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Soundcheck

Monday, May 14, 2007
  • Outkast
    Outkast

    Southern-Fried Hip Hop

    For years, hip hop was preoccupied with warring factions of artists based on the East and West coasts. Today, we look at the innovators from the American South who rose above it — and set the tone for hip-hop in the 21st century. Also: guitarist Benjamin Verdery talks about his love for composers like Bach, Strauss... and Hendrix. Finally, we find out why Serbian power balladeer Marija Serifovic triumphed at the Eurovision song contest Saturday night.

Making the case for Southern hip-hop

If you need an affirmation of regional culture in the US, Southern hip-hop is a good place to look. In his book Third Coast, Roni Sarig traces dozens of genres that stem from their specific locations including Atlanta crunk, Miami bass, Houston screwed & chopped and others. He joins us today.

Third Coast at Amazon.com

Benjamin Verdery

Benjamin Verdery tours throughout the world and has been chair of the guitar dpartment at the Yale University School of Music since 1985. Today he shares his new album with us, "Branches," featuring works by Bach, Mozart, Strauss, Hendrix, and "Amazing Grace."

Benjamin Verdery's Web site

Serb Wins Eurovision Over Ukrainian Drag Queen

Balladeer Marija Serifovic has emerged as this year's victor at the world's biggest and most flamboyant music competition, the Eurovision Song Contest. Today we hear she beat out tough contenders from Hungary, Greece, Belarus, and Finland as we're joined by Time Out New York editor Elizabeth Vincentelli.

Eurovision Top Five
1. Serbia (268 points)
2. Ukraine (235)
3. Russia (207)
4. Turkey (163)
5. Bulgaria (157)

Marija Serifovic sings "Molitva"
Serbian ballad wins at Eurovision (BBC)

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Los Amigos Invisibles

Soundcheck

The Venezuelan funk-rock band "Los Amigos Invisibles" was discovered by David Byrne in a Manhattan record shop. They perform live on Soundcheck.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.