Derrick Payne

Public intellectual reporting from the front lines of the struggle. My Interests? truth, justice, righteousness, order, balance, harmony, reciprocity

[Derrick Payne @DPayneonline]

Letting knowledge be born with the GOAT mc

[Brandon Ousley @brandonousley]

Album of the day. There are those few live recordings that are all too sacred and powerful to pass by. When Chicago soul legend Curtis Mayfield set his sights on performing a four-night stint at New York’s famed Bitter End club in January 1971, he brought his crackling funk, political power, and Black pride to the center stage. Released as a double-LP set in May 1971, Curtis/Live! captures a master recasting his past and current repertoire in the midst of a changing musical, social, and political landscape. By threading songs from his 1970 debut album, Curtis with Impressions staples, Mayfield and his crack band creates a space for the crowd’s reactions and his own fragile falsetto to float. There’s also a warm and introspective quality beneath the political keynotes of this recording, as Mayfield frankly interacts with his audience, spilling his takes on the social despair and issues of the day. This classic live release is also notable for including two new songs, the funky pre-Super Fly anti-drug PSA, “Stone Junkie” and “Stare and Stare,” a sparse and observational slice of social commentary that never appeared on any of Mayfield’s studio albums and only exists in this live rendition. Essential listening.

[Britni Danielle @BritniDWrites]

So Virginia can't use their new map, which was approved by voters. But Alabama can?

But sure, SCOTUS isn't "political"

[IG: RahiemShabazz @rahiemshabazz]

Three young Black lives. Three trips to a store. Three families left carrying a lifetime of grief.

Latasha Harlins was killed after being falsely accused of stealing a bottle of orange juice. Video evidence showed she had money in her hand and did not steal the item.

Cyrus Carmack-Belton, 14 years old, was shot in the back after being accused of shoplifting. His family lost a son. A community lost a child.

Trayvon Martin was returning from a store with an Arizona tea and a bag of Skittles when his life was taken.

Different cities. Different years. The same painful question.

How many Black children must die under suspicion before Black life is treated as innocent, human, and worthy of protection?

Oppression does not disappear because we ignore it. It does not retreat because we hope it will. Every generation must decide whether it will accept injustice or confront it.

We are a people who desire peace. But peace without justice is submission. Peace without accountability is silence. Peace without power is fragile.

The question is not whether history is repeating itself. The question are prepared to do to stop it?

[⚜️Sovereign⚜️ @sauvamemte]

When legends like Peabo Bryson die, it makes me realize that we do not have that caliber a singer anymore. You had Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, Peabo Bryson, El DeBarge and countless others running around at the same time we will never have that again.

[9th Wonder @9thwonder]

Thank you Lord for allowing me to experience the time period in hip-hop that I did.

Because man, this is turning into a circus …

[Donnie Simpson @DonnieSimpson]

Prayers for Peabo’s recovery after suffering a stroke. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[Larry Fitzgerald @LarryFitzgerald]

My father was a man of strength, love and encouragement. He opened countless doors for me and my brother. He believed in us and pushed us to pursue every opportunity with conviction, he was the rock of our family. He taught us that perseverance, hard work, and unwavering commitment are the foundations of a meaningful life and personal success. I will carry his love, words, and wisdom with me always.

[Robert Littal BSO @BSO]

Chow who had a history of shooting at customers. Chased down a 14 year old who hadn’t stolen anything. Shot him in the back. Then had his son lie about having a gun pointed at him. It worked because black people’s lives aren’t worth even a $1 water bottle in this country. So if you are one of those people who like to say well all lives matter just know you are lying to yourself and you know it.

[MJ Friends | Fan Account @mjfriends_]

🚨John McClain, co-executor of Michael Jackson’s Estate, has passed away at the age of 71.

Alongside John Branca, McClain played an essential role in preserving and rebuilding Michael Jackson’s legacy after 2009, helping transform the Estate into one of the most successful forces in the music and entertainment industry.

He was also involved in major projects connected to Michael’s legacy, including This Is It, the Broadway musical, and several posthumous releases.

According to reports, John passed away this Tuesday in Malibu after facing health issues in recent years.

[philip lewis @Phil_Lewis_]

Morris Day and The Time: “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at The Great American State Fair.”

[Sonny Rollins @sonnyrollins]

It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins. The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY at the age of 95. 1/2 https://t.co/6AGmFrB7x4

[DevilDog Diaries🇺🇲 @cjdelgross]

In law enforcement, you know a suspect is lying when their story keeps changing.

Look at the J6ers. Over the years, the excuses, conspiracy theories, and justifications for the Capitol riot have constantly shifted to avoid accountability.

Here is the exhausting list of contradictions they’ve used to explain J6:

* It was Antifa/BLM in disguise to make conservatives look bad.
* It was an FBI/Fed setup orchestrating the entire crowd.
* It was just a peaceful tourist visit with people walking between the ropes.
* It was a necessary, patriotic revolution to save the country.
* The Capitol Police waved them in, so no laws were broken.
* The Capitol Police were brutal aggressors who provoked the crowd.
* The election was actively being stolen, justifying the breach.
* They are political prisoners who did nothing wrong.

Pick a lane. You can’t be a peaceful tourist, a victim of a deep-state frame-up, and a revolutionary hero all at the same time. The shifting stories prove the guilt.

[Brandon Ousley @brandonousley]

Album of the day. The Isley Brothers' final album of the '70s, Winner Takes All, tends to get a bad rep. Contrary to the album's title, the thought of the brothers doing a double album must've been a sign of caution for some that their winning streak was beginning to wear thin. Despite criticisms of album's front-loaded material falling on the formulaic side, they still came up with many gems scattered across its four sides. Their patented funk-rock sound was emphasized on key tracks like "I Wanna Be With You," "Liquid Love," and "Mind Over Matter." They even toyed with clubby disco rhythms on the infectious "Harvest of the World" sound-alike, "Life in the City" and "It's a Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)," but this album shined best in the ballad department.

The middle stretch of this album rivals just about any Isleys slow jam known to man. Ronald Isley's majestically smooth tenor burned with tenderness on "Let's Fall in Love," "You're the Key to My Heart," "You're Beside Me," and "Love Comes and Goes," which remain quiet storm favorites to this day. But the underappreciated deep cut, "Let Me in Your Life" is a personal favorite for its blend of funk and soft rock, highlighted by the Isleys' hypnotic vocal harmonies and little brother Marvin Isley's tight bass work. While Winner Takes All may never go down as the front-to-back classic as Go For Your Guns, The Heat is On, and 3 + 3, it stands as one of the several underrated entries in the Isleys' long and distinguished canon.

[Brandon Ousley @brandonousley]

Album of the day. Marvin Gaye's seminal masterwork, What's Going On was released 55 years ago today. A visionary statement that's haunting and timely today as ever. Enough said.

[Yvette Carnell 🇺🇸 @BreakingBrown]

Victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have never been compensated, but apparently there is a plan afoot to pay the Jan 6 thugs who defecated in the U.S. Capitol, attacked police & destroyed property.

Any country that allows this to happen is, in fact, a racist country.

[imjus.Ke🧜🏽‍♀️✨ @ksdotlewis]

Stoney’s had fried bologna on that buffet. That shit use to slap!

[Derrick Payne @DPayneonline]

@RodDelph Congrats to all yall!

[Dan @xyxexnxcxi]

@atrupar What's weird is hiring a secretary of education with no experience in education.

[RNB RADAR @rnbradar]

Happy 60th birthday to the legendary Raphael Saadiq 🎈

[𝙱𝚘𝚋𝚋𝚢’𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚎𝚕 @SalvadorDafti]

D’Angelo - Feel Like Makin’ Love

A Roberta classic, made entirely his own. Dousing it in horns, steeping it in funk, making it erotic and deeply seductive. Sit back, press play, and let them do the rest.

2000.