Oct
26

A Story To Tell: Biggie Smalls & Narrative — “Suicidal Thoughts”

Abe Beame likes black Tim’s and black hoodies. Ready to Die ends with a bang. After an album of unbridled aggression and desperation, the climax is delivered through a quiet, inverted moment of reflection. Throughout his masterpiece, there are demons chasing the protagonists of Biggie’s songs. Though we never hear their deaths explicitly, we can… Continue reading »

Jul
12

Why Is Big Sean Famous?: An Inquisition

Follow Abe Beame down the rabbit hole……..(II)……. In the late 90s, prior to Napster and the slightly more meritocratic system of Internet rap, there was a type of album that would drop roughly once a quarter. A rapper you’d never heard of before would suddenly make his presence known in the Source and radio with… Continue reading »

Feb
11

People’s History of Hip-Hop: Trey Songz at the Movies

Abe Beame is really the sixth Winans brother. Admittedly, I took my eye off the ball when it comes to the wacky, wonderful world of R&B impresario Trey Songz. He took shots at the thrown when he dissed my boy (link: ), Rhythm and Blues superhero R.Kelly, talking out of both sides of his mouth.… Continue reading »

Nov
18

A People’s History of Hip-Hop: Scarface-Old Joy

Abe Beame is back. It’s been said that sorrow is nothing but worn out joy. If so, this is the thin line Brad Jordan that has walked for over a decade. Sadness is often overlooked in analysis’s of rap’s history. Granted, its becoming increasingly relevant in contemporary hip-hop, with frequent hang-wringing over the perils of… Continue reading »

Oct
27

A People’s History of Hip-Hop: The Diplomats–Native Tongues

Abe Beame’s previous writing can be be found at A People’s History of Hip-Hop and the late great Oh Word. He knows more about Howard Zinn than Lupe Fiasco. We almost take it for granted now, but when historians look back on the past decade, it’s conceivable that rap’s most significant development was its abandonment… Continue reading »