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Every Album That Defined Our 2019 In The Illest Of Ways
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.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."