Debtor's prisons, Azealia Banks, head trauma turned musical genius and more
We're reading about...Debtor's prisons in 21st-Century America. The Atlantic's in-depth exploration of how failing to pay parking tickets or court fees lands people in jail, illuminating that a criminal justice practice many believe to be outlawed is still in full effect today.Direct testimonies by queer, female and/or people of color in the entertainment industry about institutional bias in Hollywood and beyond. The New York Times' "What It's Really Like to Work in Hollywood" is part-photo essay, part-in depth interview and fully impactful.The best journalism movies of all time. Since investigative journalism is dead on the decline, we might as well memorialize it through making our way through Pro Publica's favorite muckracking films–a celebration of Spotlight's Oscar nomination.Speaking of the Oscars, ANONHI, a transgender musician whose song "Manta Ray" was nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar this year, penned a powerful letter on Pitchfork explaining why she will be boycotting the Oscars. It adds a less-discussed facet to the #OscarsSoWhite movement.We're listening to...Azealia Banks' new single. Despite being a constant source of wildly controversial statements, Banks sure knows how to make a banger.https://soundcloud.com/azealia-banks/1800bigbigbeatMIA's new single, "Boom ADD." In this politically-charged song, MIA takes on the NFL for suing her in 2012 after she flipped off the camera during Madonna's halftime show.https://soundcloud.com/miauk/boom-addFKA Twig's new single, "Good to Love." This ballad features a more stripped down Twigs, her ethereal voice flitting over minimal–but still stormy–production. https://open.spotify.com/track/4zTHYH48021nSS4boLgVUGBJ The Chicago Kid's new album, In My Mind. The album is a mix of classic soul and hip-hop and boasts features from Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar, among others. Track highlight: "The New Cupid" (feat. Kendrick).https://open.spotify.com/album/15iSR05cslUeYgf2kuWDhuNPR's podcast The Hidden Brain. This week's episode features a man who became a musical genius after he suffered a concussion by hitting his head on the bottom of a pool. What we're watching...This video of a #BlackLivesMatter activist interrupting Hillary Clinton during a campaign event. Clinton's reaction has sparked considerable Internet backlash.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqLfvQfuvsA&feature=youtu.beThis UCB satirical debate between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGRAonpLeQg