003 new york times article the solo beyoncé...she's no ashanti. i discuss:

• the musical landscape of the early aughts
• the impact of aaliyah's death
• ashanti's whirlwind
• trajectoryashanti's underrated traits
• beyonce's shaky transition
• the key argument of the new york times review
• why comparing beyoncé and ashanti is silly

show notes

spotify playlist

instagram: @blackbubblegumpod

this episode is all about the life and times of blu cantrell, including:

• her journey to acquiring a record deal
• how her career unfolded as a major label artist between 2001 and 2004
• the jay-z and beyonce connection
• her transition to being an independent artist
• her relationships (confirmed and rumored)
• her stint on celebrity circus in 2008
• her musical outut in the 2010s
• the myth of meritocracy in entertainment

show notes

ice spice playlist

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this episode is for the baddies and their baddie friends! i felt cosmically called to dedicate space to ice spice, including:

• her upbringing
• her career trajectory
• how the cultural context created an environment for her to thrive
• industry plant allegations
• the drake of it all
• what makes ice spice stand out
• colorism
• and more!