In 1980, then California Governor Ronald Reagan visited Charlotte Street in the South Bronx while campaigning for the presidency. As he surveyed the piles of rotting trash, the rubble of collapsed buildings, and the mangled terrain of disrepair, he likened the South Bronx to a war zone. And indeed, the Bronx sat on the precipice … Continue reading Hip-Hop in the Age of Crisis
Conflict, Catharsis & The Come-Up: Three Albums To Rotate
What drives emcees to continue producing, continue recording and continue writing? What launches a person into the world of hip-hop? I've always conjectured that at its core, hip-hop culture derives itself from conflict. Some of this conflict is internal. Rappers initiate their quest from the inside out, searching for their greater meaning as they draw upon personal experiences where … Continue reading Conflict, Catharsis & The Come-Up: Three Albums To Rotate
On White Privilege, Macklemore & Hip-Hop
I'll be the first to admit it: I've never been much of a Macklemore fan. To prepare for this post, I looked back at a series of email exchanges I had with my friend Casey in early 2013. In summation, let's just say that I did not have a whole lot of praiseworthy accolades for Macklemore's … Continue reading On White Privilege, Macklemore & Hip-Hop
I Can’t Breathe
Winter's been tough. After Boston's ill-fated pact with the devil, ensuring that the Patriots glided towards their umpteenth Superbowl victory, the forces above chose to punish us with one of the most brutal winters in recent memory. We received over 110 inches of snow fall, crushing all records before us and simultaneously pushing our dear city to … Continue reading I Can’t Breathe
In Steady Rotation 