Monthly Archives: July 2010

Shawn Jackson, “Brand New Old Me”

Posted on July 26, 2010 by plugoneboss

Shawn Jackson, Brand New Old Me Tres Records Shawn Jackson’s second album riffs on underground striver themes: surviving the mean streets of “Lah City,” toking on “purple swishas,” taking “Starget Practice,” and going on “T!LT.” The beats explore well-worn niches, … Continue reading →

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Dipped in blackness: Shabazz Palaces

Posted on July 16, 2010 by plugoneboss

This essay on Shabazz Palaces was published in the July 14 issue of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Dipped in blackness What lives in the mysterious Shabazz Palaces “I’m a bright light on the dark side of town,” raps “Palaceer … Continue reading →

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The Roots’ lost paradise

Posted on July 14, 2010 by plugoneboss

This essay on the Roots’ How I Got Over was posted July 14 on Rhapsody.com’s Music Stuff Place blog. I wrote it for my Rap Is Not Pop column. Last week, I promised that I would abandon the concepts that … Continue reading →

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Are iTunes sales an elaborate hoax?

Posted on July 13, 2010 by plugoneboss

Tommy Boy Entertainment CEO Tom Silverman made an interesting claim during an interview Wired.com posted on July 9: Silverman: People are telling me that the majors have teams of people who actually buy singles on iTunes to try to drive … Continue reading →

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Dungeon Family’s Future: Big Boi

Posted on July 8, 2010 by plugoneboss

This essay on new-era Dungeon Fam was posted on Rhapsody.com’s Music Stuff Place on July 7. I wrote it for my Rap Is Not Pop column. Prince once sang, “All The Critics Love You In New York,” mock-celebrating the rock-crit … Continue reading →

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Reflection Eternal’s “Ballad Of The Black Gold”

Posted on July 8, 2010 by plugoneboss

Props to Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek for commissioning this video. Kweli gets so much criticism for being an anachronism — a rapper concerned with social issues. It takes a major disaster like the BP oil spill in the Gulf of … Continue reading →

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