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BEN WESTHOFF
Latest Articles
East Coast Avengers wrong the right with ‘Kill Bill O’Reilly’
Rapper Esoteric has been getting lots of death threats via e-mail recently. But he’s not too worried about them, if only because of their elementary character.
Wolf Parade get instinctual
It’s not easy being in a band whose two primary songwriters have quite different ideas about how to write an indie-rock song.
What the hell has Rakim been up to?
One of the most influential hip-hop MCs of all time, Rakim brought rap from its sing-songy beginnings into its late-’80s golden era with his dense lyrics and virtuoso internal rhyme structures.
Hip-hop’s heads go on Wale watch
In an era when the major labels ignore just about everybody without a nickname that rhymes with “sleazy,” it was no small feat for Wale to land a deal with Interscope Records earlier this year.
At Mount Zoomer | Sub Pop
At Mount Zoomer will give you those same goosebumps you felt when you heard the band’s debut.
Tha Carter III | Young Money/Cash Money/Universal
All rappers ride on the claim that they’re the best, but on III Wayne makes his case.
Barsuk
For their fifth album, Mates of State sought out and found the perfect pop tune. Ten of them, actually.
Enough respect — Jamie Lidell wants you to like him
It’s difficult to keep up when Jamie Lidell is talking.
Black Kids know who they are, even if you don’t
Black Kids lead singer Reggie Youngblood is relaxed and focused, articulate and unpretentious, polite with a sharp sense of humor.
Atmosphere’s Slug grows up. . . . sort of
One of the biggest names in indie rap for the better part of a decade, Minneapolis duo Atmosphere have just released their latest album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.
The Formula | Duckdown
Although the term is often bandied about, 9th Wonder has become a true super-producer in recent years.
The Elephant in the Room | Terror Squad
For a 15-year rap veteran who brought the world the late Big Pun and has penned a long string of hits, Fat Joe sure has an inferiority complex.
Trilla | Def Jam
It’s easy to hate on Rick Ross for his sub-standard flow and tired materialism.
Masta Ace and eMC fly without a Learjet
Since Masta Ace got his start with the legendary NYC Juice Crew (Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Biz Markie, etc.), he’s had only a few minor hits.
Justice and Busy P bring the Ed Banger sound to Boston
The launch of an extensive North American tour sponsored by MySpace that comes to the Paradise this Saturday.
Kimbanda Nzila | iMak
Featuring Congolese rumba tinged with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Shiko Mawatu’s debut CD is compelling enough to transcend the oft-dubious distinction of “world music.”
Mr. Mould goes to Washington
As a member of alternative punk band Hüsker Dü and crunch-pop outfit Sugar, Bob Mould became legendary for blissful guitar melodies and personal lyrics that explored his inner angst.
No Arms | Self-released
Jeremy Lowell is a 24-year-old Allston singer writing vulnerable lyrics in a folksy mode and delivering them with garage-rocking grit.
Sampling the Frozen Food Section
...Musing on science fiction, existentialism, and stalker ex-husbands.
Three 6 Mafia’s adventures in acting
Memphis rappers Three 6 Mafia were trailblazers in the genre of crunk, a species of hip-hop characterized by big and ugly club beats and chanted semi-sensical choruses.
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Sensitivity
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A blizzard of new games
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The screen offers relief from a world of woe
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Banal entertainment
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Sam Mendes's not so Revolutionary Road
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Reports of newspapers' death are exaggerated — but after the changes coming in 2009, will we still recognize them?
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Astrological musings on our next President and other political movers and shakers
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The Best of the Bad
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Sam Mendes's not so Revolutionary Road
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