Stories by Jackson Howard
Ghostface Killah spins compelling story and presents 'Twelve Reasons to Die'
- Soul Temple
BY JACKSON HOWARD
Ghostface and Adrian Younge — the Los Angeles-based producer behind Twelve Reasons to Die — somehow manage to expand Wu-Tang Clan’s seemingly unchangeable sound into an entirely new product.
Music Video Review: 'Power Trip' powers new J Cole single's twisted undertones
- Roc Nation
BY JACKSON HOWARD
In the video for “Power Trip,” the first single off of his upcoming sophomore release Born Sinner, J Cole hearkens back to crafting the powerful and vivid stories that helped make him famous.
Single Review: Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' successfully samples classic beats for layered product
- Interscope
BY JACKSON HOWARD
Blending vintage funk and modern flair, and oozing with palpable sensuality, “Blurred Lines,” with a little help from Marvin Gaye, is a soon-to-be smash.
Mastering the art of the demo tape
BY JACKSON HOWARD
I had become part of the WCBN community web in some form or another, and as I walked out of the station that day, I couldn’t help but hum the melody of the African song I still couldn’t pronounce.
Single Review: ScHoolboy Q continues to ride high on tired material in 'Yay Yay'
- Interscope
BY JACKSON HOWARD
Tired subject matter, sure — yet Q’s energetic and somewhat demented delivery makes the song more than listenable, and it’s clear that he means what he says.
Lewd lyrical content, incoherent structure plague Lil Wayne's 'IANAHBII'
- Cash Money
BY JACKSON HOWARD
I Am Not a Human Being II makes it clear that the magic of Lil Wayne’s art dissipated. The whimsical and psychotic lines of his past — once his biggest strengths — are now his greatest flaws.
Notebook: Dissecting the whimsical wordplay of rapper Cam'ron
- Interscope
BY JACKSON HOWARD
Cam’ron will always be Cam’ron. And I hope it stays that way. Here’s to another 15 years of greatness from our generation’s Confucius.
Single Review: Juicy J and The Weeknd deliver layered collaboration in 'One of Those Nights'
- Taylor Gang
BY JACKSON HOWARD
However, once on the mic, Juicy makes his presence known. He does an almost perfect job of adding some “trippy” flavor to the Weeknd’s signature haunting sound, even bragging, “Juicy J got bank like Dr. Phil.”
Laughing out loud with 'U' comedy club
- Marlene Lacasse/Daily
BY JACKSON HOWARD
There’s a chance you’ve seen one of the members of the LOL ROFL Comedy Club passing through the Diag, taking notes in your biology lecture or sitting next to you in a dining hall.
Music Video Review: Mor's detached, boring approach sinks 'Scream and Shout (Remix)'
- Interscope
BY JACKSON HOWARD
For the majority of this “Scream & Shout” remix, the six artists are featured behind a simple white or grey backdrop. And that’s about it.
