The-Dream On Why We All Need R&B
Terius Nash, better known as The-Dream, has written some of the most memorable recent pop hits, from Beyonce's "Single Ladies" to Rihanna's "Umbrella." But when he writes songs for himself, he makes R&B.
Don't Kill Your Idols: J. Cole Looks For His Place In Hip-Hop
by Ann Powers
On Born Sinner Cole appealingly frames the unwieldy subject of inheritance as a musical reckoning with the '90s, the era of his childhood and hip-hop's current favorite source of nostalgia.
Pandora Buys A Radio Station, Songwriters' Group Calls It A 'Stunt'
by Laura Sydell
This week, the Internet radio broadcaster bought a radio station in Rapid City, S.D., in an effort to get the more favorable royalty rates given to terrestrial broadcasters. But the move has songwriters and composers up in arms.
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Heartbreak Takes John Vanderslice To 'Dagger Beach'
by Litsa Dremousis
The avant-indie rock veteran confronted his biggest fear — being alone in the middle of nowhere — and ended up with his first album outside the label system.
Johnny Smith, Revered Guitar Player, Has Died
by Tom Cole
Though mainly a jazz player, wrote the surf guitar anthem "Walk, Don't Run," which became a Top 10 hit for The Ventures on two occasions.
Boards Of Canada Tap A Devout Following To Push New Album
by Sami Yenigun
By leaking details of its new release through codes and numbers, the Scottish electronic duo worked the press game backwards.
Country Music's Year Of The Woman
by Ann Powers
Nashville the city, Nashville the TV show, close-harmony groups and two financially viable, independent-minded singers have shattered country music's glass ceiling — and the year's only half over.
Hot 97's Summer Jam: A Referendum On Hip-Hop
The radio station's annual concert is useful because, between the talent and the audience, it's big enough to take a snapshot of what's going on in hip-hop right now.
How To Cover A Dance Track
by Michaelangelo Matos
Dance music tends to be a groove medium, not a song medium, but there's been a growing trend in covering dance tracks — and as the EDM juggernaut continues rolling forward, it begins to make more and more sense.
Five Musicians Who Make Borrowing Sound Original
by Ann Powers
Many musicians use old forms like folk and blues as inspiration, but few find a way to make music that sounds old but feels new.
