Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Gloria Steinem - feminist, author, activist and pop culture icon -- has died. She was 92. Culture writer Eliabeth Renzetti joins Elamin to talk about the life and legacy of Gloria Steinem, and how her feminism crossed over to pop culture.

Also, musician Donovan Woods and journalist Elizabeth Renzetti talk about how U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to rebrand Lake Ontario as Lake America—in retaliation to stalled trade talks between Canada and the U.S.—has galvanized Canadians to express an even greater degree of national unity, and prompted expressions of solidarity from artists near and far.

This week, a jury found Duane 'Keffe D' Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. Journalist Taryn Finley talks to Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the trial and what the verdict could mean for another case that has captivated hip hop fans for years -- the murder of Notorious B.I.G.

Plus, there's a new album from English R&B singer Cleo Sol, and it might be one of the chillest ones of the year. Fusing soul and gospel underneath Sol’s chiming falsetto, Gentlewoman is a comforting listen that may just lower your blood pressure. Veteran hip hop broadcaster Jay Smooth joins Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the album, and why we could all use a little comfort music right now.

With the release of ‘Before The World Blows’ the firs full-length album from Erykah Badu in more than a decade - Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by culture critics Jamilah Lemieux, Naila Keleta-Mae, and Mark Anthony Neal to discuss the new album and Erykah’s influence on pop culture up to this point.

After an AI-generated cover of a Madonna track topped the national airplay chart in Australia, the music industry has responded by banning AI-created songs from its charts. The move comes as rappers like Tyga and Fenix Flexin are openly admitting to using A.I. in their work, while industry titans like Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin endorse the technology. Music journalist Maura Johnston and writer/rapper Cadence Weapon take stock of how the AI music landscape is shifting.

Plus, Pope Leo XIV has been making international best dressed lists from Vanity Fair to Vogue to the New York Times. How did the American Pontiff manage to put his own spin on the traditional wardrobe worn by the head of the Catholic church — and what message is he trying to communicate? Fashion critic Vanessa Friedman (New York Times) talks about how Pope Leo caught the fashion world’s attention, and reacts to the Met Gala's breaking news about John Galliano.

Commotion guest host Amil Niazi is joined by Black pop academics Professor Mark Anthony Neal, DJ Lynnée Denise and Huda Hassan to look back on the influence of Aaliyah, the singer and actor who occupied multiple worlds and left us with a profound artistic legacy after her tragic death 25 years ago.