Archive | Below The Radar RSS feed for this section
Yael Naim: Yael Naim and David Donatien
Despite the Western world’s increasing cultural diversity, there are still many who have geography-class preconceptions about the shape, size and color of the package in which they’ll find an indigenous treat. Multilingual singer/songwriter Yael Naim confounds preconceptions like these on the self-titled release she created in her apartment with co-producer David Donatien. Recording the songs [...]
Continue reading...Zamajobe: Ndoni Yamanzi
7. November 2008
“I had a very strong vision in mind for the album,” the artist says of this - her own description. “For me it’s about bringing everything that makes up village life in Africa into an urban setting in a way that’s easy for everyone to relate to.” In pursuit of this vision, Zamajobe again teamed up [...]
Continue reading...Kidz In The Hall: The In Crowd
7. November 2008
Naledge jumps off ‘The In Crowd’ strong in “Black Out,” switching up the flow pace skillfully. Still, with recycled lines like “nice round mics like I was Scott Pippen,” it’s hard to give him props. Naledge’s best work comes on “The Pledge” alongside what emerge as the album’s best two verses by Duck Down stars [...]
Continue reading...9th Wonder & Buckshot: The Formula
7. November 2008
“Formula” has become a buzz word for “underground backpackers;” it denotes cookie-cutter ideas, pushed by the mainstream, designed to hook listeners - the same old new stuff. Buckshot and super-producer 9th Wonders’ second joint album, ‘The Formula,’ is anything but recycled blueprints. It shines on an often dark hip hop landscape. We learn early that it’s [...]
Continue reading...The Roots: Rising Down
7. November 2008
No Hip hop group has been as prolific as The Roots. Over the last 15 years, the band has produced a musical catalog that rivals the greats in any category of music. Their ability to evolve has kept the crew not only relevant but in the forefront of modern day music. Following the release of [...]
Continue reading...Donnie: The Colored Section
5. October 2007
What a marvelously audacious introduction The Colored Section is. Emerging from the same Jazz Café-centered alternative Atlanta soul scene that nourished and nurtured fellow hippie-soul singer/songwriters like Joi and India.Arie all the way into the public consciousness, Donnie’s first LP is a topical, unapologetically conscientious, and even righteously stinging declaration that, yes, can only be [...]
Continue reading...tU pHAce: Changing the Game
3. October 2007
Rapper. Singer. Producer. Songwriter. Dancer. Entertainer. However you describe him, one thing is undeniable: tU pHAce will bring the house down. tU pHAce’s music incorporates unique blends of emo, electronica, hip-hop, and soul. Whether in front of rock fans at the Vans Warped Tour, hip-hop heads at Cypress Hill shows, or mixed crowds at MTVu’s [...]
Continue reading...Chavous: Life Without Limit
1. October 2007
With a poignant and conscience style all her own, Chavous has burst onto the underground scene in Philly blending a unique cross-section of soulful tones and esoteric rhythms along with the elements of gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical music into a distinctive style that challenges the listener to take a moment for self-reflection and acknowledgment [...]
Continue reading...School of Beats: Lesson 2: Validation
1. October 2007
What happens when three individuals with a passion for Hip Hop and Soul music meet on the Hilltop (Howard University)? A blend of sound derived from works of professors of melody & sound. Those lessons learned by pupils, L Shaze, J Sinclair, and Walk On, form School of Beats. Based in the Nation’s Capital, School [...]
Continue reading...K’Naan: The Dusty Foot Philosopher
28. September 2007
Leaving Somalia at the age of thirteen on what turned out to be the very last commercial flight to ever do so, amidst a crumbling society and the end to this day of any form of central government, K’NAAN carried with him a very strong sense of purpose. It is this sense of purpose [...]
Continue reading...
7. November 2008
0 Comments