Culture
As Told To
Happy birthday, Martin Luther King Jr., from John Lewis
On King’s 90th birthday, the civil rights icon and Georgia legislator pours out his heart to his mentor
CulturePlay
Is there a more ferocious and fashion-forward defensive lineman than the Saints’ Cam Jordan?
The four-time Pro Bowler talks 1990s culture — and the most stylish players in the NFL
Cartoons
Aaron McGruder: ‘A lot of people are trying to reconcile their older selves and their R. Kelly fandom’
‘The Boondocks’ creator speaks up about being back in the cultural conversation
Commentary
R. Kelly’s stardom
Shouldn’t have blinded us to the truth
Theater
The playwright behind ‘Moonlight’ makes a timely Broadway debut with ‘Choir Boy’
Tarell Alvin McCraney’s show is a welcome vehicle for thinking about anti-queer bigotry in the age of Kevin Hart
Soraya Nadia McDonald
Our list of 24 can’t-miss books for holiday gifting
From a photographic history of hip-hop to magical fantasy to sports activism, it’s all here
R. Kelly
Roundtable: The aftermath of ‘Surviving R. Kelly’
On the role of race in mishandling R. Kelly’s trial, victim-shaming on social media and Master P’s comments
Music
Rihanna truly in love — what would that album sound like?
The world is clamoring for music from a happily dating creative titan of business — how will life influence Robyn Fenty’s art?
Culture
How LeBron James threw a big assist to Golden Globes winner Octavia Spencer
Former Division I basketball player Mahershala Ali wins big for controversial ‘Green Book’
CulturePlay
Marvel Comics’ Ironheart writer Eve L. Ewing is ultimate Chicago sports homer
The University of Chicago assistant professor and activist on Riri Williams, dismissing trolls and why she won’t choose between Cubs and White Sox
Theater
Can a black heroine fix the racist stereotypes infecting ‘King Kong’?
In new Broadway production, actress Christiani Pitts steps into the role first made famous by Fay Wray
Sneaker Stories
60 signature Air Jordan 1s were released in 2018 — these are the 15 most fly
From a supermodel to a BMX legend to Virgil Abloh — boss collaborations ruled Jordan’s Signature kicks
Aux Cord Chronicles
Aux Cord Chronicles XVII: The Undefeated’s best songs of 2018
From Ella Mai to Meek to Janelle to Jorja to Drake, we chose 62, and they’re all worthy
NFL
The NFL’s most cool relevant 11*
They’re fashion forward, they give back, they get social — and they play well too. From Kelce to Cohen to a world-famous asterisk, a look at these pros when they go off the grid.
Movies
How a former Cal Golden Bear track star became Aquaman’s biggest nightmare
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is DC Comics’ best — and most tangible — supervillain