Cultural critic and DJ Jay Smooth talked to students at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School this evening. He is best known for having the longest-running Hip Hop Radio Program (Underground Railroad).
Posts Tagged ‘Hip Hop Music’
Radio Head
Monday, April 22nd, 2019Smile, Especially When Your Star Is Rising
Friday, September 30th, 2016
You can hear D.R.A.M. talk about his journey on the Rap Radar Podcast. He appeared in Syracuse last week.
Rap Re-Imagined
Thursday, November 5th, 2015
It’s hard for one person to save or change the genre, but newcomer Raury, from the ATL, makes rap seem fresh again. He is clever and interesting, in the way Andre3000 was when you first saw and heard him. Raury performed at Syracuse as part of his current tour.
Here is a review of his album, “All We Need.“
State Fair Goes Top Five at the Last Minute
Tuesday, September 1st, 2015
Nas has been named as the replacement for tomorrow evenings Hip Hop Show at the New York State Fair.
Throwback Thursday
Thursday, December 11th, 2014
Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah has a new album (36 Seasons) out this week. He is pictured here rocking the crowd at The Westcott Theater in 2009.
The Latitude for Maturity
Monday, August 25th, 2014
Ashanti, vocalist turned music label exec (AT THE NYS FAIR)
Making Moves
He Said, She Said
Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
Hip Hop Icon MC Lyte and Historian/cultural critic Michael Eric Dyson at Hendricks Chapel on the campus of Syracuse University.
In an intimate, yet lively conversation on Tuesday, rap icon MC Lyte and cultural critic Michael Eric Dyson dissected Hip Hop Culture: past present and future.
MC Lyte noted that the real raw Hip Hop lyrics and culture these days come from the slam poets, because a lot of them do it for art’s sake and not for money. She also noted that the corporate take-over of radio (and play-lists) keeps DJs from being able to break new songs like they did back in the day.
Dyson added that we must be careful not to judge with revisionist history because at the time groups such as Public Enemy (now Rock-n-Roll Hall of Famers) were once considered too black and too strong to be played on radio.
The event was co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the NAACP.
Hip Hop Honors (history)
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
Darryl McDaniels, aka DMC (back-in-the-day)
Next week the elements of the Hip Hop scene (past, present and future) will collide in Ithaca New York to coincide with the exhibition of The Hip Hop Collection at Cornell University.
The three-day event will feature panel discussions, art exhibits and a concert series featuring Afrika Bambaata (see Dan Smalls Presents, Inc.). Of particular interest to SIF will be the talk by Hip Hop Photo-historian Joe Conzo (who also documented the Latin Music scene in the 70s and 80s).
For a complete schedule, click here. To brush up on your Hip Hop History, click here.
37-Minute Hip Hop Revival
Tuesday, January 1st, 2013Michael Childs, aka Our Reality, is a Hip Hop Survivor.
During his tenure in the industry Childs has been a manager, promoter, an actor, as well as a record label executive. He makes his return to the artistic lane with a solo venture called TGDOM, which will drop later this month.
The debut single You Are Here (Y.A.H.), is littered with a head-bobbin’ West Coast funk-style made popular by Left Coast players Dre, Snoop and Too Short. Similarly, Open Your Mind (and let your brain breathe) has an equally compelling bass-line, and features a guest verse by the silver-tongued MAG, aka Ken Hills, from Syracuse.
Say What quickens the pace behind breakneck beats provided by Syracuse’s Super producer Seth Marcel, aka Seth Bradford. This cut also features guest appearances by Mad Illz and Jus One. Along with Lyrical Phenomenon this section of the project mixes up a spicy, perfectly seasoned old school flavor that sets a standard.
Our Reality brilliantly blends two complimentary rhymes together in a Dr. Jeckyl vs. Mr. Hyde song called Double Frequency. It was a huge risk, but the flow is uninterrupted. They are separate yet equal, and at the same time the song is not too cluttered. A perfect sequel is I Am, which exudes a hardcore style very familiar to fans of Our Reality’s bold lyricism.
Rhythm of Life is a Dr. Seuss-type anthem featuring hypnotic lyrics and an enduring beatbox. Before you know it, you’ll be singing along. Rhythm’s familiar chorus has an infectious appeal that may blow up, but won’t go pop.
The final track is a freestyle collaboration with Seme Rock
TGDOM will take you on a journey to discover what’s next, new and necessary in the Hip Hop game. Our Reality has evolved, but he’s still relevant.
Communicating, Connecting
Friday, August 6th, 2010
Donald Harrison
I heard a story today on NPR about the distinct voice of rapper Biggie Smalls (they described his sound as wheezy and humid). I also learned that jazz musician Donald Harrison, who played a concert here last summer, provided some early musical mentorship for BIG.
Harrison also talked about their connection in an interview on Afropop.