Dean is a Dublin, Ireland-based journalist and critic. In addition to Passion of the Weiss, his work has appeared in Wax Poetics, NME, Pitchfork, Clash and The Irish Times, among others. Get at him on Twitter: @deanvannguyen
| Paul Wall Had a Great Year | January 3, 2023 |
While the Houston legend is mainly remembered for his mid-2000s run of Southern rap classics, Paul Wall is currently making some of the most vital music of his career, Dean Van Nguyen writes.
| The Fantasist: Namir Blade Takes Us to Metropolis | June 16, 2022 |
The new album from Nashville's Namir Blade is a reflection of his interests; an imperfect, yet ambitious listen
| A Man Apart: On Steel Tipped Dove’s ‘Call Me When You’re Outside’ | January 20, 2022 |
Don't mistake this 20 minute project for a minor release. Steel Tipped Dove delivers this most concentrated (and essential) dose of his singular proclivities.
| A General Sense of Menace: Big Jade’s ‘Pressure’ | June 22, 2021 |
Dean Van Nguyen breaks down Big Jade's new album and how anyone and anything that stands in her way will likely be steamrolled.
| The Pick of the Litter: “Come Back in One Piece” | April 23, 2021 |
As our DMX tribute series nears its close, Dean Van Nguyen recalls X's self-aware levity and his chemistry with the late Aaliyah.
| Hero vs. Villain: “I Wonder” | January 13, 2021 |
Our MF DOOM tribute rolls on as Dean Van Nguyen explores the King Geedorah cut starring Hassan Chop.
| Pop Lock These Words: The Story of Jean Grae’s Jeanius | September 1, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen dives deep into the 9th Wonder-produced, long-delayed, and heavily pirated cult classic.
| Texas Forever: Dretti Franks Channels Vintage DJ Screw | June 15, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen shines up the candy paint on the Beaumont rapper's newest full-length.
| Championship Crunk: On Duke Deuce’s Memphis Massacre 2 | March 31, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen goes in on the Memphis artist bringing crunk back.
| Keep Dealing: On Pusha T’s “Puppets (Succession Remix)” | October 16, 2019 |
The veteran MC was recently tapped to add bars to the HBO series' slapper of a theme song. Dean Van Nguyen investigates.
