I can't escape the misery in my heart and surrounding me.

Boy, did I need this one. Article turned in, so stay tuned.

Went to The Hamptons for the 1st time yesterday, on assignment, to cover "Apollo in the Hamptons" fundraiser. Long story short: I was dancing, drunk, and hope to return one day. Article coming soon.

I started writing straight from the heart and mind to express my sad, anger, jealousy, on Substack this summer. I felt so out of the loop, unaccomplished, and like things were going backward. I was tired of trying so hard to be articulate, so I gave up. open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

I was crashing out HARD this summer, and my Substack became my journal. Every day is a struggle for me to keep from throwing everything I worked for away and give up. open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

My Substack Page is called DEF|Y|NE Media! I analyze & celebrate music & culture in a way that adds to the conversation. Subscribe below! You can also become a paid subscriber for exclusives & donate to the Cashapp $headphoneaddict to support the page! open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

In honor of the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner, I wrote this tribute to commemorate the way he transcended his iconic Theo Huxtable character to be a fully-realized artist & communicator. open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

Hey! Filmmaker Wilhelmina Simone has crafted a beautifully poignant documentary; “You're Pain Was Born Here.” She's crowdfunding it via Kickstarter, & there's only 4 hours left! Donate below to help her reach her goal! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ypw...

Does Michael Jackson's "HIStory" belong in the convo of other great, socially prophetic albums like "What's Going On" or "Innervisions?" Read my article about its 30th anniversary: open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

My 1st solo piece for Complex is up! 7 Facts about 2Pac's "Makaveli's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" album. Check it out! www.complex.com/music/a/matt...

Today, Michael Jackson's "HIStory" turns 30. It makes more sense today than it did in 1995. My DEF|Y|NE Media article talks about its prophetic messages about how the powers-that-be use fake news & celebrity worship to numb & manipulate the masses. open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

DEF|Y|NE Media has achieved 180 subscribers! We’re getting close to 200! Thanks, everyone, for the support! If you haven’t already, and you love articles and content about music, art, and culture, subscribe to DEF|Y|NE Media! Donate to Cashapp $headphoneaddict. headphoneaddict.substack.com

My first placement with Complex Music! I contributed to their updated list of Every Rap No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 History. Check it out below. Hopefully, there's more to come: www.complex.com/music/a/davi...

1. All N All 2. Gratitude 3. I Am

What's Your Favorite Janet Jackson Vocal Performance? Happy Birthday, Janet! www.tiktok.com/@headphonead...

Stranger in Moscow Earth Song Tabloid Junkie

I wrote an article for Mass Appeal in 2017 connecting Michael Jackson's artistry with the 5 elements of Hip-Hop. Today, it's available as “Rescued Work” on DEF|Y|NE Media. Read, share & Subscribe. Donate to Cashapp $headphoneaddict open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

Happy Record Store Day! What's a vinyl that you have been looking for that you don't have yet? I'll start: Ahmad Jamal's “Jamal Plays Jamal.”

Happy 20th Anniversary to Mariah Carey's "Emancipation of Mimi." My new DEF|Y|NE Media article discusses my mom's love for the album & our contrasting musical tastes. Read, share, and subscribe! Donate to Cashapp $headphoneaddict open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

I know the smoke between Stephen A. Smith & LeBron James has died down, but SAS has, IMO, done more harm to sports reporting than good the past few years & i needed time to gather my thoughts. My latest DEF|Y|NE Media article: open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

DEF|Y|NE Media is my Substack page! If you like articles & content with alternative, nuanced stories on Black music, Black music journalism, and culture, please subscribe! Donate to the Cashapp - $headphoneaddict - to support the page! Thanks everyone! headphoneaddict.substack.com

We're LIVE! "Catch That" podcast with R&B Representers! Join the live chat! www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nC...

In 40 minutes, I return to the R&B Representers’ “Catch That” podcast to discuss the self-titled Lucy Pearl album, song by song! Join the live chat! 2 pm EST! www.youtube.com/@rnbreps/vid...

Am I the only one who thinks the Chris Brown remix of Leon Thomas' "Mutt" is unnecessary? www.tiktok.com/@headphonead...

Me and @naturallyalise.bsky.social is back with a new episode of CATCH THAT with @headphoneaddict.bsky.social, THIS SUNDAY at 2PM EST! We will be discussing #LucyPearl's 2000's self-titled album! You will "trip" out with this episode! Subscribe: youtube.com/@rnbreps?si=...

Good morning, everyone. Have a great day!

Happy 25th Anniversary to Common's "Like Water For Chocolate" album. Check out my podcast "Get Off The Fence" where I debate between two classic Common LPs - Like Water For Chocolate & Be - with @Scienzoflife MC JR Robinson. Which do you think is better? www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BLE...

Good morning, everyone. Have a great day!

This Sunday, at 2 pm, I return to The R&B Representers’ “Catch That” podcast! In this episode, we’ll be discussing the self-titled Lucy Pearl album from 2000. This is my MY MOST UNFILTERED episode! Subscribe to their YouTube to watch the premiere & join the live chat! youtu.be/wIA0GPQoEc4?...

Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" was more than just commentary on Black life. It revealed the turmoil that nearly forced Kendrick to take his own life. My article about TPAB in DEF|Y|NE Media: Read, share & subscribe. Thanks! headphoneaddict.substack.com/p/loving-u-i...

Do you love reading about Black music? Subscribe to DEF|Y|NE Media, where you'll get articles, podcasts, and content about Black music history, commentary, & more! Support the page by becoming a paid subscriber, or donate to Cashapp: $headphoneaddict headphoneaddict.substack.com

Subscribe to DEF|Y|NE Media for my latest article, exploring the history behind the growing trend of rappers and producers sharing artist billing on albums. What's your favorite rapper/producer collab album? open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

If you could make Prince's Sign O The Times 1 disc, what's the tracklist? 1. Sign O The Times 2. Housequake 3. Ballad of Dorothy Parker 4. Starfish & Coffee 5. U Got That Look 6. Strange Relationship 7. If I Was Your Girlfriend 8. I Could Never Take The Place... 9. Adore

I think Kendrick Lamar goes back & forth between a "commercially accessible" album & an "experimental" album in his discography. Do you agree? Is he doing it on purpose? www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2tMoGMV/

How Long Does a Great Album Have to Be Out Before It's Considered a Classic? You tell me. www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2GKDPPv/

Stevie Wonder started writing classic songs early. Two such songs he wrote at age 16, but they didn’t become classics until years after… www.tiktok.com/@headphonead...

In April 2012, I wrote a piece for Revive Music that examined the partnership of producer Quincy Jones & engineer Bruce Swedien. Revive Music's website is gone, but I unearthed the article on my old blog. Now it's available on DEF|Y|NE Media! Playlist Included: open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

Excellent album, excellent live show.

Good morning, everyone. Have a great day!

Exactly. If you're only going to own one Isley Brothers album, own this one.

Happy 10th anniversary to Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" album. My latest DEF|Y|NE Media discusses how the LP depicted Kdot's battle with depression. *TRIGGER WARNING: ARTICLE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE* open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

Each of Kendrick Lamar's albums has, what I call, the HEAVY song. Rank them in your order: Section.80 - Keisha's Song (Her Pain) good kid, m.A.A.d. city - Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst To Pimp a Butterfly - How Much a Dollar Cost DAMN. - Fear Mr. Morale - Mother I Sober GNX - Reincarnated

Good morning, everyone. Have a great day!

"Rescued Work" are my old articles from deleted sites & publications. I wrote this timeliness about the Kanye West & 50 Cent album sales battle in 2007. That was a canon event that saw gangsta rap get phased out of the mainstream. It was originally on Mass Appeal. open.substack.com/pub/headphon...

Lupe Fiasco's 2011 album, "Lasers" was finally certified platinum on 2/27 this year. That was supposed to be the album that put him into the mainstream stratosphere, but his label messed it up. My latest DEF|Y|NE Media article: headphoneaddict.substack.com/p/the-show-g...

DEF|Y|NE Media is my Substack page where I write about Black music, Black art, Black writing, & my personal connection with all three. Subscribe for articles, videos, & podcasts. Become a paid subscriber for exclusives. Donate to Cashapp: $headphoneaddict headphoneaddict.substack.com

Notorious B.I.G. was murdered 18 years ago today. Whether Diddy planned it or not, he & Suge Knight helped normalize rap battles leading to violence & even death. My DEF|Y|NE Media Article: headphoneaddict.substack.com/p/can-stop-w...

@damaso.bsky.social Good morning! I'd like to connect with you. I'm interested in writing for Amsterdam News.

BREAKING: Aggressively mediocre men who have never watched a game of women's basketball are suddenly experts on women's basketball.

Lupe Fiasco's "Lasers" dropped 14 years ago today! It was supposed to catapult Lupe into mainstream success until his label interfered w/ his vision. My latest for DEF|Y|NE Media. Read, share & subscribe! Donate to mny Cashapp: $headphoneaddict headphoneaddict.substack.com/p/the-show-g...