"Denial is a River": Hip Hop, Humor, and Black Feminist Finesse

“Denial is a River”: Hip Hop, Humor, and Black Feminist Finesse

Presented by Dr. Jalylah Burrell, Loyola Marymount University

April 10, 2025 | 5:00pm | Arts & Letters room 304

This talk explores critically and commercially successful works by Black women artists using hup hop and humor to navigate their paths to artistic success. Dr. Burrell puts Doechii's performance practice in conversation with that of writer, rapper, and actress, Radha Blank. Blank's semi-autobiographical 2020 film, The Forty-Year-Old Version, follows a playwright's struggles to produce her first play and mixtape, while Doechii's 2025 single, "Denial is a River," addresses chalenges from early TikTok fame, betrayal, substance abuse, and music industry shadiness. Burrell will discuss how they use comedy to help Black women characters truly see themselves and find their own voices.

Refreshments provided. For questions, contact [email protected]

Host or Publisher African and Black Diaspora Studies