Andre Benjamin

Jay-Z's Great Gatsby Soundtrack Is a Failure

When the first trailer for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby was released a year ago, it was set to the music of Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," from the sometimes duo's incredibly self-important Watch the Throne album. On the surface it made sense. Jay-Z -- who retired as a rapper i ... More >>

Under-the-Radar Acts to See at Coachella

[Editor's note: Weekly scribe Jeff Weiss's column, "Bizarre Ride," appears on West Coast Sound every Wednesday. His archives are available here.] Beware any tutorial about the "right way" to do Coachella. Stay sentient, steer clear of phosphorescent forms in spirit hoodies, drink water, and never m ... More >>

Yung Jake, a Recent CalArts Grad, Could Be the Breakout Art Star of Sundance

Although half of Los Angeles will decamp this weekend to the snowy hillsides of Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival, not everyone is going for the movies. Starry-eyed attendees relish access to the suits, the skiing and the swag, but what about the art? Shari Frilot has curated Sundance ... More >>

N.W.A's MC Ren Now Lives 
in Palm Springs

The best fake fact on Wikipedia is that MC Ren studied classical literature at Brown. It's a strain of truthiness so absurd as to be almost believable. Except when I mention it to the former enforcer of N.W.A, he roars. "Fuck no, I didn't go to no Brown," says the man born Lorenzo Patterson. "I didn ... More >>

John Baldessari Tries Mash-Up Art at Margo Leavin Gallery

"John Baldessari is so successful, he carries absolutely nothing in his pockets," says gravelly-voiced Tom Waits, halfway through a six-minute film about the 80-year-old, 6 feet, 7-inch tall, L.A. pop-conceptualist. "Not a thing," Baldessari confirms. Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the duo behind ... More >>

The Pharcyde - The Roxy - 5/23/12

See also: *The Pharcyde's Bizarre Ride, 20 Years Later: 
An Appreciation *Top 20 Greatest L.A. Rap Albums Of All Time: The Complete List The Pharcyde The Roxy 5/23/12 Better than ... listening to the album. The city's been a little tense lately, honking on the freeway, power drinking, and tra ... More >>

George Duke Is 
A Lot Older Than You. 
And A Lot More Hip

Nanette Gonzales​[Editor's note: Weekly scribe Jeff Weiss's column, "Bizarre Ride," appears on West Coast Sound every Wednesday. His archives are available here.] Q: What's cooler than being cool? A: George Duke. All apologies to Andre 3000, Antarctica and Wilt the Stilt circa 1971. But jazz ... More >>

Jay-Z and Kanye West - Staples Center - 12-11-11

Christopher Victorio​Jay-Z and Kanye West Staples Center 12-11-11 See also: Our Jay-Z and Kanye West slideshow Better than: Goofus and Gallant "Will they kiss?" my buddy Jeff wondered aloud before the start of last night's Jay-Z and Kanye West show at Staples Center. I was more wrapped up ... More >>

Music Picks: Digital Underground, Beady Eye, Erykah Badu

Also, Jane Birkin, Human Drama, Big Jay McNeely

Why This Song Sucks: Beyonce's "Party (Remix)" Featuring J. Cole

[Editor's note: Why This Song Sucks determines why particular tracks blow using science. It appears on West Coast Sound every Wednesday.] Song: Beyonce's "Party" featuring J. Cole History: "Party" is the fourth single from Beyonce's fourth studio album, 4. That's three fours in a row, bro. Three ... More >>

Dedication To My Sex: Why Lloyd and His String of P-Bombs Pissed Me Off

If only iTunes had a return policy, or at least the ability to exchange for store credit. I'd gladly swap the original version of Lloyd's "Dedication to My Ex" for the cleaned-up radio edit, because frankly I feel like I got tricked. I heard the song for the first time in the car, and for much the ... More >>

Erykah Badu Speaks On Her Private Life With D.O.C.

​Erykah Badu is known foremost for her mesmerizing, cutting-edge R&B. I put her recent album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) in my top ten for last year, and it's just one of her many groundbreaking works. But beyond her music she's probably best known as baby mama to the rap stars ... More >>

Legendary Ghostwriter D.O.C. Is Back, But Can He Save Detox?

Top Five Greatest Rap Hook Singers

Frank Ocean​Last week we were supposed to get the major label release of Odd Future cohort Frank Ocean's debut project, nostalgia, ULTRA, previously a mixtape. Unfortunately, the suits at Def Jam have apparently stricken it from the upcoming-release schedule, with Ocean reacting by releasing t ... More >>

Top Ten Bands Who Need To Reunite, NOW

Nope, this doesn't count​Last week, we discussed ten bands who ruined their legacy by reuniting. Don't get the wrong idea, though -- we're not complete haters. And so, here are the groups we'd like to see put together one last reunion tour. Note: We're only talking about bands with all of thei ... More >>

Music Picks: Los Lobos, Lord Huron, Calculator, Exmortus

Also, Yes, Styx, the Naked and Famous and others

Big Boi: The Legend

Outkast's less flamboyant half steps into the spotlight at Club Nokia

Are You Not Devo? You Are Mutato

How Mark Mothersbaugh, an Agent of De-Evolution, wormed his way into America’s subconscious