Please Explain with Aria Hughes

Complex
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  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

"Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 09/10/2025

    Erykah Badu Explained: Is 'Mama’s Gun' Her Greatest Album Of All Time

    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, which was an ode to her son Seven, who she had with Andre 3000. We discuss the pressure she felt following up 'Baduizm,' break down the songs on 'Mama’s Gun,' why she directs all of her music videos, the one artist she wants to work with, and what she thinks of the state of R&B and hip-hop today. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  2. Who Will Replace Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake?

    09/10/2025

    Who Will Replace Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake?

    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 superstars. How do you define a superstar in 2025? What goes into making a superstar today? Are there any replacements for the “big three” in rap? What has led to the lack of superstars? Who are the next superstars? We will explore this topic with Randall ‘Sickamore’ Medford, who currently manages Don Toliver and is the co-founder of Three Times Louder, a Brooklyn based production company that is focused on Brooklyn artists; Nikki Nelms, a renowned hairstylist whose clients include Janelle Monáe and Zoë Kravitz; Fullout Cortland, a talented choreographer who works with artists including Doja Cat and SZA; and Amanda Sabreah, who owns Thought Factory, a strategic advisor firm helping entrepreneurs and executives sharpen their positioning. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 22min
  3. Did The Anthony Edwards 1 Campaign Revive Sneaker Basketball Marketing?

    17/09/2025

    Did The Anthony Edwards 1 Campaign Revive Sneaker Basketball Marketing?

    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 taking shots at competitors? Did Michael Jordan inspire the campaign? How did the team behind the campaign pull this off? What’s next for the Anthony Edwards 2 campaign? Anthony Edwards, Onda, the director, Cam Mason, the Head of Sports Marketing at Adidas Basketball, Miles Jackson-Cartwright, Manager of Global Brand Marketing at Adidas Basketball, will explore these questions, and many more, on Please Explain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 8min

  4. 02/09/2025

    Will Quenlin Blackwell Transcend Internet Fame?

    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 Duke Dennis real? Why wasn’t she a part of Kai Cenat’s Streamer University? What’s her goal with her fashion line Riquera? And does she feel accepted by traditional institutions? Quenlin Blackwell will explore these questions, and many more, on Please Explain. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 9min
  5. Will Mariah the Scientist Win the War on Love? "Burning Blue" Explained

    09/07/2025

    Will Mariah the Scientist Win the War on Love? "Burning Blue" Explained

    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 important for her to own her masters? And what’s the current state of R&B? Mariah the Scientist will explore these questions, and many more, on Please Explain. And host, Aria Hughes, will break down why artists like Mariah the Scientist want to own their masters in the Music Sense segment. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 4min
  6. Law Roach Explained: Why He Came Back From Retirement for the Met Gala

    09/07/2025

    Law Roach Explained: Why He Came Back From Retirement for the Met Gala

    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? Why is ownership/equity so important to him, and how does he plan on obtaining more of it? Law Roach will explore these questions, and many more, on Please Explain. And host, Aria Hughes, will break down how stylists like Law Roach help their clients earn millions of dollars in the Fashion Sense segment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 1min
  7. Will Joe Freshgoods Stay Hot or Fall Off?

    09/07/2025

    Will Joe Freshgoods Stay Hot or Fall Off?

    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 many more, on Please Explain. And host, Aria Hughes, will break down why Joe Freshgoods owns his trademarks, which is a designer's most valuable asset, in the Fashion Sense segment. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 22min
  8. Mowalola Explained: How Mowalola Keeps Winning Despite Critics

    09/07/2025

    Mowalola Explained: How Mowalola Keeps Winning Despite Critics

    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 $250,000 to put on a 15-minute fashion show in the Fashion Sense segment. "Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 14min
  9. Black Dandy Explained: Met Gala 2025's Bold Theme

    08/07/2025

    Black Dandy Explained: Met Gala 2025's Bold Theme

    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, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min
  10. James Whitner Discusses Why There is a Lack of Black Ownership in Streetwear

    23/06/2025

    James Whitner Discusses Why There is a Lack of Black Ownership in Streetwear

    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 brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min
  • 10 Episodes

About

"Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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