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Okla Jones on Muck Rack

Okla Jones

Verified
  • Senior Entertainment Editor, Essence
Atlanta
As seen in: Essence, MSN, Yahoo Entertainment, Time Out, Flipboard, Thrillist, The Root, Consequence, HipHopDX, NewsBreak, AFROPUNK and
Covers:  Fine Art, Music, Television, Film, Food and Pop Culture.
Sr. Entertainment Editor @ESSENCE

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Okla Jones’s Biography

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Okla Jones, III is a Music/Culture journalist, Fine Art critic and provides commentary on Food, Film, Television and Entertainment. Born and raised in New Orleans, LA; his work can be found on ESSENCE, Thrillist, Consequence of Sound, HipHopDX, Yahoo and OkayPlayer. He is also the co-host of the podcast Thanks For Listening, based in Atlanta.

Okla Jones’s Journalist Portfolio

Making Michael - Essence

Making Michael - Essence

Colman Domingo, Nia Long and Jaafar Jackson bring the Jackson family to life in Michael, exploring the man be…

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Marlon Wayans Is HIM - Essence

Marlon Wayans Is HIM - Essence

Marlon Wayans shares his thoughts on art, family and his unwavering sense of purpose in the latest edition of…

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Swizz Beatz And Alicia Keys Bring 'Giants' Exhibition To San Diego - Essence

Swizz Beatz And Alicia Keys Bring 'Giants' Exhibition To San Diego - Essence

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys discuss bringing Giants to San Diego, highlighting Black art, community, and acce…

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Elizabeth Catlett's Legacy Lives On At The National Gallery Of Art - Essence

Elizabeth Catlett's Legacy Lives On At The National Gallery Of Art - Essence

A career-long retrospective of the iconic artist and activist's work examines racism, inequality, and the bea…

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Exclusive: Debbie Allen, Felicia Pride, And Maleah Joi Moon Discuss Bringing 'A Different World' ...

Exclusive: Debbie Allen, Felicia Pride, And Maleah Joi Moon Discuss Bringing 'A Different World' ...

Debbie Allen, Felicia Pride, and Maleah Joi Moon discuss Netflix's A Different World and carrying Hillman's l…

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Beyoncé's Black Is King Seeks to Change The Way We See Ourselves: Review

Beyoncé's Black Is King Seeks to Change The Way We See Ourselves: Review

Beyoncé's Black Is King, a visual representation of The Lion King: The Gift, strives to inform, empower, and …

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Articles

WATCH: Tyler Perry Debuts Trailer For New Drama ‘Doing Life’

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By Okla Jones Verified
| Essence Verified
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... The trailer for Tyler Perry’s latest film, Doing Life, has arrived, offering a first look at Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves in the upcoming drama. Baker stars as a single mother struggling to provide for herself, while Reeves plays a formerly incarcerated man trying to build a different future. Their lives eventually intersect, opening the possibility for both to find a new path forward. The supporting cast includes Tamberla Perry and Karen Obilom.
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‘Why Did I Get Married, Again?,’ ‘Average Joe,’ The Premiere Of ‘A Different World,’ And The Films And TV Shows To Watch This Month

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By Okla Jones Verified
| Essence Verified
…and just like that, summer’s over. But if I’m to be honest, it definitely has been one for the books. The past few months saw the release of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster epic The Odyssey (which featured a stellar cast, and powerful turns from our favorites, Zendaya and Lupita N’yongo), along with the premieres of standout shows such as Diarra From Detroit and Netflix’s Man On Fire.
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Star Gazing: US Open, 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, Brandy, Serena Williams, And More

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By Okla Jones Verified
| Essence Verified
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... As August comes to a close, Black stars spent the week enjoying the final stretch of summer while celebrating new music and gathering for some of entertainment’s biggest events. Music was a major part of the week, with the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards bringing several generations of artists together in Los Angeles. London had its share of activity as well, as All Points East returned to Victoria Park with a lineup featuring several familiar faces.
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Interview

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Have you ever used a typewriter?

Ha! Actually, I have.

How is social media changing news?

Social media is changing news for better or worse - it's good to have news quickly, but many outlets fight to be first rather than correct.

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Keep going.