Written Gems

#3 “Mo’ Better Blues”

33 min · 16 feb 2026
aflevering #3 “Mo’ Better Blues” artwork

Beschrijving

For Merch  https://nametag.bandcamp.com/merch [https://nametag.bandcamp.com/merch] In this episode of Written Gems, we break down Mo’ Better Blues (1990) — the iconic jazz drama directed by Spike Leeand starring Denzel Washington — and explore how music drives the entire narrative. We analyze the character of Bleek Gilliam, the tension between artistry and ego, the complicated dynamics of love and loyalty, and how the jazz soundtrack shapes every emotional beat of the film. From its cinematography and cultural commentary to its impact on Black cinema and music storytelling, we unpack why Mo’ Better Blues remains a defining film about creative ambition and personal sacrifice. As always on Written Gems, we connect the cultural dots — scene by scene, note by note — and revisit the legacy this film left on jazz, film soundtracks, and the portrayal of Black artists in American cinema. Instagram: @nametagalexander x @ketchp313

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aflevering #5 TLC’s “Creep” artwork

#5 TLC’s “Creep”

On this episode of Written Gems, Nametag Alexander and Ketch P pull up the info on one of the most deceptively smooth records of the '90s TLC's "Creep." Released on Halloween night of 1994, the Dallas Austin-penned classic didn't just top the Billboard Hot 100, it rewired how the world thought about women cheating. Built on a looped Slick Rick sample and a trumpet so lonely it aches, "Creep" was a song the group almost didn't make, by a producer who almost didn't release it, with a member who literally taped her mouth shut in protest. Nametag and Ketch P bring their songwriter's eye to the hook, the narrative arc, the production choices, and the quiet confidence of T-Boz's delivery that made every word land like a threat wrapped in silk pajamas. Whether you grew up with this record on repeat or you're hearing the story for the first time by the end of this episode, hopefully this convo sparks some good ol’ nostalgia . Instagram: @writtengemspodcast @nametagalexander x @ketchp313 YouTube: @writtengemspod

29 mei 202644 min
aflevering #3 “Mo’ Better Blues” artwork

#3 “Mo’ Better Blues”

For Merch  https://nametag.bandcamp.com/merch [https://nametag.bandcamp.com/merch] In this episode of Written Gems, we break down Mo’ Better Blues (1990) — the iconic jazz drama directed by Spike Leeand starring Denzel Washington — and explore how music drives the entire narrative. We analyze the character of Bleek Gilliam, the tension between artistry and ego, the complicated dynamics of love and loyalty, and how the jazz soundtrack shapes every emotional beat of the film. From its cinematography and cultural commentary to its impact on Black cinema and music storytelling, we unpack why Mo’ Better Blues remains a defining film about creative ambition and personal sacrifice. As always on Written Gems, we connect the cultural dots — scene by scene, note by note — and revisit the legacy this film left on jazz, film soundtracks, and the portrayal of Black artists in American cinema. Instagram: @nametagalexander x @ketchp313

16 feb 202633 min