This week, Roots drummer/producer Questlove published the first in a six-part series of essays for Vulture called “When the People Cheer: How Hip-Hop Failed Black America.” The piece, a thoughtful examination of hip-hop’s current place in pop culture, resonated deeply with me.
Hip-hop artists have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in recent years, and the inclusion of rappers has brought with it considerable controversy. Since the induction of hip-hop pioneers Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five in 2007, fellow legends such as Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy have also joined icons of rock, soul and blues in the Rock Hall. Speaking to Rolling Stone at last week’s 2014 induction ceremony, Questlove shared his reaction to KISS guitarist/frontman Gene Simmons’ recent criticism of rappers being in the hall.
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Drake lashed out at music publication Rolling Stone after the iconic magazine replaced its Drake cover at the last minute with a tribute cover to Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a heroin overdose on February 2nd. Drake criticized Rolling Stone in a series of tweets that were subsequently deleted, but Questlove voiced his support for Drizzy by taking Rolling Stone to task on his own Twitter page.
Everybody loves Questlove. People of all ages, races, and creeds seem to love the guy for his style, openness and genuine persona. But even he,
It’s very easy for things to get misinterpreted on social media, as The Roots drummer/producer Questlove discovered this week. Questo sent out a tweet that got hip-hop fans’ hearts a-fluttering when he “revealed” that beloved North Carolina hip-hop act Little Brother would be reuniting for a new project.
A3C Festival ‘Best Block Party Ever’ photos Questlove was just one of many DJs to grace the stage Sunday at the A3C Hip-Hop Festival’s “Best
On the “A” w/Souleo: At this year’s 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks, numerous attendees were seeking the funk. One of the event’s
The year of transcendent black directors and breakthrough films with black casts continues along with the 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET Networks
The 2013 Afropunk Festival took place this past weekend at Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, and the sights and sounds of alternative, rock, electronica, hip-hop, fusion jazz and soul made for another stellar year of music and culture.
Avant garde musician and artist Yoko Ono is readying her new album, Take Me To the Land of Hell, for its September 17th release and
Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson is unquestionably one of hip-hop’s most silent omnipotent forces. As the drummer and band leader of The Roots, his words hold weight
You probably scarcely recognize yourself, much less your friends and classmates, from your high school years, particularly if it’s been a decade or more. When
Last week’s big announcement that Jimmy Fallon former “SNL” star-turned-talk show host, will be taking over when Jay Leno departs The Tonight Show in 2014, fans
Scholar and icon Angela Davis re-enters the public consciousness this week. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith help us retrace this remarkable woman’s civil rights/black power
You normally hear your friends or someone in passing talking about their ‘side hustle.’ It’s not a term you would imagine a celebrity using. However,
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Hip hop artists that teach at the nation’s top colleges.
Hip hop and neo soul converged to create an electric night of music.
2012 was certainly a troublesome year for hip-hop’s omnipresent prince, Drake. The Young Money top dog found himself in beefs with everyone from Common to
