Elevator 28: Boots Riley
For a while Ice Cube’s grimace was a potent symbol of post-Black Panthers, pro-Black, anti-government resistance. Somewhere along the line he traded it in for a Hollywood smile. There are […]
Elevator 27: Chuck D
‘Fight the Power’ is arguably the most iconic and important rap song ever made. Public Enemy is arguably the most iconic and important rap group of all time. Right in […]
Elevator 26: Alloysious Massaquoi
What’s the thing nowadays? Oh, I remember – it’s making tame pop music but dressing your videos and promo images up to make you look hip, rebellious, intense and sensual. […]
Elevator 25: Lecrae
Since the dawn of hip-hop, rappers have drawn in fans and listeners for different reasons. For many it’s the transgressive, expletive-heavy flying-off-the-handle spirit that speaks to them profoundly, providing an […]
Elevator 24: Doom
My friend Dj Dust introduced me to the rap song ‘Hey’ in 1997. The sustained organ, the brass stabs, the Scooby Doo samples and the rhyming were beguiling. Who is […]
Elevator 23: Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch has high expectations of himself. As he approaches a new project he sets the bar high. There are few other rappers in the world who marry wonderfully ambitious […]
Elevator 22: Open Mike Eagle
There’s something very satisfying about buying a cd from the recording artist him or herself straight out of those 25 units cardboard boxes. A smiley Open Mike Eagle sold me […]
