Ari, this is by far, the greatest of your newsletters! Powerful! In-depth! As Jon Batiste said in your Maverick interview, “You connect, and educate your audience culturally.” Earlier today, my son sent to me a trailer of “The Book of Clarence,” a coming movie for January 2024, with Jay Z (Shawn Carter), as one of the producers. I thought, Beyoncé is ending her tour, as Jay Z is taking the stage, so to speak. A powerhouse couple! Most definitely, he deserves this honor! Others so deserving are Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry-people who came from humble beginnings, struggled, ascended to the top, and very quietly, give back to their communities and beyond! An excellent, educational read! See you at the BEAT BOP in L.A. next week.🙏🏽
Hi Pamela🤚 How are you doing? I've been so busy the past 2 weeks. Little Luke is growing so much. He has been a little fussy, (he is teething), but is still a sweetheart. Hope I can get back to posting more soon. Have a good night!!❤️😊🙏💞
Thanks, V! Will definitely share. Praying to get an opportunity to at least say hi! A goodnight to you, as well…And it’s a blessing 🙏🏽to be able to participate in the “Busy!” 😂 Talk soon!❤️
A interesting concept very well written. We must never hide our pain of the past but to endure it with class and fortitude knowing that our history make stronger and united. Jews and Black's are one in the same. My food for thought !!!! God himself was a Jew he created Man so where does that leave the white man A JEW CREATED All MEN
Now, Tasha, you know this is way over my head and out of my lane, but I’m gonna take a stab at it, just to see Ari, and now you! I expect to enjoy it!😂
Well, Ari, this was fascinating and a lot to digest. I have to tell you until I started watching you(quite a while now) I had never heard of any of these talented people. We imagine ourselves to be “woke”, aware and broadminded. In reality we lack in so many experiences. Even as a youth where I lived the black culture ididn't exist. I never got to experience the culture, the music or for that matter any serious history, very sad , a tremendous loss and cultural disgrace. There was one black boy in my high school!my first black friend happened a my first job, as that friendship was squashed by my boss. It changed my life in an instant. A big awakening in me. I became quite defiant .
I found Jay-Z and his work riviting and I did do the virtual tour of the library, enthralled in the Hov experience.! Wonderful and engrossing. So glad the exhibit has free access to everybody and sorry it will end in Oct.
I have to tell you Ari, one of my favorite segments of the “beat” is Maveriks! All of them have been fantastic, enlightening and inspiring. The talent is mind blowing, their experiences sometimes gut wrenching and scary. THeir success exhilerating! Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine the loss if the tables where turned and I had never gotten to know my favorite artists like Joplin, Dylan, Cash, Lennon an sooo many more. I feel cheated that I have missed all of these wonderful artists you have introduced to me now instead of in my youth, huge loss.
You are brilliant, refreshing & charming. Quite a trifecta, pure magic on every level from your legal breakdowns to your cultural diversity and adventures in music. A gift to the new venue for sure❗️✨💫👏
Amen. Sometimes Ari says them so fast that I have to listen a couple times. I’m no prude but I do find the foul language offensive and unnecessary so I tend to tune out but when he breaks it down, I can absorb it
Loved the essay Ari I would love to see a similar exhibit for James Baldwin “The Purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by the answers”
I like that idea a lot. Several months ago I binge-watched a ton of Baldwin videos on YouTube and even repeated several of them because they touched a nerve and I felt I needed to hear his use of language again and again. As I get older I'm discovering the voices I should have known better than I do. But it's not too late to know them now, right?
I hear you and Gregg, Betty! Sometimes, I think of the “If Only(s)” in my life. What I recall is how well Baldwin spoke; he commanded a room, and had an aura of sophistication. IF ONLY I had truly LISTENED!
I loved this piece! It’s exceptional, powerful and noteworthy! This piece evokes so many emotions. I love HOV DID! I love the way you broke it down. Bravo! You’re a great storyteller, you always leave me with questions to think about. You make a difference Ari. I’m so proud of you, you should be too! When I come back to NYC, my home state, I’d definitely love to go to the Library.
The exhibit is definitely worthwhile! Thank you Ari♥️♍️
Ari, you have opened a new world to this 65 year old grandmother. I enjoy your segments and now, your newsletters that help me to see more of the world. Love your Mavericks segments. It’s impossible to not learn something from what you bring to MSNBC & ultimately, the world. You are tearing down walls that have separated Americans for generations. You were needed at this moment in history & you’ve stepped up to educate all of us. You are helping to build a better America. Thank you!
What belongs in the library is truth. Of course truth comes in some many flavors we can't just like the taste. Sometimes it's bittersweet, other times it unadulterated and other times it's pure. Regardless it's good to see it in the newsletter in various forms.
Hi Sherwin! I spoke with my friend who coached Bball in Chitown - he is not related although his last name is Cox - he knew your Coach very well & he was a close friend as was his wife.
I am inclined to agree with you, Sherwen, but we must painstakingly filter out the disinformation and Dreck that so often is represented as the 'Truth', like Truth Social and Twi- I mean 'X'!
I really like that you bridge the music gap for someone like 60s and 70s music an rap and generation of my sons, millennial. I never thought of the verses as poems, but since i write poems, i know that words written should free you and inspire and Jay Z does. I discus not only politics with my son but music too. Because of you i know some of their names, I recognized them on your maverick interview and your friday fallback. I never miss your show, it's automatically set to record. I don't usually isten to rap or hip hop but I do occasionally because of you. I love your newsletter too. Thank you
Wrapping the exterior of the library with his words is breathtaking and kind of brilliant. The library is a haven for our community, and this is another way to honor not only HOV, but those who have lived his words. The special edition library cards are there for the Brooklyn community. Let’s hope that motivates more people to come in and get lost in the stacks. Thanks for the great article Ari. I’ve missed you!
“Wrapping the exterior of the library with his words is breathtaking and kind of brilliant...” I think so, too, Joanie, along with the special library cards. Unique ideas!
Jon batiste “meeting” his younger self on video was wonderful. He just radiated joy--something i really need right now. Somehow i think id be mortified to meet myself that young.
Hi Diva!!!🤗 Thank you so much my sweet friend for checking in on me.
I've had so many emotional up and down days. Today is the first time in 2 weeks that I feel like myself. I have a narcissistic family member who likes to create havoc.. I try not to let it get to me, but sometimes it's just too much. But thanks to God, I'm OK now. 🙏🙏🙏
How are you? As much as i tried, I was not able to read your note on Ari's event. You know me and technology.😊🤭😵💫
So good to get back to catching up.,. Thanks again, sending you a big hug!!❤️🙏❤️
The event in Los Angeles was fabulous. The Hip-Hop speakers were very educational and really brought us into the rooms where creation happened. This box is getting smaller, so I can’t say more than that. As for family, unfortunately, we can’t choose them, so we have to deal within the dynamics we are dealt! Glad you’re on the other side. As the saying goes, if others can live with them, you can live around them: Intermittently and Patiently! Be well! Was missing you!🙏🏽❤️🙂
V, will we see you on Ari's Zoom Call Tuesday Night @ 9 PM? I sincerely hope so! BTW, If you wish to contact me, my email address is: dawells55@gmail.com . I hope to hear from you, V!
As a 67 yo white women, I admit I haven't understood Jay Z's music or cultural impact. But your breakdown is a powerful lesson and I really appreciate it! If I was in NYC, your description would definitely get me to the library to see/understand him and his art myself. I hope there are millions like me who will do that for themselves and our diverse society. Thanks Ari!!!
One of my lifelong idols and heroes has never received the public acknowledgment or admiration he deserves. His name is/was Early Wright (the Soul Man) from Clarksdale MS. You can discover some of the reasons I consider him an undisputed treasure if you “Google” his name. Without him, there’d be no authentic Blues, Soul Music, or Rock as we know them today.
Shout out to public libraries which are now reservoirs of culture and art and social justice. I am so grateful they still exist. This exhibition sounds amazing
Hi Ms Nancy! Isn’t that the worse!? A reflection of a party that has absolutely no goals, no vision, not even a process for moving their constituency forward. Even more astounding, is that their supporters appear comfortable in the mire!
Absolutely!! And they're getting away with it!! Which is very frightening which puts our democracy and freedom in jeopardy!!! And who's to say that in our next election that it will be fair and honest and truthful??? As long as Marjorie green and her cohorts are running the show, none of us are safe!! Since the last election the Republicans have been busy in each state ensuring that their vote supersedes all other votes--how in the world are we going to get past that??? And that's what they're counting on!! I hate to be a" doomsdayer" we as a nation are in for a rude awakening!! The rule of law as we know it now will be no more--also those who are spewing the lies and deceit will come to rue the day that they joined and participated in!! They do not have a clue of where we're headed!! Nazi Germany will look like Paradise to where we're headed!! Who knows??? Maybe Trump is the incarnation of Hitler himself!!--living the dream in America!!--I apologize for being so negative but I am very very frightened!! For the state of our Union!!!
You’re right to be frightened, Nancy, as should us all! The Republican mantra was to “Take our country back!” They got it and literally Shid all over it! They choose to take us into the 1950s, but Democrats operate as if we ARE there--amongst statesmen, with a respect for the rule of law. We just can’t seem to know how to run against today’s Republican Party. Twenty years ago, Bill Clinton told us, “People will follow strong and wrong over right and weak!” We changed nothing! Technology has enabled us to reach more people, but our political methodologies are the same. We just keep trudging along!
I was doing some deep thinking (which I do often 😏)---and I was thinking about when our country was founded---and wouldn't you know I came to the realization that it was founded by all white men who were/are racist!!! Well no wonder we're in the state we're in!!! Everything written in the Constitution was written for white people only!!(I hated history when I was growing up I suppose it was because of the teacher and his monotone delivery that turned me off learning and being interested in our past)--anyway back to what I was saying---the Constitution did not include other races at all. I'm not sure when the Statue of Liberty came into being but I'm thinking it was well after the Constitution was written??? And here all this time we all thought that to become American's that the Constitution applied to immigrants who became Americans!! How utterly wrong we were!! And there in lies the rub!!!(talk about a light bulb moment!!🥴)--I don't believe I've ever heard, this concept, before?? Perhaps among academics?--I went to community college or four semesters but at the time I was taking math and writing courses--anyway what do you think??
Ari, this is by far, the greatest of your newsletters! Powerful! In-depth! As Jon Batiste said in your Maverick interview, “You connect, and educate your audience culturally.” Earlier today, my son sent to me a trailer of “The Book of Clarence,” a coming movie for January 2024, with Jay Z (Shawn Carter), as one of the producers. I thought, Beyoncé is ending her tour, as Jay Z is taking the stage, so to speak. A powerhouse couple! Most definitely, he deserves this honor! Others so deserving are Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry-people who came from humble beginnings, struggled, ascended to the top, and very quietly, give back to their communities and beyond! An excellent, educational read! See you at the BEAT BOP in L.A. next week.🙏🏽
Hello Miss Diva,
Very well said!👏🏾
Sandra
Hi S.R. and Thanks! Been missing you guys!❤️
Me too!! Been missing all us beatniks! Hey all y’all! 😂
Hi Pamela🤚 How are you doing? I've been so busy the past 2 weeks. Little Luke is growing so much. He has been a little fussy, (he is teething), but is still a sweetheart. Hope I can get back to posting more soon. Have a good night!!❤️😊🙏💞
Great to hear from you V! I will be on my way to see a bunch of mine on Tuesday! Mine are muck older than Luke but I adore them all!! 💖✌🏻
Enjoy the lovefest!!!❤️😊🙏
Beautiful comment btw Ms D!!
Love all your thoughts and your choices!
❤️
I’m so damned jealous!! Hey Ms Diva! 😘
Hi Diva!!!! I can't believe how busy I've been these last 2 weeks. I had to sit down and write a few words to our beatnik community. 🥰
I absolutely love reading your your insightful words. You're awesome!!!👍
Now, are you ready for tomorrow? I'm so excited for you!!!! Have a great time!!! Lookiing forward to hearing all the details,
. Have a good night!!❤️😊🙏💞
Hi V, I posted a note about last night’s event
Hi Diva!!!🤗 Now where do I read this note?🤔
On Substack, at the top right are arrows. Click onto that and select “Newest.” Then scroll to it. Take care❤️🙏🏽
Thanks!!! Good night 😴❤️🙏
By the way, love your picture. You look great!!!✌️😊👍
😂😂😂How long have you needed glasses? Thanks, V, and goodnight!
Thanks, V! Will definitely share. Praying to get an opportunity to at least say hi! A goodnight to you, as well…And it’s a blessing 🙏🏽to be able to participate in the “Busy!” 😂 Talk soon!❤️
“Beatnik community.”😳…😂😂😂
That's us!!!😊
I KNOW! That’s why I’m laughing at us! Certainly MY era-full blown! You may as well thro in the “Hippies” and the “Flower Children.” 😂😂😂
❤️✌️🌻
Thanks again for helping me get my emojis back, 😘
A interesting concept very well written. We must never hide our pain of the past but to endure it with class and fortitude knowing that our history make stronger and united. Jews and Black's are one in the same. My food for thought !!!! God himself was a Jew he created Man so where does that leave the white man A JEW CREATED All MEN
I’ll be at the Beat Bop next week! Hope to see you there. Sure to be a fun night:) Looking forward to it! 😁🥁🎶🎨
Now, Tasha, you know this is way over my head and out of my lane, but I’m gonna take a stab at it, just to see Ari, and now you! I expect to enjoy it!😂
Alright! Sounds good! I got your pic:) Let’s look out for each other! Would be a pleasure to meet you Miss D. 😁👍🏽💃🏽
❤️
OK, Tasha! I just screenshot your picture, will be looking for you! I guess I need to add mine to this site😂
Thank you, Quart! Nice to meet you!
❤️🙂
OK, Sandra, out with it! Is this the already legal name or did WE get married? Inquiry minds want to know😂
Well, Ari, this was fascinating and a lot to digest. I have to tell you until I started watching you(quite a while now) I had never heard of any of these talented people. We imagine ourselves to be “woke”, aware and broadminded. In reality we lack in so many experiences. Even as a youth where I lived the black culture ididn't exist. I never got to experience the culture, the music or for that matter any serious history, very sad , a tremendous loss and cultural disgrace. There was one black boy in my high school!my first black friend happened a my first job, as that friendship was squashed by my boss. It changed my life in an instant. A big awakening in me. I became quite defiant .
I found Jay-Z and his work riviting and I did do the virtual tour of the library, enthralled in the Hov experience.! Wonderful and engrossing. So glad the exhibit has free access to everybody and sorry it will end in Oct.
I have to tell you Ari, one of my favorite segments of the “beat” is Maveriks! All of them have been fantastic, enlightening and inspiring. The talent is mind blowing, their experiences sometimes gut wrenching and scary. THeir success exhilerating! Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine the loss if the tables where turned and I had never gotten to know my favorite artists like Joplin, Dylan, Cash, Lennon an sooo many more. I feel cheated that I have missed all of these wonderful artists you have introduced to me now instead of in my youth, huge loss.
You are brilliant, refreshing & charming. Quite a trifecta, pure magic on every level from your legal breakdowns to your cultural diversity and adventures in music. A gift to the new venue for sure❗️✨💫👏
AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID! I could be you and you could be me!!!❤️🙏🥰
Thank you Victoria!!!
kind words and on the money
mr melber is a treasure <3
Thank you
same
Thank you
Thank you
Excellent!
Tnank yi
They spit the rhymes so fast, I can't catch all the lyrics. I'm so glad Ari has taught me to appreciate them better!
Amen. Sometimes Ari says them so fast that I have to listen a couple times. I’m no prude but I do find the foul language offensive and unnecessary so I tend to tune out but when he breaks it down, I can absorb it
My experience too. Including reaction to language!
I went so far as to get Jay Z’s book “Decoded”. Not finished it yet-- can only (try to) absorb a chapter a day. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.
Loved the essay Ari I would love to see a similar exhibit for James Baldwin “The Purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by the answers”
Intetersting idea!
I like that idea a lot. Several months ago I binge-watched a ton of Baldwin videos on YouTube and even repeated several of them because they touched a nerve and I felt I needed to hear his use of language again and again. As I get older I'm discovering the voices I should have known better than I do. But it's not too late to know them now, right?
I hear you and Gregg, Betty! Sometimes, I think of the “If Only(s)” in my life. What I recall is how well Baldwin spoke; he commanded a room, and had an aura of sophistication. IF ONLY I had truly LISTENED!
I loved this piece! It’s exceptional, powerful and noteworthy! This piece evokes so many emotions. I love HOV DID! I love the way you broke it down. Bravo! You’re a great storyteller, you always leave me with questions to think about. You make a difference Ari. I’m so proud of you, you should be too! When I come back to NYC, my home state, I’d definitely love to go to the Library.
The exhibit is definitely worthwhile! Thank you Ari♥️♍️
Sent from my iPhone
Ari, you have opened a new world to this 65 year old grandmother. I enjoy your segments and now, your newsletters that help me to see more of the world. Love your Mavericks segments. It’s impossible to not learn something from what you bring to MSNBC & ultimately, the world. You are tearing down walls that have separated Americans for generations. You were needed at this moment in history & you’ve stepped up to educate all of us. You are helping to build a better America. Thank you!
What belongs in the library is truth. Of course truth comes in some many flavors we can't just like the taste. Sometimes it's bittersweet, other times it unadulterated and other times it's pure. Regardless it's good to see it in the newsletter in various forms.
I couldn't have said that any better myself!! Well put
Hi Sherwin! I spoke with my friend who coached Bball in Chitown - he is not related although his last name is Cox - he knew your Coach very well & he was a close friend as was his wife.
I am inclined to agree with you, Sherwen, but we must painstakingly filter out the disinformation and Dreck that so often is represented as the 'Truth', like Truth Social and Twi- I mean 'X'!
I really like that you bridge the music gap for someone like 60s and 70s music an rap and generation of my sons, millennial. I never thought of the verses as poems, but since i write poems, i know that words written should free you and inspire and Jay Z does. I discus not only politics with my son but music too. Because of you i know some of their names, I recognized them on your maverick interview and your friday fallback. I never miss your show, it's automatically set to record. I don't usually isten to rap or hip hop but I do occasionally because of you. I love your newsletter too. Thank you
Thank you, Ari. Outstanding poetry and cultural analysis. Take it from a retired AP English teacher: A+.
Wrapping the exterior of the library with his words is breathtaking and kind of brilliant. The library is a haven for our community, and this is another way to honor not only HOV, but those who have lived his words. The special edition library cards are there for the Brooklyn community. Let’s hope that motivates more people to come in and get lost in the stacks. Thanks for the great article Ari. I’ve missed you!
“Wrapping the exterior of the library with his words is breathtaking and kind of brilliant...” I think so, too, Joanie, along with the special library cards. Unique ideas!
there's a metaphor -
wrapping the walls
with the words
of a rapping
all star
We understand, Jimmy, but thanks, anyway!
Love this Jimmy.!
Oh I want to see it - maybe I should take my grown up sons!!
Brilliant essay. Thank you.
Jay Z and library was wonderful.
Jon batiste “meeting” his younger self on video was wonderful. He just radiated joy--something i really need right now. Somehow i think id be mortified to meet myself that young.
I absolutely love Jon.❤️ Watched him on Stephen Cobert, and felt his sweet soul every night. 🎶🎶🎶
Hi V., just checking in. Don’t recall seeing you on the Zoom call, nor this newsletter. Hope all is well🙏🏽❤️.
Hi Diva!!!🤗 Thank you so much my sweet friend for checking in on me.
I've had so many emotional up and down days. Today is the first time in 2 weeks that I feel like myself. I have a narcissistic family member who likes to create havoc.. I try not to let it get to me, but sometimes it's just too much. But thanks to God, I'm OK now. 🙏🙏🙏
How are you? As much as i tried, I was not able to read your note on Ari's event. You know me and technology.😊🤭😵💫
So good to get back to catching up.,. Thanks again, sending you a big hug!!❤️🙏❤️
The event in Los Angeles was fabulous. The Hip-Hop speakers were very educational and really brought us into the rooms where creation happened. This box is getting smaller, so I can’t say more than that. As for family, unfortunately, we can’t choose them, so we have to deal within the dynamics we are dealt! Glad you’re on the other side. As the saying goes, if others can live with them, you can live around them: Intermittently and Patiently! Be well! Was missing you!🙏🏽❤️🙂
Oh Diva!!! Thank you, I will take your words to heart. Have a pleasant evening, 🙏❤️🤗
V, will we see you on Ari's Zoom Call Tuesday Night @ 9 PM? I sincerely hope so! BTW, If you wish to contact me, my email address is: dawells55@gmail.com . I hope to hear from you, V!
Hey V!!! How is the little one?
As a 67 yo white women, I admit I haven't understood Jay Z's music or cultural impact. But your breakdown is a powerful lesson and I really appreciate it! If I was in NYC, your description would definitely get me to the library to see/understand him and his art myself. I hope there are millions like me who will do that for themselves and our diverse society. Thanks Ari!!!
I’d be right beside you, Sharon!
Me 3!!
I don't mean to barge in, but could we make it a Foursome?
Jay Z is not easy but he really is...opened of my favs ..They lined up to see the titanic sinking, instead they witnessed the Phoenix rising...
Have you interviewed him, do you want to?
One of my lifelong idols and heroes has never received the public acknowledgment or admiration he deserves. His name is/was Early Wright (the Soul Man) from Clarksdale MS. You can discover some of the reasons I consider him an undisputed treasure if you “Google” his name. Without him, there’d be no authentic Blues, Soul Music, or Rock as we know them today.
Shout out to public libraries which are now reservoirs of culture and art and social justice. I am so grateful they still exist. This exhibition sounds amazing
...Contingent on the state, Truda. In TX, they’ve proposed turning libraries into detention centers, and may have done so by now.
Same thing in Florida--banning books etc!!
Hi Ms Nancy! Isn’t that the worse!? A reflection of a party that has absolutely no goals, no vision, not even a process for moving their constituency forward. Even more astounding, is that their supporters appear comfortable in the mire!
It is absolutely mind-blowing how the Republicans have become what they've become!!! They're so worried about being reelected---etc.---
Absolutely!! And they're getting away with it!! Which is very frightening which puts our democracy and freedom in jeopardy!!! And who's to say that in our next election that it will be fair and honest and truthful??? As long as Marjorie green and her cohorts are running the show, none of us are safe!! Since the last election the Republicans have been busy in each state ensuring that their vote supersedes all other votes--how in the world are we going to get past that??? And that's what they're counting on!! I hate to be a" doomsdayer" we as a nation are in for a rude awakening!! The rule of law as we know it now will be no more--also those who are spewing the lies and deceit will come to rue the day that they joined and participated in!! They do not have a clue of where we're headed!! Nazi Germany will look like Paradise to where we're headed!! Who knows??? Maybe Trump is the incarnation of Hitler himself!!--living the dream in America!!--I apologize for being so negative but I am very very frightened!! For the state of our Union!!!
You’re right to be frightened, Nancy, as should us all! The Republican mantra was to “Take our country back!” They got it and literally Shid all over it! They choose to take us into the 1950s, but Democrats operate as if we ARE there--amongst statesmen, with a respect for the rule of law. We just can’t seem to know how to run against today’s Republican Party. Twenty years ago, Bill Clinton told us, “People will follow strong and wrong over right and weak!” We changed nothing! Technology has enabled us to reach more people, but our political methodologies are the same. We just keep trudging along!
I was doing some deep thinking (which I do often 😏)---and I was thinking about when our country was founded---and wouldn't you know I came to the realization that it was founded by all white men who were/are racist!!! Well no wonder we're in the state we're in!!! Everything written in the Constitution was written for white people only!!(I hated history when I was growing up I suppose it was because of the teacher and his monotone delivery that turned me off learning and being interested in our past)--anyway back to what I was saying---the Constitution did not include other races at all. I'm not sure when the Statue of Liberty came into being but I'm thinking it was well after the Constitution was written??? And here all this time we all thought that to become American's that the Constitution applied to immigrants who became Americans!! How utterly wrong we were!! And there in lies the rub!!!(talk about a light bulb moment!!🥴)--I don't believe I've ever heard, this concept, before?? Perhaps among academics?--I went to community college or four semesters but at the time I was taking math and writing courses--anyway what do you think??
Texas & Florida have turned into cesspools of racism & hate
Hi Truda!