Modern Griots Review: Muthawit’s “PMS Junkie”

In the age of countless apocalyptic wars, attacks and disasters, partisan politics, economic uncertainty, loathsome media pundits, stubborn and greedy leaders in various fields and people suffering on the bottom, it is often tiring and frightening to discuss all of the issues swarming everywhere. Sometimes you dream of getting into a spaceship and escape. In […]

Modern Griots Review: Beasts of the Southern Wild

How does one celebrate life amidst impending doom? Or for this, how does one review a movie that she had high expectations for, but was a bit of a letdown? Appreciate the specks of wonder in it. Lessons learned from the film, Beasts of the Southern Wild. An adaptation Lucy Alibar‘s play, “Juicy and Delicious,” […]

Modern Griots Review: Alicia McCalla’s Breaking Free

Are you 17 years-old or do you remember when you were? What would you do if your genetics gave you special powers? If suddenly your mother was taken away by a corrupt governmental agency? If your family expects you to join “the revolution?” And all you want to do is live a normal life and […]

Modern Griots Review: Marley/Ancestral Chants

Last Saturday, I packed my day with watching both the Marley film about reggae singer Bob Marley and Something Positive‘s annual show Ancestral Chants at Long Island University in Brooklyn. Thus, I am doing a combined kind of review of the two since they both were about Afro-Caribbean cultures. First, the Marley film. As we […]

Modern Griots Review: Tunde Olaniran and Phon.O’s Sleepless Nights…

“Night is where my story unfolds,” Tunde Olaniran sings leaving behind a heartbroken loved one in his latest single in collaboration with techno DJ and producer Phon.O. “Leave A Light On” is from Phon.O’s recently released Black Boulder album, which features mostly instrumentals with the exception of two songs. This particular song is striking because […]

Modern Griots Review: On Imani Uzuri’s Journey…

Imani Uzuri’s The Gypsy Diaries We all are torn between home and the desire to wander. Home is where we feel we belong, where we feel safe, and where our family and friends reside. However, wandering takes us to new places where we learn wisdom follow our dreams and find out more about ourselves. It […]

Cosmic Ghost at the Museum…

Tuesday was my last day of classes, so yesterday I decided to treat myself to a few of exhibitions. First, I went to the American Museum of Natural History to see “Beyond Planet Earth: the Future of Space Exploration.” Upon entering, we saw my favorite astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, speaking in a video about the […]

Modern Griots Review: Pumzi, The Power of Dreams

The best science fiction is the one is based on reality of the times we live in and given the current world crises of famine, water contamination and global warming, Pumzi is definitely an appropriate film. Written and directed by Wanuri Kahiu, the 20-minute film is about Asha (portrayed by Kudzani Moswela), who lives in […]

Yo Flo, I Have Some Words About Your Video…

For the past couple of years, I have gained an interest in studying Vodun and all the other religious systems that stemmed from it. So, I have become sensitive to portrayals of those religions (they are not cults), especially when they are put in binary to Christianity. I watched Florence and the Machine‘s video for […]

“Mambo Nights in Hollywood” Mini-Review

So, I did attend Bobby Sanabria directing the Manhattan School’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and I must say it was so worth my $5. I would’ve payed more if it cost more. Once again, I must applaud how Sanabria is not only a drummer, but a genuine historian and performer who loves what he does and […]