Mike McCray | theGrio | African American News and Opinion

Mac Miller and white rappers master social media

11:06 AM on 11/08/2011

OPINION - Miller, for one, carved out his lane by being a social media dynamo instead of an underground rapper building buzz behind epic battles in seedy venues...

Wale is winning on new 'Ambition' album

By Mike McCray

8:51 AM on 11/01/2011

REVIEW - Fans shouldn't be deflated by a project cloaked in pop ambitions, since what's delivered does balance what long-time fans have loved with what should be a natural progression of an artist...

How the b-word became a hip-hop term of endearment

By Mike McCray

6:27 AM on 10/07/2011

OPINION - For every tongue in cheek, silly or ironic delivery of the word, b*tch remains as jarring, provocative and offensive as its always been when its intent isn't for comedic effect...

Highly anticipated 'Cole World' delivers honest hip-hop

By Mike McCray

9:01 AM on 09/27/2011

OPINION - 'Cole World: The Sideline Story' is J Cole bursting out the tunnel and through the smoke with the North Carolina flag in his hand, sprinting towards glory...

Is America ready for a black 'Scarface'?

By Mike McCray

9:03 AM on 09/23/2011

OPINION - If it is a black based cast, they'll have to be careful not to fall into some of the same shortcomings remakes of popular movies with predominantly black casts have before...

Sales vs. substance: Does Lil Wayne rule the rap game?

By Mike McCray

8:18 AM on 09/08/2011

OPINION - It's getting to the point where the Lil Wayne brand is outpacing the quality of his music...

'Tha Carter IV' sounds like Lil Wayne's star fading

By Mike McCray

8:04 AM on 08/29/2011

REVIEW - Instantly striking is just how flat Wayne comes off. While the content and subject matter is nearly identical to his past hits, the energy and passion that sold it before is absent...

Can the Raiders save their reputation with black players?

By Mike McCray

9:56 AM on 08/23/2011

OPINION - Under the steadfast direction of owner Al Davis for the last 50-plus years, the Silver and Black have never shied away from attention, controversy or talent that comes with a little baggage...

Why white girl rapping has become in vogue

By Mike McCray

8:00 AM on 08/19/2011

OPINION - Andre 3000 once said, 'all the fresh styles start off as a good, little hood thing.' He also pointed out a few bars later by the time they reach Hollywood, they're over...

How tweets may bring an end to hip-hop's Game

By Mike McCray

8:42 AM on 08/16/2011

OPINION - For The Game especially, the allegations seem to fit in line with his disillusionment with police after several, public run-ins all over the country...

Hip-hop's reigning duo keep crown on 'Watch The Throne'

By Mike McCray

4:40 PM on 08/08/2011

REVIEW - Together, the two kick out perfectly pompous bars that are at times shockingly grandiose -- which for them is hard to do...

'Wigger Day' scandal isn't simple as black and white

By Mike McCray

6:57 AM on 08/04/2011

OPINION - Chalking up their nonchalant attitudes as racist seems too easy, too much of a blanket statement. What if it is simply ignorance and a lack of exposure?...

True Blood's Lafayette slays gay stereotypes

By Mike McCray

8:05 AM on 08/01/2011

OPINION - For black audiences, it could help move along what is readily apparent in all of our daily lives but notably missing from our cinema...

'Closet Freak' to household 'Voice': Cee-Lo's evolution

By Mike McCray

8:36 AM on 07/22/2011

OPINION - If Cee-Lo Green has proven anything in nearly 20 years in the industry, its that he's just that adaptable...

Why DJ Khaled may not be 'the best forever'

By Mike McCray

8:03 AM on 07/19/2011

OPINION - Khaled's chart-topping affiliations with artists like Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Drake have catapulted the background player to a national tastemaker...

Can we believe in the gospel according to Herman Cain?

By Mike McCray

9:06 AM on 07/12/2011

OPINION - When the communion plate comes around in the church of Cain, it'd be in America's best interest to pass on that wine...

Why 50 Cent gets a bad rap for his anti-bullying novel

By Mike McCray

8:16 AM on 06/21/2011

OPINION - Who would think that a anti-bullying author is the classic embodiment of the bully?...

How the 'mixtape' has revolutionized the rap game

By Mike McCray

8:40 AM on 06/14/2011

OPINION - You used to have to have a hit single to drive the sales of your debut album. Now, artists can sell a debut based of the strength of their mixtape track records...