Gospel

(ThyBlackMan.com) When I think of Barry White, I think of that unmistakable baritone — the kind of voice that could turn a simple “hello” into an invitation to fall in love. For years, people have leaned on the same handful of Barry White classics when they want to set the mood. But if you only stick with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” or “You’re the First, the Last, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) If you came of age in the ‘90s or early 2000s, chances are Jesse Powell’s voice found its way into some of your most tender memories. Maybe it played at your cousin’s wedding, or during those late-night radio slow jams that made you believe love could really last forever. His four-octave range, gospel-trained heart, and honest delivery gave us songs that still linger like perfume on an old letter. […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) The BBB of politics, Donald J. Trump has lashed out at Spain allegedly because it refuses to commit to NATO’s 5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense spending quotient by 2035. Trump threatened to make Spain pay by doubling tariffs on the country. His wannabe tough guy act is just another reason why people of conscience cannot wait until January 2029, if not sooner, for his […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Walter Scott, one-half of the iconic vocal duo at the heart of The Whispers, has sadly passed away—and for those of us who grew up on his voice, it feels like losing a trusted companion in love, heartbreak, and everything in between. While Scotty often took center stage with his soaring tenor, it was Walter’s buttery baritone that grounded The Whispers in warmth and quiet strength. He didn’t need […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Few groups in R&B history have left as lasting an impression as Jodeci. Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, the group revolutionized the genre by blending gospel-rooted harmonies with rugged hip-hop aesthetics. With their distinct sound, bold fashion, and emotionally raw performances, Jodeci bridged the gap between traditional soul and the modern edge of urban music. Their catalog is rich with songs that speak to love, heartbreak, vulnerability, […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) As a Black man and as a baby boomer, I have become very concerned for young people of color in our nation. A person from my generation has an advantage that many of today’s teenagers and young adults may not possess. Life has afforded my generation the benefit of witnessing first-hand our nation’s social and political progression throughout the last five decades. With it comes a sense of appreciation […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) Brandy’s music has always felt personal—like she’s letting us in on something intimate, even when the track is a full-on bop. For so many of us who grew up on ’90s and 2000s R&B, her voice is part of the soundtrack to our lives. But even beyond nostalgia, Brandy’s artistry holds up because she’s never been afraid to evolve while staying true to who she is. Whether you’ve followed […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Monica’s voice that just sticks with you. It’s rich with emotion, wrapped in strength, and completely unafraid to tell the truth—whether she’s singing about heartbreak, loyalty, or real love. For many of us who grew up on ’90s and early 2000s R&B, Monica wasn’t just another name on the radio. She was the sound of our coming-of-age—of first loves, first heartbreaks, and all the lessons in […]

(ThyBlackMan.com) In the midst of our community conversations and participation in the urgent and ever-widening resistance to the terrorizing, disruptive and devastating ICE raids by the Trump regime, questions have been raised in some quarters about the justice and justification of our moral concern and active involvement. It is always good to ask and remind ourselves as African people, Black people, about the reasons we decide and do things, especially […]