Building. Enjoy some new items below.
February 23, 2007
Hip-Hop Review: J Dilla, DONUTS
Originally published in okayplayer's Best of 2006 feature
The gloriously textured swan-beat-tape from Detroit's Crown Prince, J Dilla. What it lacks in Dilla's swaggering, flow-heavy raps, Donuts makes up with its soaring vocal snatches and gracefully chopped samples. Dilla's (near-)last has emerged as the gateway to his less widely heralded but equally intriguing backlog – from Tribe to Slum, Best Kept Secret to Welcome 2 Detroit. So how appropriate that it begins with its ending ("Donuts (Outro)") and ends with its beginning ("Donuts (Intro)")?
Speech: Goodenough Faculty Dinner, February 14, 2007
After noted lapsed Marxist Claire Fox dropped a bombshell of a post-dinner speech (reviling multiculturalism, the West, the Near East, the youth, academia... and, well, everyone in the room), I had the privilege of closing the evening. Never a good idea to let me get the last word:
"Well, I'm now put in the odd position of speaking on behalf of the angst-ridden, multiculturalist youth of the world. Welcome to our cavernous, fabulous hall. If I may add my own brief thought on multiculturalism: As an Irish Catholic raised in suburban New Jersey whose cultural diet consists almost entirely of Jewish philosophy and hip-hop, and now living an expatriate existence in London of all places... I must say that there is a certain value in standing outside your own comfortable assumptions. Through the greatest self-questioning comes the greatest self-understanding.
Now, as any good social theorist will admit, there is a complicated relationship between theory and practice. Claire has given us today, and has given us throughout her public career, a strong argument for the value of unfettered speech. She not only speaks of it, but exemplifies it in her actions. And, maybe, in theory, free speech -- the unchecked flow of ideas -- is the bedrock of a democratic culture. But... in practice... I would guess, after three hours of food and drink, and based on the looks that you all are giving me right now... in practice, the last thing we need is another excuse for ME to keep talking. So, I ask the Governors, our distinguished guests, and my fellow Goodenough members to join me in thanking Claire for keying our evening." Exeunt.
"Well, I'm now put in the odd position of speaking on behalf of the angst-ridden, multiculturalist youth of the world. Welcome to our cavernous, fabulous hall. If I may add my own brief thought on multiculturalism: As an Irish Catholic raised in suburban New Jersey whose cultural diet consists almost entirely of Jewish philosophy and hip-hop, and now living an expatriate existence in London of all places... I must say that there is a certain value in standing outside your own comfortable assumptions. Through the greatest self-questioning comes the greatest self-understanding.
Now, as any good social theorist will admit, there is a complicated relationship between theory and practice. Claire has given us today, and has given us throughout her public career, a strong argument for the value of unfettered speech. She not only speaks of it, but exemplifies it in her actions. And, maybe, in theory, free speech -- the unchecked flow of ideas -- is the bedrock of a democratic culture. But... in practice... I would guess, after three hours of food and drink, and based on the looks that you all are giving me right now... in practice, the last thing we need is another excuse for ME to keep talking. So, I ask the Governors, our distinguished guests, and my fellow Goodenough members to join me in thanking Claire for keying our evening." Exeunt.
Video: Young Buck, GET BUCK
I haven't really felt G-Unit since Lloyd Banks' first album, and had even less time for Young "Gun-fi-rur" Buck, but his new single and video... tight. It looks like a hardcore version of OutKast's Rosa Parks, with particularly ill visuals on the third verse.
February 22, 2007
Video: K-Ci and JoJo Live
Wow. Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow. You're kidding me, right?
"Put me down."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow. You're kidding me, right?
"Put me down."
Hip-Hop Review: Shawn Lee and His Ping Pong Orchestra, VOICES AND CHOICES
Originally reviewed for okayplayer
(NR) Shawn Lee vs. (1) T.M. Wolf – Final Round: Okayplayer Literalized Ping-Pong Metaphor Championships
“We’re not trying to ‘get’ anyone here.”
- Martin “Ruddy” MacDougall (1875 – 1942), Olympic Gold Medalist, tournament founder, confirmed alcoholic
(More...)
“We’re not trying to ‘get’ anyone here.”
- Martin “Ruddy” MacDougall (1875 – 1942), Olympic Gold Medalist, tournament founder, confirmed alcoholic
(More...)
SHAMELESS PLUG: Eric Paras, FOUCAULT 2.0
Debut work from a good friend and former teacher of mine, Eric Paras (PhD, Harvard '05) -- easily the most lucid, interesting, and vividly written study of Foucault I've encountered. I mean, in my wholly disinterested, unbiased, ethical journalistic opinion. (Buy it)
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