NYS Music 202​2

Category: Hip Hop/Rap

  • MVW’s Connections Comes Full-Circle

    It wasn’t long ago that classical composer, Michael Vincent Waller, first forayed into the hip hop world. On his debut LP CLASSIC$, the Staten Island native merged elements of classical and trap music, bringing about an unheard of sub-genre. What made for a sometimes awkward fit was overshadowed by MVW’s nuanced production and his chemistry with Valee — who occupied the album’s starring role. CLASSIC$ was experimental in its nature, while his latest album, Connections, sees MVW harness his vision.

    mvw connections
    Connections tracklist

    With this intention, MVW’s progression came from putting his classical side on the back burner, allowing it to play a more subtle role. On his prior album, the two genres shared equal footing, while on Connections the classical sound plays a complimentary role to the hip hop rhythms. The result makes for an energetic, yet nuanced body of work, with enjoyable contemporary melodies.

    The attention to the melody and nuance of the texture stands out. It’s about taking you on the journey from minimal to maximal — going through the ebbs and flows of layers, lyricism, and transitions between those two aesthetics.

    – MVW on the making of Connections

    Connections Review

    Amidst hip hop’s growing stagnation, Connections feels like a breath of fresh air and a leap into the future. The album is laden with features from both veteran and new artists alike. Past collaborators (Valee, Lil Gotit, Lex Luger) and new voices (Matt Ox, Desiigner, TiaCorine, Zelooperz, Xavier Wulf, Warhol.SS) lent their voices and verses. Moreover, it’s a project which fully expands and elegantly distills the vision MVW forged on CLASSIC$, while showcasing his versatility.

    mvw connections
    The composer-turned-producer has released two one-of-a-kind projects.

    After all, it is a testament to MVW’s abilities that he can curate his minimal-expressionist approach for a song with Valee and his laid-back delivery, Matt OX‘s energetic howls, while channeling the enigma that is Desiigner. Yet, that was the goal of Connections. The album is about urging the listener to reckon with the ties between unexpected things; minimalism and maximalism. A juxtaposition that MVW has been keen to express in his music since crossing over from the formal, controlled landscape of classical music to the braggadocios and expressive hip hop world. The album’s sequencing reflects MVW’s experiences, as it ranges from delicate vocal placements (“Oscar,” “7 Bandz,” “Bali”) to high-octane controlled chaos (“Check In,” “Mobb Ties,” “Never That”).

    The music was unlike anything else I’d heard. No one is rapping over that kinda stuff so I wanted to try something different. It was a challenge and definitely had a spooky element to it. I like that.

    – Valee on working with MVW
    mvw connections
    Valee and MVW’s Connection is undeniable.

    Album Highlights

    Valee once again takes center stage on an MVW project. The duo’s chemistry is undeniable, as Valee’s own minimal, yet luxurious flows make for a perfect jump-off point creatively. For his part, MVW’s own vision for his music’s direction allows him to recruit effectively. “Mobb Ties” sees Desiigner at his best, using his overpowering voice to create a melodic banger, free of incoherent shouts. Concurrently, Valee and Matt OX serve as the contrasting hues on MVW’s musical canvas, as he uses their contrasting styles to fulfill his musical ethos.

    Notably, MVW’s use of classical instrumentation to capture Matt Ox’s spirited delivery pushes the limitations of both genres. Songs like “Check In” and “Epiphany,” are laced with adequately placed cello and violin riffs that compliment OX’s energy. Conversely, MVW and Valee fit like two peas-in-a-pod. Their comparable styles means that there is no need for a smoothing out period. Records like “Bali,” feel as though the two have been recording together for years.

    “Working with Valee is always special, but this is one of those tracks where I think Valee and I are working on a higher intuitive level,”

    – MVW on the making of “Oscar“

    Other standout tracks include “TikTok,” “Right Back” and “7 Bandz”, on a project which ultimately saw MVW’s vision come full-circle. In doing so, the Los Angeles based producer has managed to carve out a lane all to himself.

  • DIE the Monk Thrives in Grim Detail on New Album “Nailed to a Star”

    Brooklyn artist Sebastien Carnot isn’t new to what he does. Known by the musical alias DIE the Monk, his experience is on full display with his fourth album Nailed to a Star.

    The record follows up 2020’s The Beauty Complex, and maintains the brevity signature to DIE the Monk as the fourth consecutive album under 30 minutes. Its cross between industrial music, hip-hop and synth pop makes for a moody, abrasive record about inner turmoil.

    Album art for “NAILED TO A STAR.”

    The subdued minute-long intro track “Shapeless” sets the tone with Carnot musing, “what if I’m an unlucky person making many bad decisions,” before launching into the pacing, catchy “Underbite.”

    On “Underbite,” the album’s lead single, forboding bass pulsates like an alarm clock as he yells about hidden anguish with lines such as “where do you go, a life they see is a life they know, not a life disguised.” The track also introduces the record’s unconventional song structure, shelving a normal verse-chorus pattern for a wave of noise that bursts into a psychedelic outro with melodic synths.

    While Carnot’s voice competes to not be drowned out by the volume of his blasting musical backdrop on this record, like a Steve Albini-made album during hardcore’s heyday, there’s something intentional about his distortion-drenched vocals being pit against Carnot’s digital overdrive production.

    The same can be said for the following song “Recollect,” with autotuned delivery that reminisces of premier hip-hop experimentalists Injury Reserve that builds an overwhelming environment of metallic drums and wailing horns into a reverb-tinged, gloomy conclusion.

    Carnot’s flexibility in approach to noise music remains apparent on songs like the metal-adjacent “Honor” with its rolling drums and dramatic synth melody and the hardcore rap infused “Commander” with sci-fi-esque sound effects in a track that only gains speed.

    The interludes on Nailed to a Star assist the flow of the album as well. The lush synths on “Lost” well suit a phone call to friend from a stressed but stable Carnot asking for a ride home, and the melodica-driven “Stars Talk” well articulates his anxiety.

    Underneath the chaos, Carnot shows great capacity for writing engaging melodies, and such is the case on the cloud rap oriented second single “Bless Up.” Playful rapping and synth lines make this a brighter song than the rest, even if the subject matter keeps dark with lyrics like “all my fears turn to problems” keeping consistent with the album’s tone.

    This loud album ends things rather quietly on “A Boy Untrained.” It stays consistent with the record’s persistent themes of self-doubt and gloom, as tribal drums and mystical synths lay foreground for lines such as “trying to understand why you won’t go, I must be nasty.”

    While Carnot doesn’t change up song structure much on Nailed to a Star, he shows plenty of creativity and versatility for different angles of noise music. While short, this is an explorative and intense project that gets personal in an intimate way for DIE The Monk.

    Key Tracks: Underbite, Bless Up, A Boy Untrained

  • Malian Musician Oumou Sangaé to make Apollo Theater Debut on October 29

    On Saturday, October 29th, the World Music Institute present Malian musician and GRAMMY Award winner Oumou Sangaré for an incredible one-night-only performance at the world-famous Apollo in Harlem. Being one of West Africa’s most celebrated vocalists, Sangaré infuses her music with traditional African percussion, distinctive vocals, and progressive social criticism. Thus, creating a unique sound that has propelled her onto the international stage. 

    In her Apollo debut, Oumou Sangaré, “The Songbird of Wassoulou,” will perform music that spans traditional Wassoulou music. She will do this by using contemporary sounds coming out of Africa as well as songs from her recent critically acclaimed album, Timbuktu. 

    We’re thrilled to have Oumou, make her Apollo debut during our Next Movement season. Over the past eight decades the Apollo has amplified Black voices and used its platforms to create an intersection of art and activism, so having Oumou perform a range of music from Wassoulou music to contemporary sounds is exactly the kind of artistic conversation that we champion.

    Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer at The Apollo

    Oumou Sangaré is considered an ambassador of Wassoulou, she is praised for being an activist, businesswoman and global icon. Throughout the world, her music has been inspired by the music and traditional dances of the region. She does this by writing and composing her songs which often include social criticism, especially concerning women’s low status in society. 

    Oumou Sangaé At First Edition of Harlem African Festival 10/16

    Similar to legendary performers like Grace Jones, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, Oumou Sangaré has been praised by stars including Beyoncé and Alicia Keys for her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to the betterment of women. Sangaré infuses her music with traditional African percussion, distinctive vocals, and progressive social criticism, creating a unique sound that has propelled her career. 

    Ticket will range from $30-$75 per seating arrangement. For more information on Oumou Sangaré and to purchase tickets via the Apollo Theater, click the link here.

  • Megan Thee Stallion Celebrates Degree, has “Anxiety,” during Second Stint hosting Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live‘s third show of the season featured a double threat with Megan Thee Stallion returning as both host and musical guest. Following Queen Latifah in 2004, this was only the second time a female rapper served as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

    Megan thee stallion Anxiety

    The show’s cold open featured a take on the January 6th Committee, with second-year player Sarah Sherman appearing as New York Senator Chuck Schumer negotiating for a pastrami sandwich delivery during the insurrection.

    Megan’s monologue was brief and allowed her to share one success over the summer, Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Texas Southern University, an HBCU. Before her career took off, Megan Thee Stallion’s was enrolled at Prairie View A&M, leading the rapper to joke that while her fans know her as Tina Snow, Suga and Hot Girl Meg, she can now be known as “Megan Thee girl that needs some sleep.” Stallion continued by saying “I got my degree in health administration because I have always wanted to help the people in my community. I believe it’s important to have a sharp mind and a sharp body-ody-ody.”

    Megan Thee Stallion also took a moment to plug the website she launched last month, called Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too, which features mental health resources, crisis hotlines and directories of Black and LGBTQ therapists.

    The first sketch of the night put her degree to good use with “Hot Girl Hospital” where, joined by nurses Ego Nwodim and Punkie Johnson, they were “three everyday heroes glow up the community one dusty chick at a time.” The trio were on point together, with Nwodim standing out as the new female lead cast member thus far in the season.

    The first song of the evening, “Anxiety,” from her sophomore album Traumatize, had a Beauty Pageant vibe with Megan Thee Stallion and backup dancers all wearing formal dresses with sashes that read “Ms. Overlooked,” “Ms. Insecure,” “Ms. Overlooked,” “Ms. Underpaid,” and Megan wearing “Miss Anxiety.” Rapping about bad girls having bad days too, the emotional empowerment number struck a chord with fans online, and Megan, as she sang about the loss of her mother.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-44oNTMZws&list=PLS_gQd8UB-hJIPT5pF9qaRbn-n_yMU7b1&index=8

    A medley of “NDA” and “Plan B” were featured in the second performance of the night, with Megan wearing a black corset and cutout jeans, with knee length hair and a Cuban link chain, all whiile backed by a full rock band.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOj7FcM8-tU&list=PLS_gQd8UB-hJIPT5pF9qaRbn-n_yMU7b1&index=9

    Saturday Night Live is off this week and returns on October 29th for the annual Halloween show, with host and musical guest Jack Harlow, who previously was musical guest in 2021.

  • Westchester Producer Highlights Local Rap and Hip Hop Scene

    When you think of Westchester, you may not picture a thriving rap and hip hop scene; one local producer is looking to change that. John Darling aka Poncho is a producer turned entrepreneur, who highlights local artists on his Youtube show, the Encore Podcast.

    Growing up in Cortlandt Manor, Poncho didn’t seriously start making beats until a sports injury in college prompted him to switch gears and make music. After dropping out of the University of Mississippi his sophomore year, he returned to his hometown and quickly learned how tough it was to make a career as a producer. 

    westchester rap hip hop
    John Darling aka Poncho is a producer turned entrepreneur. With an eye for upcoming artists and an ear for beats, the Westchester native uses his talents daily on his Youtube show, the Encore Podcast.

    “You got the industry route where you’re trying to get beats on an album and the internet route posting beats on Youtube, but it’s just so saturated,” he explained. “You can only get so far doing that.”

    Rather than DMing artists with his beats and hoping for responses, Poncho wanted musicians to come to him. His solution was the Encore Podcast, where he envisioned himself interviewing up-and-coming rappers, producers and DJs. Poncho had a variety of music contacts from previous ventures hosting live shows and he hoped some of these connections would translate to people he could feature on the podcast. Poncho also believed Encore could serve to connect Westchester artists to one another, creating a community centered around music.

     “There’s a lot of people who do music in Westchester, but everyone is just disconnected,” he said. “There’s no home base for people.”

    Yet that community is clearly growing under Poncho’s guiding hand. While the podcast is still small – it has less than 1,000 subscribers on Youtube – the fan base is clearly dedicated. The show never appears to lack new voices, whether it be interviews with female rappers like the Yonkers based Prada Mama or big name producers like Mike Snell, who has worked with the likes of artists such as Kanye West and Timbaland.

    The podcast is also big enough that Poncho said he only accepts around 15% of interview requests. And on episodes where he reviews new music, artists are now paying him to critique their songs.

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    Poncho making beats in the studio

    Still, it took a while for Poncho to reach this stage. Over the course of hundreds of episodes and many years, the podcast has evolved from acoustic performance videos to music reviews and artist Q&As. Currently, Poncho says the primary focus is creating educational content for artists and producers.

    “The interviews are really about creating teachable moments for artists,” he said. “A lot of artists don’t really know what they’re doing … so there’s an education gap that we’re trying to fill with our podcast.”

    Indeed, the podcast excels particularly by providing both a platform for artists and their music while simultaneously serving as a learning tool for viewers hoping to make it in the industry. Perhaps no one knows this better than Westchester rapper Tim Schulze, who releases music under the moniker, Starkiller TmmyX.

    TmmyX has been a featured guest on the podcast, working alongside Poncho to review artist submissions. TmmyX is also an avid viewer of the show and said the podcast provides knowledge he wished he had known when he was just starting out. 

    “Poncho goes through and he teaches all these little things and he gives you all these criticisms,” he said. “Some people might take it the wrong way, but these are things that I wish somebody was telling me earlier in my career.” 

    The burgeoning reach of Poncho’s podcast also contributed to TmmyX  filming a music video with the artist Nyck Caution, a member of the hip hop collective Pro Era, which notably features Joey Bada$$ as one of its founding members. TmmyX and Caution had recently made a song together, although they never met in-person for the collab. TmmyX decided to preview the new single on the Encore Podcast, where it was met with rave reviews. Hundreds of people tagged Caution while Poncho himself gave a shoutout requesting the two meet and shoot a music video together … and it worked.

    “Two weeks later, [Nick Caution] is with me and we’re in Brooklyn shooting the video because of Poncho’s podcast,” TmmyX  said. “It’s things like that. He’s creating moments. Poncho has created each of these connections by putting his service out there.”

    Another connection Poncho has made is with Bobby Lehday, a Westchester producer and now frequent guest of the Encore podcast. Lehday has worked with famous rappers like Lil Durk and serves as an in-house producer for other Westchester artists like TmmyX.

    Like Poncho, Lehday has an eye for Westchester talent and sees the opportunity for a community to grow around the rap genre.

    “I like to see people from my area win and if I can help them with that, I’ll do whatever I can,” Lehday said. “I love seeing people blossom and grow into artists. I feel like a farmer tending my garden.”

    westchester rap hip hop
    Bobby Lehday, Poncho and TmmyX doing music reviews on the podcast

    For Lehday, sometimes helping others comes in the form of tough love, as evidenced by his sometimes critical music reviews on the Encore Podcast.

    “I’ve been on the show myself and people have said I’ve been a little harsh, but honestly some people really need to hear that,” Lehday emphasized. “If you’re serious about music, you have to be willing to be humbled.”

    As someone who has been humbled many times while making the podcast what it is today, Poncho said he agrees with this mindset. 

    “At the beginning I was ignorant and after a hundred and fifty podcasts, I learned that, ‘oh, I’m doing this wrong,’” he said. “Eventually after I’ve fixed two hundred things, now I have a good podcast.”

    Still, Poncho doesn’t deny that sometimes ignorance is bliss.

    “I was blessed because I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing,” he said. “If I had known how difficult this actually is, I might have not done it.”

    But by all accounts, Poncho has done it. Through trial and error and sheer dedication, Darling has made the Encore Podcast his full-time job and his main source of income. He continues to grow the platform one new artist at a time.

    “I’ve got no other option,” he said. “With the platform we’re trying to build, I only want people that have that hustle, because if you don’t have the hustle, you’re not going to make it.”

    Follow Encore Podcast on Spotify, Instagram and TikTok.

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/15nDTJT5VzyvTYLJsEgiLm

  • Gorillaz Bring Star-Studded Tour to Barclays Center

    Gorillaz brought their star-studded lineup to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Wednesday, October 12th, as part of the final leg of their 2022 world tour. While Gorillaz is primarily the project of frontman Damon Albarn (Blur, The Good, the Bad & the Queen), a Gorillaz live show is always a parade of collaborators and special guests, and the show at Barclays was no exception.

    The set featured appearances from Thundercat, Fatoumata Diawara, EarthGang, and longtime Gorillaz collaborators De La Soul and Del the Funky Homosapien. Find the full setlist and photo gallery from Wednesday night below.

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    Gorillaz at Barclays Center, 10/12/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Back in June, Gorillaz released the stand-alone single “Cracker Island”. Featuring Thundercat, the song is a classic mix of the nu-disco/rap blend that Gorillaz have been long known for. Thundercat provides the bass line and backing vocals while Bootie Brown delivers the rap verses, both of whom were on hand on Wednesday night to perform it live. The song would ultimately become the title of track of their recently announced eight LP Cracker Island, due out in February 2023.

    “Cracker Island” by Gorillaz. Via YouTube

    With the announcement of the new album in August, Gorillaz also unveiled a second single, “New Gold” featuring Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and Bootie Brown. While Kevin was did not make a surprise appearance as he did in Los Angeles, Bootie Brown performed his part with Kevin’s image embedded into the psychedelic visuals of the live show. The setlist also featured “19-2000” from their 2001 self-titled debut with a surprise appearance from Miho Hatori, who had not performed with the band for more than a decade. Miho was the original voice of the character Noodle in the virtual Gorillaz band that was the foundation of the groups mystique early in their career.

    gorillaz barclays center
    Damon Albarn and Miho Hatori of Gorillaz, Barclays Center 10/12/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    During the encore, Damon welcomed the long time Gorillaz collaborators De La Soul and Del the Funky Homosapien to join them for some of the band’s most iconic songs. De La Soul provided the epic laughing intro and bassy rap verses to “Feel Good Inc.” before Del burst into raucous performances of “Rock The House” and the classic “Clint Eastwood” which sent fans into a frenzy to close out the 2-plus hour, 27 song show.

    gorillaz barclays center
    Del the Funky Homosapien, with Gorillaz. Barclays Center 10/12/22. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Gorillaz have a handful of dates left on their 2022 tour, before a period of down time ahead of the new album release in February. Head over to their website for the full list of dates, and check out the photo gallery below from Barclays Center.

    Gorillaz, Barclays Center, Brooklyn – October 12, 2022

    Setlist: M1 A1, Last Living Souls, Tranz, White Light, Tomorrow Comes Today, 19-2000 (w/ Miho Hatori – first time with Miho since 2010), Rhinestone Eyes, Cracker Island (w/ Thundercat), O Green World, On Melancholy Hill, El Mańana, New Genius (Brother), Empire Ants, Skinny Ape, Kids With Guns (w/ Michelle Ndegwa), Opium (w/ EarthGang), Desolé (w/ Fatoumata Diawara), Andromeda, Dirty Harry (w/ Bootie Brown), Dare! (w/ Rebecca Freckleton and Petra Luke), Momentary Bliss, Plastic Beach
    Encore: New Gold (w/ Bootie Brown), Sylo (w/ Bootie Brown), Feel Good Inc. (w/ De La Soul), Rock The House (w/ Del the Funky Homosapien), Clint Eastwood (w/ Del the Funky Homosapien).

    gorillaz barclays center
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  • The Park Theater in Glens Falls announces October Events

    The Park Theater announced its programming for the month of October, kicking off the theater’s 2022/23 season. On the calendar is a broad range of events — from jazz to comedy to film screenings.

    The Park Theater opened in 1911 as the first movie theater in the town of Glens Falls, about 2 hours out of Manhattan. In 1937 the theater was converted into a printing plant for the Glens Falls Post, before returning again to its original purpose as a center for performing arts in 1984, when Dr. Harold Kirkpatrick bought the building. After a renovation in 2014, The Park Theater officially reopened as a theater in 2018. The October programming is as follows:

    October 13

    Caity Gallagher will perform on The Park Theater’s “Live & Local” night. Gallagher will be joined by bassist Ben Woodhul, pianist Dan DeKalb, and percussionist Josh Morris. Gallagher is a folk singer-songwriter with down-to-earth music complemented by acoustic live concert settings. Tickets are $15 and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

    Caity & The Gallaghers, the Park Theater

    October 20

     In The Park Theater’s “Third Thursday Jazz” series, a rotating band of regional jazz musicians will be joining Matt Neidbalski on the third Thursday of each month. This month’s Third Thursday Jazz will feature the alto saxophonist Adam Siegel and pianist Galen Pittman. Niedbalski is a drummer born and raised in New York’s Capital District; he’s known for his energetic performances. Tickets are $10 and the show is from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

    October 21

    The Park Theater Foundation’s inaugural gala will present music, food and a silent auction to benefit educational programming in the Glen Falls community. Funds from the gala will support the Foundation’s goal of reaching around 500 students throughout three school districts and generate interest in the arts within the next generation. The Tyler Giroux Jazz Trio — Tyler Giroux on piano, Dylan Perrillo on Base and Nick Anderson on drums — will perform live. Food is provided by Doc’s Restaurant. RSVP by Oct. 7 to secure tickets to the gala, at $99 per person. The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

    October 22

    Award-winning mandolinist, Jacob Jolliff will perform with his band live at “The Park Presents.” Jolliff performed with Joy Kills Sorrow and Yonder Mountain String Band across the world, and now is coming Upstate with the Jacob Jolliff Band to bring singing, original instrumentation and intricate musicianship to The Park Theater. Early Bird tickets are $20; doors at 6:00 p.m.

    October 26

    Rochmon Record Club will present a “Revolver” listening party hosted by The Park Theater. The club hopes the listening party will help attendees deepen their understanding of the personalities and stories behind The Beatles’ iconic 7th album, released in 1966. Tickets are $12 and doors open at 6:30.

    October 27

    The second “Live and Local” night of the month at The Park Theater will feature “The Lonely Road Experience,” by singer-songwriter Kaleb Dingmon. Dingmon will debut new sounds from his upcoming album, which combines genres of pop, R&B, hip hop and rap. UpstateBaby, Jay $way, Billy Floyd and Kolbie G will also be performing. Early Bird tickets are $15; doors open at 7:30 p.m.

    October 28

    New York based comedian Chris Roach will perform at The Park Theater’s “Comedy After Dark.” With experience on stages such as Gotham Comedy Club and Comic Strip Live NYC, as well as in the hit CBS sitcom “Kevin Can Wait,” a night with Chris Roach promises big laughs. Early Bird tickets are $22 and doors open at 7:30.

    October 29

    The Park Theater will host Summerland Music Society’s production of “Silent Halloween – Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922).” This screening will celebrate 100 years since F.W Murnau released his unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” “Nosferatu” became a German expressionist classic, inspiring many vampire films that came after. The film is silent, but pianist Cary Brown will improvise a live soundtrack. Beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase from Mean Max Brewery. There is a suggested donation of $13 for the show, which starts at 6:30.

     For the full 2022/23 performance listing and to purchase tickets, visit The Park Theater’s site.

  • Willow shows Hard Rock Bona Fides on Saturday Night Live

    The second episode in Season 48 of Saturday Night Live featured host Brendan Gleeson and musical guest Willow.

    willow saturday night live

    A game show parody cold open of “So You Think You Won’t Snap” made light of the global stress and anxiety felt by nearly everyone in the past few years, except a few lucky contestants. Bowen Yang stepped into the lead role and has established himself as one of the lead male repertory players, alongside seven year cast member Mikey Day.

    Irish actor Gleeson reminded the crowd where they’d seen him – Braveheart and a few Harry Potter films – before grabbing a mandolin to play the first song he ever learned, “Barney McKenna” from the Dubliners, telling stories while tuning. The Banshees of Inisherin co-star Colin Farrell arrived on stage to sing a few bars with Gleeson, who then continued playing into the commercial break with the Saturday Night Live Band.

    The first song from Willow was “curious/furious,” performed in front of stacks of Marshall speakers with her band amid purple lighting. Willow closed the song sharing guitar licks with guitarist Liso Lee.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1kPDvRtCAc

    Willow’s second song “ur a stranger” was miles heavier and had a wide range of Willow’s vocal ability, turning the corner into metal territory. To punctuate the Saturday Night Live performance, Willow smashed her guitar into a TV on stage, then kicking the microphone stand over. The hard rock from Willow shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that her mom, Jada Pinkett Smith, had her own rock band, Wicked Wisdom. Both songs are featured on her just released album <COPINGMECHANISM>.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdBQxCtTHaY

    The two songs were not Willow’s first SNL appearance – she joined Camila Cabello in April, linking up for a performance of “Psychofreak.”

    Saturday Night Live returns on October 15 with host and musical guest Megan Thee Stallion.

  • Happy Birthday To Harlem’s Very Own A$AP Rocky

    Happy Birthday to one of Harlem’s most influential public figures, A$AP Rocky. The Grammy nominee was born on October 3, 1988 and since has made his mark globally as a fashion icon, trendsetter as well as a versatile rapper. Before reaching double digits, he began rapping, however it was not until 2007 when Rocky’s professional career took off as a member of A$AP Mob. In the years to come, he cemented himself within the music and fashion industries forever.

    A$AP Rocky

    In 2011, Rocky released his first mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP and from then on out, the sky was the limit. If people did not know of the talent within Rocky’s words and his delivery, then they knew from that very moment. His psychedelic album changed the game as he broke away from traditional New York rap. His hit songs “Peso” and “Purple Swag” had everyone talking about who Rocky is and wondering what’s next on his agenda.

    In 2012, he made his first guest appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, to reveal his talents to an ever-growing fanbase, where he performed his newly released top single “Goldie”. All within the same year, he extended his discography with another hit song, featuring the legendary Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar, on “F**kin’ Problems”. There was no surprise when both topped the charts and went platinum.

    As his debut studio album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP dropped, Rocky, was accoladed with being an essential component of today’s rap game. On this album, he released the record “Fashion Killa”, which accentuated his capability to intertwine rap with fashion so effortlessly. His debut, along with his sophomore album AT. LONG. LASt. A$AP, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

    Although Rocky stayed true to himself, he undoubtedly improved throughout the longevity of his career. Unlike others within the music industry, Rocky allocated his time to maintaining his status as a fashion muse, alongside his rapping career. In 2014 he appeared in the DKNY Spring campaign, as well as the Dior Homme’s fall campaign in 2016. Additionally, collaborations with Guess, Under Amour, J.W. Anderson, Calvin Klein and more revolutionized the way rappers, especially from New York were perceived. His cultural influence on the music and fashion industries were nothing less than monumental.

    As for now, Rocky is cherishing a new beginning with his iconic girlfriend, legendary artist, businesswoman and creative genius, Rihanna, a description which only scratches the surface of how powerful she is. The two first collaborated together in 2012 on her single “Cockiness”, whereas he later joined her during Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. In Rocky’s hit song “Fashion Killa”, Rihanna was featured as the “It girl” and the rest was history. Today, Rocky welcomes his first child with whom he describes as the “love of my life.” He recently released his debut directional video called “D.M.B.” featuring Rihanna, which showcases “a ghetto love tale”.

    Although Rocky is a new father, his career is from over. In fact, his upcoming album is almost ready to be introduced to the world, as he wraps up his visuals for it. Back in 2018, Rocky released his third studio album Testing, but now he has declared to be pushing himself to the limit with his latest masterpiece.

    Going from that industrial, subversive sound from Testing and then graduating with a more polished sound…I just like where it is.

    Asap Rocky

    As a significant representative of this generation’s hip hop artists, his elevated style will always live on. His creative ability to synthesize rap history, while staying true to his own unique sound is what led him to the success he has today. Once again Happy Birthday to A$AP Rocky, and may his impact forever live on.

  • Kendrick Lamar and Miles Teller kickoff Season 48 of Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live returned for Season 48 at Studio 8H of Rockefeller Center, bringing in four new SNL featured cast members, along with host Miles Teller and musical guest, Kendrick Lamar. 

    kendrick lamar SNL miles teller

    Opening with a deeply self-referential Manningcast sketch, featuring host Miles Teller as Peyton Manning and repertory player Andrew Dismukes as Eli Manning, the pair began to break down the upcoming changes to SNL this season, with a cameo from actor Jon Hamm as well. Referencing cast members who departed and facing criticism during a transition year head on, the breakdown of the cold open as the cold open was underway was a fresh idea for SNL and a bellwether for the season to come. 

    With a fresh SNL font and new cast intros segment, the start of Season 48 also marked the 20th season for Kenan Thompson, as well as the 20th season for the Grand Central Terminal set, each debuting during Season 29 in 2003. Teller, star of this summer’s Top Gun: Maverick, shared his excitement for making it to the SNL stage, having been a fan since he was a kid. Teller shared childhood videos of he and his sister as Spartan Cheerleaders – with Teller as Cheri Oteri and his sister as Will Ferrell. This is a trend seen among hosts recently as they celebrate making it the long transition from SNL fan to SNL host, such as Oscar Isaac last season.

    Miles Teller SNL monologue

    For the first performance on the night, Kendrick Lamar performed two songs – “Rich Spirit” and “N95” – from his fourth album, Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers. Using a minimalist approach to the performance, Lamar performed alone in a blue-hued box room with a single pedestal fan facing him, while his shadow was prominently featured to his right. After a minute, the shadow began dancing as he shifted into the speedier “N95” with spotlight and strobes highlighting the solo artist confined to this white room, similar to his stage set up on his recently ended North American leg of his ‘Big Steppers” tour.

    A stunning performance, text flashing on the white walls during “N95” included “Lil L got his passport,” “4 peez Kee riches,” “The homie Jason Keaton wrote two books in prison,” “The Edges Envy in the Eyes,” and “Yea we still playing industry politics.” 

    These referenced, respectively, Compton rapper and friend of Lamar, Lil L; 4 Peez who grew up on Piru Street, two streets down from the location of the Good kid Maad city house; rapper Kee Riches who was shot and killed last week; and Jason Keaton, who earned college degrees and wrote two books while incarcerated for 15 years, and who is also referenced in the 2009 K.Dot song “Jason Keaton and Uncle Bobby.” 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ursSZ0NCw

    For his second performance, Kendrick was once again in a white box, this time with a bed, lamp, table and chair, where British rapper Sampha was rocking. Lamar dove in with Sampha joining in on “Early mornin’ wake ups, practicin’ on day-offs. Tough love, bottled up, no chaser, neat, no chaser.” Throughout the performance, the walls closed in on Kendrick and Sampha, as they rapped and reflected upon an upbringing with limited emotional outlets amid home invasions and daddy issues.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04qA4krEub8

    Tonight also marked the fifth appearance on SNL for Kendrick Lamar, starting with his 2013 debut where he performed “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice,” then returned in 2014 to play “i” and “Pay For It” off To Pimp a Butterfly, alongside Jay Rock and Chantal Kreviazuk. Lamar has also joined other musicians on SNL, including Imagine Dragons on “Radioactive” in 2014 and  Anderson .Paak in 2018 on “Tints”. 

    Closing out the night, Teller wore an NYU shirt, celebrating his roots at the NYU Tisch School of Arts where he received a BFA in Drama in 2009. 

    Not seen this evening was longtime cast member Cecily Strong, who is in Los Angeles performing in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life. Expect Strong to return to SNL in November.

    Next week, SNL will be hosted by Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, star of The Banshees of Inisherin, with musical guest is Willow, daughter of Will Smith.

    Lucas Kurzweil contributed to this story.