AltWeeklies Wire
Pigeon John Breaks the Rules of Hip-Hop and Winsnew
Pigeon John claims to be an average Joe, the kind of Taco Bell-eating, Xbox-playing guy that only John McCain couldn't relate to at least a little bit. He's got a gift for language, pop hooks and wisecracks that brings together people who might never interact otherwise.
Isthmus |
Jessica Steinhoff |
11-03-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
R.A. the Rugged Man is McCain in the Membranenew
While he doesn't have the reach of Jay-Z, Nas, or any of Obama's other major-label shills, Rugged Man is using his notoriety and knack for controversy to rally troops behind the red team.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Green Party VP Candidate Rosa Clemente on Musical Activismnew
Despite the inroads made by the hip-hop generation toward political mobilization, Clemente says, many of these organizations focus solely on getting out the vote and fall short of providing the information necessary to empower the community.
San Antonio Current |
M. Solis |
10-30-2008 |
Music
Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Group Formula412 Releases its Long-Anticipated Albumnew
Back in early 2006, the local supergroup burst onto the scene with a couple of high-profile shows and immediately went into the studio. As that hype turned into more live opportunities, the album sat on the back burner.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Aaron Jentzen |
10-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Talib Kweli is the One Remaining Black Starnew
Save for featuring Justin Timberlake on his last release, Kweli never compromised his craft to rise above the underground, and yet he became one of hip-hop's elite few bling-free mainstream rappers.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
In the Studio with Jedi Mind Tricksnew
It's rare for rappers to get props from both backpackers and outlaws, but Vinnie Paz uses his home field to his advantage.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Paris Lets His Inner P-Funk Shine on 'Acid Reflex'new
Listening to Paris in 2008 is like walking on the edge of a razor blade. On one side of that slippery slope, the East Bay militant rap icon continues to espouse the anger and violent revolutionary tendencies he's famous for. On the other, as evident on his new album, his music grooves and swirls and lifts.
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
10-22-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
How the Web is Changing Black Youth Culture, and Vice Versanew
Wayne Marshall, a writer, DJ, ethnomusicologist, and probably the only person on staff at Brandeis University who's been written up by the Fader talks Web 2.0 and black youth culture.
Chicago Reader |
Miles Raymer |
10-20-2008 |
Music
Lyrics Born, the Bay Area Mavericknew
If you were looking for a short description of Tom Shimura's more famous alter ego, Lyrics Born, this oughta do it: high-performance, low-key.
SF Weekly |
Eric K. Arnold |
10-16-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Ringtones Killed the New York Hip-Hop Starnew
While hip-hop in New York may not be dead, exactly, it is (at the very least) gravely wounded. If you're looking where to lay blame, look no further than ringtones.
New York Press |
Matthew Mundy |
10-16-2008 |
Music
Minneapolis Hip-Hop Duo Atmosphere Goes For Studio Goldnew
Atmosphere's Slug and Ant look to a live-band approach for a breath of fresh air.
Baltimore City Paper |
Tony Ware |
10-14-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Is Yung Lyricist the Future of San Diego Hip-Hop?new
In a San Diego scene that has all too often focused on blunts, balling and bitches, Yung clearly represents that new breed of MC like Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco with emphasis on issues of the heart rather than hos.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
10-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Brass Knuckles' is Nelly's 'Thriller'new
Brass Knuckles shows an artist who, having been deemed irrelevant, has come back hungry, utilizing every name in his Rolodex and teaching himself some new tricks.
The Avant-Funk Visions of pc muñoznew
The producer at Talking House Productions makes beats for a strange, futuristic dance floor.
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
09-24-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Common Market Takes an Uncommon Viewnew
Ryan Abeo, who goes by RA Scion when he's emceeing, is deeply interested in demolishing the wall between him and his listener.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Kiernan Maletsky |
09-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: hip-hop, Common Market
