Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black 2 | And the Winner is…

Written By Curtis Rowser

Welcome back to Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black, a weekly Sunday newsletter authored by me, Curtis “Trey” Rowser.

Programming Note: If you missed last week’s launch when I explained what this is and what readers can expect down the line, check out the first newsletter here.

For many reading this, it was an odd week to say the least. If heavy is too strong an adjective, perhaps, it was just a week of numbness. Politics don’t typically pique my interest, but I was locked in this past election cycle. This is in part because, as an assistant editor for Puck, I’ve had the pleasure of reading some of the most brilliant politics reporting out there. And besides that, something about this moment just feels like the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. I took the Amtrak home from New York City to Virginia to fulfill my civic duty. (Though I live in Brooklyn, I’m still registered to vote in Virginia; my vote is more valuable there.)

As disturbing as Trump’s sweeping victory is, I'm not surprised. We’ve been here before. If—keyword, if—we make it through these next four years, I imagine there’s a silver lining. I can’t pinpoint it, but I subscribe to Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In “What I’m Reading,” I’ve included a few interesting articles I read during this past Election Week. I have a few gift articles to New York Times and The New Yorker, so if you wanna check them out, just hit me up and I’ll pass them along. First come, first serve!

For today’s column, to take a break from the nauseating news cycles, I partook in a lighthearted exercise and picked my winners for the handful of GRAMMY categories that I have a rooting interest in.

But first…

HOOPS,

RAP,

AND EVERYTHING BLACK.

HOOPS, RAP, AND EVERYTHING BLACK.

Must-Watch CBB Games This Week

  • Michigan St. vs. Kansas, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. [Men’s]

  • Duke vs. Kentucky, Nov. 12, 9:00 p.m. [Men’s]

  • Creighton vs. Kansas State, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. [Women’s]

  • Alabama vs. Purdue, Nov. 15, 7:00 p.m. [Men’s]

  • Marquette vs. Maryland, Nov. 15, 8:00 p.m. [Men’s]

Special Announcement!

Kiyan Anthony has set his announcement date to this Friday, Nov. 15. For obvious reasons, his recruitment has been intriguing to follow. He’s choosing between Auburn, Syracuse, and USC—three terrific options for different reasons. I love the idea of him following his dad’s footsteps at Syracuse, but from a strictly basketball standpoint, I’m hoping he chooses Auburn.

What I’m Reading

  • John Calipari is my favorite coach of all time. The Athletic’s Brendan Quinn penned a feature on the Hall of Famer ahead of his first season with Arkansas after a stellar—but ugly-ending—tenure at Kentucky. [The Athletic]

  • An inside look at the side of Dan Hurley that casual fans aren’t familiar with. Dan Hurley, the high school history teacher. [The Athletic]

  • A Dark Reminder of What American Society Has Been and Could Be Again [The New Yorker]

  • Learning to Measure Time in Love and Loss [NYT]

  • Washington Heights Native Koby Brea Talks Realizing His Dream at Kentucky [SLAM]

  • Our First Post-Truth Election [Epicenter]

What I’m Listening To

This Week’s Release-Anniversaries

  • Lover’s Rock — Sade, 11/13/00 (24 years)

  • Black Album — Jay-Z, 11/14/03 (21 years)

Now, to the GRAMMYs…

As is the case pretty much every year, I don’t think the GRAMMYs got the nominations right in the Rap and R&B categories. These selections are based on their nominations, not mine.

Before the year is out, I’m gonna publish the inaugural Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black Awards. In the meantime, I’ll entertain the GRAMMYs. These choices aren’t who I think will actually win, but who I would give my vote to, based on my admitted completely personal bias.

  • Record of the Year — Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar

  • Album of the Year — Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish

  • Song of the Year — Birds of a Feather, Billie Eilish

  • New Artist of the Year — Doechii

  • Best Progressive Album — Why Lawd?, NxWorries

  • Best Rap Performance — Like That, Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar

  • Best R&B Song — Here We Go, Coco Jones

  • Best Melodic Rap Song — 3 a.m., Rapsody, Erykah Badu

  • Best Rap Song — Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar

  • Best Rap Album — Might Delete Later, J. Cole

That’s all I have for you this week. Please, if you haven’t already, subscribe below and follow me on your favorite platforms! There’s some special stuff on the way. And as always, thanks for sticking with me. Hit me with any tips, feedback, comments, idea, etc.

See ya next Sunday,

Curtis “Trey” Rowser

Curtis Rowser https://www.rowserwrites.com
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Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black 3 | Kiyan Commits & Brooklynn’s Picks
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Hoops, Rap, and Everything Black 1 | The Intro