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Hip-Hop's Ice Age
The documentary Bling: A Planet Rock explores the correlation between hip-hop’s obsession with diamonds – “bling” — and 10 years of civil war in Sierra Leone. The film follows rappers Paul Wall and Raekwon and Reggaetón king Tego Calderón to Freetown, where they meet perpetrators and victims of a conflict tied to diamond mines. Also: Montreal-based band Patrick Watson earned nominations this year for some of Canada's biggest music prizes. As they invade the U.S., the group stops to perform in our studio. Plus: the battle over illegal downloading on campuses heats up.
Blood and Bling
Even before Run DMC donned gold-rope chains, hip-hop culture embraced outrageous jewelry. In the documentary Bling: A Planet Rock, hip-hop figures from superstar producer Kanye West to be-grilled rapper Paul Wall explore the link between hip-hop, diamonds, and the civil war that devastated Sierra Leone. We talk with the film's producer, Raquel Cepeda.
Patrick Watson
Canadian art-rock group Patrick Watson is led by, yes, a man named Patrick Watson. But judging from their sound, you might think Phillip Glass was at the helm. After collecting multiple award nods in their native land, the group plays songs from their new album, Close to Paradise, live in the Soundcheck studio.
A Higher Education in Piracy
With college students back to school this week, campus officials are stepping up efforts to warn students about the consequences of illegal downloading. But is anybody listening? We talk with the Boston Globe's Javier C. Hernandez.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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When I Missed the Boat
Soundcheck
How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.
Johnny Flynn
Soundcheck
Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."
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Ahmad Jamal
Soundcheck
Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.
- The Brian Lehrer Show: Business Without Borders (10/08/2008)
- The Brian Lehrer Show: What’s The Damage? (10/06/2008)
- The Brian Lehrer Show: Security Blanket (10/07/2008)
- The Leonard Lopate Show: The Price of Style (10/08/2008)
- The Leonard Lopate Show: Beyond Chicken Nuggets (10/07/2008)
- The Brian Lehrer Show: The End of Oil? (10/10/2008)
- The Leonard Lopate Show: North of the Border (10/09/2008)