Chelsie Ross, Florida A&M University
As perhaps one of the only non-controversial celebrities, the actor’s recent announcement has been met with a general consensus of joy.
As perhaps one of the only non-controversial celebrities, the actor’s recent announcement has been met with a general consensus of joy.
Liam Jackson, Michigan State University
After years of silence, the St. Louis rapper is back.
After years of silence, the St. Louis rapper is back.
Kylie Clifton, Loyola Marymount University
The British rock star reinvented the remix last year with ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),’ but fails to follow his formula with the iconic pop star’s landmark return to music.
The British rock star reinvented the remix last year with ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),’ but fails to follow his formula with the iconic pop star’s landmark return to music.
Kylie Clifton, Loyola Marymount University
In the seventh remix of her newest lead single, Beyoncé brilliantly fuses ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ with Madonna’s ‘Vogue.’
In the seventh remix of her newest lead single, Beyoncé brilliantly fuses ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ with Madonna’s ‘Vogue.’
Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago
Queen Bey delivers her seventh studio album filled to the brim with empowerment, immaculate energy and groove.
Queen Bey delivers her seventh studio album filled to the brim with empowerment, immaculate energy and groove.
Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago
Looking back on the power couple’s trilogy of albums — ‘Lemonade,’ ‘4:44’ and ‘EVERYTHING IS LOVE’ — inspired by their alleged marital struggles.
Looking back on the power couple’s trilogy of albums — ‘Lemonade,’ ‘4:44’ and ‘EVERYTHING IS LOVE’ — inspired by their alleged marital struggles.
Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University
Those eye-catching fragrance advertisements may not be quite as effective as they are memorable.
Those eye-catching fragrance advertisements may not be quite as effective as they are memorable.
Mariam Nasief, Columbia University
Her new hit solo single, which evokes the R&B sounds of the ’90s, shows off the singer’s prowess both as an artist and as an entertainer.
Her new hit solo single, which evokes the R&B sounds of the ’90s, shows off the singer’s prowess both as an artist and as an entertainer.
Sydney Smith, University of Pittsburgh
With the singer’s recent release ‘Planet Her’ comes a renewed focus on captivating styles, something that has been lacking from mainstream pop as of late.
With the singer’s recent release ‘Planet Her’ comes a renewed focus on captivating styles, something that has been lacking from mainstream pop as of late.
Katherine Bry, Washington University
As 2021 gets started, it is important to take a moment to reflect on some of last year’s biggest cultural moments.
As 2021 gets started, it is important to take a moment to reflect on some of last year’s biggest cultural moments.
Imani Benberry, Columbia University
Oftentimes fitting conventional, beauty standards gets you more opportunities in life. Here’s how this concept affects young adult women.
Oftentimes fitting conventional, beauty standards gets you more opportunities in life. Here’s how this concept affects young adult women.
Juliana Fujii, Biola University
Beyoncé’s latest release is a celebration of Black beauty to empower Black women. The project unites African music and cultures in a visual masterpiece.
Beyoncé’s latest release is a celebration of Black beauty to empower Black women. The project unites African music and cultures in a visual masterpiece.
These influential and socially aware individuals are more than capable of running the Oval Office.
These influential and socially aware individuals are more than capable of running the Oval Office.
Yasmeen Ludy, University of Michigan
With the release of her latest visual album, Beyonce has set the bar yet again with a powerful tribute to Black culture.
With the release of her latest visual album, Beyonce has set the bar yet again with a powerful tribute to Black culture.
Yasmeen Ludy, University of Michigan
Queen Bey is back with a new visual album that aims to uplift Black culture, but not everyone is excited about it.
Queen Bey is back with a new visual album that aims to uplift Black culture, but not everyone is excited about it.
Farah Javed, CUNY Baruch College
Ryan Tedder’s band has been releasing versatile hits for nearly two decades, but they still remain under the radar.
Ryan Tedder’s band has been releasing versatile hits for nearly two decades, but they still remain under the radar.
Imani Benberry, Columbia University
The white singer’s racially coded complaints about the success of several black female artists perpetuate a harmful dichotomy between white femininity and black female aggression.
The white singer’s racially coded complaints about the success of several black female artists perpetuate a harmful dichotomy between white femininity and black female aggression.
There are some critical absences this year. First off: Awkwafina.
Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University
The announcement has many excited, but still courts some controversy.
The announcement has many excited, but still courts some controversy.
Released just moments after her Sweetener World Tour ended, this recording perfectly captures the intensity and skill of the musician’s live performances.
Released just moments after her Sweetener World Tour ended, this recording perfectly captures the intensity and skill of the musician’s live performances.
Christine Bushart, Georgia State University
Just because you can consume it doesn’t mean it was made for you.
Just because you can consume it doesn’t mean it was made for you.
The corresponding Beyoncé album mirrors past Disney music projects, like Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Black Panther: The Album.’
The corresponding Beyoncé album mirrors past Disney music projects, like Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Black Panther: The Album.’
Sydney Hawkins, Alabama A&M University
Rap and hip-hop is once again turning to Africa for inspiration.
Rap and hip-hop is once again turning to Africa for inspiration.
Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University
‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.’ — Shakespeare, ‘Hamlet’
‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.’ — Shakespeare, ‘Hamlet’
As the eligibility period comes to a close, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish look to dominate.
As the eligibility period comes to a close, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish look to dominate.
Gabrielle Sheehan, Montclair State University
Okay Netflix, now let’s get in formation.
Okay Netflix, now let’s get in formation.
Gabrielle Sheehan, Montclair State University
The award show’s cryptic methodology has led to widespread criticism in recent years.
The award show’s cryptic methodology has led to widespread criticism in recent years.
Alexis Rogers, Temple University
Tyler Mitchell will be the first African-American photographer to shoot the magazine’s cover in its 126 years of operation.
Tyler Mitchell will be the first African-American photographer to shoot the magazine’s cover in its 126 years of operation.
Melissa Lee, State University of New York at Oswego
She knows she’s famous enough to release a No. 1 album with zero publicity.
She knows she’s famous enough to release a No. 1 album with zero publicity.
Rebecca Crosby, American University
Fittingly, the couple’s work of art belongs in a museum.
Fittingly, the couple’s work of art belongs in a museum.
Maya Ramani, University of Virginia
Yes, I re-downloaded Tidal for this. And it was worth it.
Yes, I re-downloaded Tidal for this. And it was worth it.
Emilie Romero, University of Nevada
If you couldn’t attend the second weekend, here’s what you missed.
If you couldn’t attend the second weekend, here’s what you missed.
Jack Brandon, University of Michigan
These are the albums that are (or should be) defining the decade.
These are the albums that are (or should be) defining the decade.
Deshia Dunn, Central Michigan University
Two artists, working in different fields and from different generations, connect over a shared experience.
Two artists, working in different fields and from different generations, connect over a shared experience.
If you don’t think Béyonce is an artist after listening to her newest album, you’re wrong.
If you don’t think Béyonce is an artist after listening to her newest album, you’re wrong.
Juliana Mae Neves, Loyola University and Guest Contributor
A powerful black woman making a powerful racial statement. Political? Yes. Criticizable? Absolutely not.
A powerful black woman making a powerful racial statement. Political? Yes. Criticizable? Absolutely not.