Charli XCX breaks genres, loses focus on ‘Vroom Vroom’ Joshua Seawell March 10, 2016 0 Comments On “Vroom Vroom,” Charli XCX breaks out of genre. She’s known for rock and pop, and has tread hip-hop ground before (“Fancy,” “Drop That Kitty”) but this work isn’t really hip-hop,... Read More »
‘A Man Alive’ delivers a little slash, a little burn Tyler Dunston March 3, 2016 0 Comments Looking for weird melodies, experimental yet strangely accessible jams, or a personal record about love and lack? Thao & The Get Down Stay Down’s new album “A Man Alive” somehow checks all... Read More »
On ‘Shirley,’ an old soul says goodbye Benjamin Sorensen February 16, 2016 0 Comments “Shirley [1942-2016]” is a heartfelt eulogy, delivered without words but with plenty of soul. The instrumental EP is a tribute from Chris Russ ‘15, also known as faruhdey of the Outsiders, to... Read More »
Behind the mask: A closer look at Keith Ape and the state of Asian rap Benjamin Sorensen January 14, 2016 0 Comments Closing out an explosive year, the Korean rapper Keith Ape continued his first American tour with a gig at Venue, a small nightclub in downtown Oakland. The show was intimate, rowdy and reckless,... Read More »
Who is Eli Arbor? Ten revelations from ‘IDols’ Jacob Nierenberg January 13, 2016 0 Comments The last several months have been relatively quiet for the members of Stanford’s hip-hop collective The Outsiders, but they came back in a big way with today’s launch of Eli Arbor’s... Read More »
‘IDols’ and identity: Eli Arbor’s stunning debut Benjamin Sorensen January 13, 2016 0 Comments Eli Arbor raps as if it’s his last day on earth. “Shooting star / Here today, but gone tomorrow.” Arbor, also known as Elliot Williams ‘15, repeats this phrase often in his two-part debut... Read More »
Noname Gypsy: Running from paradise Tess Michaelson December 1, 2015 1 Comment The room was full with students occupying each crevice of open space, an assemblage of dangling feet and note-taking hands papering the air. Noname Gypsy, an elusive and rising underground rapper from... Read More »
Noname Gypsy’s EBF takeover Benjamin Sorensen November 20, 2015 0 Comments The Chicago-based rapper Noname Gypsy (born Fatimah Warner) performed at EBF on Wednesday night. Earlier that day, she participated in a Q&A hosted by the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at... Read More »