Deeper research, primary sources, and expanded analysis on Black American music history — delivered straight to your inbox.
From the Newsletter
Recent editions. Every piece starts free — paid subscribers read the whole thing.
Ella Fitzgerald’s Greatest Freestyle: The Genius of “How High the MoonOctober 30, 2026Ella Fitzgerald Was So Damn ColdRead on SubstackPaid subscribersThe Music Industry Doesn’t Want More Rapsodys. It Wants More Stereotypes.October 27, 2026Why authentic Black American artistry struggles for attention in an industry that profits from selling a distorted version of who we are.Read on SubstackGreg Phillinganes Reminded Me What’s Missing From Music TodayOctober 9, 2026The musicians behind the legends deserve more than a footnote.Read on SubstackThe Producers Who Built R&BSeptember 20, 2026I just published my Top 20 R&B Producers list over at Incense‑N‑Ashtrays.Read on SubstackMy Takeaway From Interviewing Josef LeimbergSeptember 17, 2026After sitting down with Josef Leimberg for Incense-N-Ashtrays and writing the profile that came out of our conversation, I kept thinking about a few things that…Read on SubstackJosef Leimberg: The Man Behind the Music You Already KnowSeptember 16, 2026I just published a new Incense-N-Ashtrays profile on Josef Leimberg, and if you care about the people behind the music, this is one you should read.Read on Substack