AltWeeklies Wire
Big Sean May be Detroit's 'Next Big Thing'new
"I just feel like everything is going well," Sean beams. "I'm still under 21. Everything comes in due time. I realize that, so I'm just happy. After all, what young rapper wouldn't want to be sign to the biggest artist in the world at Def Jam?"
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
08-26-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Much of Vordul Mega's 'Megagraphitti' is a Thing of Beautynew
The first nine songs feature cinematic, fiery beats and verses that are dramatic and inspired.
Washington City Paper |
Ben Westhoff |
08-25-2008 |
Reviews
The Flobots Rise and Shinenew
One-thirty in the afternoon on a blistering Monday in late July, and the Flobots are hardly forming like Voltron. The tour bus was supposed to leave from this Save-A-Lot off Federal Boulevard at 12 p.m. sharp, but it's nowhere to be seen and we're still missing several bandmembers.
Westword |
Adam Cayton-Holland |
08-25-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Aesop Rock Reaches His Peaknew
Much like his Def Jux boss and labelmate El-P, Rock has defied commercial logic by developing a successful career dropping notoriously esoteric (and at times, indecipherable) rhymes over highly textured rhythms and angular bass lines.
Chicago Newcity |
Brad Knutson |
08-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Now a Free Agent, Bilal Has More Love for Salenew
He shot Interscope to the left when the label shelved his 2006 sophomore album, Love for Sale. And now that he's independent, and resolutely so, he's composing most of his new material on Garage Band. Bilal likes it that way.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
08-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Gay Rappers Carry the Torch for Bounce, but Not Everyone's Comfortable with Thatnew
At the end of the day, the sissies enjoy an uneasy acceptance, both for carrying bounce's torch and, of course, for keeping the dance floor jumping with women. But in the working-class African-American South, male homosexuality can be a difficult identity to maintain.
Nas Revels in Frictionnew
There are a multitude of obvious reasons why Nas would choose to christen a record about race relations in America with an unprintable epithet, but there are subtler implications, as well.
Philadelphia City Paper |
J. Edward Keyes |
08-12-2008 |
Reviews
Rising Detroit Rap Star Invincible Creates Sonic Calling Card from Activism & Dissentnew
Here's the deal: Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her: 1) She's a woman working a male-dominated genre 2) She's gay and 3) She's overtly political -- her sympathy for the Palestinians, and politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
Metro Times |
Brian Smith |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Gnarls Barkley: Open-heart Surgerynew
Cee-Lo Green offers silver lining behind The Odd Couple's moody blues.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
08-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Why Does the Bay Area Have a Hard Time Harboring Hip-Hop Venues?new
Hip-hop is one of the most popular genres on earth, and San Francisco is a world-class city. Yet this town seems hostile toward this musical nightlife with such revenue-generating potential. Why?
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Garrett Caples |
08-06-2008 |
Music
South African Hip-hop Hero Tumi Goes Solonew
Tumi has the verbal dexterity of Pharoahe Monch and the lyrical clarity of Nasir Jones. His moniker often gets bandied about in "who's the best MC?" conversations across the globe.
NOW Magazine |
Addi Stewart |
08-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Kid Sister, the New Queen of Hip-Hop?new
With only a minute amount of material actually released, the buzz around this potential new queen of hip-hop is so overwhelming that when her mug graced the cover of URB this summer the immediate gut reaction was "Yeah, that makes a lot of sense," and not "Wait, she doesn't even have a record yet!"
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
07-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
On a Positive Note, Fetti Profoun is an Immensely Talented Rappernew
However, as far as Fetti's lyrical content, there has been little progression since Valley Fever, his 2006 debut.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
07-29-2008 |
Reviews
It's Been a Year Since Steven 'Butter' Miller Was Killed. Does Anyone Remember?new
When Butter was shot dead by police -- shot at 85 times, hit about 20 -- he was high, standing on a corner and waving a loaded gun. He hadn't pointed it at anyone, or if he had, it had been completely accidental, coincidental, because Butter was blank-eyed, detached from the world.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Tom Namako and Doron Taussig |
07-29-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Queens-born Rapper Homeboy Sandman is Headed For the Big Timenew
Actual Factual Pterodactyl is not only the best-named album to come out of the New York hip-hop underground this year; it has the added benefit of being exactly the kind of album that you would hope for from something bearing its name.
New York Press |
Hamilton Nolan |
07-24-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
