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American Gangster movie posterRap Visionary or Un-Original Gangster?
An early screening of the new film "American Gangster" stoked the creative fires of rapper Jay-Z. Today on Soundcheck, Jeff Leeds of the New York Times explains why the rap veteran spun off the movie and what it means for his career. Plus, Sufjan Stevens discusses his orchestral homage to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. And later: jazz veteran Roy Haynes looks back on 60 years of swing with the release of a career retrospective.
Jay-Z's American Gangster
The new film "American Gangster" tells the real-life story of a Harlem drug-dealer and the cop who pursued him, set to a 1970s funk soundtrack. New York Times staff writer Jeff Leeds explains how the movie inspired Jay-Z’s first-ever concept album and what it means for the rapper’s career.
Sufjan Stevens's Highway
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens talks about his orchestral homage to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. "The BQE" premieres at the Brooklyn Academy of Music tonight and runs through Saturday.
Sufjan Stevens performs on WNYC's "Spinning on Air"
More about 'The BQE' at BAM
Sixty Years of Swing
At 82, Roy Haynes is arguably the last legendary jazz drummer still out on the bandstand. Haynes has played with Miles, Bird, Billie and Coltrane, just to name a few. He looks back on his career and talks about a four-disc box set called "A Life in Time: The Roy Haynes Story."
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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.
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