Kendrick Lamar’s got a lot to say on his new record. But what really stopped me on my first listen was asking, “Is that Eckhart Tolle talking too?!” Spoiler: it is. On my first few passes, I think Kendrick has done it, yet again. If you need a quick intro to Tolle, read this (“Feel … Continue reading Sunday Music: Kendrick’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers”
Tag: hip-hop
Sunday Music: Playlist for April 2022
I teased this the other day - here’s a mix for April 2022. You can listen on Spotify or Apple Music. Here are my liner notes: “Ur Mum” by Wet Leg. Irreverent slacker rock done right. I love a song that both hurts and makes you laugh. It’s the end of a relationship, it’s time … Continue reading Sunday Music: Playlist for April 2022
Sunday Music: Ukraine’s Got BARS (With Alyona Alyona)
I don’t know much of anything about Ukraine. We’re all learning fast these days, but with the focus on geopolitics, it can help to zoom out and think more broadly about culture too. Not to have a hotter take than the next guy or gal on what’s going on, but because these are people, with … Continue reading Sunday Music: Ukraine’s Got BARS (With Alyona Alyona)
Sunday Music: Slick Rick’s Mona Lisa
When it comes to storytelling, Slick Rick is one of the greats. I don’t know how I ended up with “Mona Lisa” stuck in my head the other day, but the whole song is a masterpiece. For the uninitiated, Slick Rick has already “made it” before he launches into the song (it’s important background if … Continue reading Sunday Music: Slick Rick’s Mona Lisa
Sunday Music: DJ Jazzy Jeff Cutting It Up In 1986
The internet can be so amazing. One minute I’m listening to Will Smith tell a story about the 1986 World Supreme DJ Competition, and the next, I’m finding an actual set of DJ Jazzy Jeff killing it in a UK version of the competition in the same year. God bless you YouTube. Required background: DJ … Continue reading Sunday Music: DJ Jazzy Jeff Cutting It Up In 1986
Sunday Music: Beavis, Butthead, And The Beasties
It’s 1993 and I’ve got my walkman loaded with The Beavis and Butthead Experience. I’m about 13, find the skits hysterical, and am already obsessed with music. I’ve got the tape because every 90s kid of a certain age is endlessly imitating and quoting Beavis and Butthead. I’ve also got the tape because… would you … Continue reading Sunday Music: Beavis, Butthead, And The Beasties
Podcast Of The Week: The Legend Of Paul’s Boutique
Paul’s Boutique, if you don’t know, is the Beastie Boys’ second album and arguably the Sgt. Pepper’s of hip-hop. It’s what happens when you push all the envelopes, all the buttons on the studio gear, (and maybe put down the bottle and pick up the bong, allegedly). The stories on its making are as epic … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: The Legend Of Paul’s Boutique
Change Paths (How Doug E. Fresh Invented Beatboxing)
The path you’re going down doesn’t have to be the path you finish on. Doug E. Fresh invented beatboxing. If it weren’t for his music teacher, it might never have happened. In grade school, he wanted to learn to play the drums. He joined the school band but the teacher brushed off his request and … Continue reading Change Paths (How Doug E. Fresh Invented Beatboxing)
Sunday Music: Just To Get By
The holidays can be tough, so here’s a little pick-me-up music in case you need it. Whatever you need to get by, just make sure you get by. https://youtu.be/UVtpXvzzXiA
Sunday Music: Told Virgil Write Brick On My Brick
Virgil Abloh once took a bunch of off-the-shelf shirts, screen printed “Pyrex 23” on them, and sold them for 7x more than what he paid. His idol, Marcel Duchamp, had said (long before), “I don’t believe in art, I believe in artists.” And that’s what Abloh was all about. Putting a spin on it. Making … Continue reading Sunday Music: Told Virgil Write Brick On My Brick