Ali McPherson
Bio
New York-based freelance multimedia journalist and producer. She also is a producer and host of the podcast, "Saucy but Sweet with Ali McPherson.
Stories (11/0)
Olivia Rodrigo's "Sour" Takes Our Grown Asses Back to Teen Angst
Unless you're living under a rock, over the last few months you've heard Olivia Rodrigo tunes as you're buying groceries, as you stroll through a department store, as you pass a car blasting her music so loud you feel compelled to sing along. And who knows, maybe by now you know all the lyrics to her hit songs, "Good 4 U" which reached to number 1 on the US Billboard 100 Chart and "Drivers License" which as of August 11 2021 reached 1 billion streams on Spotify. Her new single "Brutal" from her number 1 album "Sour" recently topped the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and landed to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although it it is unlikely the track will receive the same accolades as "Drivers License" it is the first and one of the most brutally honest tracks on the 11 track album.
By Ali McPherson3 years ago in Beat
Taylor Swift's "Invisible String" Is the New Anthem for Hopeless Romantics
The first strings of the four-minute and 13-second track sets us up for a fairytale, but not just any fairytale. This one takes us through the trials and tribulations of Taylor Swift's public and often ridiculed love life. She reflects on how each failed relationship brought her closer to the One. Although the song has a melancholy feel to it, she takes comfort in the fact that all of the pain and suffering led her to her current love.
By Ali McPherson4 years ago in Beat
Sabrina Claudio Bares Her Soul in "Messages From Her". Top Story - August 2018.
Miami-born R&B singer-songwriter Sabrina Claudio is back with a new single from her upcoming debut album No Rain, No Flowers. Claudio's new single, "Messages From Her," consists of sultry vocals, a catchy yet beautiful melody, and lyrics that shine a light on Claudio's phenomenal songwriting abilities. "Messages From Her" differs from Claudio's recent songs from her EP, Confidently Lost. Most of the songs from her EP shined a light on sexuality, liberation, and independence. Although it is not clear what the themes will be for her upcoming album, it is clear from "Messages From Her" that it will touch on self-reflection, and happiness. It is unlikely that Claudio will shy away from her signature sensual style on the new album.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Beat
Janelle Monáe Explores Sexual Liberation in "Screwed"
According to Janelle Monáe we're all screwed so why not just accept it and have a damn good time? Monáe's funk-inspired song "Screwed" featuring Zoë Kravitz is the millennial's pop anthem and response to Post-Election America. Monáe's third album Dirty Computer,which debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 Chart, is filled with funk, pop, and hip-hop tracks that differ but collectively represent liberation, breaking societal norms, femininity, sex, and power.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Beat
Ariana Grande Finds Her Inner Goddess in "God is a Woman"
Don't be fooled by the title of the song. If you were expecting a song that was pious, then you must not know Ariana Grande. "God is a Woman" is anything but pious but gives Arianators the perfect song to vibe to on a night in with a lover, or a night out with the girls. "God is a Woman" is a song packed with sensual and provocative lyrics that not only shocked fans but made those who worship her, worship her even more. "God is a Woman" is Grande's third single from Grande's fourth album Sweetener, and despite its religious title, the song goes into depth about Grande's temptations and desire for her lover being so strong that after a sexual encounter the lover will believe that God is actually a woman. Grande sets the scene with lyrics like, "My one, it lingers when it's done, you'll believe God is a woman."
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Beat
Artist on the Rise: Sabrina Claudio
Miami-born R&B soul singer Sabrina Claudio released her first EP March of last year titled, Confidently Lost which peaked at 18 on the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers chart, and seven months later released her first mixtape, About Time, which peaked at number 12 on the U.S. R&B Billboard chart. Claudio's single, "Belong To You," peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Chart, signaling a promising beginning for the twenty-one-year-old musician. Claudio sings with a tone that seems beyond her years and dives into themes of, liberation, sensuality, and romance in her music. Claudio grabs the listener's attention with her breathy, sweet vocals along with a sensual, soulful melody. Apart from being a singer, Claudio writes all of her songs.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Beat
Diary of a Strong Black Woman with Nothing to Hide
"This kind of feels like the first date...."- Gabrielle Union. Actress, author, and activist, Gabrielle Union, is an open book. In Union's brilliant and well-written book of short stories, We're Going to Need More Wine, she is unapologetic throughout each chapter and dives into her relationships, casual flings, marriages, traumas, fears, and even losing her virginity.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Viva
A Black Woman's Guide to Self-Love
In a country that rewards European standards of beauty, it can feel like a burden to be a black woman in America. When a woman wakes up and looks in the mirror, she does not always like what she sees, regardless of her race, but when a woman turns on the television or opens a magazine and does not see herself represented it can leave her feeling like maybe she just isn't all that beautiful, or worse, maybe she just isn't worth loving.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Motivation
Finding Myself as a Twenty-Something
In my teens, I didn't like to be alone. The idea of being alone, while everyone else was out enjoying their lives, was too much to bear. I couldn't imagine the idea of being single forever or not finding someone to love me. For a long time, I didn't think any person would find me more than just strictly attractive or someone to bang on a Saturday night.
By Ali McPherson6 years ago in Motivation
