The 7 Worst Sex Punchlines From Otherwise Great Rappers, Ranked
Just because you’ve got bars doesn’t mean they’re all keepers
Culture
Dear Class of 2020, Here’s What Oprah and Barack Won’t Tell You
Barack Obama and Oprah are great, but…
The Night Little Richard Reminded America He Was the True King of Rock
In 1988, the legend took the stage at the Grammys not to accept an award, but to give one — and to demand what he deserved
The Untold History of Oakland’s Soul Beat, a Pioneer Among Black-Owned TV Networks
Channel 37 wasn’t just one of the first Black-owned stations in the country — it was a launchpad for Bay Area stars
How the Durag Beat Both Respectability Politics and Gentrification
How a simple means for protecting…
The 5 Most Shameless White Savior Roles in Film, Ranked
Oh, the audacity of trope
How Andre Harrell Made Me a Better CEO
For young executive Keith Clinkscales, the music-industry legend was a lifeline, a bridge, and a one-of-a-kind mentor
Buju Banton Will Not Be Buried Alive
The dancehall legend on coronavirus, marijuana legalization, and legacy
‘Eat the Rich’ Is Coming, But Celebrities Don’t Seem to Know
Too many famous folks aren’t acknowledging the struggle the rest of us are going through.
‘Crash’ 15 Years Later: Remembering a Truly Terrible, Award-Winning Movie
It didn’t deserve the praise…
The 8 Most Shameful Wigs in Film and TV History, Ranked
Off top, this was way too easy
Drake’s 5 Most Convincing Accents, Ranked
Dude, where’s my country?
Outgrowing Drake Is the Generation Gap We Didn’t Predict
I was 22 when ‘So Far Gone’ changed music. Now I’m 34, and my life feels different — but Drake hasn’t changed at all
7 Non-National Holidays Black Folks Love to Celebrate, Ranked
Issa party, issa party, issa party!
Teddy Riley Took Him Viral, But Breyon Prescott Was Already a Big Deal
The songwriter and storied music executive speaks on his extensive career
Our New Hair Package Has Fresh Cuts for Everyone
A note from LEVEL’s editor in chief
The Undisputed Ranking of Black Hair Styles
32 cuts, each showcasing the infinite depth of our follicles and artistry.
Harlem Nights Is Comedy’s Most Overrated Cult Classic
How revisionist history saved Eddie Murphy’s 1989 all-star gangster flop
Enough
Most men don’t abuse women. The problem that we need to talk about, though, is the men who…
How ‘Dave’ Delivered the Best Television Episode of the Year
‘Hype Man,’ the show’s breakout…
Leave the GOAT Arguments to Farmers
Nostalgia-clouded GOAT battles only get in the way of experiencing greatness
The 7 Least Embarrassing Interracial Rap Duos, Ranked
All respect for these progressive pairs
The 7 Greatest Denzel Washington Cop Flicks, Ranked
King Kong ain’t got sh!t on this list!
The Mean Girl of Morehouse Returns
Ten years ago, I wrote a story that changed lives forever—including my own. I went back to examine the wreckage
7 Terms For Weed That Prove You’re a Cop, Ranked
The green stuff comes in many varieties — but calling it by any of these names is suspect
Smokey’s 7 Worst Enemies in ‘Friday,’ Ranked
Who will it be? You’ll have to read to know this, maaaan!
25 Years After Friday, Remembering John Witherspoon, the Perfectly Imperfect Black Dad
With his slightly confused oldhead squint, Pops reminded me — and many others — of our own fathers
The 8 Best Male R&B Groups From the ’90s, Ranked
From supergroups to B-more balladeers, the decade had grown-man emotion music on lock
Instagram After Dark Is Getting Sexy
The experience is virtual, but the spectacle — and moneymaking —…
7 Basketball Players Hailed as the Next Michael Jordan, Ranked
Who lived up to the hype?