On This Day: Nas’ “Illmatic,” The Gold Standard of Rap

April 19, 2022 by and

The songs and stories of “Illmatic” represent the perfection of every trait associated with purist hip-hop, from tales of struggle to intricate writing to unique instrumentals.
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Record Recap: 53 Years Since Led Zeppelin’s Explosive Debut

January 13, 2022 by and

However, on Jan. 12, 1969, a new band would define the sound and look of rock and roll in the 1970s and beyond with their debut album: Led Zeppelin.
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On This Day: A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight Marauders,” Rap’s Most Uplifting Classic Album

November 9, 2021 by

A Tribe Called Quest's third studio album, “Midnight Marauders,” is the pinnacle of their fun style and has stood the test of time as a never-ending party inviting all to join. 
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Artsweek On Spotify: Spooky Halloween Bangers Throughout the Years

October 28, 2021 by and

From orchestral compositions to heavy metal classics to hip-hop collaborations, the exploration of horror through music is ubiquitous in every genre of music.
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On This Day: Shades of Sentimentality in Frank Ocean’s “Blonde”

August 20, 2021 by and

With his genre-blending on “Blonde,” Ocean once again pioneered a new style of R&B.
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On This Day: Frank Ocean’s First Masterpiece, “channel ORANGE”

July 10, 2021 by and

His 2012 debut album “channel ORANGE” showcases Ocean making a splash with a lush and intimate collection of songs about the awkwardness of navigating maturation and relationships.
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On This Day: The Beatles’ Escapism Through “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

May 26, 2021 by and

Prior to their 1970 disbandment, The Beatles refreshed their creative drive via the escapism central to their historical concept album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
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On This Day: Upbeat Loneliness Through New Order’s “Power Corruption and Lies”

May 2, 2021 by

“Power Corruption and Lies” has cemented New Order as one of the most interesting and three-dimensional groups of the ‘80s and beyond.
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On This Day: Van Cliburn, The Pianist That Broke The Cold War

April 13, 2021 by

As cheesy as it sounds, Cliburn became the epitome of the commonality of art between all of humankind, pushing past extremist notions of anti-Communism.
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On This Day: The Weeknd’s Drearily Hedonistic Debut Project, “House of Balloons”

March 21, 2021 by and

The project has become a landmark in 2010s R&B — a dynamic showcase of The Weeknd’s insecurities about love and coping dive into the maximums of hedonism.
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Record Recap: In Memoriam of Chick Corea, Trailblazer of Jazz Fusion

February 23, 2021 by and

Corea was a highly lauded pioneer of jazz fusion — a genre that reinterprets jazz music by using alternative inspirations like rock, metal or Latin music.
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On This Day: “Donuts,” J Dilla’s Parting Gift

February 7, 2021 by

James Dewitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla, released his album “Donuts” just three days before his passing on Feb. 10, 2006.
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On This Day: The Best And The Worst Of The National Anthem

January 27, 2021 by and

The national anthem has had its share of musical and sociopolitical controversies throughout the years.
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Record Recap: In Memoriam of MF DOOM, “Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper”

January 10, 2021 by

Being the perfect fictional anti-hero of rap, DOOM consistently maintained a villainous shroud of mystery, while audiences could only stand back and watch him flex his rapping superpowers.
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Record Recap: What To Expect With Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy”

January 6, 2021 by and

Given Drake’s success with his stylistic charisma, the naming of his next album hints at the project being symbolic of a victory lap filled with allusions to his previous work.
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