Tag Archives: Jay-Z
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Grammy Awards spread the wealth and diversify as Taylor Swift makes history
Taylor Swift accepts the Album Of The Year award for “Midnights” during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2024. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy. Every Grammy Awards have own storyline, and the 2024 edition may end up being…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Beyoncé makes the ‘RENAISSANCE’ into her own work of art
Beyoncé, ‘Renaissance’ The problem Beyoncé created for herself when she released Lemonade back in 2016 was it was instantly regarded as her best project. It was lauded by critics, showered with awards and consistently ranked as one of the best albums of the year, decade and—sometimes—of all time. How…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Pusha T is still the kingpin on ‘It’s Almost Dry’
Pusha T, “It’s Almost Dry.” The powder is fresh on Pusha T‘s fourth studio album It’s Almost Dry as the rapper returns to regale listeners with riches made from nose candy sniffers. Nas isn’t the only rapper out there fancying himself as a Tony Montana type. Push comfortably speaks about his…
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ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Exodus’ a bold closing chapter to the life of DMX
A bold and bittersweet closing chapter for one of the greatest rappers of all time, the long-awaited album from DMX, Exodus, comes a little over a month and a half after his death. His first release in nine years (following 2012’s Undisputed) and his first on Def Jam since Grand Champ, Exodus is…
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EP REVIEW: Benny the Butcher swings and misses on ‘The Plugs I Met 2’
Benny the Butcher has delivered hard-hitting and detailed songs covering his involvement in drug dealing and life on the streets. Last year’s exceptional examination of such matters defined Burden of Proof as a modern classic, exploring themes of survivor’s guilt and the cost of participation. The followup to the 2019…
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Insert Foot storming the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if there’s no Iron Maiden
Insert Foot vs. Iron Maiden haters. If you didn’t notice, it’s time to get hysterical again over Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selections. I don’t get a say in the critic’s vote, which I accepted a long time ago. One doesn’t give Metallica’s St. Anger a positive review…
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Album Review: Old 97’s return to the sound that defined them with Graveyard Whistling
The Dallas quartet Old 97’s has been around for just shy of a quarter century—yes, you read that right—but with the release of Graveyard Whistling, they make it clear that they have no intention of fading away anytime soon. Graveyard Whistling Old 97’s Feb. 24 On the heels of their widely acclaimed…
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Musical activism will lead the way forward
Chance the Rapper. Matt De Mello/STAFF. The other day I wrote an column on where we, not just as a country, but as a world, go from here. That piece was unique for RIFF. Ours is not a political publication. However, some events transcend politics. Many of us are nervous, some…
