U.S. tries “hip hop” diplomacy in Pakistan

 Considered by many Pakistanis to be public enemy number one, the United States on Monday turned to the musical descendents of rap group Public Enemy in an attempt to counter its highly unpopular image in the south Asian nation. As part of its cultural diplomacy program, the U.S. embassy brought the FEW Collective, a hip-hop [...]

Chance of 2012 U.S. recession tops 50 percent: Fed paper

The European debt crisis is raising the odds of a U.S. recession, with economic contraction more likely than not by early 2012, according to research from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. While it is difficult to gauge the odds precisely, an analysis of leading U.S. economic indicators suggests a rising chance of a recession [...]

Magic Johnson backs Stern after racial suggestion

Magic Johnson said it’s “ridiculous” to suggest that David Stern is racist, saying it’s OK to disagree with the NBA commissioner but that you “can’t attack the man and what he stands for.  Johnson was responding to comments made by attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing the NBA players’ association, who told the Washington Post that owners [...]

Graffiti 6

Graffiti6 is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter-producer Tommy D, both London-born multi-instrumentalists who began making music together in 2009 and decided to call the resulting collaboration Graffiti6.  Graffiti6 has been heard on TV shows such as as Grey’s Anatomy, Covert Affairs, CSI: NY, One Tree Hill, and in the on MTV’s Teen Wolf, Freshmen 5, Artist to [...]

Native American group slams Kris Jenner for comment

A Native American group is denouncing a comment Kim Kardashian’s mother made on national television as being “wrong and hurtful.  The comment from Kardashian’s mom, Kris Jenner, came on “Good Morning America” Thursday, when Jenner was asked if her daughter should return Kris Humphries’ $2 million engagement ring after their 72-day marriage ended. Jenner responded [...]

NBA offers players up to 51 percent of revenue

NBA players have an offer that could get them up to 51 percent of basketball-related income.  They rejected it Saturday, and if they don’t take it by the close of business Wednesday, they’ll get a proposal that would guarantee them just 47 percent and call for a flex salary cap. While refusing to characterize his [...]

Cain says he won’t answer harassment questions

Republican presidential contender Herman Cain on Saturday vowed to answer no more questions about decade-old sexual harassment allegations and blamed journalists for the claims that have dogged his campaign. Growing agitated with reporters after a one-on-one debate with rival Newt Gingrich, the former business executive suggested the reporters who asked questions about the allegations were [...]

CMJ Music and Film Marathon

It happens once a year. You know, that time when starving artists bring their busted equipment to the Big Apple with high hopes of making headlines.  When the media straps on their shiny press badges, waving them at anyone who will notice, and when New York City is reeling from the influx of a thousand [...]

Interview: Sander Van Doorn

Sander Van Doorn at the Austin Music Hall October 28, After Release of New Album “Elev11” Dutch DJ Sander Van Doorn, who currently sits at # 16 on this year’s DJ Mag top 100 DJs Poll will perform this Friday at the Austin Music Hall.  We had the chance to interview Van Doorn for his [...]

Boyz II Men still making music after 20 years

In 1991, Boyz II Men arrived on the pop music scene with their own brand of R&B that peppered Motown-like harmonies with New Jack Swing, a genre that fused R&B, hip-hop and pop music. The following year their wrenching ballad “End of the Road” sent the Philadelphia natives to international superstardom, and Tuesday, the band [...]