Music blogs may not be as trendy as they were five or six years ago, but for all the nerds out there like myself who spend hours on end, scouring the internet daily for something new and fresh, a cool website goes along way. These days, great content is available in so many forms. Whether … Continue reading 4 Music Publications You Should Know
One way or another, each tape on this list made a significant impact on me and grew my affinity for hip-hop in a big way.
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from King Krule, Lil Uzi Vert, Open Mike Eagle and more. Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother A lot of the appeal in punk-pop and alternative … Continue reading New Music Roundup: October
As the days get darker and the weather gets colder, there are certain types of albums I like to take off the shelf. I say that relatively speaking, as here in LA it's still 90 degrees on a daily basis. Regardless, Halloween is right around the corner and although many celebrations went on this weekend, … Continue reading 10 Rap Songs to Put You in the Halloween Vibe
Rapsody is very much a 'rapper's rapper'. Over the past few years she's been steadily gaining lots of praise from her peers for her prowess as an MC, even though until this year, she had yet to come out with a fully realized album. I think there's been a number of factors that have played … Continue reading Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom
Eight great, low key projects that may have slipped by your ears this year.
In a world where everybody is so passionate about stating and defending their opinions online, there aren't many people, let alone artists, that are tackling present day situations as humorously and entertainingly as Alex Cameron. On his second studio album, Forced Witness, the Australian singer-songwriter comes through with a daring artistic statement that is strangely irresistible. … Continue reading Alex Cameron – Forced Witness
Behind all the goofiness lies a guy who not only has slick guitar skills, but is also deeply passionate about the craft that goes into being an artist.
This week, music lost another one of its true rock heroes in Tom Petty. He embodied the essence of rock 'n' roll in every such way, with a catalog spanning dozens of classic hits over multiple decades, including "American Girl", "Learning to Fly" and "Free Fallin" to name a few. The news of Petty's passing … Continue reading Recent Deaths of Rock Heroes Filling the Generation Gap for Millions of Music Fans
With a voice so delicate and enchanting, the live results are scary good.
Their already majestic aura ascended into what seemed like another universe, specially created for their performance.
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Alvvays, Daniel Caesar, Neil Young and more. Action Bronson - Blue Chips 7000 Action Bronson is back with his follow up to 2015's Mr. Wonderful, a project that had … Continue reading New Music Roundup: September
The duo's debut record is a journey through the sights and sounds of psychedelia.
Tyler, The Creator's major label debut Flower Boy is a beautifully composed hip-hop record that utilizes elements of modern rap with R&B, funk and soul music, along with an array of talented guests that enhance the album's lush aesthetic. I've always seen Tyler as a talented hip-hop artist that - aside from a handful of decent … Continue reading Tyler, The Creator – Flower Boy
The Los Angeles duo is currently touring off of the 10 year anniversary of their classic debut album, Below the Heavens.
Wisconsin rapper and producer Milo has a knack for the abstract. His Bandcamp bio reads "I convert and translate", which is about as direct as he will ever be. Active since 2010, he has recently become one of alternative hip-hop's most beloved acts, frequently collaborating with the likes of rappers such as Open Mike Eagle and … Continue reading Milo – Who Told You To Think??!!?!?!?!
Just a couple weeks ago, hip-hop celebrated its 44th birthday. For those unfamiliar with how the genre was conceived, in August 11, 1973 a young cat by the name of DJ Kool Herc threw a "Back to School Jam" party in the Bronx and invented a new technique on the turntables called "the break", in … Continue reading Culture Never Slumps: Barack Obama and the Continued Dominance of Hip-Hop
In just two short years, Chris Stapleton has quickly become one of country music's biggest stars. Traveller (2015) proved to be his big breakthrough, boasting tracks like "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Parachute", songs that embodied his free spirit and were also wildly successful on a commercial level. His second studio album marks a significant artistic progression; From A Room: … Continue reading Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1
Featuring records from Danny Brown, Mac DeMarco and more.
Big Thief's newest record Capacity has been widely acclaimed, earning rave reviews from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and just about every other publication that gave it the time of day. This was my introduction to the Brooklyn quartet, and after spending just a short while with their music, it's easy to hear where the group feels most at home. Lead-singer … Continue reading Big Thief – Capacity
On her sophomore solo record, Asian-American singer and producer, Michelle Zauner has come through with a formidable collection of songs that are less sophisticated in context and subject matter, but more profound in ambience and texture. Soft Sounds From Another Planet blends dreamy vocals with hazy and druggy production to create a reverb-heavy, dream-pop and shoegaze … Continue reading Japanese Breakfast – Soft Sounds From Another Planet
Counting down our top tracks from the iconic West Coast duo.
There isn't a lot left to say that hasn't already been written, tweeted or reported about JAY-Z's new album 4:44, the impeccable, late-career defining record from one of Brooklyn's finest. After a 4-year layoff, "Hov" is back with a new album that in a matter of weeks has already gone (fake) platinum, coincided with the birth … Continue reading JAY-Z – 4:44
As I mentioned in my last post, this past weekend I got the chance to go to Dodger Stadium for The Classic West to see the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, among other legendary rock bands. It was amazing to say the least. Every group killed it in their own right. On Saturday night, Don Henley … Continue reading Peaceful Easy Feeling: Tribute to the Eagles
Here it is: my first official blog post on Riffs and Rhymes. It's funny, for being a young communications professional, finding the right words to say comes harder than one might think. That's always been my biggest restraint in doing a blog. It's not that I don't know how I feel, because that's the easy … Continue reading Introduction
Riffs & Rhymes 