by Miné Salkin | Jan 22, 2011 | albums, news
FOR THE LIVERPOOL ECHO MUSIC BLOG
Dr. Dre is the avatar of counterculture. To utter his name is to equate it with notoriety, hedonism and a blatant disrespect for authority. Dr. Dre, also known as André Romelle Young, is a timeless rap icon, and the pioneer at the centre of a culture whose humble roots stemmed from the daring slogan “F*ck tha police.” The 45-year-old American musician, record producer, actor and CEO has not only made a name for himself, but has overseen other musicians like Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg rise to international superstardom and critical acclaim. It would be careless to neglect that Dre embodies the American dream—still reflective of his days of hustling in the streets of Compton—to owning and operating a major entertainment company at the very top of a cutthroat industry. At the same time, the legend’s reputation is firmly attached to the idea of motherhood and how he ushered the art of an oppressed community and planted it firmly into mainstream culture. With no shortage of success, the anticipation of his third and final album, Detox, has been garnering momentum of Chinese Democracy proportion. Slated to be released this year by his homegrown Aftermath Entertainment, perhaps Dre’s prophesy in 1999 to “give me one more platinum plaque and f*ck rap/ You can have it back” will be realized.
N.W.A and The Chronic (1986-1995)
Dre started a collaboration project with rapper Ice Cube, whom he met in 1986. The duo went on to produce an album through Ruthless Records, which was owned and managed by local artist Eazy-E. Their debut album Straight Outta Compton immediately sparked controversy with their politically charged lyrics, confessions of a crime-ridden lifestyle, and anti-establishment tendencies. Despite the US Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning letter to Ruthless, concerning their lyrics and depictions of a gangster-run streets, Dr. Dre continued to elaborate on the dark social issues that plagued himself and those around him.
Dre’s life was further complicated on the family front. At the age of 17 he had fathered his first child with Cassandra Greene. In 1990, he sued by his ex-girlfriend, Jenita Porter, the mother of his second son, Andre Young Jr. Porter was demanding $5,000 a month for child care.
After a dispute with Eazy-E, Dr. Dre left N.W.A. to start a solo career. In 1992 he released his debut, The Chronic, by Death Row Records. The album was an instant success, popularizing the G-funk genre and establishing it as the definitive sound of the early ’90s. The following year, Dre won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, and was ranked as the eight best-selling artist by Billboard.
Aftermath, 2001 and the turning point (1996-2001)
After abandoning Death Row Records halfway through a record contract, Dre formed Aftermath Entertainment in 1996. Not only was it a good move on account of having more autonomy, but Death Row suffered greatly the death of 2Pac and poor sales the following year. Dre was at a turning point in his career, caught between dealing with corruption from other record labels, and taking a stand about what kind of business he wanted to be a part of.
Jim Iovine, the head of Interscope Records, insisted that Dre sign a young rapper from Detroit who was showing great promise. In 1999, Dre signed Eminem to Aftermath and produced The Slim Shady LP, which sold more than a quarter million copies in its first week.
With a big success behind Aftermath, Dre released his second solo album, 2001, which lead to a West Coast hip-hop tour in 2000 featuring artists Ice Cube, Eminem, Proof, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Westside Connection, Angels, Devin The Dude, Truth Hurts and Xzibit, to name a few.
Detox, and the future (2002-present)
Dre went on to star in some films and become more involved on the entrepreneurial front, particularly with his high-end headphones (which I’m afraid to say, aren’t as good as they look). His third and final album was originally slated to be released in 2005, yet, as Josiah Hughes very eloquently explained, “Dre has been leading us down a rabbit hole of empty promises and promotional vanity items like headphones and cognac without actually delivering the goods.” At the same time though, Dre’s life hasn’t exactly been perfect lately. In August 2008, his second youngest son, Andre Young Jr., died of a heroine and morphine overdose. He was 20 years old.
For the last 25 years, Dre’s influence in the spheres of art and business have gathered more momentum than a freight train. It would be difficult to find an iPod or iTunes library these days that didn’t have Dre’s 2001 on it, a travesty if it didn’t have The Chronic. The world is waiting to see if Detox is going to change the course of hip-hop again.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5a93wABHNM]
by Miné Salkin | Dec 19, 2010 | albums, news, television
Canadian rockers Broken Social Scene are back with a new video from their latest work, Forgiveness Rock Record.
I also fucking love chocolate sauce.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MTfNTzuJTJU]
by Miné Salkin | Nov 16, 2010 | news, technology
A tale of woe and betrayal.
It was the middle of September, and I was preparing to move to the United Kingdom. Everything had been taken care of. I was finishing up my contract at the Beaty Museum, packing up to move my stuff into storage, terminating utilities and mentally preparing myself for the big move.
At the same time, it had long been my plan to get a new camera. Not just any camera, but a Canon 550D, also known as the Rebel T2i. Sure, I already had a really nice camera, one that I had carried to all my newspaper internships, my concert photography gigs and also my personal life events. It was time to move on though; I needed/ wanted something that could also film. IN HD.
After doing a few weeks of research online and in local photography stores in the Vancouver area, I managed to find the camera I wanted at a sweet, sweet deal. It was too sweet to be true. Too saccharine and ambrosial to be reality, and I certainly paid for that purchase of virginal innocence. (By saccharine I mean $200 less than any other retailer was offering).
I did it. On September 15, 2010, I bought the camera from Daily Deal Digital, the worst online retailer known to the history of civilization.
Six days later, when I hadn’t received my camera, nor a tracking number for the shipment, I called the head office in Boca Raton, Florida. After being put on hold and listening to the most irritating classical muzak for several moments, I was directed to someone who sounded like they were taking my call in a bar. It was noisy, and I strained my ears to understand as the guy explained that they RAN OUT OF THE product I had ordered but were giving me the next package deal at a $300 discount.
Suffice it to say, that was my mistake numero deux. Why did I agree to that? Again, it was the temptation of such a sweet camera, with a 50 mm light-sensitive lens, tripod and carry bag for a ridiculously good deal. It was too good to believe. DDD also offered to pay for the expedited shipping costs, as I explained to them that I would be leaving the country in less than 10 days.
(more…)
by Miné Salkin | Oct 22, 2010 | film stripped, news
As part of my lazy unemployed self required, I recently underwent a Harry Potter marathon with my better half. I reveled in the magical world of Hogwarts and the incredible, fantastical life of sorcery for more than 10 hours in one day, and know what? I’m not really that ashamed. In retrospect, I probably should have taken a shower at some point. But hindsight is always 20/20.
I read the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997 when I was 11 years old, the same age that Harry discovered that he was a wizard. I never really identified with Harry, nor his red-haired best mate Ron and the bushy haired know-it-all Hermione. At the same time though, the Harry Potter brand—the books and the films—have been a definite cornerstone of my life and probably most of my generation’s. Every year I looked forward to a new book coming out. Sometimes JK Rowling took more time in her writing process, delaying the next installment for months, and frustrating the hell out of me. Aside from Tolkien’s epic works and the occasional Sci-Fi film (think Soylent Green!), I never much enjoyed the fantastical, whimsical side of fiction.
Now at 24 years old, my usually stiff upper lip tremors at the thought that it’s all coming to a close very soon. Daniel Radcliffe had nipple hair two films ago, which was the first sign I was in trouble. The next installment of the book, named Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been designated to be released as two films. I’m particularly excited by the fact that they’re both being directed by David Yates (who also did The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince).
Part one will be in theatres this November 19, 2010. The second part won’t be until 2011.
In the meantime, watch this spine-tingling trailer.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzfEH0UPEBo&feature=channel]
I couldn’t resist but mention this: don’t ever forget Radcliffe used to dance with horses.
by Miné Salkin | Sep 15, 2010 | news, television
I was recently alerted to an exciting new original AMC series by @Cephalopodboy.
The show is based on a series of graphic novels by Robert Kirkman, which have been produced since 2003. The series follows a town stricken by a zombie apocalypse—an ever-clichéd theme—but the television show looks extremely promising. Directed by Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption) and starring Andrew Lincoln (an English actor best known for his role in Love Actually), the series premier will be a 90-minute special following the police chief who awakens from the hospital to discover the world he’s always known has broken into a delicious zombie frenzy.
Check out the trailer here:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg46DWI_fCE]
by Miné Salkin | Sep 8, 2010 | news, television
Is it just me or does the world want to see House and Cuddy get it on?
This is my first September in 19 years that I haven’t returned to school. Usually, this was a bittersweet time of the year; with the weather still lovely but spent in a classroom setting, and a new television season upon me.
Here are some shows that are certainly worth watching.
House
This is proof that FOX might not be so incredibly bad after all. If you’re a fan of curmudgeonly, Vicadin-addicted doctors then this is the show for you. English funnyman Hugh Laurie (Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster) returns to play the genius diagnostician. Season 7 begins September 21, 2010.
Glee
Alright. Make that a second argument for FOX. For someone who completely loathes musicals, this popular comedy/drama grew on me. The next season promises Lady Gaga and the whole Coldplay catalogue. Tune in also on September 21, 2010.
Dexter
A Showtime production. Not too long ago I wrote about this. The previous season was extremely titillating. The serial killing resumes September 26, 2010.
Modern Family
Screenwriter Christopher Lloyd (Frasier, Wings) has saved Ed O’Neill’s career by creating a ten-fold improved version of Married With Children. This mockumentary-style television series is hilarious. Watch the second season sometime this month… I haven’t been able to find an airing date.
