Chuck D

The Anthology of Rap: Co-editor & hip-hop professor Adam Bradley has epic rap of his own

​The Anthology of Rap caused a stir nationwide last year. The first scholarly compendium of rap lyrics drew praises from Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Chuck D, but also courted controversy over alleged mistakes. But coverage missed the back story of anthology co-editor and CU-Boulder professor Ada ... More >>

Rappers who rap over pre-recorded vocals should stick to wrapping at Christmas time

​This is a rant. It involves rappers and how rappers shouldn't rap over their pre-recorded vocals, a phenomenon we've been seeing more and more lately. It's the equivalent to singing along with a music video on BET turned up so high that the volume is distorted. No matter how lively and enthus ... More >>

Public Enemy at The Ogden, 2/19/11

Photo: Eric Gruneisen​Public Enemy has, for upwards of 26 years, put out rousing music that incites the masses both in recording and live show. Last night at the Ogden Theatre though, the crew showed out as if they had something to prove. Don't call it a come back. They've been here for yea ... More >>

Chuck D: Making a living is different than making a killing

Photo: Eric Gruneisen​Public Enemy has, for upwards of 26 years, put out rousing music that incites the masses both in recording and live show. Last night at the Ogden Theatre though, the crew showed out as if they had something to prove. Don't call it a come back. They've been here for yea ... More >>

Wyclef Jean: Haiti's next president? Here are five musicians we think should run in the U.S.

​Yesterday, CNN reported that Wyclef Jean has entered himself into the bid for president in Haiti. This doesn't mark the first time a celebrity has run for office, and while we wish him the best of luck, we have to wonder what qualifications he has other than being a member of the seminal '90s ... More >>

The Weekend Show Down: Titwrench twists the whole weekend

​There's nothing like experiencing the sweat, thump and catharsis of a great show. But it can be tough to decide which one to go to when you live in Denver, the land of embarrassing musical riches, the land of too many shows and too little time. So which ones are worth checking out? Glad you ... More >>

Mile Highs and Lows: Wellspring Collective

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Friday Rap-Up: DJ Vajra, Lil Wayne, Nate Dogg, 50 Cent vs. Kanye: Pt. 2?

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Westword's Freeloader tips you off to the best in legitimate, artist-approved downloads.

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

DNC Music Cheat Sheet

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Public Enemy's Boulder Show Back On

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

The DNC cheat sheet: From Rage to Flav, Backbeat has you covered

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Friday Rap-Up: Ichiban, Ludacris, Wyclef Jean, Jay-Z

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Rock Band Comes Alive and Other Assorted Goodies

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Friday Rap-Up: Beatsource.com, Eminem, 50 Cent, Common

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

The Live Magic of Ghostland Observatory and Alicia Keys and Other Assorted Goodies

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Beyond Playlist: Foo Fighters and More

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Q&A With Northern State's Julie Potash

Wellspring: Dispensary by IKEA?​As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all stra ... More >>

Public Enemy

Thursday, October 25, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

From the Archives: A Vintage Conversation With Public Enemy's Professor Griff

Thursday, October 25, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

Q&A With Chuck D of Public Enemy

Thursday, October 25, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

Mavis Staples On The Main Line

Thursday, October 25, Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030.

Mavis Staples Speaks Out

The civil-rights era is far from over for this songstress.

Bring Hip-Hop Back

The civil-rights era is far from over for this songstress.

Mo' Substance

Mr. Lif's thought-provoking rhymes take you back in time.

BaSheBa Earth

Mothership (Arketype Records)

For the record

Since 2005 has hit the bricks, here's the final word on last year's finest discs.

A Pack of Mutts

The Lone Wolves of 2005

Critical Fatwa

The Lone Wolves of 2005

Thug Immortal

Agitprop rapper Immortal Technique demands to be heard.

DJ Spooky vs. Dave Lombardo

Drums of Death (Thirsty Ear)

DJ Z-Trip

Shifting Gears (Hollywood)

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Shifting Gears (Hollywood)

Clutch

Wednesday, August 4, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-2525.

Dead Prez

RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta (Sony/Columbia)

Now Hear This

Coming attractions

All in the Family

Hip-hop revivalists the Family Tree put the paddles to a dying art.

Backwash

Wilco weathers Reprise Records, in-fighting and an in-studio film crew in a new documentary.

John Mellencamp

Cuttin' Heads (Columbia)

Backwash

Internet interest at CMJ Music Marathon 2000

Best place to hear Public Enemy in a classical European setting

Gothic Theatre

Anthony B / Bob Marley

Seven Seals
(VP Records)

Chant Down Babylon
(Tuff Gong/Island)

The Circus is Back in Town

Pinhead Cirus is one of many local bands with new music.

Playlist

Pinhead Cirus is one of many local bands with new music.

Playlist

Pinhead Cirus is one of many local bands with new music.

Mob Rules

The Goodie Mob is a hip-hop group with a higher purpose.

Playlist

The Goodie Mob is a hip-hop group with a higher purpose.

Feedback

The Goodie Mob is a hip-hop group with a higher purpose.

THE UGLY TRUTH

THE ROCK-AND-ROLLERS WHOSE FACES COULD STOP A CLOCK. UGLY A LOOK AT THE MOST FRIGHTENING FACES IN ROCK AND ROLL.

ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

THE ROCK-AND-ROLLERS WHOSE FACES COULD STOP A CLOCK. UGLY A LOOK AT THE MOST FRIGHTENING FACES IN ROCK AND ROLL.