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Time Stretching: Fresh Twist on the Remix
(The Root) — Remix culture is thriving on YouTube, and a curious form of music manipulation is growing in popularity thanks to the site. There is a current interest in showing off the studio technique of time stretching, or lengthening a song — think of it as a kind of reverse chopped and screwed, though…
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How the 'Billie Jean' Video Changed MTV
(The Root) — “Billie Jean,” who was not Michael Jackson’s lover, is turning 30 — or at least her video is, and it’s an important anniversary in the evolution of both black music’s visual expression and America’s iconic music network. On March 10, 1983, MTV played “Billie Jean” for the first time and forever changed…
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The Harlem Shakedown
(The Root) — Popular culture is infamous for borrowing — and sometimes outright stealing — elements from a subculture and transforming them into something completely stripped of its origins. But it is still surprising to see how the current viral video craze called the Harlem Shake has managed to almost completely supplant a vibrant form…
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10 Albums We Can't Wait to Hear in 2013
(The Root) — This year is expected to bring album releases from veteran stars as well as heavy-hitting up-and-comers. From smooth soul joints from Maxwell and D’Angelo to rugged rap releases by A$AP Rocky, Earl Sweatshirt and more, check out the 10 albums we’re most eagerly awaiting in 2013.
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Who's Played the Twitter Blame Game?
Just as starlets who accidentally overdose are admitted to the hospital under the wink-wink term of “exhaustion,” some rap and R&B stars, including Kanye West, Chief Keef and Chris Brown, have recently claimed that their Twitter accounts were hacked when they were caught saying something dumb or controversial. Since Charlamagne Tha God, radio co-host of…
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Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': 30 Cool Facts
Three decades since its release, Thriller remains the biggest selling album not only of Michael Jackson’s own illustrious career, but on all of planet Earth. Between sales, awards and sentimental loyalty, the album’s achievements continue to dazzle in the outer stratosphere of what was once and may never again be possible in the music business…
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American Music Awards 2012: Nicki Minaj Wins
(The Root) — The 40th anniversary of the American Music Awards was the first to be held without its producer Dick Clark, the iconic television and radio host who died in April from a heart attack. He was 82. Celebrating his life as well as those of other late legends, like Michael Jackson and Whitney…
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Who You Calling Ratchet?
(The Root) — LL Cool J’s new single, “Ratchet,” describes a “hit it and quit it” session with a trashy young lady, a disrespectful departure for the man behind such tender cuts as “I Need Love.” “A little money for gas?” coos a whiny female voice on the hook. “I shoulda never been with your…
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The 9 Worst Habits of Rappers
Truth be told, it really doesn’t take a whole lot more than catchy lyrics and good looks for a rapper to be considered charming. Unfortunately, many MCs find it just as easy to exhibit some equally bad habits once they make it big. Nicki Minaj has been caught screaming at one of music’s top divas.…
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25 Amazing Facts From Michael Jackson's 'Bad'
It’s now been a quarter century since Michael Jackson released 1987’s Bad, the follow-up to the tough act (and international event) known as Thriller. At the time, the album was judged harshly against the monumental achievements of its predecessor; now, with hindsight, it is clear that Bad also earned its fair share of accolades and…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
