

5 Reasons 'Coming 2 America' Is A Lit Experience For The Culture
This article is in partnership with Amazon Prime.
Eddie Murphy's sequel to his 1988 hit Coming to America, had anticipation and nostalgia on its side, drawing old fans along with a new generation of their children and grandchildren who were just conceived or babies when the original hit big screens. From grandmas to Generation Z, we all tuned in, landing the film a top spot in Amazon streaming during its opening weekend.
It's no surprise that with the Wakanda craze, the beautiful depictions of Black Hollywood magic, and the resurgence of the unforgettable comic bits that had many of us cracking up back in the day, we'd all be excited to see an updated version of what happened in the kingdom of Zamunda. We also watched to see how the star-studded cast--which included both veterans and newbies—would fit into it all.
Image via Giphy
The thing about sequels is, you either love them or hate them, and many of us seek the same euphoria, if not a boost in it, when we watch a continuation of a cult classic. Coming 2 America gave us the same laughs and more, with the bonus of infusing today's social issues that affect us all, adding actors from the African continent, and catering to today's youth in both attire and soundtrack. It provided a much-needed escape into dad-jokes, cultural satire, wacky cameos, and Black pride that we all need right now.
Still not a believer? Here are 5 good reasons the film is a lit, must-see experience for the culture:
Image courtesy of Amazon Studios
1. A good number of Black Hollywood legends with young power players—in one film? Count me in.
Just the inclusion of actors like Morgan Freeman, Arsenio Hall, Wesley Snipes, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Tracy Morgan, Gladys Knight, and Vanessa Bell Calloway is enough to pay homage to the fact that we need to not only give our cinematic kings and queens their flowers while alive, but we should salute the fact that they're still honoring us with their talents. These actors have not only paved the way for actors of color in Hollywood to continue working and getting that coin, but many have been riders for opening opportunities for the new generation of entertainers behind the scenes.
Image Courtesy of Amazon Studios
2. Black women dominate and female empowerment is more than present.
Not only did the film include a push for female equality, but the women on the cast and behind the scenes slayed their roles, both in beauty and in alluring range of character. The original Princess of Zamunda, Lisa McDowell (played by Shari Headley) was just as graceful and Black-don't-crack beautiful—with the Queens-bred edge—as she was more than 30 years ago. Leslie Jones brought humor and authenticity to her role as Mary Junsen and was a breakout star who helped carry many of the scenes in which she was featured.
Teyana Taylor brought her usual bold sexiness and a swag-savvy remix to Vanessa Bell Calloway's 1988 jilted-bride role. Nomzamo Mbatha, an award-winning South African actress, gave her all in a renewed love story with the new prince, LaVelle Junsen (played by Jermaine Fowler), and represented for Black womenpreneurs. And last but not least, the three young actresses who played the new princesses of Zumanda—KiKi Layne, Bella Murphy, and Akileh Love—portrayed agile, smart, and compassionate young women who will have you lovingly reminiscing about the power-packed fem sensations in Black Panther. Also, the whole fashion aesthetic of the film was led by Oscar-winning costumer Ruth E. Carter, the first black person to get the honor in the "Best Costume Design" category.
Image courtesy of Amazon Studios
3. African excellence from the continent was actually easy to spot this go 'round.
From superstar Nigerian entertainer Davido, to cameos from Nigerian-American actor Rotimi and late-night host and South African comedian Trevor Noah, this sequel gives us Afrobeat, glamorous geles, and fashion designs that add at least a touch more authenticity. South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo's knitwear label, Maxhosa, was featured prominently as part of the characters' wardrobes, as well as jerseys by Ghanian-American designer Paakow Essandoh.
Image courtesy of Amazon Studios
4. The OG favorite characters from the original don't disappoint.
Almost all of our favorite original characters, played by Murphy and Hall in disguise, are back, older, and a tad funnier because of that. The barber elders are relatable whether you grew up in the '80s or not, and everybody knows that OG uncle who offers unsolicited, sometimes inappropriate but oftentimes funny, real-talk quips. We all also know the old-school pastor who might have some semi-shady but hilarious approaches to preaching, or the non-singing crooner who always wants to take over the mic at a wedding, karaoke session, concert or other family event. There's even a new character whose grotesque demeanor and look actually gives Arsenio Hall a run for his money in his primary role as Semmi.
Image courtesy of Amazon Studios
5. It's a much-needed escape from the current state of the world.
The flashbacks will have you reminiscing—or at least yearning—for a time when quarter-waters were actually 25 cents, the Internet and cell phones didn't dominate much of our lives, cities had a lot more grit and soul, and oh, there was no Coronavirus pandemic. True, there were major world issues in the '80s, but some aspects of life were a lot less scary and isolating. Every inclusion or reference to Jheri curls, rattails, stonewash jeans, flat-tops, stacked cuts, and high-cut bikinis, and that old-school love-at-first-sight plot is much appreciated at a time when masks, Hazmat suits, vaccinations, and social distancing have dominated our everyday lives.
Coming 2 America is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Featured image courtesy of Amazon Studios
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.