Arts >
Music >
Urban, acid, house,
dance,
r ap,
hip-hop, street poetry, trap, hip hop, trip hop, grime
Late 20th, early 21st century > Puerto Rico, UK, USA
Bad Bunny
PUERTO RICO
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/
944355967/bad-bunny-breaks-new-ground-on-el-ultimo-tour-del-mundo
Salieu UK
VIDEO
Pa Salieu - Frontline (Music Video) |
@MixtapeMadness 2 January 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaQjlagBnG0
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/03/
arts/music/pa-salieu.html
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/12/
pa-salieu-send-them-to-coventry-review
Tobe Nwigwe
USA
VIDEO
TOBE NWIGWE | I NEED YOU TO (BREONNA TAYLOR)
5 July 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzxWZVrtDc
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/
arts/music/tobe-nwigwe-breonna-taylor.html
Megan
Jovon Ruth Pete / Megan Thee Stallion
USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/megan-thee-stallion
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/20/
936234844/megan-thee-stallion-shares-good-news-her-first-studio-album
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/10/04/
920055710/megan-thee-stallion-protests-breonna-taylor-ruling-on-snl
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/
912012064/making-sense-of-megan-thee-stallions-shooting-and-what-followed
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/05/
megan-thee-stallion-review-livestream-august-2020
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/15/
cardi-b-megan-thee-stalion-wap-conservatives-female-sexuality
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/15/
megan-thee-stallion-shooting-sunday-los-angeles
Daveed Diggs
USA
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/18/
daveed-diggs-pixar-wanted-feedback-from-a-ton-of-black-folks
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/22/
630858208/in-blindspotting-a-cinematic-love-letter-to-a-changing-oakland
Headie One
UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/31/
headie-one-in-prison-the-only-thing-not-taken-away-from-you-is-yourself
DJ Premier
USA
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/25/
843552317/dj-premier-sampling-screamin-jay-
Harrison Armstrong / Aitch
UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/18/
im-not-trying-to-be-anything-im-not-rapper-aitch-on-his-rise-to-the-top
http://michaelvincent.ca/Newsblog/?cat=3
added 10.7.2009
rap > MC NxtGen (real name Sean Donnelly)
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/apr/03/
andrew-lansley-rap-youtube
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/mar/25/
andrew-lansley-rap-mc-nxtgen
rap > Cardi B
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/09/25/
553474495/cardi-b-becomes-first-solo-female-rapper-to-top-the-singles-chart-in-19-years
rap > Miss Dynamite
https://www.theguardian.com/music/ms-dynamite
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2011/sep/08/
ms-dynamite-live-session-neva-soft-video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/22/
ms-dynamite-interview-neva-soft
USA > rap > Nelly
UK / USA
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/07/
556372563/nelly-arrested-for-alleged-sexual-assault
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/oct/07/
rapper-nelly-arrested-court-rape
grime > Lethal Bizzle UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/03/
pow-forward-lethal-bizzle-protests
trip-hop / lo-fi > Ghostpoet
UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/feb/08/
ghostpoet-peanut-butter-blues-stream
hip-hop > Odd Future
UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/08/
odd-future-tyler-creator-rape
hip-hop > DJ Kool Herc
UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/feb/01/
hip-hop-dj-kool-herc
hip-hop > Taio Cruz
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/
business/media/30hits.html
hip-hop pioneer
/ grime > Wiley UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/wiley
https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2017/feb/21/
wiley-the-enigmatic-godfather-of-grime-podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/24/
wiley-godfather-grime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/14/
wiley-zip-files-free-downloads
Kaskade 2011
USA
a D.J. and producer
who represents a new
face
of electronic dance music
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/
fashion/a-200000-a-night-dj-known-as-kaskade-is-really-ryan-raddon-a-mormon.html
Future
USA
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/15/
856098438/future-releases-high-off-life-his-first-new-album-of-2020
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/06/
626511573/futures-mixtapes-are-made-for-the-summer-and-he-knows-it
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/03/06/
518780898/future-makes-history-with-back-to-back-chart-toppers
https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2014/04/29/
307723957/future-you-gotta-step-outside-that-box-to-reach-the-people
DaBaby USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jan/10/
dababy-boom-controversial-rapper-taking-over-america
TI USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/07/
ti-rapper-daughter-hymen-check-outrage
Nicki Minaj
TRI / USA
https://www.npr.org/artists/126317980/nicki-minaj
http://www.theguardian.com/music/nicki-minaj
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/09/
739947467/nicki-minaj-cancels-saudi-arabia-performance-citing-human-rights-concerns
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/10/
637440576/after-a-bumpy-start-nicki-minajs-queen-has-landed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/magazine/
the-passion-of-nicki-minaj.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/arts/music/
review-nicki-minaj-raps-life-lessons-at-barclays-center.html
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/22/
viral-video-chart-ice-buckets-john-oliver-and-niki-minaj
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/nov/01/
nicki-minaj-scary-spice-hermione-harry-potter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/apr/27/
nicki-minaj-bigger-balls-than-the-boys
DaBaby
USA
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/
arts/music/dababy-kirk.html
Kid Cudi
USA
VIDEO
Kid Cudi, Eminem - The
Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady (Lyric Video)
10 July 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1-D8UOq7iA
Related
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/10/
eminem-criticises-non-mask-wearers-on-new-rap-track-kid-cudi-covid-19
https://www.theguardian.com/music/kid-cudi
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/10/
eminem-criticises-non-mask-wearers-on-new-rap-track-kid-cudi-covid-19
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/12/
619183944/the-strange-subdued-catharsis-of-kanye-and-cudis-kids-see-ghosts
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/12/
619183944/the-strange-subdued-catharsis-of-kanye-and-cudis-kids-see-ghosts
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/05/
kid-cudi-rehab-depression-suicidal-urges
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/19/
kid-cudi-interview
Lil Nas X USA
Childish Gambino
USA
VIDEO
Childish Gambino - This Is America (Official Video)
Music video
Donald Glover 5 May 2018
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?time_continue=6&v=VYOjWnS4cMY
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/30/
746538998/childish-gambino-covers-chris-gaines-lost-in-you
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?time_continue=6&v=VYOjWnS4cMY - 2018
Andy Anokye / Solo 45
UK
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/11/
grime-artist-solo-45-found-guilty-of-raping-four-women
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/11/
solo-45-the-grime-star-with-a-horrific-secret-life-of-abusing-women
Ramz
UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/11/
rap-star-ramz-getting-support-following-suicide-messages
Stormzy
UK
Stormzy performing on the Pyramid stage.
Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA
Stormzy at Glastonbury 2019 review
– a glorious victory lap for black British culture
G
Sat 29 Jun 2019 00.32 BST
Last modified on Sat 29 Jun 2019 14.16 BST
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/29/
stormzy-glastonbury-review-pyramid-stage
https://www.theguardian.com/music/stormzy
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/15/
the-spotlight-can-scare-the-shit-out-of-me-stormzy-speaks-out
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/29/
stormzy-glastonbury-review-pyramid-stage
Slowthai UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/11/
slowthai-i-love-britain-great
Geto Boy
USA
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/10/
731076691/bushwick-bill-of-houston-rap-group-geto-boys-dead-at-52
21
Savage UK / USA
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/05/
691725441/lawyers-for-21-savage-explain-dreamer-history-characterize-detention-as-baseless
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/04/
691210275/atlanta-rapper-21-savage-arrested-by-ice-for-allegedly-overstaying-visa
Earl Sweatshirt USA
https://www.npr.org/artists/230494985/earl-sweatshirt
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/07/
673227162/earl-sweatshirt-on-resentment-growth-and-giving-yourself-a-chance
https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2015/03/24/
394987116/earl-sweatshirt-im-grown
https://www.npr.org/sections/MicrophoneCheck/2013/11/20/
245993882/earl-sweatshirt-on-rza-day-his-purpose-and-paul-mccartney
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2013/08/19/
213497724/new-music-nine-inch-nails-earl-sweatshirt-juana-molina-more
Mona Haydar SYR / USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/04/
663534196/mona-haydar-on-her-new-album-barbarican
Clyde Guevara USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/23/
630861463/i-still-feel-him-clyde-guevara-s-debut-memorializes-his-brother-s-death
T.I. USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/22/
630791833/t-i-is-dreaming-big-for-atlantas-future
Pusha T USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/05/
pusha-t-the-make-america-great-again-hat-is-this-generations-ku-klux-hood
https://www.npr.org/2018/05/25/
614203250/for-pusha-t-time-is-of-the-essence
Akala UK
VIDEO
Akala - Carried
Away (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2016
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lSXd2gFt50
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/apr/29/
akala-review-shepherds-bush-empire-london-black-people-hip-hop-poet
PRhyme USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/08/
591203534/first-listen-prhyme-prhyme-2
August Greene USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/05/
589887065/first-listen-august-greene-august-greene
https://www.npr.org/2018/01/18/
578570350/songs-we-love-august-greene-optimistic-feat-brandy
Big Sean USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/27/
big-sean-review
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/02/28/
517506623/dont-bother-big-sean-hes-working
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/
arts/music/big-sean-billboard-lady-gaga-super-bowl.html
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/04/
big-sean-i-decided-kanye-west
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/02/
big-sean-review-kanye-protege-on-the-rise
https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2015/03/02/
390165830/big-sean-i-stuck-with-my-gut
Tunde Olaniran USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/26/
660180893/tunde-olaniran-refuses-to-dilute-his-creativity
Black Thought USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/01/
616222811/black-thought-sets-out-on-his-own
https://www.npr.org/2018/05/31/
615752582/black-thought-the-roots-interview
The Roots USA
https://www.npr.org/artists/15121130/the-roots
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/29/
896769916/malik-b-early-member-of-the-roots-dies-at-age-47
https://www.npr.org/2018/05/31/
615752582/black-thought-the-roots-interview
Common USA
https://www.npr.org/artists/15403758/common
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/02/
755564513/common-takes-time-to-heal-on-let-love
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/05/
589887065/first-listen-august-greene-august-greene
https://www.npr.org/2018/01/18/
578570350/songs-we-love-august-greene-optimistic-feat-brandy
https://www.npr.org/2016/11/04/
500514735/on-his-latest-album-commons-political-commentary-gets-personal
https://www.npr.org/2016/10/03/
496433228/common-tiny-desk-concert-at-the-white-house
https://www.npr.org/2015/07/06/
419252433/first-listen-nina-revisited-a-tribute-to-nina-simone
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=130546637 - October 15, 2010
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=12702123 - August 11, 2007
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2007/08/09/
15960263/lcd-soundsystem-amy-winehouse-common
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=4708308 - June 17, 2005
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=4697017 - June 10, 2005
Dessa
USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/03/01/
587404227/dessa-separates-head-from-heart-with-a-little-help-from-science
Biz Markie USA
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/jul/12/
biz-markie-rock-steady-crew-run-dmc-early-hip-hop-stars-in-pictures
Rock Steady Crew USA
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/jul/12/
biz-markie-rock-steady-crew-run-dmc-early-hip-hop-stars-in-pictures
Run DMC USA
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/jul/12/
biz-markie-rock-steady-crew-run-dmc-early-hip-hop-stars-in-pictures
Stetsasonic USA
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/jul/12/
biz-markie-rock-steady-crew-run-dmc-early-hip-hop-stars-in-pictures
Rakim
USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/27/
642400564/rakim-reflects-on-his-life-in-hip-hop-and-what-happened-with-eric-b
Eric B & Rakim USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/27/
642400564/rakim-reflects-on-his-life-in-hip-hop-and-what-happened-with-eric-b
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2018/jul/12/
biz-markie-rock-steady-crew-run-dmc-early-hip-hop-stars-in-pictures
Russell Simmons USA
hip-hop, fashion
and entertainment mogul
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/25/
580629581/russell-simmons-publicly-accused-of-rape-by-a-6th-woman
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/30/
567470136/russell-simmons-removing-himself-after-second-allegation-of-sexual-assault
Meek Mill (real name Robert Williams) USA
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/24/
744948227/rapper-meek-mill-is-granted-retrial-after-years-long-legal-fight
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/02/08/
584009177/how-the-eagles-sneaked-a-little-protest-into-the-super-bowl
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/
opinion/jay-z-meek-mill-probation.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/
arts/music/meek-mill-jail.html
Young Dolph USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/04/
young-dolph-rapper-dodging-death-memphis
Talib Kweli USA
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/19/
564453458/talib-kweli-speaks-through-radio-silence
Master P USA
http://www.npr.org/2017/09/21/
552449582/how-master-p-gamed-the-music-industry-and-laid-a-path-to-generational-wealth
Gucci Mane USA
http://www.npr.org/2017/09/19/
551787647/the-autobiography-of-gucci-mane-a-story-of-rap-and-rebirth
Adam Aminé Daniel / Aminé USA
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/
arts/music/amine-good-for-you-interview.html
Prophets Of Rage USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/27/
prophets-of-rage-tom-morello-b-real-chuck-d-public-enemy-cypress-hill-machine
http://www.npr.org/2017/09/15/
551032602/the-urgent-sonic-blast-of-prophets-of-rage
Run The Jewels USA
http://www.npr.org/artists/250227134/run-the-jewels
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/
870001063/on-rtj4-run-the-jewels-is-a-speaker-box-for-society
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/09/06/
548722999/run-the-jewels-on-empowerment-and-shared-humanity
Vic Mensa USA
http://www.npr.org/2017/07/28/
539855846/on-the-autobiography-vic-mensa-faces-his-personal-demons-and-emerges-stronger
GoldLink — born D'Anthony Carlos
USA
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2019/07/15/
741209639/goldlink-talks-diaspora-and-the-global-future-of-music
http://www.npr.org/2017/04/14/
523924765/goldlink-on-go-go-and-making-the-best-of-a-bittersweet-history
Swet Shop Boys / Heems and Riz MC
USA
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/14/
497690761/heems-and-riz-mc-on-rapping-and-writing-from-a-very-personal-place
Isaiah Rashad USA
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/09/27/
494872013/isaiah-rashad-dusts-himself-off-and-tries-again
Daniel Dewan Sewell / Danny Brown USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/
arts/music/danny-brown-atrocity-exhibition-interview.html
Kane "Kano" Robinson UK
https://www.theguardian.com/music/kano
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/28/
kano-live-review-liverpool-arts-club-made-in-the-manor
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/feb/08/
popandrock2
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/17/
popandrock.shopping5
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/mar/03/
popandrock
Doc McKinney CAN / USA
http://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2016/08/01/
487826660/doc-mckinney-theres-enough-bad-music-out-there
Wiz Khalifa USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/
fashion/mens-style/wiz-khalifa-fashion-style.html
Jeffrey Haynes / stage name: Mr. Lif
USA
http://www.npr.org/2016/05/14/
477517970/what-doesnt-kill-us-makes-us-stronger-mr-lif-on-music-and-healing
Joseph Junior Adenuga / stage name: Skepta
UK
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/12/
skepta-konnichiwa-review-boy-better-know-album-of-the-week
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/06/
10-things-we-learned-from-skeptas-konnichiwa
Azealia Amanda Banks USA
http://www.theguardian.com/music/azealia-banks
http://www.theguardian.com/music/commentisfree/2016/may/16/
azealia-banks-apologizes-for-racist-rant-about-zayn-malik
Vince Staples USA
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/03/10/
592119892/in-promising-to-go-away-vince-staples-reveals-another-strong-play-to-stay
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/
arts/music/vince-staples-norf-norf-mother-video.html
http://www.npr.org/event/music/
469584953/vince-staples-live-in-concert-sxsw-2016
Brandon Perry, aka K.A.A.N. USA
http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/03/14/
468724848/k-a-a-n-is-the-answer-to-all-of-your-rap-desires
Allan Kingdom (born Allan Kyariga)
CAN
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/03/02/
468874098/kingdom-of-one-rapper-allan-kingdom-on-fitting-in-and-standing-out
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/25/
arts/music/macklemore-ryan-lewis-return-to-the-hip-hop-fray.html
Ben Haggerty / Macklemore
USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/25/
arts/music/macklemore-ryan-lewis-return-to-the-hip-hop-fray.html
https://www.npr.org/2016/01/29/
464707970/-this-song-is-uncomfortable-macklemore-on-the-contradictions-of-white-privilege
http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/01/22/
463953714/macklemores-new-song-is-the-nine-minute-white-privilege-ii
Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy
USA
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/29/
diddy-puff-daddy-founds-harlem-charter-school
Chance The Rapper USA
http://www.npr.org/event/music/
533112160/chance-the-rapper-tiny-desk-concert
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/
fashion/mens-style/chance-the-rapper-overalls-fashion.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/12/18/
460296647/chicagos-chance-the-rapper-joins-with-nonprofit-to-give-coats-to-homeless
Tinie Tempah
(born Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu) UK
Written In The Stars
Tinie Tempah
Music video by Tinie Tempah
feat. Eric Turner performing
Written In The Stars.
(P) 2010
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgFyi74DVjc
http://www.theguardian.com/music/tinie-tempah
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/13/
tinie-tempah-interview-brit-awards
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/30/
tinie-tempah-disc-overy-review
Missy Elliott USA
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/23/
753579148/missy-elliott-drops-iconology-her-first-original-project-in-14-years
http://www.npr.org/2015/11/12/
455785519/missy-elliotts-return-is-everything-we-crave
Travis Scott (born Jacques Webster)
USA
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/19/
658815706/travis-scott-and-drake-head-to-sicko-mode-houston-where-its-always-nighttime
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/08/
travis-scott-issues-apology-homophobic-onstage-slur
A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) USA
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/25/
745161310/rapper-a-ap-rocky-charged-in-sweden-for-assault
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/20/
743788583/trump-says-hed-vouch-for-a-ap-rocky-amid-growing-demands-for-the-rapper-s-releas
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/02/
asap-rocky-hanging-out-with-rod-stewart-interview
Bobby Shmurda (born Ackquille Jean Pollard)
USA
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/28/
933436082/bobby-shmurda-authenticity-conspiracy-flatbush-dream-deferred
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/
arts/music/hip-hop-star-bobby-shmurda-in-jail-finds-his-label-unsupportive.html
2 Chainz (born Tauheed Epps) USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/
arts/music/2-chainz-arctic-monkeys-and-keith-urban-release-new-albums.html
2
Live Crew USA
http://www.npr.org/2015/08/02/
427850689/luther-campbell-of-2-live-crew-on-fame-obscenity-and-community
Lauryn Hill
https://www.theguardian.com/music/lauryn-hill
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/may/07/
lauryn-hill-jailed-evading-tax
Capone-N-Noreaga
USA
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/11/
opinion/guns-and-poses.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/01/
nyregion/jury-selected-for-perjury-and-obstruction-trial-of-lil-kim.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/
nyregion/police-say-shooting-may-be-linked-to-rap-feud.html
Ben Drew, aka Plan B
VIDEO
Plan B - ill Manors [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Find 'ill Manors' on iTunes:
http://smarturl.it/illmanors
Listen to Ben explain the inspiration
behind the new ill Manors project with BBC
1Xtra here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9B0y9oV7Mk
YouTube > Added by planbuk March 9, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/music/plan-b
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/apr/28/
plan-b-each-one-teach-one
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/27/
ill-manors-plan-b-ben-drew-interview
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/video/2012/may/03/
ill-manors-trailer-plan-b-exclusive
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/17/
plan-b-speech-british-youth-tedxobserver
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/mar/15/
plan-b-ill-manors
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/26/
plan-b-listen-to-my-music
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/11/
plan-b-defamation-strickland-banks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/08/
plan-b-defamation-strickland-banks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/mar/25/
plan-b-darkest-place
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/jun/23/
popandrock.urban1
The Streets
https://www.theguardian.com/music/thestreets
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/feb/03/
streets-computers-blues-album-stream
Drake (born Aubrey Drake Graham) CAN
https://www.npr.org/artists/250250872/drake
https://www.theguardian.com/music/drake
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/19/
658815706/travis-scott-and-drake-head-to-sicko-mode-houston-where-its-always-nighttime
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/20/
630753263/whos-entertaining-who-how-the-internet-picks-up-drake-s-slack
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/15/
tainted-love-how-drake-started-pops-erotic-comedown
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/01/
drake-rap-music-america-culture-soul-kitty-empire-scorpion
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/
drake-scorpion-review
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/29/
624497231/listen-drake-releases-double-disc-scorpion-album
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/28/
623985081/drake-is-too-big-to-fail-he-should-risk-it-all-on-scorpion-anyway
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/14/
619960012/drake-pulls-the-nostalgia-card-2-degrassi-fans-react-to-i-m-upset
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/
arts/music/drake-views-ninth-week-chart-lemonade-beyonce.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/
arts/music/drake-rapper-actor-meme.html
http://www.npr.org/2015/10/23/
451210780/rapping-less-and-making-gifs-more-the-week-
in-hotline-bling
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/08/05/
429721703/stakes-is-high-drake-ghostwriting-accusations-matter-more-than-you-think
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/20/
world-drake-sport-toronto-politics-cinema-tv
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/
arts/shades-of-oedipus-for-hip-hop-titans.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/
arts/music/30drake.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/
arts/music/13drake.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/audio/2010/jun/18/
music-weekly-drake-sleigh-bells
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/
arts/music/13drake.html
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/09/
drake-best-i-ever-had
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. / Lil Wayne
USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/lil-wayne
https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/lil-wayne
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/
929177685/with-lil-wayne-ice-cube-and-50-cent-trump-makes-final-push-for-black-voters
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/28/
651788446/lil-waynes-tha-carter-v-arrives-late-but-not-worse-for-wear
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/sep/30/
lil-wayne-demise-hip-hop-trailblazer-memoir-gone-til-november
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/
in-concert-lil-wayne-at-verizon-center/2011/04/04/AFhDs2bC_blog.html?hpid=z8
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jan/28/
lil-wayne-rebirth-cd-review
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/10/
arts/entertainment-us-lilwayne.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/oct/23/
lil-wayne-pleads-guilty
Dizzee Rascal
https://www.theguardian.com/music/dizzeerascal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2009/sep/24/
dizzee-rascal-tongue-n-cheek
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/13/
dizzee-rascal-pop-music
Speech Debelle
https://www.theguardian.com/music/speech-debelle
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/25/
speech-debelle-ditches-record-label
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/10/
speech-debelle-mercury-prize
Andrew Lansley Rap Co-written by MC
Nxtgen & Rob Gee 2011
VIDEO
Andrew Lansley Rap Music video
2 011
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl1jPqqTdNo&feature=player_embedded
The more printable sections of the lyrics include the verse:
“Lansley ’s white paper: ‘Liberating the NHS’
sets out a plan where we’ll become more like the U.S.
and care will be farmed out to private companies,
who will sell their service to the NHS via the GPs,
who will have more to do
with service purchase arrangements
than anything to do with seeing their patients.”
Related
Andrew Lansley takes rap
from MC NxtGen over health policy in viral video
Success of YouTube video
criticising Department of Health white paper
prompts health
minister to respond to rapper critic
Guardian.co.uk Friday 25 March 2011 20.18 GMT
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/mar/25/
andrew-lansley-rap-mc-nxtgen
Related
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/apr/05/
andrew-lansley-scrambles-to-save-nhs-reforms
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/apr/03/
andrew-lansley-rap-youtube?intcmp=239
Andrew Lansley rap > Lyrics > Full text
Chorus:
Andrew Lansley, greedy,
Andrew Lansley, tosser,
the NHS is not for sale
you grey haired manky codger. (x4)
So the budget of the PCTs,
he wants to hand to the GP’s,
Oh please. Dumb geeks are gonna buy
from any willing provider,
get care from private companies.
They saw the pie and they want a piece;
Got their eyes on the P’s like mice for the cheese.
I talk truth when I ride the beat,
you talk shite when you speak,
see money when you close your eyes to sleep.
So fall back — your face looks like a shrivelled up ball sack.
The stuff that you chat is bull crap,
I’m sure Andy Pandy snorts crack.
Health minister, I mean sinister.
You know your public will finish ya,
is your brain really that miniature?
Give yourself an enema.
Made filthy rich
by those who represent Walkers Crisps,
Mars and Pizza Hut,
proved your a health slut and your always talking shit.
A hundred and thirty four pound an hour every week,
that’s quite a lot of quids;
and you came to the conclusion
that the food industry should be a little less
strict.
Scandal disclosed that you flipped your second home.
You said your claims were within the rules,
filled your pockets, took us for
jokes;
so how would you cope
when broke folk get ill, injured and broke,
but don’t have the dough,
to get their life back on the road,
so poor die slow, and the rich take control.
(Chorus x 4)
Lansley’s white paper: “Liberating the NHS”
sets out a plan where we’ll become more like the U.S.
and care will be farmed out to private companies,
who will sell their service to the NHS via the Gps,
who will have more to do with service purchase arrangements
than anything to do with seeing their patients.
He’s been given cash
by John Nash,
chairman of Care UK:
a private healthcare provider,
who, if they have their way,
will be the biggest beneficiaries
of conservative Lib Dem policies
to privatise healthcare
and pull apart the welfare state.
These plans have been slagged
by patient organisations,
charities and unions,
nursing and medical institutions.
The Royal College of GPs
even joined the attack,
looked closely at the proposals
and said they were crap.
Say yes for the NHS,
Andrew Lansley can suck on David Cameron’s breast.
His quest is for the rich to pay less,
and the poor have to stress,
it’ll be one
big mess.
(Chorus x 4)
http://louderthanwar.com/best-of-the-web/andrew-lansley-rap
LL Cool J
https://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/
182956651/ll-cool-j-on-accidental-racist-and-authenticity
https://www.npr.org/2005/08/30/
4823683/ll-cool-j-still-knockin-us-out
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/08/23/
159912301/ll-cool-j-rapper-actor-and-real-life-tough-guy
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/
story.php?storyId=7094809 - January 31, 2007
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/
story.php?storyId=4864224 - September 26, 2005
Trae the Truth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBzXcZy-UjQ
Soulja Boy
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/01/
soulja-boy-phone-calls
Rick Ross
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/
arts/music/rick-ross-promotes-mastermind-album-at-best-buy-theater.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/
arts/music/23ross.html
Naughty by Nature
The group formed in
East Orange, New Jersey
in 1986 as The New Style
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/12/
832122951/rita-wilson-and-naughty-by-nature-on-remixing-hip-hop-hooray-for-charity
Beastie Boys
Emerging
from the hard-core
punk scene
in
New York
in the late 1970s,
the Beastie Boys
were the first white group
to successfully
sing rap songs
and have remained popular
for more than
a quarter century.
The group was founded
by Adam Yauch
with Mike Diamond
(Mike D)
and Adam Horovitz
(Ad-Rock)
as a punk band in 1981
and first began
experimenting
with hip-hop
the following
year,
when they released
a 12-inch vinyl rap spoof
“Cookie Puss.”
All three
were teenagers
from affluent
New York families
when they met.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/b/beastie_boys/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/beastie-boys
https://www.theguardian.com/music/beastie-boys
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/18/
beastie-boys-to-publish-long-awaited-memoir
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/20/
john-berry-beastie-boys-founder-punk-rock-new-york
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/20/
john-berry-dead-founding-beastie-boys-member
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/
arts/music/adam-yauch-a-founder-of-the-beastie-boys-dies-at-47.html
Jay-Z (born
Shawn Corey Carter) USA
Jay-Z and Dean
Baquet, in Conversation NYT
2017
https://www.nytimes.com/video/t-magazine/100000005574909/jayz-interview.html
Jay Z: ‘The War on
Drugs Is an Epic Fail’
By ASHA BANDELE
NYT SEPT. 15, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/
opinion/jay-z-the-war-on-drugs-is-an-epic-fail.html
https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/jayz
https://www.theguardian.com/music/jayz
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/27/
jay-z-files-second-lawsuit-against-barbaric-mississippi-prison
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/03/
jay-z-is-worlds-first-billionaire-rapper-report-claims
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/29/
arts/jay-z-interview-rest-in-power-the-trayvon-martin-story.html
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/28/
trayvon-martin-jay-z-new-docuseries
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/19/
621414906/unbroken-behind-the-carters-celebration-of-love-the-weight-of-women-s-work
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/07/
beyonce-jay-z-otr-ii-tour-review-opening-night-cardiff
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/
opinion/jay-z-meek-mill-probation.html
https://www.nytimes.com/video/t-magazine/
100000005574909/jayz-interview.htm
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/10/02/
554954068/jay-zs-snl-performance-as-political-protest-and-personal-redemption
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/20/
jay-z-review-the-king-of-rap-bears-no-juicy-tabloid-tidbits
http://www.npr.org/2017/06/30/
534869737/music-review-jay-zs-4-44
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/02/22/
516641140/jay-z-is-the-first-rapper-to-be-elected-to-songwriters-hall-of-fame
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/
opinion/jay-z-the-war-on-drugs-is-an-epic-fail.html
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/04/
jay-z-confronts-hip-hops-middle-age
https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/jul/04/
jay-z-magna-carta-first-listen
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/08/beyonce-baby-girl-new-york-reports
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/dec/13/school-jayz-studies
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/dec/05/decoded-jay-z-review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/31/jay-z-memoirs-hidden-in-new-york
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/arts/music/15jayz.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/arts/music/17jayz.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2009/sep/06/profile-jay-z-beyonce
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/aug/29/carter-jaz-z-hip-hop
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/13/urban.glastonbury
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/29/jayz.urban
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/14/glastonbury.jayz
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/03/jayz.urban
Snoop Lion / Snoop Dogg USA
VIDEO
Snoop Dogg
Freestyles Over His Own Beats Video REAL 92.3 LA 16 March 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIuG7l9Dlbw
https://www.theguardian.com/music/snoopdogg
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/05/21/
529140979/my-mom-loves-snoop-dogg-and-other-testaments-to-a-quarter-century-of-relevance
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/03/15/
520243740/trump-says-snoop-dogg-video-wouldve-ended-in-jail-time-calls-career-failing
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/
magazine/snoop-dogg-has-more-than-money-on-his-mind.html
http://www.theguardian.com/global/2015/apr/26/snoop-dogg-pharrell-loves-to-critique-me
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2013/apr/06/snoop-lion-simon-hattenstone-video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/17/snoop-dogg-tv-talent-show
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/08/snoop-dogg-coronation-street
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-04-10-snoop-dogg_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-11-29-snoop-arrest_x.htm
Nas
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-10-19-
nas-albumtitle_N.htm
DMX
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-07-19-
dmx-arrested_N.htm
Sir Mix-a-Lot USA
http://www.npr.org/2017/05/08/
527448477/sir-mix-a-lot-on-25-years-of-baby-got-back
Daniel Dumile / MF Doom
UK / USA 1971-2020
Rapper and producer
known for multiple projects
including Madvillain
(...)
MF Doom,
AKA Daniel Dumile,
was born in London in 1971,
moving to New York
as a child.
He had
a first flush of success
in the early 1990s
with the group KMD,
signing to major
label Elektra Records,
but his burgeoning career
collapsed
with the death of his brother
and bandmate DJ Subroc
in 1993.
Following
an itinerant few years
living,
in his words,
“damn near
homeless”,
he returned to music in 1997
and adopted his now-iconic look,
a mask similar
to Marvel villain
Dr Doom
which he wore in public
ever
since;
the cover of his debut album
that year,
Operation Doomsday,
depicted him
as the comic book character.
He later adapted
the mask to one
worn by a character
in the film Gladiator.
His most lauded era came
in the early noughties,
beginning with
Take Me To Your Leader
under the alias King Geedorah,
which again plundered
pop culture
for samples and moods.
He used another alias,
Viktor Vaughn,
before returning to MF Doom
for second album Mm.. Food.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/31/
mf-doom-iconic-masked-hip-hop-mc-dies-aged-49
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/
arts/music/mf-doom-operation-doomsday.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/
arts/music/mf-doom-influences.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/
arts/music/popcast-mf-doom.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/01/01/
952519277/mf-doom-enigmatic-rapper-and-producer-dead-at-49
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/31/
mf-doom-iconic-masked-hip-hop-mc-dies-aged-49
Dayvon Daquan Bennett / King Von
USA 1994-2020
Bennett was born in the Parkway
Gardensneighborhood of Chicago
in 1994,
and though he retreated to
Atlanta
to find peace
and escape his hometown,
his trouble with the law
never truly escaped him.
Many
of his most popular songs
paid tribute to Chicago;
he was best known
as a chronicler of street life,
building narratives
of tense nights on the streets
and his desire to escape
the gangster's mentality.
(...)
Von existed
in the post-drill landscape
of Chicago rap,
indebted to first generation
stars
like G Herbo,
Chief Keef and King Louie,
but intent on carving
his own stylistic aesthetics
into the genre.
His songs are narrative,
with a dead-eye nihilism
softened by the humor
and empathy
Obrought to his rhymes.
One of his biggest hits,
2020's "Took Her to the O,"
from the album Levon James
he released back in March,
finds Von narrating a night
on the town with a girl,
constantly having
to thwart
haters,
rival gang members
and those jealous
of his stardom.
"I bust a U, pulled up to her
spot,
she live by the park / It's
gettin' dark,
my Glock on my lap,
I'm just thinkin' smart."
Few rappers
are able to make songs
that bring relatability
to the stress, trauma and pain
that comes with growing up
in inner-city Chicago,
a target of police
and neighborhood rulers
alike.
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/06/
932178314/king-von-emerging-chicago-rapper-dead-at-26
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/06/
932178314/king-von-emerging-chicago-rapper-dead-at-26
Lawrence Franks Jr. / stage name
Huey USA
d. June 25, 2020
"Pop, Lock & Drop It,"
produced by Calvin Miller,
dropped in 2006
when Huey
was still a teenager.
The song peaked at No. 6
on the Billboard Hot 100
and spent 23 weeks
on the charts,
inspiring a popular dance
in the process.
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/26/
883979675/huey-the-rapper-behind-pop-lock-drop-it-killed-in-st-louis-shooting
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/26/
883979675/huey-the-rapper-behind-pop-lock-drop-it-killed-in-st-louis-shooting
Rudolph Frank "Ray" Moore
USA
1927-2008
Underground legend
and the inspiration for gangsta
rap
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/23/
rudy-ray-moore-obituary
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/23/
rudy-ray-moore-obituary
Christopher G. Wallace USA 1972-1997
Tupac Amaru Shakur USA 1971-1996
The Sugarhill Gang USA
VIDEO
The Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight Lyrics (FULL VERSION)
Music video
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAnojTvyc0g
Grandmaster Flash USA
VIDEO
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
Music video
YouTube > VintageHipHopSeattle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYMkEMCHtJ4
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jul/26/
grand-master-flash-favourite-tracks
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/27/
grandmaster-flash-interview
Dead
Prez USA
VIDEO
STIC of Dead Prez
breaks down Let's Get Free, Social Media Addiction, RBG Fit Club
B High Atl
17 October 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5__BX9QeTU
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=5321725 - April 4, 2006
Boots Riley USA
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/03/
sorry-to-bother-you-movie-boots-riley-interview
Queen Latifah
https://www.npr.org/artists/15327808/queen-latifah
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/25/
660173879/how-slick-rick-and-queen-latifah-breathed-life-into-hip-hop-in-1988
https://www.npr.org/2015/05/16/
406453568/in-hbos-bessie-queen-latifah-stars-as-empress-of-the-blues
https://www.npr.org/2007/09/27/
14747660/queen-latifah-tunes-into-travlin-light
https://www.npr.org/2005/09/01/
4828159/queen-latifah-reigns-over-music-movies
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=4567268 - March 30, 2005
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=4247415 - December 28, 2004
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=4052576 - September 29, 2004
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=1186571 - March 8, 2003
Richard Martin Lloyd Walters
better known as Slick Rick,
Rick The Ruler and MC Ricky D UK / USA
https://www.npr.org/artists/114241296/slick-rick
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/25/
660173879/how-slick-rick-and-queen-latifah-breathed-life-into-hip-hop-in-1988
https://www.npr.org/templates/
story/story.php?storyId=6352650 - October 20,
2006
Gang Starr USA
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/31/
gang-starr-one-of-the-best-yet-review-rap-duo-stand-tall-beyond-the-grave
A Tribe Called Quest USA
http://www.npr.org/2016/11/19/
502578335/musicians-dont-retire-a-tribe-called-quest-on-the-work-ahead
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2016/11/11/
501757903/a-tribe-called-quest-stands-united-one-last-time
Akon (born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam)
USA
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/28/
akon-interview-new-album
O'Shea Jackson / stage name Ice
Cube USA
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/
929177685/with-lil-wayne-ice-cube-and-50-cent-trump-makes-final-push-for-black-voters
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/06/12/
532474238/ice-cube-leaves-bill-maher-shaken-and-stirred-over-the-n-word
https://www.npr.org/2005/08/30/
4824700/hip-hop-renaissance-man-ice-cube
Chynna Marie Rogers USA
1994-2020
Chynna Rogers in
Manhattan in 2015.
Photograph:
Jessica Lehrman
for The New York Times
Chynna,
Model-Turned-Hip-Hop Artist, Dies at 25
The rapper, whose
full name was Chynna Rogers,
performed with
ASAP Rocky’s hip-hop collective ASAP Mob.
YouTube
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/
arts/music/chynna-rogers-dead.html
hip-hop artist
who first turned heads
on
the modeling runway
and then with her talent
as
a rapper
(...)
The rapper,
whose full name
was Chynna Rogers
and who lived
in
both Manhattan
and Philadelphia,
was known
for her solo recordings
and her collaborations
with the hip-hop collective
ASAP Mob.
Death
was a recurring theme
in
Chynna’s music,
including in her album,
“in case i die first,”
which was also the name
of
one of her tours.
“I
think there’s
too many soundtracks
to
our lives,”
Chynna said
in
an Instagram video
that she shared on Tuesday,
her final post.
“I
need music to die to.”
Word of Chynna’s death
stunned the hip-hop world,
which has grappled
with the loss of a number
of
young rappers,
including Juice WRLD,
who died of an accidental
drug overdose
in
December at 21,
and ASAP Yams,
one of Chynna’s mentors,
who died of accidental
drug intoxication
in
2015 at 26.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/
arts/music/chynna-rogers-dead.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/
arts/music/chynna-rogers-dead.html
Bashar Barakah Jackson USA
1999-2020
known professionally as Pop Smoke
Jackson was raised
in
Canarsie, Brooklyn,
growing up
in a neighborhood
and moment defined
by
cultural exchange.
He
was raised
in
a Panamanian household,
he
lived around West Indians,
he
played African drums in church
and his first love
as a recording artist
was a beat
from a U.K. producer
who goes by 808Melo.
That beat turned into
Jackson's first song, "MPR,"
which he released
in
December 2018.
Even in that early work,
you could hear
what millions more
would gravitate towards
over the next year:
Jackson had a voice
—
billowing and ghoulish,
scorched and scarily
effortless.
And his ear for beats
was unlike any other
in
the nascent
New York drill scene,
a
regional bubble of rappers
taking on propulsive
drum patterns
with gritty street talk.
Jackson dared to rap
with a thick Brooklyn accent
over grime-inflected beats
with bass lines
that sounded
like transmissions
from another planet.
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/19/
807389456/pop-smoke-rising-new-york-rapper-dead-at-20
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/
889458687/pop-smoke-killing-l-a-police-make-5-arrests
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/03/
886785596/pop-smokes-first-and-final-album-falls-between-two-worlds
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/19/
807389456/pop-smoke-rising-new-york-rapper-dead-at-20
Andrew James
Weatherall UK
1963-2020
DJ
and producer
Andrew Weatherall,
a
titan
of underground dance music,
Weatherall started producing
in
London in the mid-'80s,
and was known
for a wicked sense of humor
—
and for blending
an
eclectic mix of genres.
"He was just
this renegade man,
completely electric
as
a human being,"
Lauren Martin,
an
editor at DJ Mag
in London,
says.
"You could never
pin him down.
He
could move
from cosmic disco
into Krautrock,
into rockabilly,
and it was just
really magical."
But Weatherall wasn't just
a
celebrated nightclub DJ.
In
1991,
he
produced Primal Scream's
Screamadelica.
Martin says that album
—
and Weatherall's contributions —
completely changed the trajectory
of
the band's career.
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/18/
807082396/andrew-weatherall-acid-house-pioneer-dies-at-56
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/23/
bobby-gillespie-on-screamadelica-producer-andrew-weatherall
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/18/
807082396/andrew-weatherall-acid-house-pioneer-dies-at-56
Jarad Anthony Higgins USA
1998 -2019
known professionally
as Juice WRLD
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/08/
786064628/reports-rapper-juice-wrld-dead-at-age-21
James Bromley Spicer USA
1958-2019
Jimmy Spicer
(...)
in
the protean era
of
recorded hip-hop
released
a handful of songs
that would become
part of the genre’s
bedrock,
(...)
His debut single,
“Adventures
of
Super Rhyme (Rap),”
released in 1980,
was part of the first wave
of
hip-hop singles
that arrived in the wake
of
Sugarhill Gang’s
“Rapper’s Delight,”
and is widely regarded
as
the first true
storytelling rap.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/
arts/music/jimmy-spicer-dead.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/
arts/music/jimmy-spicer-dead.html
Gregory Shorter Jr. / stage name Ras G
USA
1979-2019
Afrofuturist producer
was an influential figure
on
LA alternative
hip-hop scene
and co-founded
the Brainfeeder collective
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/30/
ras-g-dies-aged-39-brainfeeder
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/30/
ras-g-dies-aged-39-brainfeeder
Ermias Asghedom USA
1985-2019
known professionally
as Nipsey Hussle
(often stylized
as Nipsey Hu$$le)
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/12/
945454343/caught-in-the-system-nipsey-hussle-lapd-affiliation
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/09/
944595600/captured-by-the-game-nipsey-hussle
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/10/
830236970/10-toes-down-how-fans-carry-on-nipsey-hussle-s-legacy-one-year-after-his-death
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/
us/nipsey-hussle-investigation.html
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/01/
708675102/nipsey-hussle-grammy-nominated-rapper-and-philanthropist-shot-and-killed
Malcolm James McCormick / Mac Miller
USA
1992-2018
Pittsburgh-born rapper
who developed
a ravenous following
over the course
of five successful albums
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/07/
645672560/mac-miller-pittsburgh-rapper-and-producer-dead-at-26
https://www.npr.org/artists/438969121/mac-miller
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/04/
826900093/thundercat-on-it-is-what-it-is-losing-mac-miller-and-learning-to-do-nothing
https://www.npr.org/2020/01/10/
795199182/mac-millers-first-posthumous-single-is-good-news
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/12/
732006341/free-nationals-share-mac-millers-first-posthumous-verse-on-time
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/05/
664369522/mac-miller-died-from-overdose-involving-fentanyl
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/06/
635054748/mac-miller-tiny-desk-concert
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/sep/08/
mac-miller-grizzled-determination-made-troubled-star-a-rap-icon
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/
arts/music/mac-miller-dead.html
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/07/
645672560/mac-miller-pittsburgh-rapper-and-producer-dead-at-26
https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2015/09/29/
444212099/mac-miller-its-ok-to-feel-yourself
Jalal Mansur Nuriddin
born Lawrence Padilla USA 1944-2018
Jalal Mansur Nuriddin,
who helped establish
the foundation
for hip-hop
as
a member
of
the Last Poets
and in his own
solo work
(...)
The Last Poets
emerged in
Harlem
at the end of the 1960s,
reciting rhythmic verses
over conga drumming
and speaking directly
to the disenfranchised youth
of
New York City’s
black community.
The group’s poetry
pushed revolution
and self-determination,
while admonishing
listeners
about survival
in
an environment
defined by
racialized poverty.
With his high,
declamatory voice
and his way
of milking words
for their sonic potential
as
well as their meaning,
Mr. Nuriddin
(pronounced
noo-ruh-DEEN)
stood out.
He
delivered
some of the group’s
most urgent
and incisive verses,
and although
the Last Poets’
lineup rotated over time,
he
performed
with the group
well into his later years.
By
then
he
had come
to be widely known
as
the “grandfather of rap,”
a
laurel he proudly accepted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/
obituaries/jalal-mansur-nuriddin-grandfather-of-rap-is-dead-at-73.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/
obituaries/jalal-mansur-nuriddin-grandfather-of-rap-is-dead-at-73.html
Craig Mack
USA 1970-2018
Kevin Smith
stage name Lovebug Starski
USA 1960-2018
Pioneering DJ
and rapper
Lovebug Starski,
(...)
helped develop
the nascent form
of hip-hop
in
the Bronx
in the late '70s
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/02/09/
584488179/lovebug-starski-rapper-and-dj-who-stood-at-the-vanguard-of-hip-hop-dead-at-57
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/02/09/
584488179/lovebug-starski-rapper-and-dj-who-stood-at-the-vanguard-of-hip-hop-dead-at-57
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/
obituaries/lovebug-starski-hip-hop-dead.html
Lil Peep (born) Gustav Elijah Åhr USA
1996-2017
Lil Peep (...)
over the last two years
emerged
as
one of pop music’s
brightest and most promising
young talents,
blending the urgency
and dexterity
of
contemporary hip-hop
with the raw, serrated
sentimentality of emo
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/
obituaries/lil-peep-dead.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/
arts/music/lil-peep-overdose-lawsuit.html
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/
692377776/3-hip-hop-singles-represent-a-diversity-of-sounds
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/11/09/
665735695/new-music-friday-for-nov-9-the-8-albums-you-need-to-hear-now
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/11/16/564571082/
lil-peep-a-rising-emo-rapper-has-died-at-21
Albert Johnson / Prodigy USA
1974-2017
hard-nosed
Queens rapper
who kiln-fired
New York hip-hop
into a thing
of
unhurried attitude
and stoic
elegance
as half of the
duo
Mobb Deep
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/
arts/music/prodigy-mobb-deep-dead.html
http://www.npr.org/2017/06/23/
533878477/prodigy-and-the-america-that-raised-him
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/
opinion/prodigy-my-favorite-rapper.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/06/20/
533681560/mobb-deeps-prodigy-dies-at-42
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/
arts/music/prodigy-mobb-deep-dead.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2013/07/08/
198422330/prodigy-on-mobb-deeps-early-days-and-protecting-his-success
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/
books/prodigys-hnic-street-lit-from-infamous-books.html
Christopher Wong Won / Fresh Kid Ice
USA 1964-2017
(...)
founding member
of
the notorious hip-hop
group 2 Live Crew
and the first
notable rapper
of Asian descent
(...)
2 Live Crew
gained fame
in
the 1980s and ’90s
for its sexually
explicit lyrics,
which fueled
a national debate
over the legal limits
of artistic freedom.
A
judge in Florida
ruled that
the group’s 1989 album,
“As Nasty as They Wanna Be,”
was obscene,
leading to the arrest
of a record store owner
who refused
to stop selling it.
A
year later
the group’s
“Banned in the USA”
was the first album
to be sold
with a “parental advisory”
label warning
about its content.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/
obituaries/christopher-wong-won-rapper-and-a-founder-of-2-live-crew-dies-at-53.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/
obituaries/christopher-wong-won-rapper-and-a-founder-of-2-live-crew-dies-at-53.html
Prince Be (born Attrell Cordes) USA
1970-2016
Prince Be,
the frontman
for the psychedelic
pop-rap group
P.M. Dawn,
which in the early 1990s
was both popular
and maligned
—
and since then
has been both
underappreciated
and quietly influential —
(...)
He and his younger brother,
Jarrett,
known as DJ Minutemix,
ormed P.M. Dawn there
in the late 1980s.
The group’s
first demo
was made with $600
Prince Be
earned
as a night guard
at a homeless shelter.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/
arts/music/prince-be-who-infused-rap-with-mysticism-dies-at-46.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/
arts/music/prince-be-who-infused-rap-with-mysticism-dies-at-46.html
Malik Isaac Taylor USA
1970-2016
rapper known as Phife Dawg
who was a founding member
of the seminal group
A Tribe Called Quest
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/23/
471599058/phife-dawg-a-founding-member-of-a-tribe-called-quest-dies-at-45
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/
arts/music/phife-dawg-tribe-called-quest.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/
arts/music/malik-taylor-phife-dawg-of-a-tribe-called-quest-dies-at-45.html
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/23/
471599058/phife-dawg-a-founding-member-of-a-tribe-called-quest-dies-at-45
Sean Price USA
1972-2015
highly respected
and well-loved
figure
in hip-hop
(...)
Price was known
for taking no prisoners
when he got
on the microphone.
His was principled
aggression
and his presence
was alpha.
His rhymes
were often dazzling,
and he was impatient
with mediocrity,
though he did have
a soft spot for puns.
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/08/10/
431113153/sean-price-well-loved-brooklyn-rapper-dies-at-43
http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/08/10/
431113153/sean-price-well-loved-brooklyn-rapper-dies-at-43
Big Bank Hank (born Henry Lee Jackson)
USA 1956-2014
Big Bank Hank,
one-third
of the Sugarhill Gang,
the unlikely ambassadors
who took hip-hop
out of Bronx parks
and onto the pop charts
(...)
The Sugarhill Gang’s
“Rapper’s Delight”
was not the first commercially
released
hip-hop single,
but it was the one
that effectively
birthed
the genre
as a commercial force.
The song,
which used the break
from Chic’s disco smash
“Good Times”
as a
foundation,
became a radio staple
soon after its release
in 1979,
reaching No. 36
on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sugar Hill Records,
the group’s label,
said it sold
two million copies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-caHEWDJko&list=UUqnbDFdCpuN8CMEg0VuEBqA&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=O-caHEWDJko&list=UUqnbDFdCpuN8CMEg0VuEBqA&index=3
Chris Kelly ?-2013
half of the 1990s
kid rap duo Kris Kross
who made one
of the decade's
most memorable songs
with the frenetic "Jump"
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/05/01/us/ap-ga-obit-chris-kelley.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/may/02/
kris-kross-chris-kelly-dies
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/05/01/
chris-kelly-kriss-kross-dies/2128291/
Adam Yauch USA
1964-2012
https://www.theguardian.com/music/adam-yauch
http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/05/10/
at-e-r-murrow-high-school-a-former-teacher-remembers-adam-yauch/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/08/
adam-yauch-not-just-celebrity
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/
arts/music/adam-yauch-a-founder-of-the-beastie-boys-dies-at-47.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/05/
adam-yauch
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/04/
beastie-boys-adam-yauch-dead
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2012/may/04/
adam-yauch-beastie-boys
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/04/
adam-yauch-tributes-from-web
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/may/04/
adam-yauch-beastie-boys-youtube-tributes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/04/
adam-yauch-beastie-boys-significant
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/20/
urban
Gil Scott-Heron USA
1949-2011
Heavy D (born Dwight Errington Myers)
JAM / USA
1967-2011
smooth-talking
and cheerful rapper
who
billed himself as
“the overweight lover M.C.”
(...)
i n the late 1980s
and early 1990s,
Heavy D
was one of hip-hop’s
most popular
and charismatic figures,
a girthy slickster
who was an eager seducer
and was unafraid
of the dance floor.
He was the frontman
of Heavy D & the Boyz,
which became the first act
signed to Uptown Records,
the label that was integral
in building the bridge
between hip-hop and R&B.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/arts/music/heavy-d-rap-star-dies-at-44.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/09/
heavy-d-dies-aged-44
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/
arts/music/heavy-d-rap-star-dies-at-44.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/09/
heavy-d
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/09/
heavy-d-dies-aged-44
Sylvia Vanderpool USA
1936-2011
singer,
songwriter
and record producer
who formed
the pioneering
hip-hop group
Sugarhill Gang
and made the first
commercially
successful rap
recording with them
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/
arts/music/sylvia-robinson-pioneering-producer-of-hip-hop-dies-at-75.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/
arts/music/sylvia-robinson-pioneering-producer-of-hip-hop-dies-at-75.html
Smiley Culture (David Emmanuel) UK
1963-2011
An influential voice
in British rap and reggae,
he had a smash
hit
with Police Officer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/mar/15/smiley-culture-obituary
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/mar/15/
smiley-culture-obituary
Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Dwayne Hale)
USA
1969-2011
Singer whose hooks
helped popularise 'G-funk'
and gangsta rap
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/mar/16/
nate-dogg-obituary
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/mar/16/
nate-dogg-obituary
Guru (Keith Elam)
USA 1966-2010
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/21/
guru-obituary
Music
Beyond Authenticity:
A Rapper Restages
April 23, 2009
The New York Times
By JON CARAMANICA
It’s hard to say when, exactly, 50 Cent crossed the line in
his feud with the Miami rapper Rick Ross. The more apt question might be: How
many lines are there? He tracked down the mother of a Ross associate, DJ Khaled,
at work, filming her sleeping on the job. He taped himself taking the mother of
one of Mr. Ross’s children to buy a fur coat. He acquired and posted to the
Internet a pornographic video starring another of Mr. Ross’s ex-girlfriends.
Rick Ross must have seemed an especially easy mark — it had already been a tough
few months for his fourth wall. Before he was Rick Ross, the drug boss M.C., he
had been William Leonard Roberts, and last summer a photograph surfaced of him
from the mid-1990s, graduating from a corrections officer academy. He denied its
authenticity — until The Smoking Gun got hold of his Florida Corrections
Department personnel file, which included a certificate for perfect attendance.
The facts of Mr. Roberts’s life were getting in the way of Mr. Ross’s career.
To all this upheaval, Rick Ross — who, while he has been popular, has never
quite been great — has replied, improbably, with art. “I see no reason to run to
the dark,” he said in a recent interview in the Manhattan offices of his label,
Def Jam. His songs aimed at 50 Cent have, hands down, been sharper and wittier
than those of his rival. And the just-released “Deeper Than Rap” (Maybach
Music/Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam), his third album, is unexpectedly fantastic, by far
his best.
If albums were all that mattered, that would be that. But Mr. Ross’s persistence
and the fact that though over the last nine months he’s been all but stripped
bare, he’s emerged from the fray relatively unscathed, which indicates something
much more noteworthy. Impenetrability of image, that old signal of hip-hop
authenticity, somehow no longer seems to count.
And what a relief that is. Like all great pop music, rap is theater, and Rick
Ross, now 33, is one of its most ambitious characters. He arrived fully formed
in the summer of 2006: the busting-out gut, the outsize presence, the scratchy
voice, the always-there sunglasses. At worst he was a Young Jeezy clone, spewing
empty drug talk in comically repetitive fashion. At best he was an utterly
believable and improbably charming exponent of the cocaine-rap making the rounds
at the time. Clipse may have done it with more technical precision, and Jeezy
with more magnetism, but Mr. Ross sounded in charge, his voice a gravelly
threat.
“Deeper Than Rap” is just as certain as his first two studio albums, “Port of
Miami” and “Trilla,” but reflects the view from the top, not the bottom. Now,
instead of climbing up to success, he’s achieved it. Produced largely by
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and the Inkredibles, this album is lush, erotic, entitled,
a stunning leisure-class document of easy wealth and carefree sex. It’s a
throwback to a time of sonic and attitudinal ambition in hip-hop — the Bad Boy
era of the mid- to late ’90s, with its warm soul samples connoting the new
hip-hop luxury comes to mind. Few rap albums have sounded this assured, this
sumptuous, in years.
Also, unlike before, Mr. Ross can now rap, impressively: either he’s been
studying or is having his hand held. It’s the only thing at odds with this
album’s casual ethic; rapping well need not be a priority, but Mr. Ross seems to
take his newfound affinity for polysyllabic rhyme schemes as a point of pride.
On “Usual Suspects” he raps:
“Seventeen, trying to man up
Feed the fam, boy, I put that on these canned goods
All I got was diabetes and a damn hug
People talking down, calling me a damn scrub.
What’s also notable about “Deeper Than Rap” is what’s not there. 50 Cent is a
target on at least three songs, but Mr. Ross doesn’t belabor the battle nor does
he touch on the aspects of his personal life that have lately haunted him.
In an age of routine tabloid invasions and the microrevelation as celebrity
news, it’s become commonplace to expect access to all aspects of the lives of
the famous. But in the hip-hop world, the stories behind the stories can be too
grave to tell.
“Right now as we speak, I got two of my best friends that’s on the run from two
separate cocaine conspiracy indictments,” Mr. Ross said. “This is a reality that
I can’t glorify. The relationship I have with these people is deeper than rap.
“When I say something like ‘deeper than rap,’ that’s possibly death involved.
That’s possibly prison time involved.”
The idea of “deeper than rap” has become a hip-hop touchstone of late. When the
rapper Crooked I was shot, or not, earlier this year — he wouldn’t confirm or
deny reports — he demurred from discussing the situation, saying, “It’s deeper
than rap.”
Last month, on the MTV show “T. I.’s Road to Redemption,” that rapper calmly
detailed the criminal activities that led to his arrest in 2007 on weapons
charges. Coming from T. I. himself, it was shocking, an alternative history of
his career that had nothing at all to do with music. (He is scheduled to begin
serving his year-and-a-day sentence next month.)
Though his life beyond rap has been used against him, Mr. Ross still teases
about an unknowable dark side. On the new album he name-drops Harry O, a Los
Angeles drug dealer (who claimed to have provided the seed money for Death Row
Records), and Big Ike, a Miami street kingpin.
Mr. Ross took his name from Freeway Rick Ross, a Los Angeles drug lord, and was
mentored by Kenneth Williams, known as Boobie and now serving a life sentence.
On “Gunplay,” from the new album, Mr. Ross raps “Boobie Boy still/ Boobie Boys
real/ You can name a lot of lames that the Boobie Boys killed.”
Perhaps he’s overcompensating. Mr. Ross’s outing as a former corrections officer
was the most spectacular and public implosion of a rapper’s self-styled
tough-guy image — the hip-hop blog NahRight.com gleefully refers to him as
Officer Rawse — since The Dallas Morning News picked apart the looser sections
of Vanilla Ice’s biography during his rise to fame in 1990.
But Vanilla Ice’s songs weren’t filled with homage to the drug trade and its
leading lights. And no one expected unvarnished truth from him. Mr. Ross must
submit to a different standard.
Or at least he still acts as if he must. Of his stint on the side of the law,
Mr. Ross said, “The truth is more sinister than the obvious,” suggesting an
undisclosed layer to his time there.
Miami, he said, is a city where young go-getters “sell dope, buy Lamborghinis
and get buried in them.” This month he filmed a video for “All I Really Want,” a
collaboration with The-Dream, in Medellín, Colombia. In footage from the trip,
available on YouTube, he stands outside the house where Pablo Escobar was
killed, sunglasses off, soaking in history.
Whether it’s a validation of Mr. Ross’s extramusical credibility or an
elaborately staged pose might not matter: creating this scene allows for a
productive ambiguity in how he is perceived by outsiders. All the revelations
about him get dwarfed by the question of who Rick Ross might be when he steps
away from the microphone.
Asked how he’d explain to his children the more insidious of the ex-girlfriend
videos 50 Cent has disseminated, Mr. Ross was philosophical: “I’d say she was an
actress for a day. I love actresses.” In other words, an acknowledgment that
sometimes it’s acceptable to just be playing a role.
Beyond Authenticity:
A Rapper Restages,
NYT,
23.3.2009,
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/arts/music/23ross.html
Rudy Ray
Moore, 81,
a Precursor of Rap,
Dies
October 22,
2008
The New York Times
By DOUGLAS MARTIN
Rudy Ray
Moore, whose standup comedy, records and movies related earthy rhyming tales of
a vivid gaggle of characters as they lurched from sexual escapade to sexual
escapade in a boisterous tradition, born in Africa, that helped shape today’s
hip-hop, died Sunday in Akron, Ohio. He was 81.
The cause was complications of diabetes, his Web site said.
Mr. Moore called himself the Godfather of Rap because of the number of hip-hop
artists who used snippets of his recordings in theirs, performed with him or
imitated him. These included Dr. Dre, Big Daddy Kane and 2 Live Crew.
Snoop Dogg thanked Mr. Moore in liner notes to the 2006 release of the
soundtrack to Mr. Moore’s 1975 film, “Dolemite,” saying, “Without Rudy Ray
Moore, there would be no Snoop Dogg, and that’s for real.”
Most critics refrained from overpraising “Dolemite,” with the possible exception
of John Leland, who wrote in The New York Times in 2002 that it “remains the
‘Citizen Kane’ of kung fu pimping movies.” The film, made for $100,000,
nonetheless became a cult classic among aficionados of so-called blaxploitation
movies — films that so exaggerate black stereotypes that they might plausibly be
said to transcend those stereotypes.
Very little of Mr. Moore’s work in any medium reached mainstream audiences,
largely because his rapid-fire rhyming salaciousness exceeded the wildest
excesses of even Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. His comedy records in the 1960s
and ’70s — most featuring nude photographs of him and more than one woman in
suggestive poses — were kept behind record store counters in plain brown
wrappers and had to be explicitly requested.
But Mr. Moore could be said to represent a profound strand of African-American
folk art. One of his standard stories concerns a monkey who uses his wiles and
an accommodating elephant to fool a lion. The tale, which originated in West
Africa, became a basis for an influential study by the Harvard scholar Henry
Louis Gates Jr., “The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of Afro-American Literary
Criticism.”
In one of his few brushes with a national audience, Mr. Moore, in a startlingly
cleaned-up version, told the story on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in the early
1990s. Other characters he described were new, almost always dirtier renderings
in the tradition of trickster stories represented by Brer Rabbit and the cunning
slave John, who outwitted his master to win freedom.
Mr. Moore updated the story of an old minstrel show favorite, Peetie (which he
changed to “Petey”) Wheatstraw, a k a the Devil’s Son-in-Law and the High
Sheriff of Hell. Others in his cast were Pimpin’ Sam and Hurricane Annie. Mr.
Moore became a master at “toasting,” a tradition of black rhymed storytelling
over a beat in which the tallest tale — or most outlandish insult — wins.
Rudolph Frank Moore was born on March 17, 1927, in Fort Smith, Ark., where he
was soon singing in church. He moved to Cleveland at 15, found work peeling
potatoes and washing dishes and won a talent contest. He was drafted in 1950 and
performed for his fellow soldiers as the Harlem Hillbilly, singing country songs
in R&B style.
After his discharge, he resumed his pre-Army act as the turbaned dancer Prince
Dumarr. He made some records as a singer under the name Rudy Moore, doing songs
like “Hully Gully Papa,” who liked to “coffee grind real slow.”
His life changed in 1970 when he found himself listening to the stories of Rico,
a regular at the record store in Hollywood, Calif., where Mr. Moore worked.
He was particularly captivated by Rico’s rude, rollicking stories of Dolemite, a
name derived from dolomite, a mineral used in some cements. Mr. Moore perfected
the Dolemite stories in comedy routines, most of which he recorded, then spent
all his record earnings to make the movie “Dolemite.” A sequel, “The Human
Tornado,” followed. A second sequel, “The Dolemite Explosion,” also starring Mr.
Moore, may be released later this year.
Fallout Entertainment bought the rights last year to remake the original movie.
Bill Fishman of Fallout said some of Mr. Moore’s famous lines would be used.
Mr. Moore is survived by four siblings; his daughter, Yvette Wesson, known as
Rusty; and his 98-year-old mother, Lucille.
Violent scenes in Mr. Moore’s movies included a man’s guts being ripped out by
another character’s bare hands in “Dolemite.” Almost none of the dialogue in any
of his movies can be printed in a family newspaper, not to mention the language
of his more than 16 comedy albums — or even many of their titles.
But what is probably his most famous line is also his most typical:
Dolemite is my name
And rappin’ and tappin’
That’s my game
I’m young and free
And just as bad as I wanna be.
Rudy Ray Moore, 81, a Precursor of Rap, Dies,
NYT,
22.10.2008,
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/movies/22moore.html
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Related
USA > NPR > Microphone check > Hip-hop from NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/
The History of Hip-Hop
FRESH AIR FEATURES INTERVIEWS
WITH SOME OF THE GREATEST NAMES
IN HIP-HOP HISTORY.
https://www.npr.org/series/4823817/the-history-of-hip-hop