Please Explain with Aria Hughes

Erykah Badu dropped her first project, 'Baduizm,' in 1997 to commercial success and critical acclaim. She was labeled the Queen of neo-soul, helping open doors for other female artists like SZA, Solange, and Janelle Monáe who didn’t fit within the traditional R&B box. So there was pressure on her sophomore effort, 'Mama’s Gun,' which turns 25 years old in November. Here we explore the project,...

The path to superstardom is much different than it was in the past. While social media and streaming made it easier for artists to build audiences without relying on record labels, or for songs to pop without radio play, it’s also created an oversaturated and fragmented music marketplace, making it even harder for songs and artists to be seen, heard, and impactful – which has led to a lack of supe...

Anthony Edwards is being called the next face of the league, and his Anthony Edwards 1 social campaign with Adidas crystallized that, positioning Edwards as a singular icon living in a peach world with a penchant for talking shit. The reactive ads disrupted the algorithm and brought some much needed energy to the sports marketing space. Which commercial was his favorite? Why was he so comfortable...

Quenlin Blackwell has gained millions of followers on social media simply by being herself and making people laugh. But the internet personality has ambitions that extend beyond online content creation. Is her Internet persona real? What inspires her video edits that garner millions of views? Is she concerned about becoming less authentic as she gains more fame? Was the chemistry between her and D...

Mariah the Scientist has grown a cult following since the singer/songwriter released music in 2018, and while she’s had a multi-platinum song (“Spread Thin”), “Burning Blue” might be the single that takes her career to the next level. What’s the meaning behind “Burning Blue”? How does she feel when people critique her voice and her romantic decisions? Why does she tour so much? Why was it importan...

Law Roach made news in 2023 when he announced that he was retiring from celebrity styling, but he’s officially back and just in time for the 2025 Met Gala, which focused on the Black Dandy. Why did Law Roach come back from retirement? What’s the inspiration behind the Vogue Met Gala portfolio he styled? Does he still have beef with any fashion brands? What will Zendaya’s wedding dress look like? W...

As Joe Freshgoods celebrates his five-year anniversary with New Balance, the designer and creative director addresses the elephant in the room: Can he sustain and remain cool while scaling his brand? It's a big question that most streetwear brands face while trying to grow their business without oversaturating the market and losing consumer interest. Joe Freshgoods will explore that question, and...

Why does Mowalola upset people? Why is she, a Black woman designer, a rarity in fashion? Is she trying to provoke people with her designs? How is she defying the traditional fashion system? Is putting the N-word on a shirt problematic? Fashion designer and artist Mowalola Ogunlesi will explore these questions, and more, on Please Explain. And host, Aria Hughes, will break down why it costs $250,00...

What is a Black dandy? Who is (and isn’t) a Black dandy? Who will the Costume Institute forget? Dapper Dan, June Ambrose, and Ali Richmond will explore these questions and more in this episode of Please Explain. And host Aria Hughes will break down why a met gala ticket costs $75,000 in the fashion $ense segment. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, a...

James Whitner, owner and founder of The Whitaker Group, which includes popular boutiques A Ma Maniére, Social Status, and APB, sits down with Aria Hughes, Complex's Editor-in-Chief, to discuss his case being over, the lack of Black ownership in streetwear, and what's wrong with the sneaker market. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that br...