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Soundcheck / July 18, 2008

Soundcheck

Friday, July 18, 2008
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  • Del's

    The Future of Hip Hop

    For years, DJs and MCs fended off declarations of hip hop’s demise with innovative beats and chart-busting albums. But these days, hip hop is stuck in a deep funk. Today on Soundcheck, we look at hip hop’s soul-searching journey into the future. And later: West African Lionel Loueke mixes the giants of jazz with African traditions. He talks about his turn on Herbie Hancock's Grammy winning album and plays in our studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.

Hip Hop's Haters at the Gates

Music industry watchers have been obsessed with the future of hip hop practically since the moment rap was born 30 years ago. But sales were down 30% in 2007 and superstars like 50 Cent have lost their luster. We talk about hip-hop's soul-searching journey into the future, and longtime MC Del tha Funkee Homosapien talks about his new album, "Eleventh Hour," and his experiences on major and independent labels.

Our blog: John Schaefer on the future of hip hop.

Lionel Loueke

West African Lionel Loueke is the guitarist on Herbie Hancock’s "River: The Joni Letters," which just won a Grammy for best album of 2007. He is now releasing his Blue Note debut, Karibu, which includes appearances by Hancock himself and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Lionel Loueke joins us to talk about mixing jazz giants with African traditions. And, he performs in the studio.

The Pacifica Quartet

Soundcheck

Carter Burwell and Maya Beiser

Soundcheck

Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar's Ode to Jack Kerouac

Soundcheck

The Ill Effects of Urban Noise

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.

RZA on the Tao of Wu

Soundcheck