AltWeeklies Wire
Nas Rocks the Bellsnew
The rapper fronts the tour that erased lines between commercial and underground, white and black, alternative and trendy.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
09-12-2011 |
Music
Termanology and Statik Take Lawtown Nationalnew
As the hip-hop world flattens, leveling the subterranean-versus-mainstream dynamic that's hobbled gimmick-free MCs for decades, Boston is emerging as a cultural centerpiece.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-25-2010 |
Music
Hip-Hop is Dead ... or Undead, Rathernew
Depraved hip-hop is the biggest thing to hit trailer-trash America since sliced meds -- and not just in redneck pockets, where rap music hardly reached before, but in suburban enclaves where acts like Twiztid and Tech N9ne sell out shows with ease.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-29-2009 |
Music
Tags: G.G. Allin, Horrorcore, Ricky Mortis, Stetsasonic, Zombie Death Squad, RZA, hip-hop, Tech N9ne, Scarface
Remember Onyx? They’re Still Pissednew
There was a moment between the late 80s and the early 90s when hip-hop was cheerier than diaper commercials. Then along came Onyx -- shamelessly slinging, slamming, shooting, and reminding us that hip-hop has a dark side.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
08-13-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Boston's Caribbean Riddims Are About to Burst Back into the Mainstreamnew
While reggae fell out of favor with the mainstream, it continued to be nurtured in Boston. Now, the local scene is poised to rise again -- if it can find agreeable live venues in town.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
05-22-2009 |
Music
Dawaun Parker's Boom-Bap Fairy Talenew
As hip-hop's newest secret weapon -- and Dr. Dre's right-hand man -- the Berklee College of Music grad is helping resuscitate rap's biggest stars.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
05-14-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Dawaun Parker, hip-hop
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
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
