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The Time for Rhyme: 1988
Many of hip-hop's most influential albums were released in 1988. Today on Soundcheck, we find out why that year produced a bumper crop of classic beats. Plus: American teens weren't the only ones inspired by rap's salad days. We look at the rise of Palestinian hip-hop. And later: Cambodian pop and American alt-rock collide in the infectious music of Dengue Fever. The group joins us for a live performance.
It Was a Very Good Year (for MCs)
From Public Enemy’s "It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back" to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper," many of hip-hop’s seminal albums were released in 1988. They spawned subgenres that erupted in the 1990s -- and endure today. We ask Rolling Stone.com’s Kyle Anderson and hip hop journalist Harry Allen what was in the water during hip-hop’s biggest year.
Palestinian Hip Hop
American teens weren't the only kids inspired by hip hop of the late '80s and 1990s. Young Palestinians took lessons from the Fresh Prince's playful rhymes and Tupac's depictions of violence and power. We talk with Harry Allen about the emergence of Palestinian rap and a new documentary called "Sling Shot Hip Hop."
About "Sling Shot Hip Hop" documentary
Harry Allen's blog, "Media Assassin"
Dengue Fever
On a trip to Cambodia in 1997, organist Ethan Holtzman encountered two things: a tropical disease and Cambodian psychedelic pop from the 1960s. He pays tribute to both with his band Dengue Fever. Based in LA, the group features a Cambodian-born singer and five American alt-rockers. They join us to play live songs from their new album, "Venus on Earth."
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Noteworthy New York
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We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.
