The Melodic Blue, Limbo, and Being Lolita
Featuring an interview with Pink Navel
Welcome to the sixty-fifth installation of The Q : your one-stop weekly newsletter of culture recommendations.
Album
The Melodic Blue by Baby Keem
Baby Keem’s career has been forged in the music industry. Many have gone as far as to call him an industry plant because of his deep ties with Kendrick Lamar and the Top Dawg record label. Normally, this would get an artist dismissed immediately, but Keem has managed to win almost everyone over.
Film
Limbo directed by Ben Sharrock
Sharrock refuses to turn his film into the tired trope of refugee films that exploit the trauma of refugees to evoke sympathy from their audiences. Rather, he focuses on how their perseverance and ability to dream helped them find community in a hostile environment.
Book
Being Lolita by Alisson Wood
After later getting Lolita pushed upon me by male professors or more likely fraternity brothers, I realized I have known for the greater part of my life what it means to be a ‘Lolita,’ which can really be understood as literary shorthand for horribly deforming hyper-sexualization, and old men preying upon vulnerable young women.
Playlist
Sam’s “Top of the mornin” features Baby Keem, Aaliyah, and Lorde
Sam’s favorite track: “RUNNING” by Babyxsosa
Description: “Good morning! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Here are some songs to kick it off right.”
Podcast
Episode #60: Capri Sun and an Interview with Pink Navel
On this week's episode of Two Virgins, Sam and Teresa interview Pink Navel over a Strawberry Kiwi Capri Sun. Pink Navel is a rapper and instrumentalist hailing from Boston. Navel recently released their album Epic, which is full of off-the-walls rap and fascinating instrumentals. They are also part of the Maine-based crew Ruby Yacht, which includes members: R.A.P. Ferriera, Kenny Segal, Hemlock Ernst, and SB The Moor among others. Teresa and Sam talk to Pink Navel about how they first began creating music and the sources behind the samples on Epic.
