Gerrick D. Kennedy
Essence Magazine
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Past articles by Gerrick:
The Enigmatic Janet Jackson
As she prepares to take to the stage again, the music legend offers a tantalizing glimpse of the woman she is today. → Read More
100% her year: How Lizzo became the one thing we all loved in 2019
Pop stars like Lizzo aren’t the norm. She’s 31, typically an age in which singers are more likely to be plotting their inaugural Vegas residency or a Broadway musical, not their first Grammy outfit. → Read More
100% her year: How Lizzo became the one thing we all loved in 2019
Two years ago, she nearly quit music. Today, Lizzo is nominated for eight Grammy awards and twerks for the soul of America at sold-out arenas. → Read More
Lil Nas X on coming out: ‘I wanted to be someone that people are proud of’
Hill signed to Columbia Records, recorded an "Old Town Road" remix with Billy Ray Cyrus that catapulted the song to No. 1 and quickly turned around his major-label debut EP, "7." → Read More
Lil Nas X talks coming out and his six Grammy nominations
Lil Nas X on a whirlwind year in which he broke chart records, became the biggest gay pop star in the world and scored six Grammy nominations. → Read More
What 'Love & Hip Hop' Ray J said before his split with Princess Love
"Do I really have moral values?" an introspective Ray J asked himself in a Times interview before Princess Love accused him of stranding her and their baby to party with strippers. → Read More
Inside the wild world of 'Love & Hip Hop,' where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred
Beyond the drink slinging and backstabbing romances, VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" remains one of the most popular reality franchises. How it went from frothy guilty pleasure to pop culture phenomenon and introducer of Cardi B. → Read More
Lil Nas X makes Grammy history as the first openly gay rapper nominated in top categories
Lil Nas X spurred dozens of think pieces, broke Billboard chart records, came out as gay and earned six Grammy nominations. What did you do this year? → Read More
Commentary: Kanye West preaches a message of love and faith on ‘Jesus Is King.’ Too bad about the messenger.
No public figure toys with redemption more than Kanye West. → Read More
Kanye West hawks faith on "Jesus Is King"
Kanye West's new album comes on the heels of prolonged displays of narcissism and an embrace of President Trump that have alienated many of his old fans. → Read More
Summer Walker went from housekeeper to R&B it girl — and she's still a mystery
Summer Walker's debut album broke streaming and sales records last week, but the Gen Z Mary J. Blige is so cripplingly shy that she refuses to do interviews. → Read More
Lizzo is pop music's patron saint of self-care: review
During the first of three sold-out nights at the Hollywood Palladium, Lizzo preached a gospel of self-love, confidence and living your best life. → Read More
Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" gives hip-hop the spotlight
Netflix's new music reality competition series, starring Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I., gives hip-hop the spotlight it deserves. → Read More
Gerrick D. Kennedy
Gerrick D. Kennedy is a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, where he has covered music and pop culture since 2009. He’s on the frontlines at award shows, music festivals and has profiled hundreds of the music industry’s biggest players including Mariah Carey, Drake, Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd. In 2012, Kennedy was named… → Read More
Lizzo's 'Truth Hurts' reaches No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
Following her inspiring MTV VMAs performance, Lizzo knocked off Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes from the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 'Truth Hurts.' → Read More
Missy Elliott talks MTV VMAs, "Iconology" and future
Missy Elliott on her VMAs performance and honors, the reaction to her first record in 14 years and what she's planning next. → Read More
At MTV VMAs, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Latin pop and Missy Elliott dominate, as diversity rules
The wokest Video Music Awards in history cast female rappers, a dazzling array of Latin pop stars and LGBTQ ally Taylor Swift as its leads. → Read More
Nipsey Hussle's roots honored with Neighborhood Nip Foundation
In the wake of Nipsey Hussle’s death in March, the late rapper’s family has launched the Neighborhood Nip Foundation to continue his mission to impact his community. Atlantic and Puma have both made major contributions to the foundation's efforts. → Read More
Missy Elliott's 'Iconology' marks the return of a visionary
On her first extended recording in 14 years, the '90s hip-hop icon sounds as vibrant as ever, in advance of her honors at the 2019 VMAs. → Read More
Rapper $not has Billie Eilish and 'Euphoria' so-signs
At age 21, Florida rapper $not already has a signature look, a passionate social following and a big-time record deal. → Read More