Debra Filcman is a Chicago-based freelance journalist.
Debra Filcman
Public Enemy Stand Up for MLK: October 1 in Hip-Hop History
Records by Public Enemy, Prince and Xzibit were released on Oct. 1 in hip-hop history.
MC Lyte Goes R&B on ‘Act Like You Know Me': Sept. 17 in Hip-Hop History
On Sept. 17, Mariah Carey stunned once again with her vocal range, MC Lyte went in a new direction and Jay-Z tops the soundtrack for a Martin Lawrence comedy.
The Very Wise Math Behind Naughty By Nature’s ‘O.P.P.': August 24 in Hip-Hop History
This day in hip-hop history features Naughty by Nature's misunderstood classic, Babyface's emotional entreaties, Shaggy's post-military raunch and more.
How Run-DMC Translated Aerosmith’s ‘Hillbilly Jibberish’ on ‘Walk This Way’
Run-DMC's cover of Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way' helped them break into the mainstream in 1986, but it wasn't their choice to record it.
Mary J. Blige Drops Her Debut Album: July 28 in Hip-Hop History
This day in hip-hop history includes the release of Mary J. Blige's debut record, EPMD's classic Business Never Personal and LL Cool J's standoff with a shark.
July 12 in Hip-Hop History: Bow Wow Grows Up, Ice Cube Hits the Big Screen + More
On this day in hip-hop history, Bow Wow grows up, Ice Cube becomes a movie star, and Charlie Murphy is born.
Joe Jackson on Health Battle: ‘The Sun Sets When the Time Comes’
A tweet from Joe Jackson, who has been hospitalized with terminal cancer, seemed to acknowledge that he has little time left.
The Whole World Colored Itself Purple to Say Goodbye to Prince
When Prince died two years ago, buildings, bridges and monuments across the country and beyond lit up purple to honor his legacy.
‘Uncle’ Prince Helps Tamar Davis Feel ‘Beautiful, Loved & Blessed': 365 Prince Songs in a Year
In 2006, Prince and his protege Tamar Davis released "Beautiful, Loved & Blessed."
In 1990, Prince Imagined the ‘Black Version’ of Donald Trump: 365 Prince Songs in a Year
Nearly three decades before he became president, Prince had Donald Trump on his mind, and wrote about him for a song credited to the Time.