Viva Cuba What: Lively music with soul is what you’ll get on this double-disc set paying tribute to the music of Cuba.

The Dirt:Castro, refugees, Communism and sugar are the common modern characteristics of modern Cuba, but others may argue the lack of modernization has kept much of the art community intact. While the freedom of the people has been stifled for too long, the mixture of Spanish and African cultures in this isolated Caribbean island nation [...]

Spotlight On Neem

The principles of Ayurvedic medicine are gaining popularity in the United States every year, with commonly used herbs popping up everywhere from supplements to skincare. Here, we begin the first of a three-part series on cure-all ingredients most commonly found in India. From rural lands in Indian states to New York City, neemcontinues to gain [...]

Autumn Black HistoryEmerging Black Culture Artists What:October marks the fall’s Black History month, with many award shows paying tribute to existing and upcoming artists whose music taps global black culture.

The Dirt:Britain’s MOBO Awards show proves that Black culture, specifically music, touches all humans across the globe. The awards show that stands for Music of Black Origin began in 1996 and has been going strong ever since. On October 15, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) will air the 13th annual MOBO Awards with hosts Rev [...]

A Sweet Soul

Spotted: Hell’s Kitchen, NYC Name: Katumba (Means “Warrior of the Mind” loosely translated in Swahili) Age: 29 Hometown: Denver, Colorado Current ‘hood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn First language: English Other languages: Japanese, Spanish Job: Bartender, producer–music and scores Ethnicity: Part Cherokee, African, European and Indian. Religion: None. Favorite Nut: Pistachio and cashew On your iPod now: The [...]