I was first introduced to Homeboy Sandman through a quote he gave to Format Magazine about three years ago, which made it obvious that I would have to check out the guy’s music. The quote is self-explanatory: “My pop is the man. Came over from the Dominican Republic at the age of 15. He didn’t […]

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is a squawky voiced, tartan-wearing Canadian who knows more about his interviewees than they do. The man previously called John Ruskin uses his encyclopedic knowledge of music to shock, impress and enlighten. His unorthodox approach includes asking his targets who they are, giving them presents and freezing in a wide mouthed […]

Born in Nova Scotia, raised in small-town Ontario, and about to jet off to London to work with Paul Epworth, Jeremy Rose aka Zodiac has come a long way in a short time. With a just-released solo EP and a ton of work in progress, he’s quickly moving out from under the shadow of his […]

Your interpretation of Nada Surf’s career probably depends on your genre specifics. If you were a slacker rock fanatic, then they were the one hit wonder kiss-off to the mid-90s movement — their epic single “Popular” a moment of focussed truth-telling before the band disappeared into indie obscurity. But if your tastes run a bit […]

O.C.may never receive the proper dues he’s long deserved. The BK rapper, one-time Crooklyn Dodger and D.I.T.C. representative became an underground legend due to his carefully crafted verses and thoughtful storytelling. His 6th album “Trophies,” produced entirely by Detroit beatmaker Apollo Brown, dropped in May; it was his first solo album in six years and […]

The Afghan Whigs provided us with one of the more surprising reunions of recent memory. As recently as two years ago, singer-songwriter Greg Dulli flatly talked down the idea of the Cincinnati-based four-piece – who steamed through the 90s on the back of a clutch of exceptional, if occasionally flawed, albums – putting aside other […]

Jimmy Ness ain’t no Ken. Gangsta Boo ain’t no Barbie. One of the south’s premier female MCs, Lola Mitchell spit vicious rhymes as a part of legendary Memphis crunk pioneers, Three-6 Mafia. Her tough attitude and witty lyrics backed by her trademark “Yeah, hoe!” ad-lib earned the respect of peers and fans. Boo appeared on […]

I first heard Scotty thanks to DJ Burn One and their project “Summer Dreams.” Filled with Burn’s trademark country rap beats, Scotty expressed himself clearly and elegantly. He covers ground that you’d expect him to cover, but also focuses on finding positivity and hope. He has a laid back flow that you ride with. His […]

DJ Burn One’s country rap emerges out of a cloud of smoke vapors to warm the soul. His blues and funk-inspired sound adds an emotive dimension to Southern rap, one reminiscent of the classic UGK and Dungeon Family records. At 26, the Atlanta beat-smith makes the rest of us look like severe underachievers. Burn One […]

Mike Eagle exists on the periphery. He’s part Low End Theory beat family, part Blowdian, part sarcastic Second City native.  He’s forever an outsider, a mindset that has helped shape him into one the sharpest, smartest, and funniest observers in the rap game. His satirical on-point perspective of the current rap scene comes fully fleshed […]