Black perspectives haven't always been centered in the telling of America's story.

Now we're taking center stage.

Introducing NPR's Black Stories, Black Truths,

a collection of Black-led stories from NPR's

podcasts. Search NPR Black Truths wherever you get your podcasts.

Just a quick note, this podcast contains explicit language.

Well, it's spring. Flowers are blooming, my allergies are going crazy, and we have the first week of the year with ridiculous number of big releases.

Are you coping? Like, how are you feeling going into this season?

It's sort of reminding me of just being a 19 year old college student in my dorm room with a copy of Spinn magazine just

and dreaming about being a music journalist one day. And which is I mean look that's a that's a nice memory.

Can I tell you what overwhelmed my mind thinking about this week?

I was thinking about the fact that we're getting a new

Justin Timberlake record and I was like you know he's a young man he's what 43

it's crazy that he's been famous for 20 years and then I stopped myself and said

no he's been famous for like 27 years at least and then I

I right there I sprouted roots and became a plant. Welcome to Midlife.

Just an old oak tree.

It's OK.

Last week we celebrated the 50 year anniversary of Judas

priests.

So, you know, rock and roll will live forever and I guess Justin

Timberlake might live forever too but we're going to talk about him later.

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