Interview with Rita Houston

Today, I had the privilege of interviewing Rita Houston, the program director for WFUV. WFUV is the music discovery station that runs out of Fordham's campus. It is broadcasts to the entire NYC metro area and is popular nationwide. Rita shapes the station's musical footprint. She is responsible for bringing new talent to the limelight.

Patrick: As the program director for WFUV, you have a serious passion for music. Where did this passion come from and which musicians or bands inspired it early on?

Rita: I've always been a big music fan and avid radio listener. Growing up here in the NYC area was a great foundation for music and radio. Listening to WNEW FM in the late 70's and early 80's was an inspiration for my career. And now working with my mentors from there like Dennis Elsas and previously Vin Scelsa and Meg Griffin is a dream come true. Bands like the Talking Heads, The Clash, and Elvis Costello inspired me early on.

P: What does your day look like as a program director?/What are your duties as program director?

R: My day is seldom quiet as I'm always listening to music, watching videos, talking on air, or brainstorming ideas with the staff here. A typical day starts at home checking socials and email and then at the radio station all day.
We do a lot of events and live broadcasts so I'm usually out several nights a week at shows and producing events. I host my own show, The Whole Wide World every Friday night so that's how I end my week.

P: What kinds of music do you love that don’t fit on WFUVs roots and rock formula?

R: I love Frank Sinatra and classic hip-hop.

P: When selecting songs to go on air, how do you balance what you want to hear with what you think the audience wants to hear?

R: We have solid data on who is listening to WFUV and everything we play is focused on that. However, we are always striving for a diverse, interesting mix of artists and that requires digging deep and taking chances.

P: How do you go about discovering new music amongst the avalanche of new releases?

R: I count on the programming team here - Russ, our Music Director, does a great job of keeping his ear to the ground and that helps us a lot.

P: After a long period of Being the dominant musical style in the US, rock has lost a lot of ground to genres like country and hip hop. What do you think the future holds in store for rock music?

R: I think the long tail will be the model moving forward and that leaves plenty of room for all kinds of music. The pop charts will dominate with country and hip-hop but the alternative scene will never go away.

P: Finally, What are some relatively unknown artists or albums you would recommend people listen to?

R: Caroline Rose, Tom Waits, and Bob Dylan.

A big thanks to Rita Houston for talking with me. It's eye-opening to have a conversation with someone so involved with the music I enjoy. Hopefully, everyone got a better idea about one person who brings today's rock music to the masses. 

Why Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is a masterpiece

In 2012, rapper Kendrick Lamar released Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, a concept album that shows one-day living life on the streets of Compton, California. Today I will explain to you why Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City is a Hip-Hop masterpiece. 

The album is a raw look at growing up in Compton, however, it is far from being a fetishization poverty and crime. Lamar uses his life in Compton to illuminate the social issues that plague America. Kendrick illuminates the structures of racism, poverty and drug addiction that have troubled him and his community.

The commentary alone did not make Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. a hit record. Kendrick is more than a social commentator, he is an incredible and record-breaking musician. His ear for catchy hooks, dazzling lyrical chops, and tasteful guest features make the album endlessly re-listenable. Record sales prove it. As of this week Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City has spent 300 consecutive weeks on the billboard hot 200 chart. 

"Sherane Aka Master Splinter's Daughter" is our introduction to Kendrick. He is true to form for a 17-year-old boy. Kendrick is in pursuit of a girl he met at a party.

"Backstreet Freestyle" puts us with Kendrick's friends, driving around and wasting time. They have a pack of Black and Milds and a beat CD they can freestyle rap over. Kendrick is spitting the most braggadocious raps he can come up with.

"The Art of Peer Pressure" is my favorite song on the album. Kendrick, the self-proclaimed "Good Kid" is tempted by evil when he is around his friends. 

Smoking on the finest dope
Aye aye aye aye
Drank until I can't no mo
'Aye aye aye aye
Really I'm a sober soul
But I'm with the homies right now

Midway through the track, the friends decide to rob a house they had been scoping out for a couple months. It goes awry and they almost got caught, but they get away. Kendrick laments he might have just become a felon because of the peer pressure he felt.

The high flying tracks are brought back to earth with realistic skits. These include youth prayer sessions that are trying to cope with the violence and reality of Compton, Kendrick's mother trying to get the car back from her son so she can get groceries, and Kendrick's father trying to find his dominoes. These skits remind us that all of Kendrick's amazing verbal virtuosity still reflects real life.

There is no better song than"Swimming Pools (Drank)" to show Kendrick's dual mastery of hip-hop. Many rappers are able to make bangers, songs with hooks and beats that lend themselves to repeat plays in cars and clubs. These songs generally form the backbone for hip-hop sales because they are so commercially viable. Other rappers focus on having socially conscious themes in their songs. Typically songs like these are more focused on the rappers technically skilled lyricism and wider social issues the artist wants to bring to the light.

On "Swimming Pools (Drank)" Kendrick is able to masterfully fill both of these roles with ease. Back in 2012, It was a party anthem of the summer. Kendrick had fulls clubs of people chanting the hook to "Swimming Pools."

Pour up, drank, head shot, drank
Sit down, drank, stand up, drank
Pass out, drank, wake up, drank
Faded, drank, faded, drank

But if a person listens to the lyrics of the verse, they reveal something much more profound then a party anthem. These are the first few lines of the song.

Now I done grew up round
some people living their life in bottles
Granddaddy had the golden flask back stroke every day in Chicago
Some people like the way it feels
Some people wanna kill their sorrows
Some people wanna fit in with the popular that was my problem

In one track Kendrick was able to produce a song that not only became hugely popular. The song which seeming celebrated drinking, was actually an examination and indictment of drinking culture. Kendrick talks about the horrific destructive effects of alcohol. For example the abuse and health effects of over-consumption. He also talks about the social forces, like familial pressure and peer pressure that causes people to over-consume alcohol so regularly. The ability to both catchy and deep is what makes this album so important. 

The questions this album leaves us with are more important than any answers a single man can give. How can a man do right in a world encouraging him to do wrong? What's the right way to stay true to ourselves while rising above difficult circumstances? Can there really be a good kid in a mad city? Using a combination of lyrical skill, critical social commentary, and catchy music Kendrick Lamar created a Hip-Hop masterpiece in Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.

Swimming Review

On Swimming, rapper Mac Miller delivers mature and deeply personal lyrics over top-notch retro-influenced beats. 

Mac Miller is one of the most artistically evolved musicians I have seen in our current era. Miller rose to prominence in the early 2010's. On mixtapes like K.I.D.S and albums like Blue Slide Park, Miller spits safe bro-y raps about picking up girls, smoking weed and partying. These themes served him well, putting him in hip-hop's limelight. However, Miller was not content to stagnate.

As Miller grew older and experienced more of the ups and downs of life, his records began to show his increased levels of maturity. Compare these lyrics from his first hit single to his lyrics from Swimming. 

"Donald Trump"- 2011
That's the way it goes when you party just like I do
Bitches on my dick that used to brush me off in high school
Take over the world when I'm on my Donald Trump shit
Look at all this money, ain't that some shit

"2009"- 2018
"Take my time to finish, mind my business
A life ain't a life 'til you live it
I was digging me a hole big enough to bury my soul
Weight of the world, I gotta carry my own
My own, with these songs I can carry you home
I'm right here when you're scared and alone"


This lyrical maturity is the album's biggest feature. The dark, emotive lyrics are undoubtedly influenced by Miller's substance abuse issues and tumultuous relationship with pop star Ariana Grande. Throughout Swimming, we see the trials and cracks in a long-term relationship that would fail shortly before this records release.

The beats on this album are funky. If you have read some of my other reviews, you know I am a sucker for funk bass so I really enjoy most of the album's production. The synthesizers that pepper the tracks sound retro, but are used in a way that makes them accentuate the track instead of sounding corny. 

"Ladders" is bouncy and light, perfectly poised to become a late-summer jam. Mac floats across this track, delivering rapid-fire lyrics that also sound effortless. Another favorite of mine is "2009". The tracks serene strings and delicate piano melody give Miller the perfect canvas to depict the struggles of moving on in life.

Conclusion: Mac Miller has always been an oddball in the rap world, but this alubum shows the beauty that can come from being strange. Listen.

Kid Cudi and High Places

November 2010: High School

 I just started high school. Like many others, I am having a good time. I feel alienated and alone because people keep messing with me. High school is intimidating and I don't know anybody.

In homeroom, I strike up a conversation with the kid next to me. He introduces himself to me. His name is Mike. We talk about music. I say I don't listen to rap. Rap is crap. He tells me to listen to Kid Cudi. That night on my roof, I listen to "Soundtrack 2 My Life".

The moon will illuminate my room and soon I'm consumed by my doom 

I've got some issues that nobody can see
And all of these emotions are pouring out of me

I'm floored. It's like I'm talking to someone who understands what I am going through.

June 2013: Summer

Mike and I are are standing at the top of the fire tower on Apple Pie Hill. It's hazy. Pine trees stretch out as far as the eyes can see. 

I turn on my Bluetooth speaker and select Cudi from a playlist. The music breaks the silence of nature. 

I'll be up up and away, up up and away
Cause they gon' judge me anyway so whatever
I'll be up up and away, up up and away
Cause in the end they'll judge me any so whatever

Life has been good recently. Kids don't mess with me that often anymore. I don't need a clever comeback, I just have to laugh in their face. It takes all their power away. For the first time, I feel like a pretty cool person.

May 2018: Graduation Approaches 

It's six in the morning. My friends and I are sitting on top of the Fordham bleachers watching the sunrise. A friend passes me a warm Natty light out of a cardboard 12 pack. Everyone is laughing and talking about the good times. We're going to miss being able to do stuff like this, just hanging out with friends whenever we want, with no strict schedules to tie us down. But careers are fast approaching and soon we are going to meet for drinks at times we schedule in our day planners. Someone is playing "Soundtrack 2 My Life" on a Bluetooth speaker.  Cudi's vocals waft through the morning air. 

So now I'm in the cut, alcohol in the wound
My heart's an open sore that I hope heals soon
I live in a cocoon opposite of Cancun
Where it is never sunny, the dark side of the moon

I snicker a bit. The rhymes sound corny and Cudi is a little too emotional for the situation. I realize even though this music might not have impressive lyrics, I'll never look at it with anything but fondness. These songs have been with me for too long to give up. In fifteen years, my kids will laugh at me and my corny music, but I don't think I'll care. 

Rolling Papers 2 Review

On Rolling Papers 2, Wiz Khalifa offers more of the same hazy stoner rap that made him famous. Wiz raps about three W's. Women, Weed and Wealth. He's been doing the same thing since 2009. Predictably, Rolling Papers 2 talks about money and marijuana for most of its runtime. 

"Mr. Willams" is a highlight of the album. THEMXXNLIGHT and Curren$y give the track an R&B vibe while their slick flow makes the track cohesive . Wiz's verse is typical of the album. "Bootsy Bellows" is another impressive cut. While the verses are standard, Wiz spits a catchy hook over a funky beat. The bass line, which is immaculate, pays homage to funk bass legend Bootsy Collins.

I was most impressed with "B OK" because Wiz opens emotionally on up the track. He raps about the personal pain he has felt throughout his career. The death of his sister and his tumultuous relationship with model Amber Rose are the focal points of the song.

Wiz Kalifa's stoner mentor Snoop Dogg makes an appearance on Rolling Papers 2. Unfortunately, Tha Doggfather is not at the top of his game. Snoop Dogg, who normally provides entertaining verses, falls flat. His verse on "Penthouse" adds another layer of mediocrity to an already mediocre song.

This might make the album better

At 90 minutes long, Rolling Papers 2 became a chore to sit through.Tracks were stylistically all over the place, from trap to R&B. The songs felt all over the place, like it's a playlist instead of a deliberate album. Maybe this album would better serve someone as the background to a late night smoke session. Nothing on the album is jarringly bad, but nothing is exciting.

Conclusion: Wiz is sticking to the formula that made him popular. This album is competent and confident but does not push any boundaries. If you like Wiz Kalifa's past music, here's a buffet. If you don't, skip it.

WANG$AP

The King of Fashion and the King of Ambiguous sexuality just dropped a track. I'm talking about A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the Creator. The song, "Potato Salad" features the two rappers freestyling in front of Eiffel Tower. In loose, conversational verses they talk about money and their fashion endeavors. Rocky even drops a diss at mumble rappers. The two seem relaxed and deliver their verses with ease, almost like they're having fun.

However, the most notable part of the video comes at the end. The video ends with a WANG$AP logo, which is a mashup of the A$AP and GOLFWANG brands. This logo seems to be teasing an upcoming collaboration between the two rappers. 

A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator are two of the most influential personalities in the rap world today. Both are known for breaking down barriers in rap, as well as their unique styles and personalities. Certainly, no one could describe them as generic. This collaboration is sure to produce interesting results. 

How 2 Do an Online Music Review

If you have ever wondered how to do a review, I have just the lesson for you. You just need a couple things.

• Notepad
• Pen
• Closed-back headphones 
• Music Source (I'm using my laptop)
• Refreshments (Lacroix, because it's trendy.)
• A place to work uninterrupted

Steps:

1. Don't read any other reviews.

•  Any time I read a review before listening to an album it colors my opinion.

2. Research. 

• Gain a general knowledge of the musician and the cultural context of the album.

3. First Listen

• Find a comfortable spot where you can listen uninterrupted.
• Write down all your reactions in a notebook.
• I generally listen for compelling lyrics and interesting sound as well as song structure.
• By the time you are finished, you will have an opinion on the record.
• (Optional) Drink Lacroix

You should have a couple pages that look like this 

4. Wait for a day

5. Listen Again

• With your notes in hand, listen again.
• Extrapolate on the ideas you wrote.
• Listen as many times as you need to.

6. Write

• Determine why you hold your opinion. What are the main things you liked and disliked about the album?
• Find your main like and dislikes and use those as the basis of your review.
• Thesis. Just like writing a paper for school, take the main idea of your review and put it in one sentence at the beginning of the review. 

7. Add pictures

That's all folks! Basically, you just need to listen to the music, think about what you like and write your opinion down in a convincing argument. 

TA1300 Review

Denzel Curry's Album TA13OO(Taboo) provides a rebellious critique of the "Soundcloud Rap" that has grown around Curry and remains entertaining throughout its whole runtime. 

Curry hails from South Flordia. Other rappers from South Florida, like Lil' Pump and XXXTenacion, have amassed a huge following after becoming popular on music streaming platform Soundcloud. However, Curry's career predates the "Soundcloud Rappers." While Curry and "Soundcloud Rappers" share many sonic characteristics like aggressive vocals and audio distortion, Curry does not see himself as part of that genre of music. On "Percs", he lampoons the facial tattoos, drug abuse and lyrical shallowness he perceives in "Soundcloud rap." 

I should rap about some lean and my diamond cuts
Get suburban white kids to want to hang with us
It's your friendly neighborhood, I don't give a fuck
Get it straight, I innovate, you ad-libs on a 808
Don't need a tattoo on my face cause Denzel is a different race
I don't even try to hate, I'm just saying what I ain't
People sleeping on me hard and I'm the hardest in the paint
Eight years in the game and I never rode a wave

Curry is not content to simply make fun of rappers he sees as shallow. TA1BOO contains moments of mature emotional depth and political commentary interwoven with aggressive braggadocio and aggressive production. This maturity is best seen on the title track "Taboo", where Curry discusses his relationship with a victim of sexual abuse. He ponders how he can best support someone he loves that has suffered such emotional trauma. 

TA1300 is a concept album, broken into three sides. Light, Grey, and Dark. While the tracks on the respective sides do generally correspond with the intended mood, Curry could have focused on making the concept more coherent. 

One of Curry's signature lyrical techniques is the rapid-fire deployment of wide-ranging references, ranging from pop culture to philosophy. He belies his age by referencing Nicleodian cartoons like The Fairly Odd Parents, Jimmy Neutron and Prince Zuko from Avatar. I find this charming, although I may only like it because of my own fond memories of those TV shows. 

(On are a serious note, if you have never watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, please do so immediately. It is an incredible show.) 

Best character development, all time. 

The track "Percs", which was released as one of the album's singles, demonstrates the album's satirical tone, grimy production and tight delivery all in one track. If you like "Percs", you will like the whole album. Listen Below. 

Conclusion: Curry has delivered one of the best albums of 2018. He aimed to take the rap game and flip it on its head. With an album that has only one weak song, he may have done it.  I am very excited to listen to this album again and again. Do me a favor, and listen.

Wiki Woes: Volume 2

Around a week ago, I noticed the Wikipedia page for Atlanta Hip-Hop was missing rap history from 2010 to 2018.  Jimmy Wales (Founder of Wikipedia, savior of college students) must be smiling down on me because my contribution hasn't been deleted.

God bless you, Mr. Wales.

I think I did a good job with my entry. I gave some solid facts about the chart positions of Atlanta rappers and the city's wider cultural influence. One rapper missing from the Wiki page is Soulja Boy.

Oh god no.

"Crank That" is seared into my memory. It was inescapable in 2007. To this day, I have flashbacks of gangly white kids desperately trying to do the Crank That dance in the hallways of Haines middle school.

Nobody needs to be reminded of "Crank That". I think I'll leave it off the Wiki page.

Listen to: Moanin'

When I first started this blog, I recommended everyone to listen to Led Zeppelin III. This album is sonically distinct among Led Zeppelin's catalog. I think it's a fresh take on a genre that can seem bloated and middle-aged.

Today I recommend Moanin' by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. While this is out of my standard Rock and Rap repertoire, I think Moanin' is essential listening for any music fan. Simply put, Moanin' is a fun album that can serve as an introduction to a massive and rewarding genre of music, Jazz.

Is it just me, or does Art look like Michael K. Williams?

Before I listened to Moanin', I thought jazz seemed pretentious, impenetrable and boring. But Moanin' is what jazz musicians call a Hard Bop album. Basically, Hard Bop musicians wanted to be the best, but they still wanted their music to reach the ears of the common man. hard bop jazz works so well because it is versatile and can be listened to in any situation. It's a stimulating listen in the car, great mood music for a party. Moanin' is a great way to trick people into thinking you are sophisticated.

The thing I find remarkable about this album is its ability to explore different facets of jazz while remaining a cohesive and entertaining whole. The title track "Moanin'" is a slinky number that shows the virtuosity of the Jazz Messengers while maintaining an easy, danceable beat. "Are You Real" is a fast-paced romp with dazzling solos and "Blues March" represents a return to the simpler roots of jazz.

"The Thunder Drum Suite" is a truly epic track. The drums start off slowly but soon are at a fast-paced, primal roll. Blakey, with all his skill, manages to make an 8-minute drum solo not only listenable but exciting. 

Give Moanin' a shot. Click the video above and listen for five minutes. Worst case scenario, you waste five minutes. Best case, you will find a new genre of music to love.  

The Needle Drop

Anthony Fantano is the reason I started to listen to music with a critical ear.  Fantano runs a website and a YouTube channel called The Needle Drop, where he reviews three to four albums a week and provides commentary on today's music scene. His prolific output has earned him the title "Internet's busiest music nerd" and over 1.5 million Youtube subscribers. 

Behold. 

At the bottom of every video description, Fantano writes, "Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?" This attitude is what allowed Fantano to become so successful. Instead of billing himself as an expert, Fantano bills himself as a guy with an opinion, just like you. He removes the "ivory tower" element from music criticism.

This attitude shows up in his camera work. Fantano's reviews consist of him talking straight into the camera. Using this technique, Fantano is able to provide the illusion of conversation. When watching a Needle Drop video, it often feels like you are sitting with your music literate friend. You feel like you're chatting about exciting new albums and Fantano is cracking jokes and being quirky. Reality TV shows like Jersey Shore use this same technique when they have the actors confess their private thoughts to audience members. 

May I suggest Spamthony Cramtano?

Fantano constantly interacts with his fans, which furthers the interactive, personal feeling his videos give viewers. Look at the picture above, where Fantano lets the web decide what he will say in his signature opening gag. Fantanto is the first internet literate music critic. He grew with the rise of memes. He has gained mass popularity on websites like 4chan and Reddit. Websites like 4chan are where many popular memes are created.  Through these memes, users have of course relentlessly made fun of Fantano, both maliciously and endearingly.  Despite their silly origins, these memes serve to brand Fantano into the collective memory of the internet, giving him permanence.

Pictured: Dead Meme (circa 2013)

Whatever you think of Fantano and his videos, it is clear to see he has tapped into some cultural paradigm that allows him to be so successful. As traditional music media like Rolling Stone loses credibility and readership, keep an eye on The Needle Drop.