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Privilege vs Detriment: 'Copyright Criminals' Has a Good Defense

Why would the generation that covered Bob Dylan over and over get so bent out of shape of having seconds of audio copied and pasted in a new way in a rap song?

Film

Chuck D on the Early Days of Sampling

In those early, free-wheeling days of hip-hop, the artists were waaaay ahead of the lawyers.

Music

Chuck D: The Black in Man

Chuck D unleashes a brief but vital onslaught of old-school fury; it just might be the gutpunch today's scene desperately needs.

Music

A New Book Calls for a More Activist Black Church -- But That Might Be Easier Said Than Done

The difference between churches of service and activism is seen by the degree to which they hold to the philosophies of black theology, a school of religious thought that emerged in the wake of the racial tumult of the ‘60s.

Books

The 2013 Grammys: Rating the Performances (video collection)

See all the night’s performances in order from best to worst.

Music

Art for the Hip-Hop Generation

The Legends of Hip Hop chronicles 50 deserving pioneers of the culture, and ultimately transforms and humanizes them.

Music

All Tomorrow's Parties: 30 Sep - 2 Oct 2011 - Asbury Park, NJ

Much like when you’re actually in the middle of the festival itself, ATP gripes are often quickly forgotten when remembering something wonderful.

Reviews

Eclectic Method - "Outta Sight" feat. Chuck D (Kotchy remix) MP3 (PopMatters Premiere)

British producers Eclectic Method have been pushing the boundaries of music and video during a long career. Their latest work is a collaboration with hip-hop legend Chuck D.

Music

Their Mics Still Sound Nice: BET Puts Ladies First

Do women rappers have to shake it in our faces in order to get us to listen? As this doc. notes some, like Salt 'N' Pepa do it with sassiness and sex appeal "...you know, if I was a book, I would sell / 'cause every curve on my body got a story to tell".

Music

Hopscotch Music Festival: 9-11 September 2010 - Raleigh, North Carolina

Well curated, organized and executed, the inaugural Hopscotch Music Festival announced the arrival of a new stop on the summer festival circuit.

Events

NBA Ballers: Chosen One

Sitting solitary in a totally anonymous, ESPN-on-a-budget studio, Chuck D looks and sounds like a 48-year-old who knows much better.

Joe Bernstein

Reviews

Movin' On Up

From its first eerily harmonized soul anthems through the feverish funk of Superfly, this two-disc documentary establishes Mayfield’s visionary leadership.

Reviews

Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

For director Antoine Fuqua, it was clear that the right place to start a concert imagining the history of the blues would start with a song from Africa.

Cynthia Fuchs

Reviews

Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

The sensational Buddy Guy is his own, allusive story, as he incarnates a bridge between generations and styles.

Cynthia Fuchs

Film

Pop Ten

The 25 Best Classic Progressive Rock Albums

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 2: 80 - 61

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 5: 20 - 1

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 4: 40 - 21

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 3: 60 - 41

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Privilege vs Detriment: 'Copyright Criminals' Has a Good Defense

Why would the generation that covered Bob Dylan over and over get so bent out of shape of having seconds of audio copied and pasted in a new way in a rap song?

Chuck D on the Early Days of Sampling

In those early, free-wheeling days of hip-hop, the artists were waaaay ahead of the lawyers.

Chuck D: The Black in Man

Chuck D unleashes a brief but vital onslaught of old-school fury; it just might be the gutpunch today's scene desperately needs.

A New Book Calls for a More Activist Black Church -- But That Might Be Easier Said Than Done

The difference between churches of service and activism is seen by the degree to which they hold to the philosophies of black theology, a school of religious thought that emerged in the wake of the racial tumult of the ‘60s.

The 2013 Grammys: Rating the Performances (video collection)

See all the night’s performances in order from best to worst.

Art for the Hip-Hop Generation

The Legends of Hip Hop chronicles 50 deserving pioneers of the culture, and ultimately transforms and humanizes them.

All Tomorrow's Parties: 30 Sep - 2 Oct 2011 - Asbury Park, NJ

Much like when you’re actually in the middle of the festival itself, ATP gripes are often quickly forgotten when remembering something wonderful.

Eclectic Method - "Outta Sight" feat. Chuck D (Kotchy remix) MP3 (PopMatters Premiere)

British producers Eclectic Method have been pushing the boundaries of music and video during a long career. Their latest work is a collaboration with hip-hop legend Chuck D.

Their Mics Still Sound Nice: BET Puts Ladies First

Do women rappers have to shake it in our faces in order to get us to listen? As this doc. notes some, like Salt 'N' Pepa do it with sassiness and sex appeal "...you know, if I was a book, I would sell / 'cause every curve on my body got a story to tell".

Verse-Chorus-Verse: Issac Hayes and Public Enemy

Artist/producer PC Muñoz mines for gems and grills the greats.

NBA Ballers: Chosen One

Sitting solitary in a totally anonymous, ESPN-on-a-budget studio, Chuck D looks and sounds like a 48-year-old who knows much better.

Movin' On Up

From its first eerily harmonized soul anthems through the feverish funk of Superfly, this two-disc documentary establishes Mayfield’s visionary leadership.

Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

For director Antoine Fuqua, it was clear that the right place to start a concert imagining the history of the blues would start with a song from Africa.

Lightning in a Bottle (2004)

The sensational Buddy Guy is his own, allusive story, as he incarnates a bridge between generations and styles.

A Journey Through Her Mind: An Interview with Beth Hart

Brother Hawk Bring Southern Rock Into the Next Century With "Like Water" (premiere)

Kae Astra Celebrates Letting Go With "Grow" (premiere)

Punk Rock's V98 Channel Their Fury Stunningly on "Conversation Killer" (premiere)

Americana's Midnight North Take the "Long View" with New Single (premiere)

Rachel Mazer's "Is It So Wrong" Is a Celebration of Love (premiere)

"She's Older Now" Is a Previously Unreleased Tune From Roger C. Reale and Rue Morgue, Featuring Mick Ronson (premiere)

Pinto Bennett Dishes the Lonely Blues on "I Like Singin' the Blues in a Honky Tonk Song" (premiere)

Deep Tan Amplify the Groove on New Single "Shimmer" (premiere)

Signe Marie Rustad Finds Companionship In "A Thousand Lights" (premiere + interview)