We have much to celebrate this week, aside from Beyoncé and Jay-Z announcing their joint stadium tour and Rihanna breaking streaming records.

Black Panther officially surpassed the $1B mark worldwide, this weekend marked the first time in history two Black directors have the #1 & #2 slots a the box office (I’ll be stepping out to see that Wrinkle too)…AND all is well in Wakanda! Yes, my friends, we are kicking off an amazing week for African American people in entertainment.

Seeing Is Believing

I saw Black Panther a couple weekends or so ago and it was awesome. Everything you would expect out of a superhero movie, it delivers. You have male/female eye candy, special effects, fight scenes, corny punchlines, cool villains and all that jazz topped off with some phenomenal actors. The biggest difference is basically what everyone has been celebrating, a majority African American cast/production company with a major studio budget. Now look, I know there are a bunch of skeptics and cynics out here. And I get it, you don’t see color, but the rest of the world does and they see bliggity-bliggity BLACK baby!

Marvel/Walt Disney Pictures

Power to the People

So yeah, the flick is solid but I recognize the role that curiosity and unwavering Black support played in driving attendance to the film. I, myself, was even curious to see what this all-star cast and production team could do and was extremely pleased with the outcome. And I must say, it was so cool to see the buying power of the African American community really leading the charge for a sci-fi movie. The reception of Black Panther gives us a little more insight into the power of our unity. Undoubtedly, we saw what could happen if minorities rallied around projects or causes they believe in.

The Votes Are In

Walt Disney

And yeah, there were a few mixed reviews out there where folks were disappointed because of the hypebeasts across the web…they’re fully entitled to their wrong opinion (clearly no bias here at all). No, but seriously, it makes sense to be let down by the film if you were expecting anything outside of a superhero movie and didn’t happen to be Black. Me seeing Lupita and Danai wearing out some bad guys, and fineAF Chadwick Boseman KILLING it was not only mesmerizing but inspiring. It’s kind of like the first time I first saw Boz at Apple Music, sitting at the head of the table and running this HUGE meeting. That moment meant everything to me as a young woman of color. And while everyone else saw it as just another day at the fruit stand, I saw it as a potentially unlimited future for myself and other women just like me. Tha one, singular event SHOOK me but just imagine, this movie has the whole world SHOOKETH! Everyone, young and old, is beginning to see the possibilities of their futures in entertainment and can believe themselves to make strides in an industry that has not truly demonstrated progress in diversity until most recently.

Overall, the emotional ties to this movie will likely always play a huge factor in its franchise success, just as it did for Wonder Woman (which I also love btw). See it if you’re into sci-fi/fantasy action movies. It’s definitely worth a view in the theatres. And on that note, Wakanda forever. <3

-D.Wright

I don’t really do product reviews or anything like that but I definitely wanted to hip some of you guys to one of my new favorite things, Hue Lights.

It’s weird but I never knew lighting could be so influential to your overall mood and experience in a space. I was definitely a cynic of the Hues and initially felt they were as silly as they were “overpriced.” Eventually, I started doing some research and realized how much people were actually spending on lighting and home automation in comparison to others (like Hues) out on the market. It is insane! So, since I’m all for balling on a budget and never intend to spend thousands of dollars on lights, I did the next best thing…waited for a huge price reduction during the holidays and said  YOLO!

Last December I took the plunge because the deal was too good to pass up and I’m a sucker for a good sale. I initially started with 6 lights for my living room and bedroom. I unpacked my lights, set them up, and instantly turned into a 5-year old for like a whole evening. I’m not going to lie to you, I played with them for a couple hours that first night. I sat on my sofa while listening to music and writing and changed the lights just for the heck of it. I, of course,  wanted to get the swing of them but honestly, I wanted to play with my fancy new lights. Within that week, I ended up with 4 extra lights and now feel like I have my own mini music venue at home. I love it!

Getting Started

So what will you need for your own lighting set up? It’s pretty simple, all you need is a smartphone or tablet, Wi-Fi, and the starter set that includes the lighting hub. Eventually, you can add on up to 50 lights per hub and Philips has quite a collection of light options to select from. What’s also pretty awesome is they’re really easy to install and the set up should only take you about 10-15 minutes.

Using Your Hue Lights

So, there are many creative ways to use the Hue lighting system. I’m pretty practical and use them to wake me up every morning throughout the week for work. It’s been super helpful and I love that I can set geo-location to cut them on or off when I’m headed to or leaving my home. They’re also wonderful for all sorts of home events like parties, dinners, big games and other things you’d probably hold in your home or workspace.

You might also be wondering about glitches or connectivity issues. Initially, I was concerned on if the lights would work if my Wi-Fi ever went out. I was pleasantly surprised to learn they are all standard bulbs and will revert back to white light you can still operate. You can learn more HERE.

Have Fun

So when using your lights, you have to remember to have fun! You can do all sorts of cooky things with your lights. I’ve heard people set them to light up the room every time their favorite team scores. I’ve also heard folk set them like strobe lights and to change with the beat of their music, it’s pretty cool. There are all kinds of apps out that help you get the fullest potential out of your lights and they’re available on multiple platforms so you’re not restricted to one or another.

I’m glad to have made such a huge small investment and I’ll probably get more as I design my space. If you get any lights, tell me how you like them, I love mine! <3

-D.Wright

Ok…I’m supposed to be finishing up my New York post but dis Janelle mutha-mutha Monáe has me in low key shock! It’s been like 5 years since her acclaimed last album The Electric Lady, she’s had a ton of success in cinema, and never ceases to amaze the fashion world with her lux partnerships but today decided she wanted to take us to another level.

Dirty Jane

Prince-inspired, colorful, sensual and highly SHEXY – Janelle Monáe came to disrupt the game with Make Me Feel.

Now look, I don’t care that she took her lil clothes off and is bustin’ out as a proud member of the Rainbow Coalition. She looks amazing, has always been fit and has always had her sexuality questioned throughout her career. As a fan, what I care about is chick being true to herself and baby she’s doing just that! She has her lil rumored bae all in the video and is YOLOing all over the place. I definitely clenched my pearls a couple of times but I’m pretty sure I saw this whole situation coming, I mean I am a fan after all.

Y’all know she has never really been the overtly sexual so it’s pretty interesting to see her explore this part of herself. And I mean there were some slightly awkward moments in there but hey, Janelle and her see-through pants decided to shoot her shot. I know it’s going to be some HIGHLY upset mothers out there because Dirty Jane obviously gives no effs and is making it all the way known. Check it out below.

Django Jane

And because one video clearly wasn’t enough to snatch wigs…chick came out with TWO! I mean seriously, this is probably my favorite side so far. Give me Django Jane any day of the week and I will live my rapper fantasies out through her.

I feel like this was also a long time coming, especially after that epicness she dropped in Q.U.E.E.N. and that whole introduction to the video about legendary rebels. Come on, we saw this coming too. I also feel like her artist/labelmate Jidenna definitely had some influence on this woke-Jane we have here. It’s such a culturally rich visual with beautiful colors and strong punchlines declaring her femininity and power. We definitely need more of this strength from our fave artists.

And y’all! She was even cussing in these songs and I’m just sitting like OhMahGah!!! She’s doing all the things! Take a listen if you don’t believe me.

Read more about Ms. Monáe’s liberation HERE. Believe me, it’s dope and I’m too excited about Dirty Computer dropping in April. <3

-D.Wright

On this edition of #ThrowbackThursday, we have one of the biggest L’s of the year. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, news and social media has been flooded with stories about Roy Moore’s epic loss on last Tuesday night.

For you less informed folks – Roy Moore (GOP Judge/candidate and likely pedophile) went up against supposed good-guy-lawyer (I hardly ever believe those words in the same sentence) and Democratice candidate, Doug Jones, for the special Senate election.

For months there had been lots of finger-pointing and serious sexual assault accusations against Moore. It felt like victims were literally stepping forward every week and reports of his nefarious behavior was up for display on nearly every media outlet imaginable. Never one to disappoint or stray away from the most asinine and predictable behavior, the good ol’ boys of the GOP continued to sweep allegations under the rug and labeled them as a guise to destroy Christian ethnics and the nuclear family. If you could see my face right now. Moving on…One thing panty-robbing Roy did have going for him was the backing of the White House. He basically had an enthusiastic tangerine prince, a la #45, who spoke praises over his preferred candidate and (per the usual) never failed to take jabs at the media who were actually doing their jobs of reporting news on this creepy crawler and his opponent.

Side Note: I’m really trying hard not to make more jokes or pass too many judgements on this dude but let’s be clear, I think he’s touching on everybody in these streets and I think it’s terrible.

Reality Sunk In

All of the hype came to a crash when Roy received the results late that evening.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune.

Clearly there was shock, disbelief, and a level of “distraughtness” that we hadn’t witnessed by this wasp nest since Obama’s last win.

Moore stood in front of a small audience and attempted to rally the troops by telling his audience “God is always in control.” Why yes He is Roy, yes He is #thankyouGodweneededthisone. Then he had the nerve to rattle off some badly rehearsed excepts from Psalms. It was a complete travesty and a train wreck you you can view here.

Political Gangs

I learned something that night. Honestly, I think I knew it already but found it to be more apparent than ever before. Americans are legit in political gangs. I mean come on, it’s like the Crips & Bloods on steroids and ruining everyone’s lives.

I knew we were doomed when I watched that video floating around showing die hard Republicans hell-bent on ignoring actual facts to vote their affiliation. And yes I’m absolutely sure there are some lunatic “libtards,” as they’re lovingly referred to, out here but I mean right now we’re clearly having some issues with conservative voters and their overbearing/under-applied beliefs. So…I’m literally looking at this video like whoa. These people are real life in a gang and don’t even know it.

Photo courtesy of ThyBlackMan.com

This blindly loyal bunch seemed all too familiar to the very thugs most of their pedigree generally try to distance themselves from. In this video, one person goes as far to say that even if the allegations were true, they didn’t want to lose a seat in the Senate. Double blink. What? Y’all already know I think this is not only problematic but just flat out disturbing. What kind of troubled human beings think it’s ok to exchange policies for humanity? Seriously, this gets a big ole WTEFF.

So note to self and to you good people…Don’t be in a political gang – it’s divisive and stupid. Right is right and wrong is wrong. If people are doing wrong, that doesn’t mean support them in their wrongdoings. That means hold them accountable. There are some folks I’ve admired my whole life that are being accused of terrible crimes against women, and guess what…they should be held accountable. I’m not going to give them a pass because they’re a part of groups I align with or because it’s inconvenient for me and doesn’t fit the narrative I’d like to continue to tell about their greatness. NO. They need to be held accountable no matter my personal feelings for them.

That’s called having balance. Try it.

Black Votes Matter

There was something else that we learned that fateful Tuesday night. Black Votes Matter.

Now if you’re conservative and reading this, please try to see past your bitterness and disdain for a group (#BlackLivesMatter) you hardly know anything about to understand my point. Black people are tired and want progress, too. White conservatives are not the only group in America that want to make serious changes, minority voters should not be discredited or disenfranchised. Black Alabamians did not seem to align with anything the GOP was selling and the polls pretty much reflected the divide. People at the top with some good common sense should probably start asking questions like “why is that” to honestly seek real answers around the division between party and race. Obviously those out of touch with the African American community had no clue this one was coming but word on the street was Jones campaigned pretty hard in African American communities and spoke to their growing concerns.

Jones’ win literally came down to race and based off this wild Tuesday night, these 2018 midterms are going to be something to see. I’m just glad Alabama got it right, even if a small minority tipped the scale. <3

-D.Wright

This won’t be long. All I’m going to tell you is I watched the Apple Event and came away truly wanting only one thing…the iPhone X. Don’t get me wrong, there were other devices announced and software that seemed promising but they didn’t really hold a candle to the X. Three features were all I needed to be persuaded and I don’t care how ridiculous you think they are. What I know is my life would be so much better with them. So here it is, my techie girl’s pumpkin spice latte equivalent. #IllBeBasicDontJudgeMe

Animoji-Maniac

I’ve always wanted to be a cartoon, chalk it to way too much Disney and 1 Saturday Mornings on ABC. One of  my bucket list items is to actually do voice work for a major animated film but now you’re telling me for $1000 I could make that happen in text messages and possibly with other software?! SIGN. ME. UP. If you’re my friend and text me regularly, I’m sorry in advance. Well no, I’m not. Deal with it. Group texters…beware. I told y’all not to put me in group chats but you did it anyway, now you’ll pay. I plan on running amuck with every single poop animated version of myself I can muster up. I also plan on playing other characters as well to pass the time. This is my number 1 feature and I can not wait.

It’s Biggie Smalls

The screen is yuge but from the looks of it, it’s smaller than my 7 Plus. Mark this down for me under “I want now.” All I’ve ever wanted is a big enough screen to make me feel like I can do all the things, even if I plan on using half of it. I just need options. Sure my make-up might grease up the thing, I don’t care. there will be 5.8 inches of amazingness packaged in a smaller body. There are small bezels and a new take on the display with no buttons! It’s big enough and yet somehow small enough…who wouldn’t want that?

An Ode to the Old School

When Steve Jobs premiered the first model of the iPhone in all black, I was dazzled. But when I saw that white, glossy 3GS – I just knew that I was in love. Yes, love. I’ve always appreciated technology for what it would contribute to my life but the design was always the icing on the cake. So when the rumor mills were a-churning with the design on the X, I was a little concerned. I didn’t know how I’d ever get over that vertical camera but the design revealed today was far more impressive than the leaks online. The stainless-steel rounded edges and glass frame was definitely a nice nod to the past, it dredges up all the feels and nostalgia. It won me over. It was pretty, shiny, and quite honestly that was all it took. Sue me (only after I pay it off).

Photo courtesy of Apple.

Now I know I didn’t take much coaxing but there are so many other great features about the phone you should dive into. Yes there are many opinions for and against it and everything Apple whether we’re talking design, pricing, or what have you. I say just check it out for yourself and leave your thoughts with me below. What are you excited to see from announcement day? <3

-D.Wright