Kanye West’s sex problem

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:30:00 +0000

Kanye West is about as subtle as a Range Rover. From the pink-Polo prep of debut “College Dropout” to 2010's ominous “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” each of his albums has arrived with the force and presence of a runaway train, crashing over anything in sight. He has evolved from a producer with a chip on his shoulder to rap royalty through constant challenge and innovation. Kanye has a penchant for drama, unfortunately for Taylor Swift, but he also has the musical prowess to back his swagger. But an obsession with making his point by denigrating women continues to blunt his impact.

In an interview with the New York Times, the Chicago-bred rapper indicated that his sixth album, “Yeezus,” would provide articulate commentary on race, a subject that he first tackled in "College Dropout's" "All Falls Down." A "Saturday Night Live" preview of album cut "New Slaves" demonstrated bold, anti-pop beats rallying against privately owned prisons. It was a perfect opportunity to start a real conversation. Kanye has the audience, he has the gravitas, and he has the intelligence to make people actually listen.

No women allowed: Summer music festivals are dudefests, again

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:15:00 +0000

Texas had just shaken off the last bits of a chilly spring. The elegant Austin City Limits Live’s Moody Theatre was packed in anticipation of a concert by the hot French band Phoenix. Producer Terry Lickona took the stage to give the customary warnings about cellphone usage during the TV show taping, and managed to whip what can be an austere crowd into a frenzy.

“You know what happens at 12:01 tonight,” he said to a flurry of preemptive cheers.

They did: The lineup for the 14th Austin City Limits Music Festival would be released in the wee hours of the morning. No doubt many members of the crowd fought sleep in anticipation of poring over a lineup of heavyweights fit for the festival's debut as a two-weekend affair. The Cure, Depeche Mode and Lionel Richie ultimately crowned the six-day bill, topping a collection of burgeoning acts and festival veterans.

Salon.com > Abby Johnston

Kanye West’s sex problem

No women allowed: Summer music festivals are dudefests, again