Erika Marie
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades.
E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen.
Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
TV50 Reasons Why The Culture Needs "The Boondocks" Right Now: 26-50We're back with Part II of our series, listing pop culture moments in recent years that we would love to see on "The Boondocks," should it ever return.ByErika Marie2.7K Views
TV50 Reasons Why The Culture Needs "The Boondocks" Right Now: 1-25"The Boondocks" is known for its amusing, animated commentary on all things controversial. Here's why the culture needs its return immediately.ByErika Marie6.6K Views
Pop CultureAmber Rose Vs. Trump: Contradictions On Issues Like BLM, Women's Rights, & LGBTQIA+She is now backing Donald Trump's reelection, but her previous stances on policies and talking points strikingly differ from the former President's views on the same issues.ByErika Marie2.0K Views
PoliticsThomas Matthew Crooks: Everything You Need To Know About The Trump Rally ShooterLearn all about "loner" Thomas Matthew Crooks, the Pennsylvania man who fired shots at a Trump rally, injuring 3—including the former President—and killing one.ByErika Marie20.1K Views
SportsSha'Carri Richardson Graces "Vogue": Paris 2024 Olympics, Beyoncé, & Never Giving UpSha'Carri Richardson graces the cover of "Vogue," chatting about her journey, the strength of her Big Momma who raised her, & aspirations for the Paris Olympics 2024.ByErika Marie2.0K Views
MusicLil Yachty & James Blake Talk Joint Album "Bad Cameo" With Zane LoweThe two hitmakers have collided their talents & detail how it inspired some of the best songwriting of their careers.ByErika Marie826 Views
SongsBig Boss Vette Isn't Looking For Love On "Ice Me""Pretty Girls Walk" hitmaker Big Boss Vette is back and letting it be known what she wants from a man on "Ice Me."ByErika Marie1303 Views
SongsBlu Recalls His "Lost Angel" Days On Evidence-Produced SingleHip Hop legends collide on "Lost Angel," as Blu gets candid about rebuilding his life over an undeniable Evidence production.ByErika Marie2.0K Views
SongsDeante' Hitchcock Explains Living Life "On The Edge"Back with another banger, Deante' Hitchcock gets introspective in his latest single, "On The Edge."ByErika Marie1125 Views
SongsNe-Yo Makes Apologies To His Lady On "2 Million Secrets" SingleNow an independent artist, Ne-Yo is back with his latest single "2 Million Secrets"—and he's not holding back in getting personal.ByErika Marie3.9K Views
MusicEve Gets Candid About Life & Career In "Who's That Girl" MemoirPhiladelphia Rap icon Eve is opening up, this time shifting from music to penning about stories of her life and career in her memoir, "Who's That Girl?"ByErika Marie872 Views
SportsUsher Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference: 7 TakeawaysUsher is taking to the Super Bowl stage for an epic halftime performance, and he sat down with Apple Music to make some "confessions."ByErika Marie912 Views
SongsFoggieraw Is Shooting For The Stars On New "Destiny" SingleRising artist Foggieraw has been cosigned by several famous peers. Now, he's back with another single where he steps into his greatness.ByErika Marie1292 Views
MusicBenny The Butcher & Ebro Darden Talk "EVERYBODY CAN'T GO" On "Rap Life Radio": 5 TakeawaysBuffalo icon Benny The Butcher is back with his Def Jam debut, and he talks signing to Def Jam through Snoop Dogg, the meaning behind the title of his album, and dropping another project this year.ByErika Marie539 Views
MusicOcean x Kung Fu "WGFU" Mixtape Ft. Trina, Jeremih, Calboy, & KB MikeAfter a successful run on Future's One Big Party Tour, these sister femcees deliver their latest project, "WGFU."ByErika Marie1247 Views
MusicMegan Thee Stallion Takes Aim On "Hiss": Breaking Down The Bars Toward Her TargetsMegan Thee Stallion let it all out on "Hiss," and as she told "The Breakfast Club" on Friday (Jan 26) morning, "Hit dogs holler."ByErika Marie5.7K Views
SongsSaweetie Bosses Up On "Immortal Freestyle"The Bay Area femcee says she hopes that this freestyle will "inspire my Icy Girls" to keep going after being knocked down.ByErika Marie3.2K Views
MusicTamera Mowry-Housely Ranks Top 6 "Tia & Tamera" Rap References: J. Cole, Doja, Nicki Minaj & MoreThere are plenty of "Tia & Tamera" references in Hip Hop, and the "Sister, Sister" icon ranks her favorites, from Chief Keef to Doja Cat.ByErika Marie1114 Views
MusicKid Cudi's Zane Lowe Takeaways: "INSANO," Ye, BAPE, Yachty, & XXXTentacionFresh off of the release of his 11th studio album "INSANO," Kid Cudi gets candid with Zane Lowe once again for another intimate interview.ByErika Marie904 Views
SportsGiannis Antetokounmpo Readies "The Marvelous Journey" Doc About His LifeGet to know more about "The Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo in his upcoming documentary featuring interviews with his family.ByErika Marie930 Views
MusicCoachella 2024 Lineup Has Arrived: Doja, Tyler The Creator, Ice Spice, Yachty, Uzi & MoreIt's that time of year again! Last week, we told you about the rumored headliners, and now, Coachella 2024 has confirmed its performers.ByErika Marie2.2K Views
MusicRemembering Aaliyah On Her 45th: Happy Birthday, Baby GirlAaliyah's legacy on her 45th: her rise, impact in music and film, and lasting influence. Take a look at the photos that captured her life & legacy.ByErika Marie1.5K Views
SportsSimone Biles Poses For "Vanity Fair," Talks Husband Jonathan Owens & Mental HealthSimone Biles goes from sports legend to fashion icon on the cover of "Vanity Fair." Check out a few highlights as Simone gets candid.ByErika Marie1.9K Views
MusicSaweetie Details Her Church Girl Days On ".Paak House Radio"When it's time to give an offering, Saweetie says she doesn't pinch pennies.ByErika Marie694 Views
MusicVictoria Monét Talks "Jaguar" & Cougars On ".Paak House Radio"Anderson .Paak returns with the second season of his Apple Music 1 radio show and among his first guests is "Jaguar II" hitmaker Victoria Monét.ByErika Marie601 Views
Pop CultureRegina King Honors An Icon In Netflix's "Shirley": TeaserThe Oscar-winning actress stars as Shirley Chisholm in the riveting biopic about the first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress.ByErika Marie491 Views
Pop CultureAva DuVernay Parties With Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, David Oyelowo & More For "Origin" FilmThe filmmaker's latest movie was praised by her peers, including Danielle Brooks, Sarunas Jackson, Gabrielle Dennis, Laz Alonso, and Jeffrey Wright.ByErika Marie2.4K Views
Pop Culture"Mean Girls" NYC Premiere Photo Roundup: Lindsay Lohan, Megan Thee Stallion, Reneé Rapp & MoreCelebrities descended on The Big Apple to celebrate the musical return of The Plastics and their classmates.ByErika Marie1363 Views
MusicNicki Minaj Talks To Ebro About Drake, Her Father's Passing, & Love From Hip HopDoes Nicki Minaj feel like the Hip Hop community loves her? The "Pink Friday 2" icon gets candid in her latest chat with Ebro Darden.ByErika Marie3.1K Views
Pop Culture"The American Society Of Magical Negroes" Trailer Sparks Social Media PushbackThe upcoming satirical comedy is a play on the Spike Lee-coined film trope of "Magical Negroes"—and it has social media talking.ByErika Marie1029 Views
MusicLadies First: Queen Naija Talks "After The Butterflies," Rough Patches, & Finding Joy In HerselfEXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Queen Naiija is back with her incredible new mixtape, "After the Butterflies." Queen sat down with us to talk about her putting her relationship in her music, becoming comfortable in her solitude, her fire collaborations, and why she's always been a "regular-degular-schmegular girl."ByErika Marie2.1K Views
TV"Rap Sh!t" Aftershow Podcast "Chat Sh!t" Returns With Jessie Woo & Zach CampbellIssa Rae's "Rap Sh!t" is back with Season 2, meaning the "Chat Sh!t" podcast returns after every episode to break down the drama!ByErika Marie1176 Views
TVLadies First: Mehgan James Refuses To Be The Mean Girl On "Basketball Wives Orlando"EXCLUSIVE INTERVIVEW: Mehgan James has returned to reality television as a veteran—but she's more than just unscripted TV. We spoke with her about "Basketball Wives Orlando," her hit podcast "The Hollywood Group Chat," her "Good Head" manifestation book, and much more. ByErika Marie2.4K Views
Pop CultureHow "Night Of The Living Dead" Inspired Horror NoireThis groundbreaking film gave us a Black lead & kickstarted Horror Noire, shaking up societal norms.ByErika Marie361 Views
MusicOffset Talks "Set It Off" With Zane Lowe: 7 TakeawaysWith his sophomore album on the horizon, Offset gives insight into "Set It Off" and why he's approaching this era like a new artist.ByErika Marie757 Views
MusicOutkast's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below": 2 Decades Of MasteryBig Boi and André 3000's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" changed the way Hip Hop viewed collaborative albums—and no one could duplicate Outkast's eclectic delivery. ByErika Marie1419 Views
MusicJason Derulo Sued By Former Roc Nation Artist Emaza: What We KnowEmaza Gibson, formerly of the group Ceraadi, is suing Jason Derulo, citing several instances of alleged sexual harassment.ByErika Marie3.7K Views