Ben Smith

Articles

RECESS  |  STAFF NOTE

My love/hate relationship with Western classical music

By Ben Smith | 5 days ago

Clearly, there is a lot wrong with Western classical music.

---

CULTURE  |  MOVIES

'Judas and the Black Messiah:' The narratives of black power for today’s divided America

By Ben Smith | February 25, 2021

Ultimately, the messages of “Judas and the Black Messiah” are just as important to contemporary America as Hampton’s messages to Chicago in 1969. 

---

CULTURE  |  TV

ESPN+ and NCCU’s Men's Basketball Team dare to ask a simple question in 'Why Not Us'

By Ben Smith | February 15, 2021

There is more to college basketball in North Carolina and around the country than the predominately white institutions (PWIs) that are featured on TV.

---

CULTURE  |  MUSIC

Remembering SOPHIE: A gut-wrenching loss for pop music

By Ben Smith | February 8, 2021

Sophie Xeon, one of the most influential pop musicians and producers of the last decade and known professionally as SOPHIE, passed away Jan. 30 in a tragic accident first reported by the artist’s record label Transgressive. 

---

RECESS  |  LOCAL

Small Town Records to continue making music this spring

By Ben Smith | February 1, 2021

Despite the immense challenges posed by the pandemic and the lack of in-person concerts, Small Town Records’s artists, producers and personnel have continued to do what they love and have a variety of projects slated for the spring semester.

---

CULTURE  |  TV

What does Marvel do after conquering the world?: ‘WandaVision’ and the sitcom

By Ben Smith | January 31, 2021

The audience may not yet know the how or why, but there is obviously something wrong in Westview.

---

RECESS  |  CULTURE

Spicing up the celebrity interview: ‘Hot Ones’ and innovation

By Ben Smith | November 12, 2020

“Hot Ones” benefits from its central gimmick. The spicy wings catch the guests off guard and dissolve their inhibitions

---

RECESS  |  LOCAL

Reconnecting with Bright Black Candles amid pandemic adjustments and major collaborations

By Ben Smith | November 2, 2020

As the pandemic swept through the United States, Bright Black Candles was faced with new challenges, was endorsed by Beyoncé and has collaborated with the likes of Jordan Peele and Michelle Obama. 

---

CULTURE  |  TV

‘The West Wing’ special comes to HBO in an effort to encourage voters

By Ben Smith | October 28, 2020

Ultimately, we may never know if the “West Wing” reunion achieved its goal of creating more voters, but did it spark hope in the same way that my first binge of the series did years ago?

---

CULTURE  |  MOVIES

"Tenet" and "Mulan" release to middling box office returns, mixed reviews and boycotts

By Ben Smith | September 19, 2020

How are movies coming out during a pandemic?

More Articles