For this installment of Fresh Since 79™, I want to honor a pioneer whose impact on music stretches far beyond beats per minute. One of the godfathers of electronic dance music—and a legend whose influence is felt across genres, cultures, and continents—Arthur Baker. When most people hear electronic dance music, they immediately think of modern-day EDM. But real heads know: electronic dance is a lineage, not a trend. Long before the drops and neon stages, there were visionaries …
Marsha’s Mission
Being that this is Women’s Health Awareness Month, I felt compelled to spotlight someone in my circle who embodies the true harmony of physical, mental, and spiritual health. It didn’t take long for me to land on my good friend—who I affectionately call “Naptown’s Finest”—Marsha Shackleford. Marsha is someone I’d seen in the community for years. Her presence was undeniable—strong, radiant, magnetic. Many might attribute that aura to her Leo sun, a sign we share. And like two positive magnets, …
Because of Melvin
We love a good “Top Five” debate, don’t we? Favorite rappers, favorite albums, favorite movies—it’s part of the culture. But when someone asks me who my favorite actor is, I like to throw them off with a name they’re not expecting: Fred Williamson. That always gets a puzzled look—followed by, “Wait… why?” I hit them with his own words: “Because he always gets the girl, he wins all his fights, and he doesn’t die at the end.” …
My Mum, My First Curator
“Hey, I’ll never take you to something that you won’t like…” Confident words coming from someone who—as far as I know—couldn’t see the future. (My Dad [RIP] felt differently.) But she knew what she liked—therefore, what we would like. That’s always been the awareness of my dear mother, Charis Bowling—whose taste and judgment we’ve trusted from the very beginning when it came to entertainment, arts, politics, and pop culture. Roots & Influence Mom grew up in a very traditional West Indian family: …
Connecting the Dots : Why Cultural Legacy Begins with Self-Discovery
Before you change the world, you’ve got to know the world that built you. – King Esseen We talk about legacy a lot—but legacy isn’t just what you leave behind. It’s what you build every time you choose to show up in your full, creative truth. It’s the mark you make when you create from a place that’s rooted—not in trends—but in truth, culture, memory, and intention. That’s where connecting the dots comes in.Because creativity isn’t random—it’s …
Why We Need Spaces Like The Instinctive Midnight Theory : Culture Beyond the Algorithm
What doesn’t trend can still transform. What’s quiet can still be revolutionary. We live in a time where culture is consumed faster than it’s understood.Where clips go viral, but stories don’t get told.Where genius gets lost in the feed.And where we mistake the algorithm for the archive. That’s why I created The Instinctive Midnight Theory. Because some things… you’ve got to sit with.You’ve got to listen—not just with your ears, but with your memory, your gut, your …