Common (Rapper)

Fact 135 on Watching DJ Swamp Light Himself Aflame While Smashing Records

David Dimmick isn't much of a braggart -- at least as far as we can tell -- but he's got every effin' right to be. Since becoming a DJ in 1996, the dude's C.V. includes sharing stages with some pretty stellar icons from hip-hop history, like the Wu-Tang Clan, Pharohe Monarche, A Tribe Called Quest, ... More >>

Thao Nguyen's Hard Work Shines Through on the Get Down Stay Down's New Album

By Reyan Ali Realistically, a young Thao Nguyen was going to play guitar wherever she could, so why not do it at a laundromat? Growing up in "deathly suburban" northern Virginia, Nguyen was about 12 when she started learning pop covers ("Everybody Hurts" and Brown Eyed Girl" were her first), playin ... More >>

G-Owens: R&B Singer's The Feeling Has Pop Appeal

G-Owens' full-length debut, The Feeling, is dizzying. Owens croons, raps, and emotes over 11 tracks that deftly mix jazz, soul, R&B, boom-bap hip-hop, and sensual quiet storm aesthetics. See also: -13 Bands You Need to Hear in 2013 -[Archive] That Was 2012

Musiq Soulchild @ Celebrity Theatre

Top Phoenix Music Stories of the Week

The news waits for no one -- at least that's what we read somewhere -- so it's perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants. So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of our biggest stories f ... More >>

Kanye West's "Mercy" Explained By Phoenix Producer Lifted

See also: Phoenix Producer Lifted Aims for Timeless Pop, Like His Boss Kanye West See also: The New F-O's Explain "Town" See also: The New F-O's to be Featured on FX Sitcom Wilfred and MTV's Jersey Shore Despite a release date of Tuesday, September 4, and recently unveiled cover art, it's hard to s ... More >>

Lifted Aims for Timeless Pop, Like His Boss Kanye West

DMX Loves Arizona, and Yeah, We Kinda Love Him Too

We've had to write plenty of arrest-tastic headlines about DMX here at Phoenix New Times, but despite his issues with Arizona law enforcement, X loves our state. In a recent interview with Power 105.1 in NYC, DMX had nothing but nice things to say about AZ: "It was just a beautiful place, man...w ... More >>

Boring-Ass Beef Update: Azealia Banks vs Kreayshawn, No Age & Fleet Foxes vs Kings of Leon, Common vs Drake

New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia opened recent track, "Almost Famous, with a succinct and powerful line: "I'd like to thank all my fans /And all my haters /For making me famous." Beef is beneficial for both parties involved: Music outlets love covering it, fans love chiming in, and any collate ... More >>

Ten Musicians To Help Inspire You This Octobeard

October is a great time of year for a few different reasons. You've got the Arizona State Fair, Oktoberfest, the weather starts to get nice outside, and most importantly, it's now Octobeard. For those not familiar with Octobeard it's defined by urbandictionary.com as: A celebration of facial hair ... More >>

Groove Candy Celebrates Five Years of Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Tonight

​Since 2006 the Valley's hip-hop scene has been bolstered by rising local MC's and one funky ass Thursday night. Groove Candy is celebrating five years of kickin' it old-school with Power 98.3 DJs M2 and Fresh 85 tonight at the Suede Lounge in Scottsdale. As always the mighty duo will be spi ... More >>

Five Songs Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest to Celebrate Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest

​Michael Rapaport. Not to be a dick, but when we think of the C-list star, shit films and even crappier television are the first things that pop into mind. However, after watching Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, our opinion has totally shifted -- Michael Rapaport is a ... More >>

Seven Suggested Songs For the Morning Commute

Kholood EidThe morning commute can be a zen experience with the right playlist.​The morning commute can be a drag. A lack of sleep, caffeine or motivation can take its toll on a person. Luckily, there's music to at least help make the trip to work/school more bearable. Up on the Sun threw togethe ... More >>

The Highly Influential (and Mostly Unknown) Hip-Hop Past of She Wants Revenge

Scott DudelsonJustin Warfield​On hip-hop supergroup The Roots' 2002 album, Phrenology, there's a track called "WAOK (Ay) Roll Call," wherein the band gives shout-outs to 230 of their favorite and most influential music artists, including Grandmaster Flash and Common. At the very end of this illus ... More >>

Cut Throat Logic Offers Their Latest Album for Free Download

Cut Throat LogicThe back cover image for CTL's With All Due Respect.​Phoenix-based hip-hop group Cut Throat Logic has been on the proverbial grind longer than most local rap acts. Since 1996, CTL has tirelessly promoted their shows through street teams, fliers, merchandising, and networking -- an ... More >>

DJ Solarize Passes Away at 26

Leon Botha, who is often associated with Die Antwoord, has passed away from complications with progeria, according to Stereogum.Botha is also known as DJ Solarize. He's known for being a prominent visual artist in Cape Town, South Africa, as well. He appeared in South African hip-hop duo Die Antwoor ... More >>

Fox News Sparks Controversy Over Common's White House Invitation

​Being biased is just another part of doing jobs at Fox News. This time, they're suddenly changing their opinion of rapper Common now that he has received an invitation to a White House event, according to Rolling Stone.Fox News has labeled Common as a "vile rapper" without any support. The claim ... More >>

Singer/Assailant Chris Brown Added to Roster for Phoenix Celebrity Shootout

​Yesterday I kinda bagged on the "celebrities" committed to playing in this year's version of the annual Jack in the Box Celebrity Shootout at US Airways Center.Today organizers added another big name. The Good News: The name is big. REALLY big. Pretty much everyone who cares even a little about ... More >>

DJ Kris the Fist Talks KRS-One, Hanny's, Noob DJs, Lil John, Common, and Urinal Deuces

DJ Kris the Fist​Name: Kristian Herrera AKA: Kris the Fist Genres spun: Hip-hop, dancehall, and dubstep. Current club nights: I was a regular at the Hidden House for the last two years, but for the last few months I've been at Hanny's on Fridays and Saturdays for the first couple hours they're ... More >>

Just Wright Is Just Wrong

Spoken-Word Legend Gil Scott-Heron Goes All Pensive Poet in Tempe on MLK Day

Adam TurnerGil Scott-Heron​ (Gil Scott-Heron performed sets at 6:30 and 9 p.m. last night. This is a review of the earlier offering presented by Ed Mabrey and Black Pearl Poetry.) He appeared jittery as he walked onstage, but once Gil Scott-Heron sat down and started playing keys and singin ... More >>

Nayo Jones: You Asked For It

​Nayo Jones My Name Is Nayo Soul (PowerMove Records) Grade: C Critics have been commenting on the death of R&B for a few years now, to the point it's almost universally accepted that the genre is artistically bankrupt, with few if any quality acts still practicing the time-honored craft of m ... More >>

Where It’s Legal to Sleep with a Jonas Brother

The Knux Defy Genres with Remind Me in 3 Days . . .

Ear Candy

Q-Tip headlines a massive mix of dopeness

Over the Weekend: Monster Commutes, Miniature Tigers, Common and Earth Dance 2008

Common covers a lot of ground in Marquee show

Common

Common Purpose

Ear to the Street: The Game's new joint "LAX"

Common raps about his film career and upcoming album Invincible Summer

Future Shock: Projekt Revolution, Hank III, Otep, and more

Maverick Mavis

This Staples Singer still wants to change the world

J Dilla

The Shining
(Bbe)

Hip-Hop Sans Hova

Still no Jigga, but Kanye, some lovable Limeys and a great Beyoncé substitute held it down

Trill Thrills

The Boss Hogg and Aeon Flux of the PHX hit the Hidden House and cop a bag of hip-hop at The Shop

Common

Be
(Geffen)

Bob Marley Roots Rock Reggae Festival

Off-springing up like weed

BLACK - Digging for Beats

Aside from OutKast, most of 2003's best black music bubbled underground

Ghetto Musick?

OutKast partners Andre 3000 and Big Boi diverge wildly on their two-CD duel Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Park Rager

Linkin Park's newest album would suck without help from a Valley native

Erykah Badu

The soul/hip-hop chanteuse returns on the strength of her recent hit single

Common

Electric Circus
(MCA)

Deep Black

Listeners had to travel far beyond mainstream to find sublime black music in 2002

Nowhere Fast

Blackalicious takes its sweet time moving from underground to overground

Uncanny X-Man

DJ pioneer Rob Swift of the X-ecutioners turntable crew isn't just spinning his wheels

Hi-Tek

Hi-Teknology (Rawkus)

Common

Like Water for Chocolate
(MCA)

'F' Wordsmith

Eminem's new album sparks a heated free-speech debate

Illadelphia Freedom

The Roots threaten to make their big move with Things Fall Apart