Artists like Janelle Monae make music genre classification futile. Equal parts James Brown funk and Outkast spacey-ness, the 24-year-old Kansas City native redefines R&B and hip-hop on her full-length debut, and in the process, may revolutionize pop music as a whole. Continue reading
The name Bruno Mars may not ring a bell, but you’re familiar with his work. Flo Rida and Ke$ha’s inescapable 2009 hit “Right Round”? Bruno co-wrote it. K’naan’s inspirational “Wavin’ Flag,” which will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem? He co-produced it. And those catchy choruses from B.o.B’s “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” that you can’t get out of your head? Yup, that’s Bruno. Continue reading
Adrian Ruhi 