Culture Flex: Roots, Rhythm & Realness
This Trinidadian rapper, known for her alter egos, gave us hits like Super Bass and Anaconda.
Who is Nicki Minaj?
Scrubs is a guy that can’t get no love from me…” is the iconic opening from this ‘90s girl group.
Who are TLC?
This early 2000s website let you design glittery HTML “about me” pages with music autoplay.
What is Xanga?
This sticky, fluorescent drink is the unofficial communion at every Black cookout and church basement fellowship.
What is red Kool-Aid?
A favorite recitation before preaching, testimonies, or choir selections: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart…”
What is Psalm 19:14
This Nigerian star brought Afrobeats global with hits like Ye and Last Last.
Who is Burna Boy?
“It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under…” are the opening lines to this socially charged 1982 rap classic.
What is The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five?
In West Coast slang, to “dip” means to do this.
What is leave quickly?
A rite of passage at family gatherings, this Southern dessert layered with cookies (nilla wafers), pudding, and whipped topping is lovingly made in a giant glass bowl.
What is banana pudding?
Before tablets and ProPresenter, this thick hardcover book — often maroon or navy — was pulled out during devotion to sing “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.”
What is the Hymnal?
This Haitian-born rapper, singer, and producer rose to fame with The Fugees before launching a solo career with hits like Gone Till November and 911 (with Mary J. Blige)
Who is Wyclef Jean?
This 2003 R&B ballad opens with the heartfelt line: “God, send me an angel from the heavens above, send me an angel to heal my broken heart from being in love.”
What is “Angel” by Amanda Perez?
This 2014–2019 sitcom followed Jane Villanueva, a Latina virgin who is accidentally artificially inseminated.
What is Jane the Virgin?
This chip brand, launched in the ’90s and later revived by Master P, featured rappers like Cardi B, Lil Baby, and Migos on its bags.
What are Rap Snacks?
Long before “youth retreats,” this summer event was where millennial kids memorized Scripture, played Red Rover, and returned home with popsicle-stained T-shirts.
What is Vacation Bible School (VBS)?
Before reggaetón went mainstream, this Panamanian rapper was one of the pioneers of reggae en español in the 1990s, with tracks like Tu Pum Pum influencing an entire generation of Latinx urban music.
Who is El General?
This neo-soul classic wrestles with longing and commitment, opening: “Now what am I supposed to do, when I want you in my world? How can I want you for myself, when I’m already someone’s girl?”
What is “Next Lifetime” by Erykah Badu?
This short-lived Google social network (2011–2019) tried and failed to compete with Facebook.
What is Google+?
This juice box line came in tall, skinny cartons — with flavors like Citrus and Berry Blast — and was a lunchroom flex in the late ’90s/early 2000s.
What is 5 Alive?
This classic preacher phrase — usually followed by another 45 minutes of preaching — is the unofficial sign you won’t be getting to Golden Corral anytime soon.
What is “I won’t be before you long”?
Before The Chronic and Aftermath, this producer/rapper was spinning records in sequined outfits with the 1980s electro-funk group World Class Wreckin’ Cru.
Who is Dr. Dre?
First appearing on the 1997 Gang Related soundtrack, this track reflects on struggle and survival with the haunting hook: “Starin’ at the world through my rearview, just lookin’ back at the world, from another level…”
What is “Starin’ Through My Rear View” by 2Pac?
Before her breakout in Scandal, this actress starred in films like Save the Last Dance and Ray, later earning Emmy nominations for Confirmation and Little Fires Everywhere.
Who is Kerry Washington?
First made in the 1930s but still found in corner stores and dollar spots through the ’90s and 2000s, this chocolate candy had a whipped marshmallow center and came with collectible “play money” in the wrapper.
What is a Mallo Cup?
Mothers of the church often sat in white uniforms on the front row, symbolizing holiness and service, reflecting this New Testament instruction.(Titus 2:3–4 NASB)
What is the Mother Board?