Obama’s iPod choices a bit off-keyIn an interview with Rolling Stone, President Obama mentioned that hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Lil Wayne were on his iPod. Obama needs to realise that his listening choices are sending a dangerous message, writes Stanley Crouch.
Hip-hop
Hip-hop’s new business model: pretend you’re poor
Hip-hop’s a genre that relies on the from the ‘hood rapper who makes it big by himself. But now hip-hop stars are pretending they are still independent despite having signed massive contracts. Why?
How the US military is being destroyed by hip hop and blogging
The ‘stop-loss’ US military initiative — where Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are kept in “involuntary servitude” — is being robustly argued on rap songs and blogs. Overland examines the trouble brewing within the ranks.
Our latest cultural cringe: dancing to Aussie R&B
So we don’t have Beyonce, but many Aussie R&B and pop artists have released pretty great tracks in the last few years. Do they need a thumbs up by the US market before we’ll admit to loving them? asks Clem Bastow.
Inside 50 Cent’s business empire
Rapper 50 Cent is worth a leeetle more than his name suggests — a few hundred million more, in fact. A look at the ads, endorsements, book deals, movies and investments that have built his multi-million-dollar empire.
How clownin’, krumpin’ and jerkin’ killed gangsta rap
Rap was all about alpha-males, fast cars, flashy guns and baggy pants — until a bunch of kids with skinny jeans and skateboards started flailing around in fluro and turned gangsta into geek.
Lessons in US foreign policy from Jay-Z
A spat between rappers Jay-Z and The Game can teach us a lot US foreign policy and the country’s role as a global hegemon. No, really.
Kings of bling: 2009′s richest rappers
Break out your 24-carat gold teeth and diamond-encrusted baseball cap: Forbes lists the top 20 richest hip-hop artists for 2009.
