TEEKS: Connecting Culture and Soul

Dubbed by music critics as the “male Adele,” this ballad soul singer has the ability to create unique sonic landscapes that captivate listeners’ ears.

Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, known by his mononym Teeks, a Māori singer from New Zealand, was drawn to music from an early age. He was a vocalist in his high school band, Ahomairangi, which was a predominantly reggae band that performed a mix of English and te reo Māori songs.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Christian Robinson: The Art of Fun

If you googled anything last Juneteenth, you were greeted by a Doodle–a commemorative alteration of Google’s logo created in celebration of a notable figure or holiday–illustrated by Christian Robinson.

In the Doodle, three young children at a picnic jump rope, beneath them a hopscotch court enclosing the word “Google” in its squares. “That’s what I want to showcase in this piece—the descendants of enslaved people celebrating having fun,” Robinson told Essence about the illustration.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

The Union: Will They? Won’t They?

With action-packed scenes, romantic flares and the occasional cheesy pickup line, Netflix’s “The Union” intertwines all the elements of a well-told spy movie with the generic plotline of a rom-com to create the perfect comfort movie.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Noah Davis: Decolonizing Art

Memories, stories, and folklore. In an age where stories are shared like wildfire and just as quickly forgotten about, this American artist created sanctuaries on canvas to preserve the beauty of mundane life.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Salomon: From the Alps to the Streets

During the Super Bowl LVII Halftime show in 2023, Rihanna descended from the sky and sang her most beloved hits. Baby bump aside, her all-red number grabbed all the attention, including her shoes: designed by Salomon, from the brand’s recent collaboration with Maison Margiela. She first wore the brand in 2019, correlating with the brand’s rising popularity within streetwear culture.

You are unauthorized to view this page.

Shallow Alcove: The Sweetest Summer

What started out as friends writing bedroom-pop songs in basements and bedrooms in Upstate New York became one of the summer’s sweetest sensations. The five-piece band pulls at heartstrings, bringing back memories of teenage heartache and creating a sense of belonging through lyrics that tell stories of basic human connection. Shallow Alcove is an adorably, beautifully creative DIY folk band that refreshingly reflects on relationships and what it’s like to grow in and out of love.

You are unauthorized to view this page.