Q-Tip, Money Mark, and producer Mario Caldato Jr. reflect on the making of the Beastie Boys’ classic album Ill Communication. The process of making the Beastie Boys fourth album, Ill Communication, began on the tour for […]
Category: Writing
Texas Monthly: 20 Essential Texas Rap Tracks
I contributed three entries for Texas Monthly’s 20 Essential Texas Rap Tracks feature, writing about UGK’s “Touched,” Lil’ O’s “Can’t Stop” featuring Destiny’s Child, and “Still Tippin’” by Mike Jones featuring Slim Thug and Paul Wall. […]
When I Create: Angel Deradoorian Interview
As part of my ‘When I Create’ interview series, I sat down for a talk with one of my favorite artists, Angel Deradoorian, stage name: Deradoorian, for a fun talk that covers topics such as: […]
Touré Talks Prince Biography, ‘I Would Die 4 U’
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this phenomenon we call Prince’s Purple Rain. On June 25th, 1984, six months after Michael Jackson’s Thriller premiered on MTV, the world was […]
JMSN On How Minnie Riperton Influenced “Most Of All”
JMSN, one of our personal favorites here at SMNTCS, has some new magic for our ears. The magic is called “Most of All,” and finds JMSN handling drums, piano, guitar, singing, and writing duties, with […]
Now Boarding: Curren$y & Chamillionaire talk Le$ on Jet Life
For part two of my spotlight on the newest Jet Life signee, Le$, we talked with Jet Life’s lead pilot himself, Curren$y, and a certified Houston veteran, Chamillionaire, who so far is the only Houston rapper […]
Two Minutes to Take-Off; Le$ Boards Curren$y’s Jet Life
Slim Thug and DJ Mr. Rogers chime in for part 1 of Sama’an’s spotlight interview with new Jet Life signee, Le$. The journey of one Lester Mathews, better known by his stage name, Le$, has come […]
Good Kid, Snub City – On Kendrick Lamar & Macklemore
Seven. Kendrick Lamar was nominated for seven Grammy awards this year. He came away empty-handed. In the Grammy calendar year, Lamar made what is undeniably the best, most complete album. Good kid m.A.A.d city is […]
Inside Illmore: From SXSW House Party to Stuff of Legend
It started the way most SX stories do—with an artist in need of a place to crash—but three years later, the ILLMORE is the hottest ticket in Austin. Get to know the creative minds who […]
In Conversation With Alaina Moore (of Tennis)
Alaina Moore (of Tennis) on surviving a tornado, loving Gwen Stefani, teaming back up with the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney. The Colorado outfit’s new album, ‘Ritual In Repeat’, is again produced by Carney. Tennis, […]