As writers and creatives, we love absorbing media. From stories and books to music, movies and TV shows, our staff is always on the lookout for new and different things to read, listen to and watch. We want to engage with you, our readers, and recommend what we’re into — and hear if you have any suggestions for us, too. We’ll publish our Legacy Loves series on a weekly basis. Give it a try, and maybe you’ll find something new to love.
Spooky season is here
It’s Oct. 1, officially the beginning of #spookyszn, also known as the best time of the year. We’re embracing our true selves, wearing Halloween socks all month long and dressing exclusively in shades of black. Our TVs have “Hocus Pocus” and “Halloweentown” on replay, along with Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween. It may not feel like fall outside, but with enough scary sugar cookies, scented candles and themed interior decor, we can fake it ‘til we make it.
To read: This article by The Cut on what it was like to watch Anita Hill watch Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony
Speaking of spooky news, last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh was emotionally trying, to say the least. News organizations covered the historic event from all sides and produced powerful journalism. As media producers and consumers, we appreciate good storytelling, and The Cut’s piece on what it was like to watch Ford’s testimony with Anita Hill conveys the strange and surreal feeling of watching history repeat itself. Countless stories have been published comparing Ford and Hill’s similar experiences, and seeing how Hill is reacting 27 years later is moving. Also worth reading: Hill’s op-ed published in The New York Times when the news of Dr. Ford’s accusations broke, about how to get the Kavanaugh hearings right.
To follow: Sarah Bahbah, photographer
Sarah Bahbah is a visual artist who writes, shoots and directs different photo series, often channeling intense feelings of love, isolation, nostalgia. She’s known on Instagram (@sarahbahbah) for her meticulously staged, evocative shoots, and the result is beautiful. Her photos make us pause when scrolling and take a moment to consider the message she’s sending and how she’s getting across — it’s the type of depth rarely seen or conveyed authentically on social media. Bahbah’s most recent series, “Dear Love,” features Noah Centineo (who we wrote about here!), but her series “I Could Not Protect Her” is another of our favorites.
“Tha Carter V,” Lil Wayne
If we doubted Lil Wayne’s staying power before, his long-awaited follow-up “Tha Carter V” proved us wrong. His twelfth studio release is candid, dark and shows a new side to the 36-year-old industry veteran. The record has a plethora of features, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, his daughter Reginae Carter and others. The 23-track album shows Wayne’s evolution and range as a musician, and it’ll be our go-to aux playlist for the foreseeable future.
Listen to “Tha Carter V” below.
The Incredible Jessica James, Netflix
“The Incredible Jessica James” tells the story of an aspiring 20-something Brooklyn playwright dealing with a bad breakup. It goes beyond your basic romantic comedy, showing a deeper side of Jessica as she discovers who she is during this transitional time in her life. Jessica James (played by co-host of the podcast “2 Dope Queens” Jessica Williams) is a strong-willed, progressive and independent woman, sometimes coming off as unlikable. But who is likable all the time? From defeating manspreading to ragging on Tinder dates, Jessica James gives the audience a raw and meaningful look at what it means to be a millennial woman. Of course she has her insecurities and is still trying to figure her life out, but Jessica never doubts her awesomeness. We love watching strong female leads, but we love watching self-loving female leads even more. As Jessica James would say, this movie was “friggin’ dope.”
Have a suggestion for something we should check out for our weekly roundup? Email [email protected].
