Marcus K. DowlingOn White People, Black Perfection, Country Music And America’s DemiseWhen white people have to follow Black rules, madness ensues.Jul 18, 20216Jul 18, 20216
Marcus K. DowlingThe name of this tune is Sha’Carri Goddam.Sha’Carri Richardson, Nina Simone. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.Jul 5, 20213Jul 5, 20213
Marcus K. DowlingMy 2021 Chet Flippo Award For Excellence In Country Music Journalism Acceptance SpeechPrinted, unedited, in its entiretyJun 4, 2021Jun 4, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingOn Colostomies, Country Music, And Morgan Wallen’s ReturnThe shit has hit the fan.May 20, 2021May 20, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingToday, A White Woman Sang To Me About My Demoralized Black Life.“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose,” sang Janis Joplin as I ran by Black Lives Matter Plaza.Apr 30, 2021Apr 30, 2021
Marcus K. DowlinginLEVELOn Missing Kendrick LamarThe “un-pimped butterfly” created songs that ultimately mediated the eternal universal struggle between good and evil.Apr 23, 2021Apr 23, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingWould George Floyd Have Been Killed Over A Harriet Tubman $20 Bill?How do you murder a man while he’s holding his freedom in the palm of his hand?Apr 21, 2021Apr 21, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingDMX’s “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” Remix Is A “Swagged-Out Air-Raid Signal”Producer Ken “DURO” Ifill remembers the making of 1998’s biggest remixApr 9, 2021Apr 9, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingBlack Film’s Brilliantly Reparational and Excellently Blaxploitational Moment Will Be…This is just the true Blaxploitation renaissance, but — again, bittersweetly — better.Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021
Marcus K. DowlingWhy Lil Nas X’s Evolution From Dolly Parton To Madonna Is ImportantLil Nas X “pleased (instead of teased) the Black demon” and evolved mainstream pop’s relationship to race and sexuality.Mar 27, 2021Mar 27, 2021