Kultured Child

"Because what's a year without reflection? Or a million best-of lists?"

Raindrops on Roses: Angélika Beener’s Favorites of 2023

"In celebration of the Spring Equinox and the astrological new year, here are 5 spring-inspired songs that I LOVE. "

5 Songs to Celebrate Springtime

"Duke Ellington had a request for a young, budding Quincy Jones: "I want you to be one of the people to de-categorize American music." It's something that Jones took to heart and to say that he delivered on his promise would be an understatement."

Quincy Jones at 90: Five Albums You Must Know (and more!)

"Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music. — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

10 Songs You Should Listen to On MLK’s Birthday

"I would never have fathomed that the questions raised through the lyrics that my sister taught me from “Alfie” could portend so much about sisterhood and our journey through it. Our triumphs and our failures as sisters. Our fervent attempts to reorient ourselves within the bylaws of sisterhood throughout our earthly time together. The vulnerability it takes to be in true sisterhood with another."

An Ode to Marcia

"Twenty years later, recounting her life and departure to my son, the way the lives and departures of Otis Redding and Tammi Terrell were recounted to me, reminds me that none of us get to escape the experience of bearing witness to the premature fade-to-black of our best and brightest."

More Than a Woman: Reflecting On Aaliyah 20 Years Later

"Houston’s world-shattering performance wafted in the air throughout these pivotal moments in American history. They echoed and they hovered and they haunted. They held up that mirror which Anderson held, Gaye held, and now Whitney was holding up to America. And America continues to refuse to look itself in the eyes."

Whitney Houston’s National Anthem at 30

"Yes, the musical bromance is my entire jam. And to be honest, I feel like it’s what the world needs more of."

10 Great Male Duets of the 80s

"While "The Season To Be Jolly" feels like anything but in 2020, there is still music."

12 Classic Christmas Albums: Kultured Child Picks for 2020

"An artist historically committed to challenging the norms of society’s immoralities, through his music, Labi Siffre has consistently leaned into himself, his experiences and the identities that he affirms for himself with a striking degree of honesty, vulnerability and bravery."

In Appreciation of Labi Siffre

"What is it about a short album?"

Thirty Under 30: Half Hour Classics

"When they steal the credit for our music, when they position imposters as inventors, when they take all measures possible to dethrone us, it is a dishonor to our ancestors."

Long Live the King: May They Finally Call Little Richard By His Name

"The truth is, I really didn’t want to tell him there was no holiday."

How the Absence of a Malcolm X Holiday Challenged (Then Inspired) Me

"Black culture is embedded in his everyday living, and that’s completely intentional."

Passing It On