Originally Published on March 1st, 2026
Remembering Black History in the Month of February
Since 1976, the US has recognized the importance of the Black American culture by way of designating the month of February as Black History Month. To say it is deserved, is a massive understatement. There is so much to celebrate, remember, honor, forgive, and rectify. Black people were taken to this country against their wills, bought and sold into slavery, they were sometimes forced to fight wars on our behalf for a country that enslaved them. Once slavery was abolished, their lives weren’t made any easier. Black men weren’t allowed to vote until 1870, and black women weren’t allowed to vote until the 1920’s and even then, they were intimidated into abstaining by White Americans who rejected their rights to equality. It wasn’t until 1964 when the 24th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were added to our constitution and laws, that Black Americans were able to finally vote without obstruction. There was also segregation that forced the separation of races, driving wedges between the cultures until our nation desegregated in the 1960’s. Systemic racism blocked black families from the ability to earn generational wealth and, in spite of all of this, if a black person or community were to somehow still manage to find success, often credit was stolen, lives were taken, towns were destroyed out of spite by racist white Americans.
That wasn’t always the case, however. Heroes would rise above and lead our nation to pass laws, bills, and legislation that would make Black Americans equal. Heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. Rosa Parks. Heroes like Reverend Jesse Jackson. On February 17, Reverend Jackson passed away at the age of 84. A man who MLK Jr. saw as a protege’, Jackson dedicated his life to his faith and to civil rights. Though he lived a full life, his passing is tragic to say the least. His legacy, however, remains and he has inspired millions in the generations that follow him. Today, we remember Reverend Jackson for his mission, his passion, and that great legacy.
Circumstantial Saint: Inspiring Community, Culture, and Civil Liberty Through the Art of Spoken Word Poetry
Out of Lancaster, PA, Circumstantial Saint is an independent recording artist that is finding ways to do the most with his art and his talent. In less than 5 years, Saint has released 40 albums, and 159 singles and EPs. In 2025 alone, he released 12 albums. This year, he has shown no signs of slowing down. Ever February, for the last 4 years, Saint has released a volume of his work Black History. This year, he released Black History: Vol 4. I had an opportunity to sit with Saint and talk about his work, his music, and what he has planned for the future.
Simply saying Circumstantial Saint is an interesting person, does no justice to how remarkable he truly is. He may, in fact, be the coolest person I’ve ever met. Please take a moment to watch this very captivating interview that is highlighted by Saint performing one of his great poems, a capella.
New Album Reviews and Other New Music in February!
In February, there were so many great submissions. We got to hear from artists who are familiar names and faces to the Fifteen Minutes of Fame platform as well as be introduced to some new faces! In case you missed any of the new album reviews, please be sure to check out these great new releases!
The Green Fuse by John Hopper
As Deep as the Sea by The Great Home Sickness
Other New Releases
In addition to new albums, there have been several new released singles; some of which are ahead of some very exciting upcoming albums:
February Referral Campaign
At the beginning of February, I announced a campaign where people could refer a song by their favorite independent artists and they would be featured on a video Spotlights podcast. I am happy to announce that this will actually be the very first episode of a podcast I will be co-hosting with my friend and the founder of CAN! and Necco Records, Daniel Grigson! We will be recording this episode this week so be on the lookout for the very first episode of Fifteen Minutes of Fame presents: The Necco Chamber! We are very excited to be launching this podcast. We will feature independent artists and other platform creators, and sharing news that is relevant to music today and how that news can apply to indie music culture.
Also, in February, I announce a fundraiser campaign where I announced I would donate 50% of all sales for my album Evaporate in the month of February to the non profit, Appalachia Service Project. I’ve decided to do a donation of $50.00 which is a little bit more than half of the profits received for Evaporate.
BLIND REACTIONS ARE BACK!!!
Don’t adjust your monitors, you have READ THAT CORRECTLY! Fifteen Minutes of Fame have posted their FIRST Blind Reaction in 2026 and this one comes with all of the anticipation one can muster. Back in October of 2024, I started Blind Reactions. In my fifth episode, I covered a metal band called Hell Ever After who gave us one of the coolest storyline music videos I’ve seen in the entire time I’ve been doing Blind Reactions for their song, Hell Hath Come. Well, a little more than a year later, they have come out with Volume 2 to this incredible saga. Check out the Blind Reaction to BOTH Music Videos here!
FMOF Spotlight:
The Paradox
There has been a lot of music lately that has pulled me back to my very first month of Fifteen Minutes of Fame. One band, in particular, has been a lot of fun to watch in these last two years.
To think The Paradox formed in 2024, in July of 2024 in fact, is insane. Fifteen Minutes of Fame also formed in July. I received a submission by lead singer, Eric Dangerfield, for the song Kaitlyn. Now, technically, that song was released by Eric as a solo work, but that was because the band had yet to name themselves. It would be around the time I published the review that Eric’s band would eventually name themselves The Paradox.
What has happened since that time for The Paradox is simply incredible. Since starting as a band, they launched a social media campaign that was an instant and huge success. Going viral nearly instantly, they were quickly noticed and would soon open for Green Day, Jack White, and earned a spot at the When We Were Young festival.
2025 would prove this band had true potential and staying power as they would tour with Games We Play and be selected to perform for the Vans Warped Tour. In addition, they were noticed by Blink 182’s Travis Barker, who featured on their hit single, Bender.
This band’s drive to stardom reached its first true pinnacle this month though, as they officially made history: in February of 2026, The Paradox became the first ever all black rock band to top the billboard rock charts. It’s crazy that this hasn’t happened yet because Black Americans have played a vital role in the way that music has come to be; particularly rock music. Nonetheless, it couldn’t be more deserving.
Listen to The Paradox’s new EP NSFW streaming now!
I remember writing in the article featuring Kaitlyn that it was relatively easy to be good at playing pop punk, but it’s hard to transition from that good to great mantle. I remember writing it because I also remember writing that I thought Eric and The Paradox truly had the potential to be one of those bands that could cross that plane. I had no idea how good they truly would become. I don’t think they did. It’s unheard of for a band to be an instant sensation from the moment they count in their first downbeat. It’s, well, a paradox. And yet, here they are. the success is deserved. Ten-fold. They play like a band that’s been together for 20 years, not 2. They embody the punk scene. They are humble, they are hungry, and they are here to leave their mark in punk rock history.
Last Look at February and a Look Ahead Into March
February has a lot of cause for celebration: all of the incredible history of the heritage and ancestry of the black community in America. Valentine’s Day; which, if you remove the commercialism and focus on the simple message of celebrating the ones you love, is beautiful.
This year, there was also quite a few things to mourn. The volatile divisive political climate is more tense than it has ever been in our young nation. As we continue to examine and address articles and evidence as it relates to the infamous Epstein Files, Americans are faced with the sobering reality that our once great nation now finds ourselves on the wrong side of history. We’ve now instigated a war that has been avoided by political leaders on both sides of the isle for decades, as we have jointly launched an offensive against Iran.
Another sobering and alarming piece of news is the loss of two global icons; James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane. The world was shocked to hear of these two famous actors’ passing. It left a sting in our hearts and our minds to learn that the Van Der Beeks had to launch a go fund me campaign to help with the medical expenses that were incurred from James’ illness. Eric Dane was staying at a home provided by actor Johnny Depp because Depp didn’t want Dane to worry about paying rent while he was having to figure out how to pay for his medical expenses.
These are very famous, successful actors. This isn’t an article that is about celebrities and how frivolous they are with money. This is a wake up call to America. Private healthcare is unethical, it is wrong, it is profiteering on our very lives. We must do better.
As we set our sights on March, we will be looking to put this harsh winter behind us. Longer days, warmer weather. A chance to soak up the sunlight.
There will be new news that brings us joy and new news that brings us sadness. A fear of what’s to come as we watch the horrors of war unfurl in the coming days. A hope that we can find our way back to a better, more promising future.
I always look to music in times like this. Music amplifies these feelings. It helps me process. There is great music in store for March. I’m here for it. As always, I will do my best to put in front of you, as well.
Go press play.
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