The term “alternative R&B” came with its criticisms via other artists pigeonholed by the label. Originally dubbed as “PBR&B” by music critic Eric Harvey as a joke, the sound being written off as hipster-friendly comes off as insensitive and reductive. To me, R&B has always pushed boundaries outside of its original conventions. This evolution is evident more now than ever: more left-field, genre-melding experimentation is being pushed by current musicians to create an almost genreless experience. Simply put, the music has always been more than just “alternative R&B.” 

I like putting together something fun and walking down a random street to some random house party and telling some random people that I love their Wizard of Oz group costume — except their Cowardly Lion, who didn’t even have a tail. I took offense as I believe I would be the Cowardly Lion in my friend group, and let’s just say, I would at the very least wear a tail.

Vibes are an easy way to pass off your opinion as a gut feeling, rather than owning up to them.

Sporting a light grey pullover and a sensible pair of square-framed glasses, Maziar Bahari looks a lot like a dad. And while Bahari is a father, he is perhaps better known as the Iranian-born journalist...