THE PLAY LIST
Insecure, second season (Vuzu Amp, Sundays at 10.30pm). Although I look forward to each new episode of Insecure, the hype machine on social media isn’t doing the show any favours. By the time I get to an episode, I’ve heard it’s so “crazy good’’ so many times that, after watching, I’ve been left quite disappointed.
I’ve been following Issa Rae from day dot through her internet ascendance and I will forever be a fan, but I don’t think this show is as good as people profess it to be. Even though it solicits a laugh and a rewind or two every now and then, the acting gives me anxiety, the sex scenes are awkward and show no visible protection being used, and the general storyline could be stronger.
Being extra-hype about black-produced content doesn’t serve the development of quality black shows. Stylistically, the series is filmed beautifully, and makes me want to take a walk down the streets of Inglewood. (MB)
Radiooooo, the Musical Time Machine. While enjoying a Japanese-inspired lunch in my friends’ garden over the weekend, our sonic guests were songs from different parts of the globe on rotation. When I asked him what music it is, he introduced me to Radiooooo, a French website and app that lets you listen to music from anywhere in the world, from different decades. You simply point to a place on a world map, select a decade such as the 1960s and voila! We spent a considerable amount of time in 1970s Egypt before being transported to 1950s Columbia and the bonus country, Neverland, which is a mishmash of random music. Visit radiooooo.com. (MB)
The Sopranos (Showmax). I’m re-watching The Sopranos, because it’s the first time I’ve seen unlikeable characters become likeable. Seeing Tony Soprano as a thug and a guy who goes to therapy is still so powerful for me. (NB)
Doubt (Vuzu Amp, Sundays at 5pm). I’m really loving this legal drama, starring Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox. Mostly for Cox. It’s poignant and brilliant to watch her on screen, and so important to see a black trans actress play a bad-ass trans lawyer who falls in love, and stands up for herself and for others. (MM)
THE READING LIST
Audre Lorde: Zami. Audre Lorde’s writing has a way of resonating across time, and Zami feels like a hand reaching out to me and holding me in ways I never knew I needed. Plus, Lorde’s autobiographical prose is lush, sexy and evocative while also being authentic and honest. (MM)
Helen Oyeyemi: White is for Witching. It’s very seldom that a book keeps me up at night, and White is for Witching kept me wide awake and terrified to turn out the light. Oyeyemi’s ingenuity and undeniable talent for storytelling weaves this creepy, gothic novel into a masterpiece — exploring the impact of a haunting presence in one family across generations. (MM)
The Lists are compiled by Friday editor Milisuthando Bongela, Maneo Mohale and Neo Baepi