Childhood’s End

I was no more than four years old the first time I saw Michael Jackson, which would make him around, oh, 12 or 13 at the time. It was my first concert, The Commodores and The Jacksons, and there were probably never more afros in one place than there were that night. Well, okay, in [...]

Grammy Thoughts (Besides “Yawn.”)

Were there any surprises among any of the winners? I don’t recall a single one. I suppose some will think Adele beating the Jonas Brothers was a surprise . . .
Interesting thing about Adele’s win for best new artist; the talented young singer who should have been accepting that award had just finished singing with [...]

Whose House? Our House!

Found at Dub Dot Dash

Little Dragon Tours the US

My favorite new band of 2007, Little Dragon, is on a short US jaunt. I want to commend them to my East and West Coast readers (all three of you). If you go, take pictures, get me a t-shirt (dates emboldened for friends)
20 Nov: Beauty Bar – San Diego, California
21 Nov: The Roxy – Los [...]

Ludacris Pumps Up Obama, Obama smacks down

Yesterday I heard a “leak” of Ludacris’ new song “Politics (Obama is here).” The song is of middling lyrical wit but ecstatic in its support of Sen. Obama’s Presidential campaign. It also contained some very strong language that is sure to get conservatives and the Tennessee Guerrilla Women  frothing at the mouth.  See the video  [...]

Don’t Hurt Em Burt and Ernie

Surely by the time the AM rolls around, everyone will have seen Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street getting down with MOP’s “Ante Up.” I just want to be in on the hits. Now, there have been many Sesame Street-rap mash-ups blazing across your Youtubes and your Googlevideojoints. Few (any?) have been this well done. [...]

Next Big Thing: Masia One

I’m sure none of you remember when I used to complain about the doofuses trying to make Tigarah into a star (based solely on the faulty idea that she was the next M.I.A., as if that’s a good thing) while there were all these other female MCs, Japanese or otherwise, who could blow her off [...]

Presenting Strawberry Denim

IMG_3475, originally uploaded by tetsuwanatom1.

I thought this would make a great album cover, except there are no more albums. The band would be named something like Strawberry Denim and they would play a mix of rap and power pop. Pitchfork would proclaim the record an astonishing mix of brash, urban grooves and sweet pop melodies [...]

Video: Little Dragon – Constant Surprises

This Swedish R&B band’s (!!) first record was on my top ten list in 2007. Much to my surprise, I heard a cut from the LP whist roaming around the local Old Navy store recently. I don’t know when or if the record will be released in the US. Till then, peep the clever clip [...]

Why Atmosphere is like Tha Blue Herb

They are both from cold climates (Minneapolis and Hokkaido)