Desiree Bowie is a freelance writer and editor from Los Angeles, California. She is a lifelong music devotee who relies on a daily mix of alt-rock, hip-hop, K-pop, and punk to keep her motivated and inspired while at home, work, and in traffic jams. She has written for Ebony, Salon, The Disney Channel, MasterClass, and Netflix.
A lively crowd gathered outside the GRAMMY Museum on the evening of June 5, as the Los Angeles Double Dutch Club kicked off the second annual Hip-Hop Block Party with a high-energy performance that blended athleticism, rhythm and joy. As the jump ropes smacked the pavement and synchronized footwork mesmerized onlookers, the museum's entrance became an impromptu stage, setting the…
With seven GRAMMY nominations at the 2024 GRAMMYs, Victoria Monét has officially entered her pop star era in epic fashion. But the singer/songwriter is far from an overnight sensation — she's been laying the groundwork for her breakthrough success for over a decade. With the 2023 release of her debut album, Jaguar II, Monét materialized years of writing blockbuster hits…
Since its emergence at DJ Kool Herc's back-to-school bash in '73, hip-hop has grown from a niche music genre into a cultural phenomenon that influences many industries. It has become the driving force behind fashion, art, film and advertising, reshaping the world's entertainment landscape. From "The Combat Jack Show" to "The Joe Budden Podcast," the genre's popularity has given birth…
Despite their many groundbreaking contributions to the culture, women have long been pushed to the periphery of hip-hop. In a new Netflix docuseries, they're getting their long overdue flowers. Debuting on Aug. 9, "Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop" delves into the remarkable contributions and personal histories of the Black women who shaped hip-hop culture. The four-episode series…
After four seasons of betrayal, power plays, and intense sibling rivalries, the prestige HBO drama "Succession" will finally make good on its premise when the Waystar board (potentially) crowns the next CEO of the company. Throughout the show's run, music has played a pivotal role in the story of the Roy family's fight to take over their patriarch's media empire…
Even after nearly 30 years in the entertainment business, Brian Tyler is still seeing his childhood dreams come true. He's scored reboots of Rambo, Rescue Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers and Power Rangers, and worked with heroes like Steven Spielberg and Danny Elfman. This year, the award-winning composer added the 2023 reimagining of Super Mario Brothers to his extensive…
Thanks to the prevalence of streaming platforms and social media, it's become easier than ever for a song to be catapulted to the top of the charts. And combining hot pop tracks with must-see TV is a recipe for a viral moment — and a boost in sales for music makers. For some artists, licensing music to a popular show…
On Aug. 11, 1973, Clive Campbell, an 18-year-old performer known by the stage name DJ Kool Herc, and his sister Cindy co-organized a school fundraiser that became widely credited as the birthplace of hip-hop. From that Bronx apartment building community room emerged a wide-reaching movement that not only changed the lives of the artists who helped the genre evolve, but…
Thirteen-time GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams understands how to wield his influence for the betterment of humanity. When he's not in the studio making award-winning music, the prolific multihyphenate spends his time supporting causes like education, sustainable fashion, conservation, and human rights, and leverages his platform to make change happen — creating a blueprint for merging passions with social causes. The…
Twenty-six years after Billy Porter's debut album Untitled hit stores, the multihyphenate artist is releasing a second album of original music — but this time, he's doing it entirely his way. It's a point of pride for Porter, whose 1997 debut forced him to submerge his Broadway career success — and sexuality — to appeal to mainstream R&B audiences. For…
There’s never been a better time to be a music-loving college student. Beginning in the mid to late aughts, an increasing number of academic institutions have begun offering courses dedicated to major music acts. In the late aughts, rap maverick Jay-Z made headlines after becoming the subject of a Georgetown University course taught by Michael Eric Dyson, a sociologist and…
Prolific East Bay punk band AFI was on the cusp of a major shift in their trajectory in 2001. Fresh off the success of their beloved fifth album, The Art of Drowning, the band was caught between the indie world and the mainstream. They could leave the comfort of their long-time indie label Nitro Records for a major label, but…
On a sunny Saturday morning in the heart of Beverly Hills, music creators, advocates, members of Congress, leaders of the Recording Academy and others gathered in the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria for the 4th annual GRAMMY Fund Brunch, a fundraiser for the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators, the Recording Academy's Political Action Committee. Held by the Academy’s Advocacy &…
Black filmmakers have long understood the power of infusing music into their narratives. Whether it’s the tapping of the hi-hat at the beginning of "Theme From Shaft" or the warbly opening synth before Prince’s spoken-word intro on "Let’s Go Crazy," these signature sounds evoke a cinematic image that deepens the sonic and visual elements of a film. As with most…
More than a century after she first discovered the blues while touring, “mother of the blues” Ma Rainey’s impact and influence is still being reckoned with, as the 2020 Viola Davis film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom attests. Rainey’s authenticity, booming voice, mesmerizing stage persona, and transgressive lyrics opened the door for the female artists who followed in her footsteps, from…
During times of significant cultural and political change, people often turn to music to process complicated feelings, briefly escape discomfort, or feel less alone. Sometimes, the music directly addresses social issues. Other times, it simply captures the spirit of the moment. Such was the case with the Supremes’ 1964 breakout single, “Where Did Our Love Go.” Released in 1964, two…
GloRilla knows a thing or two about the power of social media. The Memphis native’s rise to rap stardom began in May 2022, when her breakout song with HitKidd "F.N.F. (Let’s Go)" went viral on TikTok. For some artists, a viral hit single is the ultimate goal — but for Glo, it was only the beginning. Within the next few…
Get your queue ready. From folk and outlaw country music, to classic rhythm and blues and hip-hop, there is a robust slate of music documentaries dropping in 2023 that will satisfy any music lover. For alt-rock fans, the Failure documentary explores the evolution and impact of the influential rock band known for their experimental sound. If hard-hitting country is more…
If you're a fan of prestige TV and blockbuster cinema, you've likely heard the works of music composer Ramin Djawadi. The two-time Emmy Award-winner and three-time GRAMMY nominee has crafted scores for "Westworld," "Iron Man," "Eternals," "Uncharted," and dozens of other celebrated shows and films, with more to come. But those who have journeyed to Westeros know Djawadi for his…
Paramore fans are used to waiting a while between records, but the five-year break following After Laughter is the longest hiatus the band has taken since its inception. Luckily, the wait for new music from their faves was coming to an end. When the group’s website and social media profile photos were updated in early September, fans went hunting for…
