Until those industry suckas get it right, Jean Grae is gonna keep pushing LPs and pushing the limits of what exactly classifies a “female MC.”
Whatever happened to the compilation? It seems as if no one does a compilation unless it’s a greatest songs album or one of those “Only Sold on TV” multi-CD sets. Now we are just butchered with thousands of mix tapes with no-talent-16-track using DJs, wack writtens portrayed as freestyles, and hosted by folks who have [...]
Author: Adam Mansbach
Publisher: Crown/Three Rivers Press
Employing the conceptual and satirical prose created by Paul Beatty in White Boy Shuffle, Adam Mansbach has penned a dynamite novel that explores race from the perspective of a hip-hop generation white male.
Macon is a white kid from Boston who has immersed himself knee-deep in “golden age” [...]
There are several people who run about and use the term “eclectic” very loosely. There are also quite a few so called artists who will tell you that they are taking things to the next level. Quite a few will make some bold comparisons like “she is the next Jill Scott,” “his sound is reminiscent [...]
Intro’s, in this case “Gintro” featuring The Poetess, usually set the tone for the album. Ginger Jackson, a seemingly well rounded vocalist, explains to the listener how she will present them with various flavors. Unfortunately, Jackson fails in almost all of her attempts. Her voice sounds almost childlike and sweet when you hear her speak. [...]
Words play an important role when orchestrating an exact point. How often have you listened to 72 minutes worth of incomplete thoughts or boring rhyme schemes? A nice portion of today’s hip-hop has become less creative and inspiring. However…..
Out of the womb comes forth a talent whom I’d call, “the definition of an M.C.”.
Jean Grae, [...]
In Joey Garfield’s 2002 documentary film “Breath Control: The History of the Human Beat-Box,” one voice of reason rose from the ranks of keeping-it-real dudes, showing intelligence and insight at the historical significance of making rhythmic music with just your mouth and throat. It’s no surprise that the voice belonged to Marie Daulne, the artist [...]
Nonfiction
Author: Yvonne Bynoe
Published: 2004
Pages: 228
Publisher: Soft Skull Press
When the seminal hip-hop group Public Enemy released their ground-breaking recording It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in June of 1988, it marked a critical moment when the political verve of the 1960s had finally been synthesized with the street rhythms of the [...]
Nonfiction
Author: Patrick Neate
Published: August 2004
Pages: 274
Publisher: Riverhead
What does a 30-something, British white guy have to say about the current state of affairs in hip-hop? More than you might think. Patrick Neate has been a self-described hip-hop head since his fascination with the music began in the ’80s, and his curiosity and love for the [...]
At
a time when simple, easy music sells, it is refreshing and imperative to hear
a challenge to the formulaic, mediocre and mass produced culture that is an
increasingly overwhelming aspect of our times. Ursula Rucker’s latest album
Silver or Lead moves us [...]
Category: Reviews