Julian Kimble
The Ringer
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Past articles by Julian:
The Evolution of Will Smith
After ruling Hollywood for an extended period, the 2010s saw Smith lose his Midas touch. Now, ‘King Richard’ has him more in control of the Hollywood landscape—and in the middle of Oscars season. → Read More
The Many Flaws of ‘Many Saints’ Begin With Its Handling of Race
The ‘Sopranos’ prequel film gives Leslie Odom Jr. a meaty role as Harold, but the movie doesn’t seem to know quite what do with the character → Read More
Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield Come Full Circle in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
After they appeared together in 2017’s ‘Get Out,’ ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ sees them at the top of their games, having risen in Hollywood through a host of unique, compelling roles → Read More
Carlton Banks Was More Than Just a Dance
Will Smith’s TV cousin is best remembered for his bowtie and love of Tom Jones, but the character was much more complex than that. On the 30th anniversary of the debut of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ we look back at Carlton’s creation and legacy. → Read More
Chadwick Boseman Was a Bright Spot Amid the Darkness
The actor’s death from colon cancer at age 43 comes during a difficult year for Black Americans. But even in death, he remains a source of optimism. → Read More
The Best Hip-Hop Movies
We rank all the classic hip-hop movies from 'Straight Outta Compton' to '8 Mile.' → Read More
Nostalgia Ultra: Why the Music of ‘The Last Dance’ Hits So Hard
The sports documentary event of the year plots the tale of Michael Jordan’s rise alongside hip-hop’s. It also invokes feelings from the past at a time when we need them the most. → Read More
"Who Can’t Get on Board With That?": How ‘House Party’ Brought the Black Teenage Experience to the Mainstream
Released 30 years ago on Monday, the movie is best remembered for Kid ’n Play and an infamous dance battle. But the breakout hit was also one of the most important films of the 1990s. → Read More
Lil Wayne Has a New Album—and a Lot of Old Scars
‘Funeral,’ the rapper’s 13th studio album, begins to shed some of the darkness of its immediate predecessor, but his trauma is still on full display → Read More
John Singleton’s ‘Snowfall’ came to a tragic finish
Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) knew the consequences of selling drugs were inevitable, but seeing who suffered as he burned the world around him still remains gu… → Read More
"No Scrubs" vs. "No Pigeons": The Battle of the Sexes That Shook Radio in 1999
After R&B supergroup TLC dropped "No Scrubs," a little-known New York rap group called Sporty Thievz responded with "No Pigeons." It launched a gender war on and off the airwaves, amplified by two trios, two songs, one beat, and zero apologies. → Read More
John Singleton Was a Beacon of Authenticity
From ‘Boyz n the Hood,’ which he wrote and directed at age 22, through ‘Poetic Justice’ and ‘Higher Learning’ and beyond, the late filmmaker infused his stories with the richness and depth of black America → Read More
Beyonce's Cover of Maze and Frankie Beverly's 'Before I Let Go': If You Know, You Know
'Homecoming: The Live Album' is an unexpected gift containing another unexpected gift: a cover of Maze & Frankie Beverly’s sublime “Before I Let Go." → Read More
Is Meek Mill’s Friendship With Trump Supporter Robert Kraft an Unholy Alliance?
Meek has become the face of prison reform advocacy. But is his stance contradicted by his bromance with the billionaire Patriots owner? → Read More
Why ODB Would Be a Star in 2018
Wu-Tang Clan’s loose cannon would have a tight grip on our attention in the age of viral celebrity. → Read More
The Pro-Black Bond Between Spike Lee and Prince
The Prince spiritual that closes BlacKkKlansman is the culmination of a long friendship and a shared commitment to defiance. → Read More
Drake Isn’t Above the Social Media Behavior He Criticizes
Drake's relationship with social media, just like ours, is complicated. → Read More
Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Rollout Was Anything But
The Wyoming experiment proved to be the cruelest summer → Read More
Nipsey Hussle Interview: Talks Broccoli City Festival & More
Billboard takes a look at how Nipsey Hussle's entrepreneurial mindset on his new album 'Victory Lap' made him the perfect fit for Broccoli City Festival. → Read More
How Meek Mill's 'Dreams & Nightmares' Became Philly's Ultimate Underdog Anthem
For Meek Mill, the opening statement of his 2012 debut album, Dreams and Nightmares, will forever be regarded as his manifesto. → Read More