Awkward Black Girl: A Pioneer in a Digital Renaissance
You can find all the episodes here
Awkward Black Girl is an independent web series that can be streamed on Youtube. It stars Issa Rae and an ensemble cast that uses humor to tackle issues like race, gender, sex, and the cumbersome idiosyncrasies that make life dynamic. Most of all, the show is really funny! The storytelling in the show feels very human, and it adds a comedic vulnerability that richly describes even the simplest of social situations.
It’s refreshing to see independent media that features diverse and multidimensional characters. However, even more interesting than the show’s quality are how the show started and the methods for sustaining it. Issa Rae described the show’s inception in a post on the Huffington Post:
Artist Spotlight: Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most technically gifted artists to pick up a microphone. He can tell intriguing stories, use clever wordplay, communicate coherent social critiques, and has a diversity of flows that swing from unbridled energy to a more passive observer. Musically, the instrumentation on his albums is sonically rich and provides a full-sounding musical landscape that compliments (and never clashes) with Kendrick’s voice and content. His latest album (and first commercial release) “Section 80” is a complete, engrossing, and emotional portrayal of his evolving identity as he observes his Compton surroundings while sharing his musings on the role, nature, and challenges of his generation.
The first time I heard Kendrick Lamar was the song “Look Out for Detox”, which he rapped over a Childish Gambino beat (They would go on to do a live show together) On that song, Kendrick shares an energetic and aggressive flow that is an unrelenting lyrical revelation of greatness.
Donald Glover: Camp
http://vimeo.com/26817524
“And the shit I’m doing next year: insanity/ Made the beat, then murdered it: Casey Anthony”
As readers of this site know, I am a major fan of Donald Glover’s rap act Childish Gambino. It seems that a new album is in the works and should be released this fall. I love the way he is doing multi-platform advertising for his work, the following performance occured at Comic-Con, where he was promoting his television show “Community”. He rewarded the fans by performing this so-far untitled track from the upcoming album (although there are rumors it will be called “Bonfire”):
*Get Excited
Artist Spotlight: Donald Glover/Childish Gambino
Donald Glover is a prodigy. Although I am posting about him due to his rap persona Childish Gambino, Glover’s talent is staggering. While still at NYU he was a writer on 30 Rock (He would later rap: I figured I was different from these other guys/ When I wrote for 30 Rock/ I was under twenty-five). In 2008, Donald Glover quit 30 Rock to pursue an acting career. In 2009, he began starring in the NBC show “Community”, a show that has received cult status.
In addition to acting and writing:
1) He has a gap commercial…
2) Stand-up comedy…
3) Sketch Comedy
4) Accomplished DJ/producer who remixed a Sufjan Stevens album while in college…
While Donald Glover was pursuing the above opportunities, he managed a burgeoning music career.
I first heard Donald Glover’s musical talent back in February on the show Community.
