Friday 22 April 2022

LINKED UP 020

Future Is the Best Rapper Alive 
Few artists are as prolific. As widely imitated. As consistently excellent. Which is why it’s finally time to declare what’s been true for a while now... (GQ)

Feeling Elevated: How Fearless Self-Discovery Inspired Denzel Curry to Write His Own Rap Destiny
Denzel Curry on drum 'n' bass influence, challenging police brutality, and exploring his unfiltered self through music. (Mixmag)

From Graffitti Tags to Diss Tracks, DJ Kay Slay’s Hip-Hop Influence Was Generational 
Kay Slay, who passed away on Monday, was an era-spanning innovator who never shied away from competition. (The Fader)

Listen to the Music That Shaped Jean-Michel Basquiat 
From Nina Simone to Run-DMC, four newly released playlists celebrate the musicians who inspired the artist - and the many he influenced. (Hyperallergic)

“I’m still obsessed with ‘Cotton Wool (Fila Brazilia Mix)’ by Lamb from the August 1998 playlist. It really captures the feel of the Gap store that year." (MEL)

Jason Pierce speaks to Piers Martin about how he drew on Kurt Vonnegut, "ridiculously complicated" production, and the lessons learned from across his career, to produce Spiritualized's best album since Ladies and Gentlemen. (The Quietus)

The Sound of: Deep Jungle 
Releasing both hidden gems from the old school and essential new-gen bangers, Deep Jungle has secured a reputation for buy-on-sight junglism. Alongside a mix representing the past, present and future of its catalogue, founder Harmony shares the secret of the label’s success. (DJ Mag)

The ever-expanding collective has revolutionised birdwatching. Now, they’ve released three EPs which merge soothing field recordings with contributions from artists based in London, New York and Tokyo. (The Face)

Size Matters: Inside the Politics of Festival Posters 
Joyner Lucas’s Lollapalooza meltdown is just the latest manifestation of one of the touchiest subjects in the concert industry: how big the name is on the flyer. To get to the heart of the matter, we spoke to some experts about all things font size. (The Ringer)

Searching for Harvey: Solving the Mystery Behind 200 Influential Gospel and Jazz Album Covers 
Decades down the line, the artist who created some of the most celebrated records has been revealed. (It's Nice That)

Gritty Photos Celebrating the Madchester Years 
Photographer Richard Davis recounts capturing the city’s flourishing creative scene at the turn of the ‘90s. (Huck)

As a photographer in New York in the aughts, Alain Levitt had turned his back on photography by the time the decade was out. (NR)

Nigeria Meets Willy Wonka: Inside Designer Yinka Ilori’s New Studio 
The rule-breaking artist gives us a tour of his joyful space. (The Guardian)

How South London Became a Talent Factory for Black British Footballers 
From the playing fields of Lewisham and Bromley to the Premier League, south London’s football clubs have nurtured wave after wave of stars. (The Guardian)

A Sports Brand for Spiritualists 
District Vision wants to meld the inner and the outer life of athletes. (NYT)

Our Legacy and Stüssy Are Back in the Studio Cooking up Classics 
An exclusive first look at the latest drop from the least likely - and most exciting - partnership on the planet. (GQ)

Help! I’m Becoming a Sloane Ranger 
It’s been 40 years since a handbook made Chelsea style world-famous. Here’s why it still works in 2022. (FT)

‘Bozo’ Is the Absolute Best Insult 
Recently deployed to describe Ben Shapiro, ‘bozo’ is such a perfect insult - biting, unexpected and totally inane - that it’ll have you questioning yourself for days. (MEL)