Celebrity Coverage
Khalid releases “Sincere” [Album Review] – Essence
Khalid’s third studio album, , marks his return to the solo music scene. Released after a five-yr hiatus since 2019, the brand new project showcases his sonic progression, exploring themes of affection, loss, and self-discovery. At 26, he brings recent dimensions to his music, hoping to further solidify his place on the planet of up to date R&B.
The 16-track album kicks off with “Adore U,” an upbeat opener that serves as the right backdrop for Khalid’s heartfelt lyrics. The next three tracks—“Everything We See,” “Altitude,” and “It’s All Good”—see the artist moving toward a more positive tone, with messages of connection and perseverance. On tracks like “Broken” and “Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me,” he visits a more turbulent side of intimacy, providing listeners with a seamless balance of storytelling throughout the album.
While the Texas-born singer has collaborated with numerous musicians, he kept things minimal on this project, with just one guest appearance from Arlo Parks on the track “Breathe.” In this mesmerizing duet, the artists explore poignant topics like isolation, depression, and the sense of longing that so many individuals experience.
Getting into the core, reflective songs like “Ground” and “Long Way Home” take center stage. Here, Khalid talks about finding stability amidst chaotic circumstances, while within the latter, he talks about navigating a difficult journey towards self-actualization. The album’s title track is a raw and honest look into the mind of a talented artist. The stripped-down production allows Khalid’s vocals and lyrics to take center stage, making it a robust and intimate track. A fitting end to the album is “Decline,” an outro that reflects on the tip of a relationship and the potential for accepting things as they’re.
as an entire, it’s a deeply personal release that underscores Khalid’s maturity. It’s an album that invites listeners into his world, offering a transparent and honest exploration of the complexities of life. As some of the compelling voices within the genre, Khalid is ready to proceed his evolution as each an artist and a person — and he embodies that in the easiest way possible.
Celebrity Coverage
A Fall Hairstyle Rihanna Approves: Medium-Length Curls – Essence
Neil Mockford/GC Images
BobsLobs and pixie cuts, like Rihanna’s iconic short black bob, have been among the most beloved hair trends this summer. While these big cuts have been flooding our feeds all season long, this week the Fenty Hair founder introduced mid-length curls just days before fall.
Rihanna didn’t take the front row at London Fashion Week to have a good time the opening of Fenty Hair’s recent home in Selfridges. Her loose waves were parted to the perimeters, with the left half tucked behind her ear, revealing a chandelier-shaped earring. On the opposite side, the waves sat above her breasts — accentuated by custom Jacquemus robe— and rocked manicure butter.
To achieve this look, Fenty Hair Global Hair Stylist Ursula Stephen she washed her hair with shampoo and conditioner before preparing 5 in 1 heat protection type. She then curled the sections with a medium-diameter iron, pinning each section because the curls cooled. After resting, Stephen combed the curls and backcombed the roots for added volume, securing his curls with edge control.
The tycoon matched her hair together with her cherry-coloured makeup, which was highlighted Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix Lipstick in “Blaz’d Donut” and Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in “True Neutrals”—turning this look into Rihanna’s first fall trend.
Celebrity Coverage
Best New Music of the Week: GloRilla, Monaleo, Shenseea & More – Essence
Happy Friday, folks. As summer officially involves an end, let’s enjoy its final days with some great music from some of the most talented artists in entertainment.
Today, GloRilla drops “Hollon,” the first single from her highly anticipated debut album. Monaleo and Kaliii team up on recent track “Flush Em,” iconic MC Lyte returns after a decade along with his 1 Of 1 album, and TDE’s ScHoolboy Q drops the video for “THANK GOD 4 ME” with . Our roundup also includes music from Lecrae, Future, Rich Homie Quan, and more.
Check out today’s list of recent releases below.
Celebrity Coverage
Arike Ogunbowale strives for excellence both on and off the pitch – Essence
Arike Ogunbowale during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images
In Yoruba, the name means “a child you cherish, nurture, pamper, and love.” So from the moment she was born, WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale was special—and now the world knows it. In just six seasons, she became the fastest player in league history to achieve 4,000 points and broke the Dallas Wings’ all-time scoring record. For an athlete who has achieved a lot, she still has so much to supply.
Ogunbowale was born in Milwaukee to Nigerian parents and was raised surrounded by sports. Her mother was a former softball player at DePaul University, and her brother Dare played football at the University of Wisconsin before joining the NFL as a running back for the Houston Texans. Growing up, Ogunbowale showed off her athletic skills in multiple sports, contributing to 4 state football championships during her highschool years. However, her passion shifted to basketball, where she rose to fame at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, earning accolades similar to Wisconsin Miss Basketball and being chosen as a McDonald’s All-American.
The point guard’s profession took off when she joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and eventually led the team to a national championship in 2018. Since being drafted by the Wings the following yr, Ogunbowale has earned quite a few accolades, including 4 All-Star selections and two All-Star MVP honors — the latest coming in an exciting game in Phoenix on Feb. 18. “I just love having fun and playing with a lot of super great players — that’s always what I look forward to in the All-Star Game,” she says.
Amid all her successes, the 27-yr-old understands the responsibility she has to influence the next generation. “I was lucky enough to have two amazing parents who always did the best they could for me and more,” Arike says. “I know how hard it is to get out of Milwaukee. So I always think that when I see little kids, I always try to be the best person I can for them.”
“I know I’m a role model,” she continues. “That just comes with being in your shoes, so I definitely embrace that. I want to be the type of person that people look up to. Young boys, young girls, young black kids — it doesn’t matter. I want to be someone they can see themselves in. So I know I’m a role model, and I try to treat myself that way because I know people are looking up to me.”
The past yr has been a memorable one for the popular basketball star on both a private and skilled level. After establishing herself as one in all the most prolific scorers the WNBA has ever seen, the one thing Ogunbowale hasn’t managed to capture during her illustrious profession has been a league title. As an athlete in her prime, a championship is something she will check off her bucket list in the very near future. Off the court, she reached a key milestone by announcing her engagement to Lala Ronay. For some, balancing home and basketball might be difficult, but for Ogunbowale, this latest relationship has been the perfect complement to her life.
“It really makes me happy,” she says of her decision. “My biggest goal has always been to have a family and kids, and now I’m a little closer to that. It definitely brings me a lot of peace and I feel like I’m headed in the right direction.”
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