William E. Ketchum III
Writer + Editor
William E. Ketchum III is a writer, commentator and producer who covers music, pop culture, race, culture, mental health and social justice.
PROJECTS
hiphopdx.com
Review: Royce Da 5'9's "Book Of Ryan" Is A Pensive Graphic Novel
Book Of Ryan continues a four-year, six-album streak of top-tier lyricism, with noted personal and artistic growth in the process.
Okayplayer
Why Black Men Are Transforming The Stigma About Depression & Therapy
William Ketchum III explains why more and more black men are speaking about mental illness, depression and even being open about therapy.
Okayplayer
Earn Proves He's Ruthless Enough to Survive the Music Business 'Atlanta Robbin Season' Finale [Recap]
Robbin Season has hardened Earn, and he’s made it clear that he won’t be eaten. But it’s cost him a lot in the process.
Okayplayer
Paper Boi is the Embodiment of When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Eight [Recap]
Dave Chappelle had a segment called “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong” on Chappelle’s Show. It looks like Paper Boi is catching a serious case of the issue on this week’s episode of Atlanta.
Okayplayer
Van Loses Herself Going on a Dummy Mission Looking for Drake: 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Seven [Recap]
In this week’s episode of Atlanta, titled “Champagne Papi,” Van goes on a dummy mission.
Okayplayer
What Happens When Darius Meets a Michael Jackson Lookalike Inside of a Creepy Mansion? 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Six [Recap]
Starting with a sigh, Darius stepped off of an elevator into a creepy house, into the eeriest episode of Atlanta yet.
Okayplayer
A Barbershop is a Black Man's Haven...Tell That to Paper Boi's Barber: 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Five [Recap]
The only thing as loyal as a black woman to a black man is a black man to his barber. And in the last two episodes of Atlanta, both have been pushed to their limits.
YouTube
Revolt Discussions: Dissecting Misogyny & Rape Culture
The topic of misogyny & rape culture has been pushed to the forefront thanks to campaigns like the #MeToo movement and #TimesUp. REVOLT breaks down the layers of misogyny & rape culture and how cultural journalism can confront the problem; joined by Christina Coleman (Essence), Ivie Ani (OkayPlayer), Natelege Whaley, and Sevonna Brown (Black Women's Blueprint).
Okayplayer
Will Van Learn to Love Herself as Much as She Loves Earn? 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Four [Recap]
Episode three of Atlanta: Robbin Season (“Helen”) continues a big through-line of the show: characters being thrust into environments and scenarios that are unfamiliar to them.
Okayplayer
Mo Money, Same Problems for Earn & Paper Boi: 'Atlanta' Season Two Episode Three [Recap]
Paper Boi and Earn spent the entire first season of Atlanta working to get the money and recognition they deserve. Success is finally coming in Season two, but with so many caveats it makes me wonder if it’s even worth it.
Detroit Free Press
On 'Fever,' Detroit's Black Milk swerves again to address jittery political times
“I don’t consider this a political album, and I don’t consider myself a political artist. But I feel like it’s impossible, if you consider yourself a true artist in this day and age, to not speak on something that’s going on in the world.”
National Public Radio
Black Milk Gets Stuck In Social Media Trance In 'Laugh Now, Cry Later'
Detroit-bred rapper and producer Black Milk's new video for "Laugh Now Cry Later" plays like an episode of Netflix's sci-fi horror hit Black Mirror, with its incisive commentary on the impact of technology.
Billboard
The Villain Everyone Loved: How 50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' Made Him a Rap God 15 Years Ago
America has always had a soft spot for bad guys, and 50 Cent used that knowledge to create one of the biggest moments in rap history.
Billboard
10 Rapsody Songs You Need to Know
Rapsody may be unfamiliar to some rap listeners, but she’s respected in high places. She’s the protégé and signee of Grammy-winning producer 9th Wonder, Kendrick Lamar made her the only feature with a guest verse on his benchmark album To Pimp a Butterfly, and she’s managed by JAY-Z’s powerhouse company Roc Nation.
revolt.tv
Big K.R.I.T. talks defeating depression, spirituality, and keeping the devil off
"The older you get, the harder it is to shake it. And then one day, it all just flushes out, and you have to deal with the fact that you’re unhappy."