Gone 'till November
Gone 'till November
January, February, March, April, May...
I was gonna name this month’s newsletter something different, but I just needed a reason to use this gif.
What We’re Up To
Hey y’all! We’re back just in time for the fall leaves to change colors, and the air to get crisp. Have you started to pull out those hoodies and peacoats yet? It’s time.
We’ve got a couple more episodes in the can to close out 2023, including one dropping on Friday. Until then, check out the most recent episode here, if you haven’t already:
What We’re Watching
Interview with the Vampire on AMC
Although it came out around this time last year, we’ve just gotten into it over the past week or so. We saw on Twitter X, that this version was “Blacker and Gayer” than the movie according to this Huffington Post article, so we decided to give it a shot.
Without giving anything away, the show does a really good job of portraying Louis as Black and queer, and not just as a character written for a White man but played by a Black actor. You know how it goes. How ofter do you find yourself watching a movie or tv show and saying to yourself or out loud, “Who wrote this? This character would never say/do that.” From his relationships with his friends and family, to having to navigate the politics and racism of New Orleans in 1910, the way that the writers have handled this first season is pretty solid.
If you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend it.
What We’re Reading
Vibe magazine has a two part profile on Jermaine Dupri and 30 years of So So Def.
“Women Authors Are Redefining the Hip Hop Books Canon” by Elle magazine.
Stereogum interview with producer, exec and music industry vet, No.I.D.
If you’re curious about inner workings of social media algorithms and how to navigate the creator economy, then this Wired article is for you.
Quinta Brunson and Mary J. Blige two of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year.
What We’re Listening To
Diamonds And Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) by Prince & The New Power Generation
Since Prince’s passing in 2016, we’ve gotten a few Deluxe/Super Deluxe Editions of some of his (Sign O’ The Times, 1999, Purple Rain) albums. Not only are we getting remastered versions of his classic stuff, we get to hear studio quality versions of demos, alternate takes, songs that eventually landed with other artists and unreleased songs from that have been leaked and bootlegged from “The Vault” over the years.
Fires up “Gett Off."
You Down Wit’ O.P.P.? (Other Peoples Podcasts)
Heavyweight by Jonathan Goldstein & Gimlet Media
If you’re looking for a podcast that is great at storytelling and tugs at your heartstrings, Heavyweight is the one. In each episode, host Jonathan Goldstein helps a guest find closure for things that have happened to them in the past. Most of these stories are about ordinary people, which highlights how each of us has a story to tell. Here are some episodes that we recommend:
On Dan’s first date with his wife Nancy, a stranger took their photograph. Nineteen years later, Dan wants the photo back. But to get it, he'll have to face the last person he wants to.
#44 Sara Sara received a letter from a woman with the exact same name as her. In it, the woman claimed to be her childhood best friend. The only problem? Sara doesn’t remember this person. At all.
How the worst McDonald’s commercial ever made came to be. And how Bobby got mixed up in it.
#16 Rob Rob remembers breaking his arm as a kid. But the rest of his family says it never happened. Did he break his arm? The answer will determine Rob’s sanity.
Christina’s note:
My only beef is the cold open, when Jonathan has a random phone call with a long time friend (which often ends with her hanging up on him.) I usually just skip through that, but that’s just me!
Listen to Heavyweight here.
Random Internet Shenanigans
This Walmart Black Friday commercial has the cast of Mean Girls and Missy Elliott.
It seems that Flavor Flav is doing video game side quests and ticking things off his bucket list. Earlier this year, he threw out the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants game and just the other day he sang the National Anthem before a Milwaukee Bucks game, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I anticipated.
Pablo Torre is talking to Larsa Pippen & Marcus Jordan about their relationship.
The New York Liberty’s Ellie the Elephant is the best mascot in sports. Don’t believe me? Click here to see “Ellie J. Blige.” Or here to see her perform with Lil Kim. But the “they call me Big Ellie” video? This one is gold.
Shameless Plugs
If you enjoy the content that we're making and you're looking for ways to support our independent podcast, here’s a little something that you can do:
Please leave us a 5 star rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser or Goodpods.
You can also drop a few coins in our tip jar here: https://ko-fi.com/troypodcast if you're feeling generous.
Spread the word about the show to your friends and family.
Check out our online store, Nuthin’ But A Tee Thang.👇🏾
However you choose to support, know that it is greatly appreciated as always. 🫡
Closing Time
We’ll see y’all around this same time next month.
