

After a year of presidential debates, impeachment hearings, fighting for women's rights, and trying to make the world a more inclusive space for Black women, sis is tired. I am sis. Sis is me. And who better than to ease the woes of the world than our flute-playing, p*ssy poppin' BFF in our head Lizzo?
It's cool if you're not in the mood to blame in on your "Juice", because earlier this year, Ari Lennox pulled up with the Black AF R&B soundtrack to life we didn't know we needed when she released Shea Butter Baby. Black artists were king when it came to the charts last year and we have a recap of the best albums to catch up on before bringing in the new year.
Whether you're prepared to give your knees a workout with Megan Thee Stallion's Fever or you want to get existential with Wale's Wow... That's Crazy, xoNecole's Best of 2019 Playlist can match your vibe.
Scroll below for 10 of our favorite albums of 2019:
Beyoncé: 'Homecoming: The Live Album'
Genius
Last year, Beyonce paid homage to HBCU culture in the dopest way possible at her highly-anticipated Coachella performance and in April, she snatched all the edges we had left with the release of her surprise concert film and soundtrack. Although the film was tragically snubbed by The Emmys this year, the greatness that is the Homecoming: The Live Album will forever be a national treasure in our eyes.
Ari Lennox: 'Shea Butter Baby'
Genius
Ari Lennox quit her job at a storage facility to sign to Dreamville and thanks to that leap of faith, we were blessed with one of the Blackest albums of 2019. Complete with extra Shea Butter and a hot pot of garbanzo beans, Ari's debut project turned out to be a major win for the culture and will set the mood for whatever flavor of Black girl magic you feel like serving up today.
Lizzo: 'Cuz I Love You'
Genius
Everything Lizzo touches turns to gold. At least that's what you'd think after listening to her chart-topping, history-breaking studio albumCuz I Love You. Although "Truth Hurts" was originally released in 2017, this track, along with a number of other bops featured on her album, were what helped make the 31-year-old singer the No.1 artist in the country over the past year.
Megan Thee Stallion: 'Fever'
Genius
Breakout artist Megan Thee Stallion emerged from the underground with her debut album this year and had our knees begging for mercy. With features from industry legends like Juicy and up-and-comers like DaBaby, this project promises to have you in Hot Girl Hustle mode all damn year.
Summer Walker: 'Over It'
Genius
Summer Walker's highly anticipated Over It was produced by her romantic partner, London On Da Track, and broke the streaming record set by Queen Bey herself after the release of Lemonade in 2016. Artists like 6lack, Usher, Bryson Tiller, and Jhene Aiko make appearances on this project.
Solange: 'When I Get Home'
Genius
A little than two years after creating a PSA for the non-touching of Black hair, Solange returned with yet another love letter to the melanated mavens of the world. Featuring popular tracks like "Almeda" and "Binz", When I Get Home picks up right where A Seat At The Table left off––in the mind of an apologetic AF Black woman.
Snoh Aalegra: '- ugh, those feels again'
If Sade and Amy Winehouse had a love child, she would probably sound a lot like Snoh Aalegra, the breakout Swedish songwriter who is sure to make waves in the new year. "I Want You Around", "Find Someone Like You", and "Nothing To Me" are a few of my favorite tracks on the project.
Wale: 'Wow… That’s Crazy'
With features from Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Bryson Tiller, Ari Lennox, Boogie, 6lack, Lil Durk, Wow… That's Crazy peaked at No. 7 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 and told an intimate story of love, mental health, and rediscovering self-love in a way that's unique to rappers in the digital age.
Doja Cat: 'Hot Pink'
Genius
If you didn't know who Doja Cat was in 2019, you'll definitely see her in 2020. The 24-year-old LA-born songwriter went viral after releasing her viral single "Mooo!" and recently dropped her second studio album, Hot Pink, with features from Gucci Mane, Smino, and Tyga.
Chance The Rapper: 'The Big Day'
Genius
Chance The Rapper has had one helluva year and commemorated his many milestones with the release of The Big Day. Guest-starring artists like Nicki Minaj, DaBaby, En Vogue, and Ari Lennox, the project dives into Chance's life as a husband and father.
Featured image by Tenor
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- The 50 Best Albums of 2019 | Pitchfork ›
- 25 Best Albums of 2019 | Revolver ›
- Best Albums of 2019 - The New York Times ›
- Pitchfork's Best Albums of 2019 - Album of The Year ›
- 50 Best Albums Of 2019 | Esquire Editors' Favourites From Stormzy ... ›
- Best Albums of 2019: Top Music Albums of the Year | Complex ›
- The 10 Best Albums of 2019 | Time ›
- The 50 best albums of 2019: the full list | Music | The Guardian ›
- Best Albums Of 2019 - Stereogum ›
- Top 50 Albums of 2019 | Consequence of Sound ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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It’s officially Miss Keri, Baby season again—and if you ask us, it’s been a long time coming. After 15 years away from the music scene, Keri Hilson has returned not only with a brand-new album, but also a captivating new role in Lifetime’s Fame—the latest installment in The Temptations film franchise.
Between the album We Need to Talk: Love and her leading role in Fame, this isn’t just a comeback—it’s a rebirth. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter turned actress is letting us into her world like never before, unpacking themes of vulnerability, healing, and inner strength with grace, grit, and raw artistry.
Now streaming on Lifetime, Fame follows two superstar sisters—played by Keri and singer/actress Keshia Chanté—as they navigate the cost of stardom, sibling rivalry, and the dark side of desire. The film also stars Romeo Miller, Ecstasia Sanders, Nathan Witte, and Sophie Carriere, and is executive produced by Derrick Williams and Adriane Hopper Williams of the Seven Deadly Sins franchise.
As for the music? We Need to Talk: Love is a three-part album (Love, Drama, Redemption) that tells the story of a woman who’s been through it—and has risen from the ashes. “It was time to speak for myself,” Keri says.
We sat down with Keri to talk about her return to music, her passion for acting, the emotional depth of Fame, and how she’s learning to care for herself amidst the chaos.
From R&B Queen to Drama Star: Keri Gets Into Character
“Even though she’s famous—as am I—it was really her humanity that I wanted to portray.”
Keri plays Cherish, one half of a superstar sibling duo who must confront their fractured relationship in the wake of a traumatic robbery. For Keri, the role was more than a character—it was a psychological study.
“I enjoy departures from reality. That’s why I love acting,” she shares. “Psychology is one of my favorite things in life. I became a writer because I’m an observer of human nature, emotion, and behavior. I think I did a good job showing her humanity.”
The Fame Isn’t Always Worth the Price
“Keep the main thing the main thing.”
Keri doesn’t sugarcoat the industry. When asked about what Fame reveals about the dark side of celebrity culture, her answer is clear:
“It’s a cautionary tale. It reminds you to keep your family close and not allow anything to come between them—especially in pursuit of success. Keep the main thing the main thing. For me, that’s family, love, spirituality, and values.”
Three Chapters, One Story: Love. Drama. Redemption.
“I’ve shed the fear. It was time to tell my own story.”
Released April 18th, We Need to Talk: Love is Keri’s first album in 15 years—and a deeply personal one at that. The three-part project (Love, Drama, Redemption) represents a timeline of healing and growth.
“I’m finally in a place where I’m able and willing to open up more,” she says. “For a while, I became really guarded—shell-shocked, even—after making mistakes in the public eye. Whether it’s all your fault or not, the scrutiny takes its toll. But now, I’ve shed that fear. It’s time to tell my story.”
Cooking, Walks, and Recalibrating in the Chaos
“I’m not doing the best job—but I’m doing what I can.”
Between eight-hour rehearsals, press runs, and music releases, Hilson admits she hasn’t quite figured out the balance yet—but she’s trying. For her, the key is carving out small rituals of normalcy.
“I enjoy cooking. That’s my sanctity,” she says. “I’ll go home, take my makeup off, put on my rehearsal clothes, and cook a meal. I take walks. I run. These little things help me feel like myself again.”
Art Imitates Life (and Album Tracklists)
“Cherish goes from Love… to Drama… to Redemption.”
Asked which album chapter her Fame character would fall into, Keri doesn’t hesitate. “She fits into all three,” she says. “You see her go from love, to drama, to redemption. That arc mirrors the journey of so many women who’ve had to navigate pain and find their way back to themselves.”
No Pressure, Just Art: Keri Wants You to Feel Something
“Just enjoy the art. That’s it.”
After all the time, patience, and healing, Keri isn’t asking for much. She just wants fans to press play—and feel something.
“I just want people to enjoy what they’re seeing and hearing. Enjoy me on screen. Enjoy me through their ears. People have waited, and I feel blessed by that. That helps me keep it all pure and simple.”
As Keri Hilson steps boldly back into the spotlight, it’s clear this era is all about alignment, artistry, and authenticity. With Fame airing on Lifetime and the first chapter of We Need to Talk: Love setting the tone, we’re more than excited to see what’s next.
As she continues to unfold the album’s next two chapters—Drama and Redemption—one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a reintroduction. And we’ll be watching, listening, and cheering her on every step of the way.
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