[THE MAIN EVENT]
A look back at 2024’s works of art that flew under the radar—but soared nonetheless
📺 Unprisoned
Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo’s comedy-drama courageously covers mental health, generational trauma, and the trappings of the carceral system, using levity and touching narratives to make such weighty subject matter approachable and entertaining. The series’ premise centers on the fractured relationship between a successful-yet-troubled psychologist and her chronically incarcerated dad, who is determined to finally turn his life around and be a present father and grandpop. While this show was sadly cut short after two seasons, we’ll never forget the therapy sigmas that were slayed, the laughs that were laughed, and the parental wounds that were healed. (Hulu)
🎶 Veena, Heems
Himanshu Suri — better known as Heems — has come a long way since his days of early rap meme glory with the rap group Das Racist more than 15 years ago. After dropping his solo debut album in 2015, the Punjabi-American rapper from Queens returned with a pair of well-received projects this year. Veena finds him revealing the demons that have held him back in perhaps his most personal and resonant work to date. (Spotify)
📕 A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out, Shenequa Golding
Behold: the musings of a millennial who came of age during a time when there were, like, four archetypes with which Black women could identify — and Golding didn’t see herself in any of them. The Queens, N.Y.-bred journalist’s first essay anthology is a sprawling collection of her life experiences, from name-associated stereotypes to platonic/romantic/familial love and loss to fighting the urge to get a BBL. It’s all explored with an unguarded candor, breezy prose, and a hefty dollop of wit. It’s a refreshing perspective that would translate nicely to the small screen. (Amazon)
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