Soundcheck ®: The Business of Hip Hop

Soundcheck ®

The Business of Hip Hop

Thursday, January 06, 2011

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Cover of "The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop" by Dan Charnas (Courtesy of Dan Charnas/NAL Hardcover/Amazon.com)

Today on Soundcheck: Writer and industry veteran Dan Charnas tells the story of the business of hip hop over its four-decade rise. Plus: We ask "Apollo's Angels" author Jennifer Homans to answer your burning ballet questions. And: a live performance from Albany, N.Y.-based singer-songwriter Sean Rowe.

The Business Behind The Beats

The story of hip hop has been told from many angles – but a new book, “The Big Payback,” takes on the history of the multibillion dollar business. Hip hop journalist and industry veteran Dan Charnas chronicles the genre’s four decade history from street to studio to boardroom through many of its key players.

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History of the Tutu

Earlier in the week we spoke with Jennifer Homans – the writer and former dancer whose recent book - "Apollo's Angels" - is a very thorough cultural history of ballet. After the show, we received a question on line from listener Gabby from Manhattan. She asked: “How did the tutu become the ballet "uniform"? It is a very unforgiving dress!” Jennifer Homans joins us again to tell us the tale behind the tulle.

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In Studio: Sean Rowe

Sean Rowe recorded spare and intimate songs for his upcoming album in a building where his grandfather once ran an Italian restaurant. His songs found their way into the right hands, and the Albany, N.Y.-based singer-songwriter was signed to the same label as his idol, Tom Waits. Rowe joins us to tell us the story and to perform live in our studio.

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