Being the music fan that I am, I’ve compiled a list of artists that I expect to see albums from this year. For some of them, I’m just being greedy. For others, I think that something new is due. And for still others, albums have been announced, so I’m well within my rights to have expectations. ... »»
It’s nutty. This was the first decade where I was an adult through the entire thing, thus it’s the first decade where I’ve really been able to have an opinion about the “best of the decade” topics. It’s a weird feeling; it’s excitement coupled with obligation. ... »»
I’ve finally accepted that I’m an old man and that hip-hop in its current state is for kids. It’s no longer designed to appeal to me and it no longer does. ... »»
As far as I can piece together, I made this mixtape specifically because I was going up to Lafayette for my Spring Break '98 (it was great having cousins in PA when I was in MD). I'm pretty sure I made it for the long bus ride. Anyway, it's a dope little snapshot into me from 11 years ago. ... »»
I really do miss Dilla. Even though he has gems that are still being released, the fact that eventually his back catalogue will run out really bums me out. But I'm not going to dwell on his death—I'm just going to enjoy the music he left.
The first time I became aware of Dilla was on The Pharcyde's sophomore release, Labcabincalifornia. I picked up that album, and as I listened to it, I read the liner notes (because I'm one of those people), noticing a few things. Firstly, I noticed the absence of J Swift. Secondly, I noticed that Diamond D produced a cut. But lastly I noticed that Jay Dee not only produce quite a few tracks on the album, but quite a few of the songs that I enjoyed the most. It was 1995 and that was my first impression of Dilla.
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Common, Eminem, 88 Keys, Q-Tip, Jazzanova. I have gotten my hands on music from the likes of the aforementioned artists recently and have blissfully reorganized my playlist, titled Random Dope. ... »»
Mercury /Island Def Jam recording artist, One Block Radius, are a combo of old and new school, with a sound that combines pop, R&B, funk and hip-hop. The trio, made up of Chico, CA native Mary James, Indiana-born DJ MDA and San Francisco's MC Z-Man, counts among their influences hard-core prog-rap pioneers like De La Soul and Cypress Hill, ska-rockers Sublime and classic '80s soul crooners like Stevie Winwood, Hall and Oates and David Bowie, synthesized into a melting pop that effortlessly crosses genres. This group samples the White Stripes for "Mama's Heart," they have no problem making it all work itself out with ease. »»
Now that I've calmed down and stopped anticipating my missing issue, it's probably time to critique the batch of albums those folks at EW have deemed "new classics," specifically when it comes to hip-hop. ... »»
