Marcus K. DowlingOn White People, Black Perfection, Country Music And America’s DemiseWhen white people have to follow Black rules, madness ensues.6 min read·Jul 18, 2021--6--6
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.5 min read·Jul 5, 2021--3--3
Marcus K. DowlingMy 2021 Chet Flippo Award For Excellence In Country Music Journalism Acceptance SpeechPrinted, unedited, in its entirety·5 min read·Jun 4, 2021----
Marcus K. DowlingOn Colostomies, Country Music, And Morgan Wallen’s ReturnThe shit has hit the fan.6 min read·May 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.·4 min read·Apr 30, 2021----
Marcus K. DowlinginLEVELOn Missing Kendrick LamarThe “un-pimped butterfly” created songs that ultimately mediated the eternal universal struggle between good and evil.·3 min read·Apr 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?·5 min read·Apr 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 remix·8 min read·Apr 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.·7 min read·Mar 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.·5 min read·Mar 27, 2021----