GROAVEN
@groaven.bsky.social
🕶️ Black music reviews and long-form journalism.
🎙️R&B/Hip-Hop: past, present, and future.
🤎 A groove-infused haven.
🌐 Black sound, boundless stories.
🎙️R&B/Hip-Hop: past, present, and future.
🤎 A groove-infused haven.
🌐 Black sound, boundless stories.
Interpreting Distant Relatives, a landmark in Black-music history whose central theme is the very heart of Black culture—the global Black diaspora.
Nas & Damian Marley — People Get Ready? (2010 Interview)
Interpreting Distant Relatives, a landmark in Black-music history whose central theme is the very heart of Black culture—the global Black diaspora.
www.groaven.com
May 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Interpreting Distant Relatives, a landmark in Black-music history whose central theme is the very heart of Black culture—the global Black diaspora.
With her luscious voice, assured singing power, and refreshing appeal, Amerie spoke about her second album, Touch, released after her debut record, and her career going forward.
Why Don’t You Fall in Love with Amerie? (2005 Interview)
With her luscious voice, assured singing power, and refreshing appeal, Amerie spoke about her second album, Touch, released after her debut record, and her career going forward.
open.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
With her luscious voice, assured singing power, and refreshing appeal, Amerie spoke about her second album, Touch, released after her debut record, and her career going forward.
Missy Elliott is prepping her sixth studio album release and is gaining attention because it’s her first LP without Timbaland and for its lyrics that spell out her thoughts as a human being.
Missy Elliott, Do the Ladies Run This! (2005 Interview)
Missy Elliott is prepping her sixth studio album release and is gaining attention because it’s her first LP without Timbaland and for its lyrics that spell out her thoughts as a human being.
open.substack.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Missy Elliott is prepping her sixth studio album release and is gaining attention because it’s her first LP without Timbaland and for its lyrics that spell out her thoughts as a human being.
Why did Faith Evans decide to move to Capitol from Bad Boy? And why did she relocate from Atlanta to somewhere else? The truths behind these questions are revealed in this interview.
Faith Evans, All Hail the First Lady (2005 Interview)
Why did Faith Evans decide to move to Capitol from Bad Boy? And why did she relocate from Atlanta to somewhere else? The truths behind these questions are revealed in this interview.
open.substack.com
April 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Why did Faith Evans decide to move to Capitol from Bad Boy? And why did she relocate from Atlanta to somewhere else? The truths behind these questions are revealed in this interview.
Solo debut release in hand with Dirty Harriet, the sole female member of Flipmode/Outsidaz, Rah Digga, makes a vivid entrance. Hailing from NJ/NY, this beautiful assassin seems unstoppable.
A 2000 Interview with Rah Digga at Her Fiercest
Solo debut release in hand with Dirty Harriet, the sole female member of Flipmode/Outsidaz, Rah Digga, makes a vivid entrance. Hailing from NJ/NY, this beautiful assassin seems unstoppable.
open.substack.com
April 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Solo debut release in hand with Dirty Harriet, the sole female member of Flipmode/Outsidaz, Rah Digga, makes a vivid entrance. Hailing from NJ/NY, this beautiful assassin seems unstoppable.
Joe shares his thoughts now that he has moved to Jive and is finally releasing his long-awaited second album (All That I Am). Listen to the assertion of this extraordinary romantic.
Joe, All the Things He’s Gonna Do (1997 Interview)
Joe shares his thoughts now that he has moved to Jive and is finally releasing his long-awaited second album (All That I Am). Listen to the assertion of this extraordinary romantic.
open.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Joe shares his thoughts now that he has moved to Jive and is finally releasing his long-awaited second album (All That I Am). Listen to the assertion of this extraordinary romantic.
Guru says that the new Gang Starr album, to be released next year (1994), will be more hardcore. What drove him to create the controversial work Jazzmatazz?
Guru’s Strategy, Repeating Expansion and Convergence: 1993 Interview
Guru says that the new Gang Starr album, to be released next year (1994), will be more hardcore. What drove him to create the controversial work Jazzmatazz?
open.substack.com
March 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Guru says that the new Gang Starr album, to be released next year (1994), will be more hardcore. What drove him to create the controversial work Jazzmatazz?
Having at last released her debut album, Angie Stone spoke about her past activities—from her time with The Sequence to showcasing her vocal abilities in Vertical Hold and working with Gerry DeVoe.
Angie Stone Be Rappin’ & Singin’: An Interview from 2000
Having at last released her debut album, Angie Stone spoke about her past activities—from her time with The Sequence to showcasing her vocal abilities in Vertical Hold and working with Gerry DeVoe.
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Having at last released her debut album, Angie Stone spoke about her past activities—from her time with The Sequence to showcasing her vocal abilities in Vertical Hold and working with Gerry DeVoe.
Jon B has stated that he wants to keep the love and sensuality of R&B alive in his music, and his seventh studio album delivers on that mission.
Jon B: Waiting On You (Album Review)
Despite the long wait (this is his first album in over a decade since 2012’s Comfortable Swagg), Jon B returns with a focused record that reflects patience and care over the years of delays.
open.substack.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Jon B has stated that he wants to keep the love and sensuality of R&B alive in his music, and his seventh studio album delivers on that mission.
Mereba urges the public to protect their inner balance as a sanctuary and refocus, without losing sight of the importance of standing together. May she be heard.
Mereba: The Breeze Grew a Fire (Album Review)
Mereba urges the public to protect their inner balance as a sanctuary and refocus, without losing sight of the importance of standing together. May she be heard.
open.substack.com
March 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Mereba urges the public to protect their inner balance as a sanctuary and refocus, without losing sight of the importance of standing together. May she be heard.
Ledisi’s commitment to uplifting narratives and embracing the fabric of Black history and excellence as she announces her 12th studio release slated for April.
Ledisi Unveils The Crown: Shares Album Cover and Release Date
Ledisi’s commitment to uplifting narratives and embracing the fabric of Black history and excellence as she announces her 12th studio release slated for April.
open.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Ledisi’s commitment to uplifting narratives and embracing the fabric of Black history and excellence as she announces her 12th studio release slated for April.
From the Private Collection deliver high-level lyricism and storytelling from Saba, elevated by No ID’s masterful production.
Saba & No ID: From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID (Album Review)
From the Private Collection deliver high-level lyricism and storytelling from Saba, elevated by No ID’s masterful production.
open.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
From the Private Collection deliver high-level lyricism and storytelling from Saba, elevated by No ID’s masterful production.
Kendrick Lamar develops a storyline with all the hallmarks of classic storytelling: exposition, rising tension, a pivotal climax, and resolution—plus a colorful cast of adversaries.
Pimp-Pimp Hooray!
Kendrick Lamar develops a storyline with all the hallmarks of classic storytelling: exposition, rising tension, a pivotal climax, and resolution—plus a colorful cast of adversaries.
open.substack.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Kendrick Lamar develops a storyline with all the hallmarks of classic storytelling: exposition, rising tension, a pivotal climax, and resolution—plus a colorful cast of adversaries.
After twenty years since his last album release, Will Smith is making his long-awaited return to the music industry.
Will Smith Unveils Based On a True Story: Shares Album Cover and Tracklist
After twenty years since his last album release, Will Smith is making his long-awaited return to the music industry.
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
After twenty years since his last album release, Will Smith is making his long-awaited return to the music industry.
The underground luminary returns with ‘Misery’—a haunting, Kenny Segal-produced preview—setting the stage for his 18-track album GOLLIWOG, arriving May 9.
billy woods Unveils GOLLIWOG: New Single “Misery” Drops
The underground luminary returns with ‘Misery’—a haunting, Kenny Segal-produced preview—setting the stage for his 18-track album GOLLIWOG, arriving May 9.
open.substack.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The underground luminary returns with ‘Misery’—a haunting, Kenny Segal-produced preview—setting the stage for his 18-track album GOLLIWOG, arriving May 9.
Everyone falls in love with the dazzling sunlight during this season—the maestro who manipulated cool vibraphone and mellow vibrations, greatly influencing soul music.
The Eternal Roy Ayers
Everyone falls in love with the dazzling sunlight during this season—the maestro who manipulated cool vibraphone and mellow vibrations, greatly influencing soul music.
open.substack.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Everyone falls in love with the dazzling sunlight during this season—the maestro who manipulated cool vibraphone and mellow vibrations, greatly influencing soul music.
Silas Short has officially announced his debut album, Lushland, set to be released on April 15th via Stones Throw Records.
Silas Short Announces Debut Album ‘Lushland’ – Dropping April 15 with New Single “Guy” Out Now
Silas Short has officially announced his debut album, Lushland, set to be released on April 15th via Stones Throw Records.
open.substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Silas Short has officially announced his debut album, Lushland, set to be released on April 15th via Stones Throw Records.
After years of fan anticipation and viral buzz on TikTok, Doechii has officially released her much-discussed track to streaming platforms.
Doechii Finally Drops “Anxiety”: A Long-Awaited Remix of a Timeless Sample
After years of fan anticipation and viral buzz on TikTok, Doechii has officially released her much-discussed track to streaming platforms.
open.substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
After years of fan anticipation and viral buzz on TikTok, Doechii has officially released her much-discussed track to streaming platforms.
The Grammy-winning artist will step behind the camera to direct an intimate, music-forward documentary that looks into the life and legacy of Curtis Mayfield.
H.E.R. Directs ‘The Makings of Curtis Mayfield’: A Revolutionary Tribute to a Musical Icon at SXSW
The Grammy-winning artist will step behind the camera to direct an intimate, music-forward documentary that looks into the life and legacy of Curtis Mayfield.
open.substack.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The Grammy-winning artist will step behind the camera to direct an intimate, music-forward documentary that looks into the life and legacy of Curtis Mayfield.
Welcome to GROAVEN.
Where Black sound meets boundless stories.
In all its forms, Black music culture relies on community and shared experience. We are connoting the pulse of rhythmic expression and a supportive refuge for deep cultural conversations.
Where Black sound meets boundless stories.
In all its forms, Black music culture relies on community and shared experience. We are connoting the pulse of rhythmic expression and a supportive refuge for deep cultural conversations.
March 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Welcome to GROAVEN.
Where Black sound meets boundless stories.
In all its forms, Black music culture relies on community and shared experience. We are connoting the pulse of rhythmic expression and a supportive refuge for deep cultural conversations.
Where Black sound meets boundless stories.
In all its forms, Black music culture relies on community and shared experience. We are connoting the pulse of rhythmic expression and a supportive refuge for deep cultural conversations.