SINGLE REVIEW: KANYE WEST & JAY-Z – H•A•M
Returning to Mezzic is Madison’s own composer/producer Jimmy Roxy. Ever since his dog died, the world has become a cruel, senseless place filled with hateful cats who feel the need to mark their territory in his closet. When the gangsta rappers of yore are playing cops on Law and Order, starring i
INTERVIEW: SIMS (DOOMTREE), PART TWO
Part two of my interview with Sims of Doomtree. Doomtree is the Minneapolis, MN hip-hop collective that has given all other independent hip-hop artists a run for their money. Since their debut release in 2008 the collective has been putting out the most organic beats and rhymes to date. In part t
PHOTOGRAPHY: DOOMTREE BLOWOUT VI AT FIRST AVENUE (MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA)
Doomtree (Twin Cities)December 10th, 2010First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blowout is an annual end of year celebration that the Doomtree crew throws, which is one of two major Minneapolis rap events in my book (the other being Soundset). Katia and I were together for Friday night befor
Review: Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010)
[Note: Come back later today for the other half of the Cudi vs. Kanye album review duel to see who’s rated higher.] The holiday season is upon us, and aside from the influx of Black Friday advertisements, speculations, and unpopular gift trepidations, this time of year always gives us more hyp
Review: Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
If Kid Cudi is Goya (see the prior review), who’s Kanye? Can he even be encapsulated and compared? Monday was more a pre-emptive strike on music than any before, threatening to upend Top 10s of 2010 lists coast to coast. Yet what is My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fant
INTERVIEW: ASTRONAUTALIS, PART TWO
In part one of my interview with Astronautalis we spoke about the beginnings of his rap career and his current collaboration project with Doomtree member, P.O.S. This half of the interview we dive into touring, what the future holds for Astronautalis and where exactly this name came from in the
INTERVIEW: ASTRONAUTALIS, PART ONE
Astronautalis (Andy Bothwell), a Jacksonville, Florida native who now calls Seattle home, is an accomplished freestyler, rapper, and cat lover. With the release of his third album, Pomegranate in 2008, the man has been on non stop tours, working on collaborations; including a pay what you want m
INTERVIEW: F.STOKES
Friday, October 15th at 9 PM for $5Majestic Theater, 115 King Street, Madison, Wisconsin F.Stokes with Action HeroIce MantisStink TankJ.DanteDJ Vinnie Toma and Radish F.Stokes, a Chicago native, is returning to Madison where, years ago, the city gave him a strong following and passion he l
MIXTAPES TO HOLD BACK THE TIDE: F. STOKES AND ASTRONAUTALIS
Back a few weeks in my alternate life at Radio Free Chicago covering gigs across this land, F. Stokesand Astronautalis opened for Doomtree’s Dessa and P.O.S.. The most well-rounded show of the year thus far with talent across the wooden floor boards. Chicago’s F. Stokes released a free m