The 'Hip-Hop's Not Dead' Playlist
Many people have a perception of hip-hop that's based on the bling era
A Week In Hip Hop
Well it's been a while since the hip hop world basically stopped in its tracks for a single, but Kendrick Lamar's 'i' which dropped the other night.
Allah Las – 'Worship the Sun' Album Review
Fading in like a radio searching for a frequency. Fuzz, crunch and here it settles in to a nice spot on the beach. Worship the Sun. Why not? It brings life and warmth and each new day comes with hope and regeneration.
A TDE Playlist
One of the reasons I love Top Dawg Entertainment is because you get a bit of everything.
A Week In Hip Hop
For many of us, Biggie Smalls is more a mythical being than a rapper. We never really got a chance to see him perform or anything, but he's still my personal favourite.
A Week In Hip Hop
Vince Staples is definitely one of my favourite rappers doing the rounds and has recently signed to Def Jam, which shouldn't really hinder his coolness.
A Week In Hip Hop
Well where better to get things started than the emergence from his cave of everyone's favourite rapper - Mr Andre 3stacks.
Ty Segall – ‘Manipulator’ Album Review
Some guys you can just trust. Like Kane Williamson at the batting crease, they rarely let you down, somehow finding a level of consistency that belies belief.
Eminem, Marshall, Slim Shady
We live in an interesting age. An age where artists no longer earn the same amount of money (understatement) from record sales as they once did.
A Week In Hip Hop
It's been a pretty bumper week music wise, churning through a few albums to try get some thoughts written.
A Few Thoughts on Dilated Peoples' 'Directors Of Photography'
Who are they? Hailing from the West Coast, Dilated Peoples are the smooth true blue hip hop veterans who have graced us hip hop fans with the type of hip hop that's timeless.
A Few Thoughts on The Underachievers 'Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium'
Who are they? The Underachievers, spiritual enlighteners hailing from Flatbush, Brooklyn, The Big Apple.
A Week In Hip Hop
Ya know that A$AP Rocky documentary that I mentioned a few weeks ago? Yeah well I forgot to put part 1 up last week, so here's part 1 ............... and part 2.
Robin Williams' tragic passing gave many people to share tributes and stories about the great actor but this one from ?uestLove takes the cake for me
Man. The smallest gesture can mean the world to you. Robin Williams made such an impact on me and didn't even know it. He named checked all of us in the elevator during the 2001 Grammys. I know y'all think I do this false modesty/T Swift "gee shucks" thing to the hilt. But yeah sometimes when you put 20 hour days in you do think it's for naught and that it goes thankless. Grammy time is somewhat of a dark time simply because you just walk around asking yourself is it worth it or not: all the sweat and blood. I just felt like (despite winning grammy the year before) no one really cares all that much for us except for a select few. Especially in that environment I'm which people treat you like minions until they discover what you can do for them...if you're not a strong character you run the risk of letting it get to you. This particular Sunday we were walking backstage and had to ride the elevator to the backstage area and we piled inside when suddenly this voice just said "questlove.....black thought....rahzel....the roots from Philadelphia!!!! That's right you walked on this elevator saying to yourself "ain't no way this old white dude knows my entire history and discography"....we laughed so hard. That NEVER happened to is before. Someone a legend acknowledged us and really knew who we were (his son put him on to us) man it was a small 2 min moment in real life but that meant the world to me at the time. Everytime I saw him afterwards he tried to top his trivia knowledge on all things Roots associated. Simply because he knew that meant everything to me. May his family find peace at this sad time. I will miss Robin Williams. #RIP.
Shout out to DJ Skee, giving up his radio gig because ... radio sucks! The man.
New Tunes
From Ze Vault
A Week In Hip Hop
It's hard to be a little bitter about the Bone Thugs N Harmony copying the Wu Tang Clan's album strategy of only releasing one copy world wide.
Jenny Lewis - ‘The Voyager’ Reviewed
Few albums have climbed into my brain and nestled in there recently like this one has. The pop-rock tag puts you off at first, then the glittery album cover and the bubbly opening… but before long you’re all in.
A Week In Hip Hop
What better way to kick it off than with Bear Grylls jumping on Sway in the Morning on Shade 45? Unfortunately he doesn't drop a hot 16 though...
White Fence – ‘For The Recently Found Innocent’ Reviewed
It begins with a minute long prelude. A hazy, ambling number over a floor of fuzz and wah-wah. No sooner has it hit its stride than it ends.
A few thoughts on Common's 'Nobody's Smiling'
Who is he? It depends on which Common you know, Common's ability is far from common but Common Sense, well he has that in abundance