Jay-Z

Fusion jazz Pop Rock 

Haitian Divorce: Steely Dan’s ‘The Royal Scam’ at 50

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 Jason Gross 0 Comments 1976, 50th anniversary, Bernard Purdie, De La Soul, Dean Parks, DMX, Donald Fagen, Jay-Z, Killswitch Engage, Larry Carlton, Mos Def, My Dying Bride, Nas, Steely Dan, The Royal Scam, Walter Becker

Their smooth music and ugly tales refracted through movies, books and rap lyrics

Read more

Music Journalism Pop Rock Soul 

We Watched The Grammy Awards So You Don’t Have To

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024 Kara Tucker 0 Comments Annie Lennox, Dua Lipa, Grammy, Grammy Awards, Jay-Z, Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Sinead O'Connor, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, The 66th Annual Grammy Awards, The Grammys, Tony Bennett

A by-the-minute recount of last night’s broadcast ICYMI

Read more

Hip Hop Rap 

The Gift and the Curse: Jay-Z’s The Black Album at 20

November 24, 2023November 24, 2023 Ted Miller 0 Comments 99 Problems, Change Clothes, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rick Rubin, Roc-A-Fella, Sean Carter, The Black Album, Timbaland

Looking back on the album that was supposed to be Sean Carter’s retirement plan

Read more

Hip Hop Rap Remembrance 

Legendary Producer The 45 King Gone at 62

October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 Ron Hart 0 Comments 900 Number, Apache, C&C Music Factory, Chill Rob G, Digital Underground, Ed Lover, Eminem, Eric B & Rakim, Flavor Unit, Gang Starr, Jay-Z, King Sun, Lakim Shabazz, Lisa Stansfield, Madonna, Mark Howard James, Mark the 45 King, MC Lyte, MTV, Queen Latifah, RIP, Salt-N-Pepa, The 45 King, X-Clan, Yo! MTV Raps

Remembering the man behind some of hip-hop’s biggest songs

Read more

Hip Hop Rap 

Noname Makes Hip-Hop Proud on Its 50th Anniversary 

August 13, 2023August 13, 2023 Ted Miller 0 Comments Chance the Rapper, Common, Jay Electronica, Jay-Z, Noname, Rhianna, Sundial

Sundial is a celebration of contradictions that gores sacred cows — sounds like a rap classic all right

Read more

Music Journalism 

“The New Mercury Rev Album Is Out”: How Music Helped Define 9/11

September 11, 2021September 11, 2021 Jason Thurston 0 Comments 20th Anniversary, 9/11, Bob Dylan, Dream Theater, Drowning Pool, I Am The World Trade Center, Jay-Z, Jimmy Eat World, The Coup, The Moldy Peaches

Jay-Z’s Blueprint, Dylan’s revival, The Coup loses its cover, Clear Channel hearts banning songs and other tales from that fateful day

Read more

Music Journalism 

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Announces Its Class of 2021

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Ron Hart 0 Comments Ahmet Ertegun Award, Billy Preston, Carole King, Charley Patton, Clarence Avant, Class of 2021, Early Influence Award, Foo Fighters, Gil Scott-Heron, Jay-Z, Kraftwerk, LL Cool J, Musical Excellence Award, Randy Rhoads, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, The Go-Gos, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren

Tina Turner, JAY-Z, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk and Carole King among the names to be inducted at this year’s ceremony

Read more

Hip Hop Rap Remembrance 

X Gave It To Us… And Gave And Gave

April 12, 2021April 14, 2021 Zachary Corsa 0 Comments Dark Man x, DMX, Earl Simmons, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, RIP DMX, Ruff Ryders

Assessing the complicated legacy of Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons

Read more

Hip Hop Rap 

Give It to Him: Jay-Z’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia Turns 20

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 Ted Miller 0 Comments 2000, Freeway, Jay-Z, Memphis Blerk, Pharrell Williams, Scarface, Snoop Dogg, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, The Fix, The Neptunes

The Jigga Man’s 5th LP was the first time the newly minted superstar got to ride his own coattails

Read more

adblock Progressive Rock Rap 

Young, Rich and Tasteless: Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Turns 10

December 9, 2020December 14, 2020 Ted Miller 0 Comments 10th anniversary, 2010, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Monster, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Nicki Minaj, Power, Pusha T, Rick Ro$$, Rick Ross, Runaway, The Internet

Reckoning with the Chicago rap great’s 2010 masterpiece in the age of MAGA

Read more

Hip Hop Rap 

You Better Ask Somebody: Big L’s Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous at 25

May 17, 2020May 19, 2020 Daniel Offner 0 Comments 1995, Big L, Diggin' In The Crates, East Harlem, freestyle, Ghetto Dwellaz, Grand Daddy I.U., Jay-Z, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Party Arty

The only album made while the Harlem rapper was walking among us, the debut from the DITC blue chipper remains a microphone masterclass

Read more

Hip Hop 

Tell a Friend Bitch: Jay-Z’s Vol. 3…The Life and Times of S. Carter Turns 20

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020 Dan Weiss 0 Comments 1999, Beyonce, Def Jam, Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, Roc-A-Fella, Shawn Carter, Vol. 3... The Life and Times of S. Carter

The final installment of Hov’s three album saga is by far the best of the bunch

Read more

Remembrance 

FIVE ALBUMS RELEASED ON 9/11/01

September 11, 2019April 3, 2022 Ron Hart 0 Comments 9/11, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z, Long Island, Mercury Rev, Slayer, The Moldy Peaches

These LPs endured their arrival on the worst day in American history to become classics with a tragic asterisk

Read more

Hip Hop Punk Rock Soul 

RNRG New Music Playlist: July 6, 2018 Edition

July 8, 2018 Ron Hart 0 Comments A Flock of Seagulls, Erasure, Jay-Z, The Beatles, The Nude Party

What’s new in stores this Weeknd

Read more