August/September 2022: Read It. Watch It. Listen to It.

Kendrick Lamar: We Cry Together Short Film

We Cry Together” peaked at number 16 on Billboard’s Hot 100, but quickly dropped to the 84th spot. Some have described the song as difficult to listen to given its depiction of an intense spat between a couple — complete with insults and cruel putdowns.

Intense. That’s a word that describes the short film Kendrick Lamar released for his single “We Cry Together.” The video clocks in at 5 minutes and 30 seconds and features Lamar and Taylour Paige as a couple who start out arguing with their dialogue represented as the lyrics from the song — both Lamar and Paige rap them. By the end of the song — which is a bit not safe for work — the pair appear to have worked out their differences.

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INSPIRATION CELEBRATION: THE 16TH ANNUAL GOSPEL SOUL CONCERT

The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is back live and in person with an intergenerational celebration of Black faith, culture and excellence. Inspired by HBCU homecomings, the 16th annual tour will launch in September during Gospel Music Heritage Month and bring show-stopping musical performances by Grammy Award winners Anthony Hamilton, Smokie Norful, Karen Clark Sheard, and other gospel and urban luminaries to five cities across the nation.

Legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Donald Lawrence will resume his role as music director and, for the first time, social media personality and comedian Karlton Humes is bringing his unique brand of entertainment to the tour. In the spirit of the homecoming tradition, select shows will feature live performances by HBCU marching bands and gospel choirs. Fans can access free tickets at www. blackandpositivelygolden.com.

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5 BLACK ROCK ALBUMS FROM DETROIT BANDS

Black rock in Detroit isn’t exactly a movement, but it does live in the city, which becomes evident if you look for it. But where can you sample this work? The list below is not meant to be a comprehensive roundup of black rock albums from Detroit artists, rather, think of it as an entry point – a gateway, an invitation – to go off exploring the talent right in our backyard. If you love Jimi Hendrix’s work, Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour, or Gary Clark Jr., you’ll find something exciting to unpack here.

• Blackmail – Sonic Rendezvous
• IS Evolution – 2nd Hand Smoke
• Raven Love and the 27s –Shameless
• Roxolydian/Deekah Wyatt –Insidious Pleasures
• Scientific Sunshine – foibles

IRWIN HOUSE GALLERY PRODIGY EXHIBITION

Irwin House Gallery opened “Prodigy” — a group exhibition observing ten flourishing emerging artists who stand as a representation of hope for the future of art. Anchored by a lush, immersive installation constructed by “community-engaged” artist Halima Afi Cassells, the exhibition highlights the work of eight locals along with one artist whose work was vetted and procured from Africa, Rotimi Godwin, and a West Coast pyrography artist, Marlon Ivory, who served as a mentor to featured Detroiter, Terrell Anglin. Each of the artists brings their own strengths and lived experiences to the exhibit, resulting in a cohesive spread that has been described simply as “breathtaking.”