Issa Rae and Jerrod Carmichael made a black version of Friends for JAY-Z
It’s been more than a month since JAY-Z’s latest album, 4:44, broke onto the music scene, and while we’ve grown accustomed to the weekly release of Tidal-exclusive visuals supporting the album, this week’s release carries an extra satirical/nostalgic punch. Starring Issa Rae, Jerrod Carmichael, Tessa Howard, Tiffany Haddish, Lakeith Stanfield, and Lil Rel Howery—plus Hannibal Burress as himself, rolling his eyes at the whole thing—“Moonlight” presents itself as a black version of Friends, ’90s-TV’s “white people hanging out and having fun“ juggernaut. (Specifically, a recreation of the classic episode “The One Where No One’s Ready,” with Carmichael as Ross and Rae as Rachel.)