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Category Archives: Interviews
A marvelous confusion: Daedelus
A marvelous confusion Electronic artist Daedelus escapes easy classification When Alfred “Daedelus†Darlington takes the stage, he has a decade of material to choose from. There is the glitch-ified orchestral soundtracks of 2002’s Invention, the surreal Bossa Nova of 2006’s … Continue reading
Don’t stop this crazy thing: Coldcut and Ninja Tune
Don’t stop this crazy thing Ninja Tune XX traces Coldcut’s path through decades of sampledelia Coldcut used to brag that it was “Ahead Of Our Time.†In the late 80s, they slapped the phrase onto a host of groundbreaking forays … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Tagged anniversaries, beat scene, Coldcut, Eskmo, major-indies, Ninja Tune, SFBG, this is not trip-hop, UK hip-hop
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Smoker’s delight: Wiz Khalifa and Yelawolf
Smoker’s delight “Waken Baken” headliner Wiz Khalifa loves the green, while Yelawolf is ready to rock The first thing Wiz Khalifa wants to say is that he loves to smoke marijuana. “Usually I just wake up and get high to … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Tagged blog stars, Dirty South, SFBG, weed rappin', Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf
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Midnight marauder: TOKiMONSTA
Jennifer Lee, who goes by the name TOKiMONSTA (“toki†is Korean for rabbit) has managed to surf above a deluge of L.A. beat music. As she’s the first to admit, she doesn’t have a particularly unique “sound signature,†certainly nothing … Continue reading
Posted in Greatest Hits, Interviews
Tagged beat scene, Brainfeeder, L.A. underground, this is not trip-hop, Tokimonsta
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The residue: B.o.B
This piece on B.o.B was published in the April 28 issue of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ————————————– The residue B.o.B and an era of hip-hop that’s pop, pop, and more pop “Drug boys steady shooting. The streets don’t give … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Tagged ATL hip-hop, B.o.B, Dirty South, mainstream rap, mall rap, number one hits, popapocalypse, SFBG
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An interview with Murs
Two weeks ago, Murs and I spoke for a half hour for Rhapsody. It was part of a promotional push for his new album with 9th Wonder, Fornever. I posted the interview on Tuesday, April 13, the same day that … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Tagged 9th Wonder, independent hustle, label red tape, ladies in hip-hop, Murs, Paid Dues Festival, Rock the Bells, Warner Bros.
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Endless Hookup: The Hood Internet
From now on, I’ll re-post my articles from other outlets on Plug One. These will be stories that are relevant to the site and achieve a certain level of quality (in my opinion). This piece on the Hood Internet was … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews
Tagged Chicago scene, credit to the edit, mashups, popapocalypse, SFBG, The Hood Internet, turntablism
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Mary Anne Hobbs’ “100 percent positive topspin”
“A term like ‘wonky,’ I mean it’s just hideous, disgusting and it’s really dumbing down what people do as producers,†says Mary Anne Hobbs during a phone interview in late August. Yes, even the queen of bass hates “wonky,†“funky†… Continue reading
Nosaj Thing, new romantic
Jason “Nosaj Thing†Chung is the latest to emerge from the Low End Theory beat camp, a weekly club night that has given name to a wave of talented Los Angeles producers – Flying Lotus, Daedelus, the Glitch Mob, Daddy … Continue reading
Zumbi: “Let us make art”
This has been a tumultuous year for Zion I. In January, just as the group’s beloved Oakland was reeling from the murder of Oscar Grant by a BART police officer, which resulted in several protests and a highly publicized riot, … Continue reading
Zumbi: “I Don’t Want To See A Bunch Of Lovelle Mixons in Oakland”
“Damn, this is getting crazy for Oakland,†says Zumbi minutes before his group Zion I performs a soundcheck at Berbati’s Pan in Portland, Oregon. Like so many Yay Area residents, the veteran hip hop artist is concerned about the terrifying … Continue reading
April Dues: Danny! (part two)
Here, after months of delays, is the second half of my interview with Danny! It’s not something I’m proud of. This year, I’ve watched site traffic spike several hundred percent. Honestly, it’s something I never thought would happen. Now, I … Continue reading
Interview: Kidz in the Hall (repost)
Back in August, I noted that online magazine Paperthinwalls.com was going offline after a brief two-plus years existence. I also wrote that the site should be online for a few more months in case anyone wants to check it out. … Continue reading
Interview: Danny! (part one)
Columbia, South Carolina rapper Danny! first drew widespread attention (at least by underground/online standards) when he won a talent contest sponsored by Definitive Jux and MTVu in January 2007. The prize was a recording contract with Def Jux. The surprise … Continue reading
The Plug One Q&A: Flying Lotus
Steven “Flying Lotus†Ellison represents a new wave of beat production. His style encompasses the French electro-house of Ed Banger Records, classic IDM-techno such as Autchre, the techno hip-hop of Prefuse 73, and the visionary funk of J Dilla. But … Continue reading
The Plug One Q&A: Pugs Atomz
Chicago hip-hop vet Pugs Atomz discusses his long-running college radio show, an upcoming collaboration with DJ Vadim, and a scene that runs much deeper than Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco. (Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.) Continue reading
The Plug One Q&A: Blue Sky Black Death
Underground production duo Blue Sky Black Death discusses its impressive new album Late Nite Cinema and the pros and cons of being signed to Babygrande. Continue reading
New Voices 2008: Proton
Plug One introduces New Voices 2008, an appraisal of hip-hop’s freshest emerging talent. First up: ATL duo Proton. Continue reading
The Plug One Q&A: Akrobatik
Boston MC and part-time Perceptionist Akrobatik talks about his new album Absolute Value, how downloading has affected hip-hop culture and his career, and rocking the mic. Continue reading
The Plug One Q&A: Brother Ali
On the eve of Brother Ali’s cross-country “Truth is Here” tour, we revisit an unpublished interview with the Minneapolis MC from spring 2007. Continue reading