Monday, September 27 2010
Keeping It Real: Dreams, Mind-Alteration, & Misperception in Hip-Hop
Hip-hop has been engaged in an ongoing tension between fantasy and reality, art and artifice but rappers, like all good artists, sometimes have to lie in order to tell the truth.
Wednesday, June 30 2010
Gil Scott-Heron, Derrick Hodge: 27.June.2010 - New York
Gil Scott-Heron brought his legendary brand of soul, and surprise guest, Common, to Central Park’s Summerstage Sunday.
Monday, April 27 2009
Summer of Same: May 2009
May's titles include the fourth films in two aging franchises, more Pixar perfection, and the reboot of a TV series from 40 years ago. And they say there are no new ideas.
Tuesday, March 31 2009
Various Artists: Dillanthology Vol. 1
Although it offers nothing new, this is a fine introductory piece for new or unacquainted J Dilla listeners.
Tuesday, January 27 2009
Superheroes Versus Comics
There can be no doubt that the summer of 2008 stands as a high-water mark for superheroes. But in the wake of a superhero renaissance and the growing cultural legitimacy of the genre, the question must be posed: Has the superhero genre evolved beyond the comics medium?
Friday, December 19 2008
The Best Albums of 2008
PopMatters presents our 60 best albums of 2008, highlighted by the return of British trip-hop legends and some infectious American indie rock by way of the Cascade Mountains.
Tuesday, December 16 2008
Common: Universal Mind Control
Pharrell and his Neptunes exert a svengali-like control over the record, helping Common release his most contrived and banal album to date.
Friday, December 12 2008
The Best Hip-Hop of 2008
A return to the mic nine years in the making, a hip-hop supergroup of sorts, and Tom Waits beatboxing: this year's top-shelf hip-hop is equal parts anticipation, teamwork, and wha?!
