In Case You Missed It

Welcome to UpRising. We, the good people of MACRO, created this newsletter to be a mixtape for your mind—with content that bounces effortlessly between the intellectual and the irreverent. It’s what you care about, are curious about and for damn sure would hate to miss. UpRising is here when you want to raise a question, a glass, or a fist. Either way, we got you.

A look back at 2024’s works of art that flew under the radar—but soared nonetheless

?? Unprisoned

Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo’s comedy-drama courageously covers mental health, generational trauma, and the trappings of the carceral system, using levity and touching narratives to make such weighty subject matter approachable and entertaining. The series’ premise centers on the fractured relationship between a successful-yet-troubled psychologist and her chronically incarcerated dad, who is determined to finally turn his life around and be a present father and grandpop. While this show was sadly cut short after two seasons, we’ll never forget the therapy sigmas that were slayed, the laughs that were laughed, and the parental wounds that were healed. (Hulu)

?? Veena, Heems

Himanshu Suri —?better known as Heems —?has come a long way since his days of early rap meme glory with the rap group Das Racist more than 15 years ago. After dropping his solo debut album in 2015, the Punjabi-American rapper from Queens returned with a pair of well-received projects this year. Veena finds him revealing the demons that have held him back in perhaps his most personal and resonant work to date. (Spotify)

?? A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out, Shenequa Golding

Behold: the musings of a millennial who came of age during a time when there were, like, four archetypes with which Black women could identify — and Golding didn’t see herself in any of them. The Queens, N.Y.-bred journalist’s first essay anthology is a sprawling collection of her life experiences, from name-associated stereotypes to platonic/romantic/familial love and loss to fighting the urge to get a BBL. It’s all explored with an unguarded candor, breezy prose, and a hefty dollop of wit. It’s a refreshing perspective that would translate nicely to the small screen. (Amazon)

The AI-Generated Diss Track That Nearly Catfished Hip-Hop in 2024

At the start of this year’s great rap war, Sy the Rapper got much love —?and hate — by cosplaying Kendrick Lamar with the help of artificial intelligence. He shares what he learned from the ordeal.

UpRising: You got a mixed response back in April when you duped some music fans by dropping a diss track to Drake using a Kendrick Lamar voice filter. You’ve said it was all in good fun. What did you learn from the experience?Sy the Rapper:

Before my track, I was skeptical of AI and in fear that it would replace the actual artist one day. I learned that the world is still not ready for an AI artist—and they shouldn't be. I'm not pushing for AI artists. I'm not supporting that. I just think it's dope that we can make songs from our favorite artists. But this showed me that people still are not fans of AI, and we won't see a successful AI MC anytime soon, which is great.

Are there other ways you think AI can positively impact the music creation process?

If you want to be a ghostwriter, it will be great for reference tracks. Or maybe for a rapper like The D.O.C., whose unfortunate accident took his ability away. In instances like those—where the artist has something wrong with their vocal chords or something like that—AI could be used. Maybe an MC unfortunately passed away and they have rap books of material, that could be a beautiful thing… if the family and loved ones [give] permission. If an MC is incarcerated, perhaps. AI can be used for good. People see futuristic movies and think technology is bad. Technology is a tool, man. Whoever's using it and manipulating the tool determines if it's good or bad.

“My 30s have been so much iller than my 20s. I’m excited for us to be 43 years old and see where we’ve taken it. I don’t know what the f**k I’m doing at that point, maybe bald—with one braid and a dangling earring, making gospel, telling everyone about the zucchinis.”

Suspect first went viral for “eating” a bug in an iconic music video—and has continued to evolve artistically, with his most successful work coming earlier this year. Guess who, while we try to figure out where he’ll explore next.

• Katt Williams Tells the Stories Behind Three of His Best Jokes [Vulture]
• Starbucks Is the New Venmo for Gen Alpha?[Fast Company]
• When Does the Selena Quintanilla Craze Cross the Line Into Exploitation? [Remezcla]
• “A One-Man Economy” Who No One Dared Oppose: Working for Sean “Diddy” Combs Before the Billionaire’s Arrest on Sex-Trafficking Charges [Fortune]
• New Year’s Traditions in Black Homes Are a Celebration of Survival [Capital B]

Take This Audio Doggie Bag With You

“Happy Kwanzaa,” Teddy Pendergrass

‘Tis the season to get lit like a kinara—and we've got your soundtrack right here! Bet you didn't know the man who brought us “Close the Door” and “Love T.K.O.” and “Turn Off the Lights” has his own Kwanzaa dedication. Get into those principles for the holiday with this joyful December playlist addition that might just get some burn year-round.