How Nile Rodgers Turned 'Let's Dance' From Old Folk To New Funk
Watch the story of how Niles Rodgers worked with David Bowie and switched the style up on what would later become “Let’s Dance”.
Tag: icons
That time Scratch Magazine interviewed Madlib in 2005
Madlib is more welcome to interviews these days but in 2005, they were a rarity. I can’t let a Madlib interview pass me by without saving it somewhere. Sometimes I scope them out for inspiration. On my travels, I found one via Stones Throw. It was an interview by Scratch Magazine and tells the same …
J Dilla Talks About His Sampling Inspirations in Rare Interview From 2003
The hip hop icon talks about his family in Detroit and how he only discovered Fela Kuti while working on Like Water For Chocolate.
J Dilla Changed My Life at The Jazz Cafe (10th Feb 2019)
The iconic night for Dilla is back for another year, featuring usual suspects Spin Doctor, Kidkanevil, DJ Lok, and a live performance from Phat Kat. Due to commitments every year since I last went in 2012, I’ve yet to return to J Dilla Changed My Life. It makes me sad but thems the breaks (pun …
Madlib, The Afro-Modernist
Modernism might have a white visage but Madlib’s brand of afro-modernism shouldn’t be overlooked.
Why I Love Madlib
Today is Madlib’s birthday. Here’s why I love his music and personality so much. In the mid-to-late 00s, I discovered a compilation by Zero 7. It was part of Late Night Tales’ mix series (then called Another Late Night) and it featured a song called Real Eyes by Quasimoto. I found it intriguing for many …
What I Learnt From Madlib's 2016 RBMA Lecture
Interviews with your idols can open a world of understanding. I watched Madlib’s RBMA lecture in New York for the first time and here’s what I took from it. Of all the musical idols who have directly influenced my music, Madlib is one of the main artists. His breadth of work and Bohemian approach to …
How J Dilla Humanized The MPC3000
Estelle Caswell discussed how J Dilla made his MPC3000 musical for Vox. Many musicians are synonymous with their instrument of choice – Jimi and his guitar, Questlove and his drums, Dorothy Ashby and her harp. And then there’s J Dilla and his MPC3000. In effect, J Dilla was a Jimi, Questlove, and Dorothy thanks to …
J Dilla: Back To The Crib Mixtape
The unearthing of Dilla treats continues as the Boiler Room release a mixtape of his listening habits. Something a little different from the J Dilla archives in the form of a mixtape but not of his own music. Boiler Room and BBE Records have released an unheard mixtape recorded sometime around the turn of the …
THROWBACK THURSDAY: James Brown Performs Super Bad On Soul Train (1970)
A double super bad combo in this week’s Throwback Thursday as James Brown performs on Soul Train, accompanied by a badass Soul Train dancer.
J Dilla's MPC And Moog Heading To The Smithsonian
The upcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. has a new exhibit courtesy of J Dilla’s custom Moog synth and MPC3000.
Sampleface Five: Herbie Hancock Samples
Our Sampleface Five is dedicated to Herbie Hancock samples from the likes of Ugly Duckling, Lamb and Venom.
J Dilla - The Doe
Taken from his upcoming posthumous album is “The Doe”, also featured on the “Give Em What They Want” EP.
Herbie Hancock To Collaborate With Flying Lotus
Jazz legend Herbie Hancock has been collaborating with Flying Lotus, as he discussed with Time Out Dubai. You’ll hopefully remember when we showed you footage of Herbie Hancock in the studio with Flying Lotus and Thundercat. Even earlier, there were rumours of a collaboration between the jazz icon and Los Angeles’ electronic maestro but it …
De La Soul - Dilla Plugged In (Prod. J Dilla)
De La Soul and J Dilla combine once again for “Dilla Plugged In”, a cut from their upcoming mixtape “Smell The D.A.I.S.Y.”.
Leftover Links: J Dilla Articles
J Dilla was more than just “beats”. Our latest edition of Leftover Links looks at the man behind the music.
Phife Dawg - #DearDilla
Phife Dawg throws up the first single from his WIP album “MUTTYmorPHosis”.
SATURDAY MATINÉE: Madlib At Radio France’s Vinyl Library
Madlib spoke to Laura Leishman about his favourite records and why Dilla is one of the greatest at Radio France’s vinyl record library. For a man who keeps himself to himself, Madlib interviews are like gold dust and this is no exception. At Radio France’s vinyl archive in Paris, presenter Laura Leishman “unleashed” the West …
NEW MUSIC: Madlib - Black Widow
Madlib drops “Black Widow”, the latest cut off his upcoming Rock Konducta LP featuring Dilla ad-libs and a beefy rock sample. Amongst the music Madlib has been making for other artists, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about his ongoing Rock Konducta project. Black Widow is the second release from the album after the 7″ single containing …
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Rick James vs. Geronne Turner on Judge Joe Brown
Rick James didn’t suffer fools lightly and that is evident in his appearance on Judge Joe Brown, our main Throwback Thursday feature this week.
