As if following up 2013’s phenomenal album Old weren’t enough of a challenge, Detroit rap god Danny Brown is also becoming a children’s book author. In a recent interview with Australian radio station Triple J, Brown cited inspiration from Dr. Seuss and his 13-year-old daughter: “It’s really about self-esteem in black girls … You know how…
The album has been declared dead nearly as many times as the Motor City has, but if you needed any proof that such bold pronouncements need to be taken with a grain of salt, look no further than the list below. Detroit acts released a veritable treasure trove of great full-lengths in 2014,…
Our city has always been an unyielding spring of exciting new hip-hop and this year was no different. Passalacqua and Tunde Olanrian kept things fresh and unpredictable, stretching the genre so far until it was almost unrecognizable. Danny Brown was the highlight on an album by one of the most explosive young producers in…
Detroit was blessed in 2014 with multiple new venues, countless hard-hitting singles, and a generous helping of digestible full-length albums. It only makes sense that the video accompaniments to the music of the last 12 months were just as memorable. An overwhelming number of Detroit-area musicians have a great knack for visual art, design…
In 2014, Detroit was host to an array of spectacular concerts and events. From the Masonic Temple and Hart Plaza to PJ’s Lager House and the Fox Theatre, local, national, and international acts graced our ears with great performances. Surely our city is a haven for those who worship live music. Whether you…
A jump to a major label hasn’t caused DeJ Loaf to rest on her laurels. The Detroit emcee best known for her surprise chart-topping single “Try Me” released the mixtape Sell Sole this fall to widespread acclaim and made an appearance on Eminem’s “Detroit Vs. Everybody.” Now, with mere days left in 2014, she’s closing out the year…
On December 30th, Detroit hip hop artist Microphone Phelps will release his first official album with all original production from djkage – Grand Design. Mic Phelps rose to prominence in the underground battle-rap world, also performing as part (1/4) of the popular Cold Men Young rap collective. His full-length, first release is a…
Detroit’s own Big Sean (and his Motor City-native tour DJ and FM98 WJLB house maestro DJ Mo Beatz) appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s last taping of the Tonight Show before a brief Christmas recess, Tuesday, with some help from hip hop giant E-40. Big Sean’s Tonight Show appearance was preceded by guests Jerry Seinfeld…
“Smoke Bellow,” the second single from Detroit “cosmic trap” duo Gosh Pith, gets the video treatment with a clip directed by Tony Katai, who drew inspiration from “the city’s grey 6 a.m. streets that make you question if you are dreaming.” Josh Smith and Josh Freed have been slowly releasing music since this past summer’s…
It seems the power of leaks can no longer be denied. In the same week that found Sony Pictures pulling all screenings of The Interview due to a hacking scandal, the Queen of Pop saw herself bowing down to similar pressure (albeit on a smaller scale) but not by cancelling her new album release. Instead, the unofficial…