Focus On: Boom Clap Bachelors
March 28, 2020
This brief history tells the story of Boom Clap Bachelors, the enigmatic Danish electronic soul collective.
ALL: Opening Acts
First Wave Hip-House: 1988-1990
March 17, 2020
As a shotgun marriage between two hot springs of black innovation, hip-house’s reputation lies between unalloyed club bliss and pop kitsch.
Madlib, the Instrumentalist
February 20, 2020
Madlib is one of the most acclaimed hip-hop producers of the past two decades. But his instrumentals often go unnoticed.
Star Wars Funk
February 12, 2020
George Lucas’ Star Wars hit America like a pop culture meteor in the summer of 1977. The R&B scene wasn’t immune from the impact.
Stanley Crouch on Jazz and Negro Americans
March 18, 2018
In the Ken Burns miniseries Jazz, Stanley Crouch comments on the dynamics of Duke Ellington’s Famous Orchestra.
The House List ep. 68: A guide
January 27, 2018
A cheat sheet to my extended discussion about indie rap with Peter Agoston for his podcast, The House List.
Cover Art Gems: Tish Hyman, Trap Bisney Fairy Tales
August 29, 2017
A spotlight on Tish Hyman’s artwork for Trap Bisney Fairy Tales. Illustration by Andrew Adames.
“Take off that Onyx T-shirt”
May 27, 2017
A few thoughts on Eminem’s appearance in The Defiant Ones documentary, and the Onyx T-shirt he wore in it.
Cover Art Gems: Kodak Black, Painting Pictures
March 31, 2017
Spotlight on Kodak Black’s Painting Pictures. Illustrated by “OG Lyoch” Cartier.
Cover Art Gems: Craig G, Ramblings of an Angry Old Man
March 27, 2017
A spotlight on album art for Craig G’s Ramblings of an Angry Old Man, with artwork by Adam Wallenta.
Rating the Grammys’ Album of the Year Awards
February 12, 2017
Since 2017, this list has rated the Grammy award winners for Album of the Year…for better or worse.
Remembering James Yancey, years later
February 7, 2016
On the 15th anniversary of J Dilla’s birth, we revisit a 2006 essay originally published after his death.