The Writer's Block

“I was a weird black kid. I rode a skateboard, but I grew...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:51:46 -0400

“I was a weird black kid. I rode a skateboard, but I grew up with rappers. I was down with hip-hop, I went to the same junior high as Nas.” — Sacha Jenkins of The White Mandingos (read the rest of my interview by clicking on the picture)

“With Movies, [Mac] Miller channels his past addiction...

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:33:51 -0400

“With Movies, [Mac] Miller channels his past addiction into an impressive set of stoner rap, far beyond the carefree Blue Slide Park. These sounds are heavier and he flows naturally in this element.” — Marcus J. Moore, Clash Magazine

“Being black is difficult, especially when you’re...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:13:50 -0400

“Being black is difficult, especially when you’re accused of being improperly black. That’s the plight of fictional character Tyrone White, the central figure of The White Mandingos’ debut album, The Ghetto is Tryna Kill Me.” — Marcus J. Moore, Washington City Paper

Kanye West is slated to drop a new solo album, Yeezus, on June...

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:15:21 -0400

Kanye West is slated to drop a new solo album, Yeezus, on June 18th. For Clash Magazine, I broke down Kanye’s 10 best songs so far. “Runaway,” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” “Love Lockdown,” etc.

I reached out to Bibio for five artists you should listen to...

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:35:32 -0400

I reached out to Bibio for five artists you should listen to this summer.

“The soundtrack of your next exotic vacation, or your...

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:17:22 -0400

“The soundtrack of your next exotic vacation, or your morning walk along a grassy field.” — Marcus J. Moore, Drowned in Sound

“Muggs reaches beyond hip-hop’s confines without...

Wed, 01 May 2013 07:35:13 -0400

“Muggs reaches beyond hip-hop’s confines without alienating his core audience. That makes Bass For Your Face a respectable first impression for an old head learning new tricks.” — Marcus J. Moore, Drowned in Sound

Pretty soon, British soul singer Alice Russell will know how to...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:35:54 -0400

Pretty soon, British soul singer Alice Russell will know how to speak Spanish, play guitar and drive a car. I spoke with her for MTV Hive.

I try to interpret what Kid Cudi mumbles about on his new...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:03:41 -0400

I try to interpret what Kid Cudi mumbles about on his new Indicud album.

“James Blake isn’t just some dude whimpering behind a...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:44:04 -0400

“James Blake isn’t just some dude whimpering behind a piano. Out this week, Overgrown is a versatile set of pondering reflection, set atop a spacious blend of airy electro-pop.” — Marcus J. Moore, MTV Hive

Chuck.

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:13:41 -0400

Chuck.

Five things you should know about Tyler, The Creator’s...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:58:50 -0400

Five things you should know about Tyler, The Creator’s Wolf LP:

1. He still hates his daddy.

2. He misses his grandma.

3. Roaches are still a thing.

4. He’s concerned about drugs (but in a good way?)

5. He now has a four-story house

http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/04/01/tyler-the-creator-wolf/

Coolin’

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:05:40 -0400

Coolin’

Stumbled across this dope art gallery on Rhode Island Ave.

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:05:27 -0400

Stumbled across this dope art gallery on Rhode Island Ave.

Art.

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:04:56 -0400

Art.

Please pay attention to The White Mandingos. I can’t say...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:53:47 -0400

Please pay attention to The White Mandingos. I can’t say much about them yet (album out June 11), but this song is a great introduction.

Here’s something worth your time. It’s the new...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:42:32 -0400

Here’s something worth your time. It’s the new mixtape from MSSL CMMND, the production duo of Chad Hugo and Baltimore DJ Daniel Biltmore. Stream or download here.

MSSL CMMND - WHY FIGHT THE SPACE AGE?

TRACKLISTING:
1. Moog Intro
2. Heartbreakers (Demo Mix) ft. Graph Gonzales
3. Say It’s Ok (Demo Mix)
4. Cee Lo - Bridges (MSSL CMMND Remix)
5. Moog Interlude
6. Hope & Pray (AKA Ghetto Panda)
7. Zook - I Like it That Way
8. Pure Pressure - Whizkey Song
9. No Planes Interlude
10. No Planes in Space - Why Fight the Space Age (Remix)
11. The Oh Hello’s - Hello My Old Heart (MSSL CMMND Remix)
12. MSSL CMMND Commercial
13. Chinky Bean - Rolls Off The Face
14. J Pharaoh + Gabe Niles - Gelato
15. Quazr - She Throws the Beat Down
16. Cold Weather Interlude
17. Bent Machete - Stolling to the Seaside (MSSL CMMND Mix)
18. The Spark ft. 1-O.A.K. + Trackademicks
19. J Pharaoh - Pharaoh from the Beach (Mean Mix)
20. Jake Break - Inevitable ft. Stacie of Rekapse
21. MSSL CMMND Beat Workout Plan
22. Mica Javier - Joy Joy Joy (MSSL CMMND Yacht Remix)
23. Outro

In which I break down five—just five—absolutely absurd lyrics...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:37:37 -0400

In which I break down five—just five—absolutely absurd lyrics from Lil Wayne’s new album, I Am Not A Human Being II, in stores today. My first piece for Billboard.

“Five Things You Should Know About Lapalux,” written...

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:08:44 -0400

“Five Things You Should Know About Lapalux,” written by yours truly for MTV Hive.

Zeke’s.

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:30:03 -0400

Zeke’s.