Biggie Smalls, born Christopher Wallace but Aka Notorious B.I.G., is a contradictory legend. A rapper who was always heard singing, a serious artist who never stopped clowning, he took the streets with him knowing it would take him down. His first album was called Ready to Die and his next was Life After Death, but he had a life in between. It is sad how his legacy is posthumous. But, as Sean Combs says at the very start of Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell, “This story doesn’t have to have a tragic ending.”
Combs, who co-produced the film, celebrates the contradictions and how they informed the music. When Biggie rapped he had “so much style I should be down with the Stylistics” he was being artistically autobiographical. Smalls had been singing those soul classics and listening to jazz greats from the earliest age. It’s...
Combs, who co-produced the film, celebrates the contradictions and how they informed the music. When Biggie rapped he had “so much style I should be down with the Stylistics” he was being artistically autobiographical. Smalls had been singing those soul classics and listening to jazz greats from the earliest age. It’s...
- 3/2/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The pop culture world (and especially the world of comics) will be a little less angry today, as the indie community mourns the passing of Harvey Pekar, who died early this morning (July 12) at his home in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 70. Pekar was best known as the creator of "American Splendor," an autobiographical graphic novel that jump-started the wave of writers using the forum of comics as a place for confessions and memoirs. If you've never read "American Splendor" (or seen the excellent film adaptation), it's an unblinking look at Pekar's life as a file clerk and his general exhaustion with the universe. It is simultaneously hyper-real and absurd, sweet and jagged, depressing and inspiring — all of which described Pekar pretty well.
Many people would consider Pekar a misanthrope, but somebody who truly hated humanity would not have so much love and appreciation in his heart for so many things.
Many people would consider Pekar a misanthrope, but somebody who truly hated humanity would not have so much love and appreciation in his heart for so many things.
- 7/12/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
The Detroit Mc rarely does guest spots, so when he does, he makes them count.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Eminem
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Eminem isn't a Busta Rhymes or Ludacris when it comes to collaborating. The Detroit lyricist usually sticks to the Shady/Aftermath camp when it comes time to hop on another Mc's track. He rarely does the guest-appearance thing. Just take a look at the track list for his upcoming Relapse album; only Dr. Dre and 50 Cent make appearances, and those two join Em on the same song. Here, we take a look back at five of Slim Shady's most memorable guest verses, from singles to remixes and some creative studio work.
5. Akon, "Smack That" (2006)
Eminem isn't exactly the first person you think of to spit a guest verse on a commercial single, but Akon did just that when he called on Slim Shady for the lead...
By Jayson Rodriguez
Eminem
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Eminem isn't a Busta Rhymes or Ludacris when it comes to collaborating. The Detroit lyricist usually sticks to the Shady/Aftermath camp when it comes time to hop on another Mc's track. He rarely does the guest-appearance thing. Just take a look at the track list for his upcoming Relapse album; only Dr. Dre and 50 Cent make appearances, and those two join Em on the same song. Here, we take a look back at five of Slim Shady's most memorable guest verses, from singles to remixes and some creative studio work.
5. Akon, "Smack That" (2006)
Eminem isn't exactly the first person you think of to spit a guest verse on a commercial single, but Akon did just that when he called on Slim Shady for the lead...
- 5/13/2009
- MTV Music News
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