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Soundcheck

Friday, February 17, 2006
  • DJ

    White Rappers

    Eminem’s latest album, "Curtain Call: The Hits," was certified double Platinum after selling more than two million copies in less than two months. Although the rapper retains a strong presence on the scene, his success has not given birth to a wave of new white rappers, as many predicted. We will talk about the failed effort by the music industry to launch new white hip hop stars with author Touré and with Jim Farber, Music critic for the New York Daily News. Also, celebrities like Madonna, and members of the Rapture and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have all taken turns playing DJ, but do they know how to spin? We hear about the phenomenon of celebrity DJs. And: Egyptian composer Sayyed Darweesh was champion of women's rights, an alleged cocaine addict, and he's known as the father of modern Arab music. We’ll hear the story and the music of Darweesh, as told by the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble.

Celebrity DJs

Tricia Romano of the Village Voice fills us in on celebrity DJs.
» Tricia Romano's article on Celebrity DJs

White Rappers

Music writers Touré and Jim Farber discuss the success of white rappers.
» Toure's website

The Father of Modern Arab Music

Hicham Chami and Karim Nagi perform with the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble, in a concert devoted to the music of Sayyed Darweesh.
» Symphony Space's website
» Hicham Chami's website
» Karim Nagi's website

The Ill Effects of Urban Noise

Soundcheck

Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.