January 2, 2021

Title: KEY IN

Constructor: Brooke Husic

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

BLACK-EYED PEA (19A: Legume in red red)

HOCKEY RINKS (35A: Zambonis resurface them)

TAKE YOUR TIME (51A: "No need to rush!")

Theme synopsis: The word KEY is found IN each theme answer.

And now a word from our constructor:

Brooke: This is my 25th puzzle for the USA Today—my first one was on March 23, 2020. I'm super grateful for everything I've learned from Erik, Paolo, and Amanda and for everyone I've had the privilege of collaborating with! I hope this puzzle inspires you to listen to Valerie June (introduced to me by Rachel) or read about Annie Lee and her art (introduced to me by twitter). Happy new year!

Things I learned:

• TROYE (30A: "There for You" singer Sivan) "There for You" is a 2017 song by TROYE Sivan and Martin Garrix.  Sivan is an Australian singer and actor. He has posted videos and vlogs on YouTube since 2007, and his channel has over 7 million subscribers. As an actor, TROYE Sivan played the role of young Wolverine in the movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and played the title role in the movies, Spud, Spud 2, and Spud 3.
• DRE (66A: ___ & Vidal (music production duo)) DRE & Vidal - Andre Harris and Vidal Davis - are songwriters and record producers. They have produced for many artists, including Ciara ("Oh"), Usher ("Caught Up"), and Flo Rida ("Shone").
• EARL (5D: Pianist Hines) EARL Hines was a pianist and bandleader, and is recognized as an innovator in the development of jazz piano. He played with Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and many others. 
• DREADS (6D: Hairstyle for Valerie June) Valerie June is a folk, blues, gospel, country singer who describes her music style as "organic moonshine roots." In addition to her music, she is known for her signature DREADS, which she has had since 2001. There are a lot of articles and videos about Valerie June's DREADS, including a "Dreadlock Review" video from 2018. 
• LEE (23D: "My Cup Runneth Over" painter Annie) Annie LEE didn't decide to become an artist until she was in her forties, and had her first gallery exhibit at age 50. Her art is sometimes described as Black Americana and depicts scenes of everyday life. One of her most popular works, "My Cup Runneth Over," is available as a print, and even as a jigsaw puzzle.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• AVATAR (13A: Aang or Korra) AVATAR Aang is the main character in the animated TV series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. AVATAR Korra is the title character in the animated TV series, The Legend of Korra, which is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
• BLACK-EYED PEA (19A: Legume in red red) Red red is a dish of Ghanaian origin, consisting of BLACK-EYED PEAs cooked in palm oil, with plantain. The name of the dish comes from the red color it takes on from being cooked in red palm oil. Did you eat BLACK-EYED PEAs yesterday to get your New Year off to a lucky start? This is not a tradition for me, but I always enjoy seeing photos some of my friends post of their BLACK-EYED PEA feast to begin the new year.
• ADAM (57A: Prince who turns into He-Man) He-Man is a superhero in the Masters of the Universe franchise, and the alter ego of Prince ADAM.
• BYE (34D: "Boy, ___") The phrase "Boy, BYE," is used as a curt dismal. The phrase has been used in many memes, and is found in the lyrics of Beyoncé's song, "Sorry."
• KAT (36D: "Kitty ___" (Beyonce song)) "Kitty KAT" is a song from Beyoncé's 2006 album, B'Day. Although never released as a single, the song still made it onto Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charted.
• EMO (41D: Paramore genre) The band Paramore formed in 2004, and currently consists of Hayley Williams, Zac Farro, and Taylor York. The group's first album was titled All We Know Is Falling.

Geography review:

• MALTA (43A: Island nation south of Sicily) Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Valleta. MALTA is an archipelago, or island chain, consisting of 21 islands, only three of which are inhabited. 

Did you TAKE YOUR TIME solving this puzzle? Or did you struggle to complete it and wish you could DO BETTER? A nice hidden word theme today. I appreciated learning about Valerie June and Annie LEE. I enjoyed the defiant MAKE ME, and the encouragement to EXCEL...OR NOT. Congratulations to Brooke on 25 USA Today puzzles - here's to many more! This puzzle was an enjoyable way to begin my Saturday. Oh, and happy palindrome day: 1-2-21!