Donda, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, and the sonic revolution of the 2020s

Music since the year 2000 has gone through three phases, which can be bracketed by the most prominent popular song at the turn of each decade. 1. … Baby One More Time by Britney Spears (1999) 2. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (2009) 3. bad guy by Billie Eilish (2019) While the first and second … Continue reading Donda, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, and the sonic revolution of the 2020s →

Jennie is the Kanye of Blackpink

First published on 18 October 2022. Blackpink’s announced leader is often said to be Jennie, who like overlooked member Jisoo is older than the younger prominent members Rosé and Lisa. Jennie also has a new song, played at the Seoul debut of the world tour for Blackpink’s second LP, Born Pink. And it got me … Continue reading Jennie is the Kanye of Blackpink →

Drake’s new album: honestly, nevermind

Drake follows in the footsteps of some of the greatest names in hip hop — namely, the keenest rapper, Eminem, and the most celebrated artist, Kanye West. But Drake is not very good in making music. He doesn’t have a terribly good technique, and his production borrows from the work of real producers (while his … Continue reading Drake’s new album: honestly, nevermind →

Tion Wayne and the economy of envy

Rapper Tion Wayne’s Green With Envy is a defining moment in 2020s hip hop, akin to 2Pac’s Man Against The World in the 1990s. The significance of UK rap for popular music was first noted by Michael Jackson in collaborations with British rappers on albums Dangerous and Unbreakable, and more recently by Ed Sheeran in … Continue reading Tion Wayne and the economy of envy →

DJ Khaled’s remix of Use This Gospel, featuring Eminem: A musical review

Jesus Is King by Kanye West is a remarkable album. ‘Closed On Sunday’ stands out as a striking statement for a music artist: ‘Stand up for my home / Even if I take this walk alone.’ — Kanye, Closed On Sunday Echoing the JIK follow-up Donda, which drew on the urban rock sounds of Yeezus, … Continue reading DJ Khaled’s remix of Use This Gospel, featuring Eminem: A musical review →

Aitch and the 50 Cent / Kanye Pivot

Hip hop is not what it was. Or is it? In order for hip hop to expand beyond its core bases of east and west coast radio stations and recording studios, as well as the Chicago scene which gave birth to the irreversible mainstreaming of hip hop, the now-universal genre of popular music has taken … Continue reading Aitch and the 50 Cent / Kanye Pivot →