Mar
24

Swizz Beats, Araabmuzik and A$AP Rocky take it forward

Son Raw is now listening to Klezmermuzik. It makes sense that Swizz and Rocky would work together. For one thing, it’s almost certain that an impressionable Rakim Meyers would have had his mind blown by Ruff Ryders anthem back in the day but furthermore, both are native New Yorkers who’ve rejected tradition for innovation. I… Continue reading »

Mar
22

Question in the Form of an Answer: Ka

I met Ka on a cold windy afternoon on 6th Ave in Manhattan, where he entrenched himself with a small quantity of CDs and vinyl under a storefront that was once Fat Beats NY. In another time this place was a Mecca for underground hip-hop, a venerable destination for both artists and listeners, an iconic… Continue reading »

Mar
20

The Ugly Beauty of Action Bronson

Jonah Bromwich‘s rap name is Neon Boudeaux. I’m in a proclaiming mood so let’s just get into it right now: Action Bronson’s Blue Chips is the best rap album of 2012 thus far. It’s not as if there’s much competition—the only real adversary I see is Q’s Habits and Contradictions but that album’s too small… Continue reading »

Feb
13

Readers of the Books and Leaders of the Crooks: El-P & Killer Mike Make RAP

Alternately known as the moment when Dirty Glove Bastard readers are informed of the existence of El-P. Though the worlds seem an odd match, Phillip K Dick is the best name that an Atlanta rapper never chose. Can you imagine how big he would play in the strip clubs? Five years ago, El-P and Killer… Continue reading »

Dec
08

Let That Boy Cook: Action Bronson’s Well Done Soul

Jonah Bromwich remembers back in the day …And in the summer, in the evenings, we’d listen to this guy Action Bronson. He’d release tapes all year round, but I remember, they were most perfect in the summer evenings. Even if they came out in the cold weather, the sound just took you back to the… Continue reading »