Tim Gent (@tim_gent) has long been a respected voice in Nashville’s hip hop scene. He’s a thoughtful lyricist with technical skill and has been a bellwether for the prospects of his independent peers.
He’s never shied away from demonstrating that he’s navigating personal and professional transitions in his music, but his new project, “Hulio’s Hymns,” aims a clarifying lens at how he’s made his way through truly tumultuous moments.
Last year, Senior Music Writer Jewly Hight (@jewlyhight) interviewed Gent at a specific juncture, the national release of his single “MLB,” when he seemed bound for a breakthrough. But it didn’t materialize. And as Hight reports, back in June, he lost one of his important champions and collaborators, renowned rap producer Tay Keith. So Gent decided it was time for unflinching reflection on how he’s coped when systemic realities, industry setbacks and expectations closing in on him. And he leaned on his close-knit circle of collaborators, including A.B. Eastwood, Bryant Taylorr, Jamiah, Chuck Indigo and others.
He stepped into his headstrong persona Hulio to do it.
Tap link in bio for the full story from Jewly Hight and follow for more.
Video Producers: Jewly Hight, Megan Jones
Editor: Megan Jones
If you’re new to buying health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, it can be pretty overwhelming. But one-on-one help is available.
At healthcare.gov, if you click on “Find local help,” you can filter for “independent assisters” in your area. These are not insurance agents or brokers. Assisters are forbidden from charging for their services or receiving compensation from insurance companies.
Instead of selling you on a specific plan, they’ll help you better understand your options. Do you qualify for discounts? How much care do you anticipate needing? Should you spring for a higher premium that might cover more healthcare costs throughout the year?
Jackie Shrago, an assister in Tennessee, recommends starting the selection process early, in part because assisters tend to have the least availability right before the Jan. 15 deadline.
Video producer: Katherine Ruppelt and Emily Siner
Editor: Megan Jones
Illustration: @studioria
Producer: Katherine Ruppelt
Editor: Megan Jones
A rural Tennessee Democrat with less than $100,000 defeated an eight-term congressman.
Victoria Broderick ousted Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais for a seat he’s held since 2010. WPLN’s Marianna Bacallao ( @ba.marianna) reports that Broderick’s win undercuts Tennessee Republicans’ efforts to redistrict Memphis to net their party all of the state’s congressional seats.
A mother of two from Lincoln County, Tennessee, Broderick said she’ll give working class people a path to D.C.
“Rich people aren’t thinking about milk and eggs, but anyone who’s working class is thinking about that price,” Broderick said. “I’m one of them … I drive into Alabama so that I can save money on groceries.”
Neither party had anticipated that Tennessee’s new map would make the 4th Congressional District competitive. The once-rural district now includes parts of Democratic-leaning Nashville and its more purple suburbs to the south.
This win is a reversal of 2024 when DesJarlais beat Broderick by more than 40 points. This time, DesJarlais out-fundraised her 1-to-6, mirroring Broderick’s primary victory in which she beat another candidate who raised more money, Nashville Metro Councilmember Mike Cortese.
Tap link in bio for the full story and follow for more from Power and Equity Reporter Marianna Bacallao.
Producer: Marianna Bacallao
Editor: Megan Jones
Notable quotables for the week focus on midterm election results here in Tennessee. What a week for red, blue and purple. Voters sounded off at the polls.
Check out our grid to hear the voices of the citizens who came out to vote.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn was considered the frontrunner throughout her campaign, but her win was not as commanding as expected.
Blackburn became the first Tennessee gubernatorial candidate to win with less than 50% of the vote in more than a century.
Tap link in bio to get access to our free full stories and our election coverage.
Producer: Catherine Sweeney
Editor: Megan Jones
Henry Rollins (@fanatichenry), a self-described relentless, annoying punk artist, moved to Nashville to be able to put on a free punk exhibit. His goal? To whop some people with joy.
Rollins spent a lifetime collecting posters, photographs and other ephemera from bands like The Damned, The Cramps, Black Flag, and Misfits. Then he studied under a preservationist from the Smithsonian to learn how to keep all the collected items in museum condition.
Now, reports Justin Barney (@justinbarney) he is showing it off. “I owe it to history to get this in front of people.”
The name of this free show is Cool Evidence. It runs November 6 - 7 in Nashville from 2 - 9pm at 516 Hagan Street.
Follow for more - tap link in bio for our full stories, including music and culture coverage from Justin Barney.
Producer/Editor: Megan Jones
Nashville Soccer Club (@nashvillesc) is about to finish their season with the best record in the MLS, reports Justin Barney (@justinbarney).
What were the keys to their record success?
#1 - Defense. Nashville SC no team allowed fewer goals this year. And they had the most shut outs.
#2 - Elite scorers like Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge.
#3 - Home Field advantage. The boys in blue were UNDEFEATED at home. The crowd and energy definitely had an effect this year.
As the team heads into the MLS playoffs, they could bring the MLS cup to Nashville. Last match of the season is Saturday and if they tie or win, they will set the MLS record for most points in a season.
Follow for more from and tap link in bio for our full stories.
Video Producer: Jared Kunish
Editors: Megan Jones and Andrew Henderson
Tennessee Republicans expected to win all nine of the state’s Congressional districts. But in a shocking upset, incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais lost to Democrat Victoria Broderick in the 4th District.
This despite the fact that Republicans redrew the Congressional map this year to give themselves an advantage across the board.
And that wasn’t the only competitive race in the state. While Bill Hagerty won handily to keep his Senate seat, Marsha Blackburn won the governor’s race by less than 3 percentage points.
Plus:
District 5: Charlie Hatcher beat Chaz Molder by 5 percentage points.
District 7: incumbent Rep. Matt Van Epps beat Darden Copeland by 2 percentage points
District 9: Brent Taylor beat Justin Pearson by about 1 percentage point.
Tap link in bio to subscribe to our daily newsletter, the NashVillager, which will deliver our local and state coverage direct to your inbox 5 days a week. You can also see all our election coverage at link in bio.
Producer: Emily Siner
Editor: Megan Jones
Marsha Blackburn will be Tennessee’s next governor, and the first female governor in state history.
Blackburn becoming governor also means her current post in the U.S. Senate will open up.
In the state’s U.S. House races, Republicans were unable to complete a clean sweep after redistricting. Democrat Victoria Broderick appeared to edge out incumbent Scott DesJarlais in a close contest.
Voters also approved three changes to the state’s constitution, and made decisions for the state legislature.
Tap link in bio for complete election results.
Photos:
Producers: Daniel Potter and Megan Jones
Editor: Daniel Potter
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4 tales from Tennessee election history to read during early voting that may surprise you
The NashVillager podcast rounds up four of the most influential and insightful election stories from Tennessee’s history.


Curious Nashville Returns!
Back by popular demand, the WPLN fan favorite series Curious Nashville is here to investigate oddities, share local history, tell stories of interesting people, and explain how local institutions operate.
You ask the questions, and we answer.
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