KIMBERLY HAS THOUGHTS 💜

Look, the lady could very well have a horrible personality. That doesn't mean she was not victimized.

Read The New York Times Article

A few corrections from last time: "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas?" was released in 1977, not 1973. I also need to acknowledge a significant omission: The O'Jays' "Christmas Ain't Christmas" from 1973. Shout out to the Philadelphia Sound, Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble.

Without further ado, let’s get to 🎄songs.

Sounds of Blackness's "Soul Holidays" (1992). Fronted by the iconic Ann Nesby, Sounds of Blackness signed to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's record label (made possible by their success with the most influential popstar of all time, Janet Jackson), rode the reemergence of cultural nationalism in the early 90s and delivered two PERFECT albums. Put your Kente cloth on for this one.

A few months back, I mentioned the importance of preserving Black cultural memory and how I wanted to enroll my 12-year-old nieces in Negro School to make sure they know and appreciate the basics. I simply don’t think you can love Black people (which means you can’t love your Black self) if you don’t respect and value our cultural heritage.

Thanks for reading Kimberly Nicole Foster's Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.

I saw a few people say they wanted to sign up. Well, here y’all go! I’m not exactly a Christmas music girl, but I have a few favorites.

Note: This is part one because I got tired of talking halfway through.

Let me take you through a musical journey of Black Christmas classics that exemplify the Black American tradition:

Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas" (1967) is a masterpiece of artistic excellence and social consciousness. Released during the Vietnam War, its opening lines critiquing militarism ("Boys play with toys, starting wars") spoke to the moment while remaining painfully relevant. Wonder's extraordinary vocal performance reminds us why he remains, in my estimation, one of the greatest artists the West has ever produced—a complete musician whose talent extends far beyond his legendary instrumental abilities.

Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" (1970) radiates warmth through every note. The genius of Hathaway's composition, arrangement, and performance created one of the two seminal Black American Christmas songs (alongside The Temptations' "Silent Night").

A Warning: Don’t you dare mention Backflip Brown in the same sentence as Donny Hathaway around here.

The Emotions' "What Do The Lonely Do at Christmas?" (1973) subverted the typical Christmas narrative of universal joy, speaking instead of loss and isolation. This song has particular resonance for me, as the holiday season marks the anniversary of my father's passing in 2008. For years, I couldn't access the Christmas spirit, weighted by grief and family complications. It wasn't until my nieces came along, bringing new life and joy to our family celebrations, that I found my way back to the season's magic.

The Temptations' "Silent Night" (1970) skillfully fuses the sacred and the secular. Opening with the now-iconic "In my mind, I want you to be free" – a line absent from the traditional hymn—the group immediately transforms this European religious standard into a distinctly Black American spiritual expression.

The Jackson 5's "Give Love on Christmas Day" (1970) showcases young Michael Jackson's extraordinary talent – a 12-year-old delivering a vocal performance that still astonishes. The sophisticated arrangement, tempo changes, and rich orchestration exemplify Motown's artistic ambition and excellence.

Speaking of, I hope Diana Ross has a Merry Christmas.

As y’all can see, I’m particularly fond of the ‘60s and ‘70s, a fecund time for Black pop culture. These songs represent more than just holiday music—they're artistic artifacts that connect generations, preserving our stories and struggles while celebrating our joy and resilience.

As I watch my nieces navigate their world of modern decadence and social media-age concerns, I'm reminded that our responsibility is to help them understand both the weight of their inheritance and the lightness of their possibilities. 💜

P.S. I’m back outside again! Invite me to your things, and tell me what fun stuff to do, literally, anywhere. We on planes, too!

00:00 Personal Updates

03:30 Harnessing My Jealousies

07:25 Things I've Read Lately

08:40 New Thoughts on Weed

14:45 Church Mess/Men Cannot Be the Bad B*****s!

Paywall Subscribers Can Take 13% Off All Merch Until December 31 with Code THANKYOU1224

👩🏾‍💻 Watch Next: Y'all Need to Get Off Them Phones (Re: Jackie & The Super 5 Drama)

In this episode of "The Learning Kurve," Kim dives into the music theory behind Chappell Roan's song "Good Luck Babe," comparing the concert and VMAs versions. She discusses why she prefers the live performance in C major over the recorded version in D major, highlighting how key choice affects the song's emotional storytelling. Kim also touches on the vocal strain in higher keys and why artists like Beyoncé and Chappell Roan choose different keys for live performances. If you're into music theory, vocal techniques, and insightful commentary, this episode is for you!

In this episode of The Learning Kurve, I discuss why I’m not upset about Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter being snubbed by the Country Music Awards, despite the album making history and breaking boundaries. I explore how the album transcends genres and why fans’ sense of entitlement doesn’t match Beyoncé’s own attitude, highlighting the balance between righteous indignation and entitlement. Plus, I pay tribute to the late Frankie Beverly and share my thoughts on Shaboozey, The War and Treaty and reveal a guilty pleasure.

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes of The Learning Kurve where I share what I’ve been learning recently. If you like this content, you can also find my exclusive newsletter at KimberlyNicoleFoster.co.

In this episode of The Learning Kurve, I reflect on the lessons I learned from the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. The film left me thinking about the cost of trailblazing, the pressures women in entertainment face, and how ambition can both drive us and consume us.

Joan Rivers broke barriers in a male-dominated comedy world, but her journey was plagued by insecurities, (what I'd call) desperation, and isolation. Her relentless ambition reminded me of Wendy Williams' career and led me to examine my own fears about the future—especially when it comes to balancing career success with personal happiness and financial freedom.

In this episode, I also dive into how Joan’s experiences mirror those of other women whose careers are intertwined with their romantic partnerships, and why I’ve chosen to avoid that in my own life. Additionally, I explore how social media and the democratization of content creation have given us more freedom today, but also new challenges.

Key Topics Covered:

Joan Rivers' groundbreaking comedy career and the struggles of being a trailblazer.

The parallels between Joan Rivers and Wendy Williams' careers and personal lives.

The emotional and financial pressures of being a woman in entertainment.

Why I believe in keeping career and romantic partnerships separate.

Reflections on financial independence and planning for the future.

The advantages of social media for creators today, compared to Joan Rivers' era.

Lessons learned from Joan’s insecurities, desperation, and constant hustle.

Takeaways:

Ambition can come with significant personal costs—it's important to stay grounded and find balance.

Financial independence is crucial for long-term peace of mind.

Today’s creators have more opportunities to build direct relationships with audiences, but the challenges of sustaining a career still remain.

Always say yes to the things that align with your values, and no to the things that compromise your peace and well-being.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (Documentary, 2010)

Wendy Williams and her tumultuous personal and professional life.

The evolving world of content creation in the age of social media.

Join the Conversation:

What are your thoughts on Joan Rivers’ career? Did it inspire or caution you in any way?

How do you maintain balance between ambition and personal happiness?

Connect with me on social media and share your takeaways from this episode.

Follow Me:

Instagram: @TasteofKimberly

Twitter: @KimberlyNFoster

YouTube: Kimberly Nicole Foster

Support the Podcast:

Substack: https://kimberlynicolefoster.co/

Hi friends!

I’ve been so deep in my political catastrophe bag at For Harriet that I’ve barely paid attention to my pop culture life. I dipped my toe back into the sea of pop music by listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, Short n’ Sweet.

In this video, I give my first impressions and reactions to Lil Bit’s 6th album. I'll break down the song's vibe, lyrics, and production while sharing my thoughts on how it fits into her evolving musical style. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Sabrina's music, join me as I dive into the pop princess's latest offering.

Overall, the album was solid. It’s carried by some GREAT songs like Good Graces (aka my jammy jam).

What I’m Wearing:

Glasses

What I’m Using:

Notebook

Get 20% Off Your Order with Code: KNFPOPGIRLS

What I’m Reading:

Trick Mirror

What I’m Watching

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

What’s In My Home:

Wine Glasses

How I’m Accessorizing:

Earrings

What did you think about Sabrina’s album, and what album should I discuss next?

Thanks for reading Kimberly Nicole Foster's Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Mentioned:

Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

If you have any resources on how to navigate partnership and money, please share them in the comments!

Mentioned:

I Will Teach You To Be Rich Podcast