Noah Berlatsky

Last year there was much excitement at the announcement that Lupita Nyong'o was going to play a major role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens — the first Black woman to star in the franchise.

The cover for A-Force is a combination of tired trope and deodorant ad. Female empowerment can do so much better.

Why should prostitution be illegal? And, more specifically why should male prostitution be illegal?

There's a good argument to be made that the earliest, and the best, rockabilly performers were women. Slicked-back, hiccuping, hopped up cool.

The history of pop music, and of black pop music in particular, has always been gay history.

Scientists are hotly debating whether we should send messages into space. Perhaps they should consult Octavia Butler for some wisdom...

Rodriguez is confused when she says that people want her to steal white people's superheroes. But she also has a point.

Fifth Harmony is nobody's idea of a roots band.

The acclaimed solo album of former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard raises questions about the very nature of "cred." Is pop antitethical to artistry?

For a second, it looked like the rabid hordes of gamergaters would be joined by metalheads. But #metalgate was never meant to be.