423 Comments

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.🙏🏽

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Hello Miss Diva,

Very well said!👏🏾

Sandra

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Hi S.R. and Thanks! Been missing you guys!❤️

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Me too!! Been missing all us beatniks! Hey all y’all! 😂

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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!!❤️😊🙏💞

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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!! 💖✌🏻

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Enjoy the lovefest!!!❤️😊🙏

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Beautiful comment btw Ms D!!

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Love all your thoughts and your choices!

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❤️

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I’m so damned jealous!! Hey Ms Diva! 😘

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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!!❤️😊🙏💞

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Hi V, I posted a note about last night’s event

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Hi Diva!!!🤗 Now where do I read this note?🤔

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On Substack, at the top right are arrows. Click onto that and select “Newest.” Then scroll to it. Take care❤️🙏🏽

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Thanks!!! Good night 😴❤️🙏

By the way, love your picture. You look great!!!✌️😊👍

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😂😂😂How long have you needed glasses? Thanks, V, and goodnight!

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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!❤️

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“Beatnik community.”😳…😂😂😂

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That's us!!!😊

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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.” 😂😂😂

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❤️✌️🌻

Thanks again for helping me get my emojis back, 😘

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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

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I’ll be at the Beat Bop next week! Hope to see you there. Sure to be a fun night:) Looking forward to it! 😁🥁🎶🎨

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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!😂

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Alright! Sounds good! I got your pic:) Let’s look out for each other! Would be a pleasure to meet you Miss D. 😁👍🏽💃🏽

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❤️

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OK, Tasha! I just screenshot your picture, will be looking for you! I guess I need to add mine to this site😂

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August 31, 2023
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Thank you, Quart! Nice to meet you!

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August 30, 2023
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❤️🙂

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OK, Sandra, out with it! Is this the already legal name or did WE get married? Inquiry minds want to know😂

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Libraries and schools should embrace the truth always! No part of our history should be eliminated or banned!

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Makes sense for the operating premise!

thanks for reading Anthony

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Our Local Library in Bryan, OH is soon to have a Grand Opening because they finally repaired the Front Steps! Hopefully, this will rekindle interest in this valuable resource (and it's Free!) Ari, please remind your Audience of the upcoming Documentary on CNN at 9 Pm on Labor Day. It's entitled 'Little Richard: I Am Everything'. I highly recommend it!

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Hey there DW!

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Ms Pamela, it's wonderful to be back in touch with you on Ari's Newsletter!

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Likewise DW!

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Always enjoy your perspectives, Ari!

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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❗️✨💫👏

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AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID! I could be you and you could be me!!!❤️🙏🥰

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Thank you Victoria!!!

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kind words and on the money

mr melber is a treasure <3

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Excellent!

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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!

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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

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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.

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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”

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Intetersting idea!

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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?

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August 30, 2023
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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!

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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

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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!

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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.

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I couldn't have said that any better myself!! Well put

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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.

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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'!

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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

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Thank you, Ari. Outstanding poetry and cultural analysis. Take it from a retired AP English teacher: A+.

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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!

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“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!

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there's a metaphor -

wrapping the walls

with the words

of a rapping

all star

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We understand, Jimmy, but thanks, anyway!

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Love this Jimmy.!

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Oh I want to see it - maybe I should take my grown up sons!!

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Brilliant essay. Thank you.

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Jay Z and library was wonderful.

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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.

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I absolutely love Jon.❤️ Watched him on Stephen Cobert, and felt his sweet soul every night. 🎶🎶🎶

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Hi V., just checking in. Don’t recall seeing you on the Zoom call, nor this newsletter. Hope all is well🙏🏽❤️.

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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!!❤️🙏❤️

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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!🙏🏽❤️🙂

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Oh Diva!!! Thank you, I will take your words to heart. Have a pleasant evening, 🙏❤️🤗

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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!

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Hey V!!! How is the little one?

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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!!!

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I’d be right beside you, Sharon!

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Me 3!!

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I don't mean to barge in, but could we make it a Foursome?

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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?

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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.

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