Dave Chappelle

"Rap Up" MC Skillz Talks Retiring, Ghostwriting and "Popcorn Music"

Skillz may not be a household name, but he's had a crazy interesting career in hip-hop. He's shared the mike on a track with Dave Chappelle, written songs for some of rap's biggest names, and beefed with Shaquille O'Neal. Had YouTube existed in 2002, Skillz may have been one of the first viral sens ... More >>

Laughing & Rhyming: 4 Great Hip Hop/Comedy Crossovers

Fans of Childish Gambino can be split in to two groups: those who like hip hop and appreciate his wordplay, and those who use the phrase "I don't normally like hip-hop but..." before admitting that they just happen to like the guy from Community a lot. That he's a strong enough on the mike to gain t ... More >>

Dominique

Paul Mooney

Our Top Ten Picks For Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011

Photo By Marc BrubakerBest Coast at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010​This weekend the Rocks Off team will cover their third Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, at the festival's new home Auditorium Shores. Each year this fest seems to get bigger and better, without losing it's grimy luster. Is it the Austin City ... More >>

Dead Prez

Who Is The Best Comedian Out Right Now?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday (or thereabouts), Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Bun B, Renzo, Kyle Hubbard, Mr ... More >>

Paul Mooney

The seasoned comedian demonstrates his bold, unapologetic humor

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: 2010 Edition

​Dave Chapelle teaches us that the art of "keeping it real" may sometimes go awry. According to urbandictionary.com, this occurs when "in the act of keeping it real, the outcome is unexpected and usually has a negative effect on the individual who decided to keep it real." Since we're more t ... More >>

Dave Chappelle and Other Memorable Celebrity Airplane Freak-Outs

Victoria Osteen: No Dave Chappelle​Because celebrities are better than regular people and therefore fly a lot, it's only natural that the friendly skies are occasionally subjected to the inexplicable fame-fueled freakout.The latest famous person to go bananas at 30,000 feet was comedian Dave ... More >>

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: Pop Princess Edition

MB Pictures/ Rex Features​Dave Chapelle teaches us that the art of "keeping it real" may sometimes go awry. According to urbandictionary.com, this occurs when "in the act of keeping it real, the outcome is unexpected and usually has a negative effect on the individual who decided to keep it re ... More >>

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: Metal Edition

​Dave Chapelle teaches us that the art of "keeping it real" may sometimes go awry. According to urbandictionary.com, this occurs when "in the act of keeping it real, the outcome is unexpected and usually has a negative effect on the individual who decided to keep it real." Rock stars are not i ... More >>

6 Songs You Never Want To Hear At Graduation

​It must be that time of year again. Seniors are suffering from GTFO Syndrome, and their loved ones are bracing themselves for several hours of obligatory, coma-inducing celebrations of learning known as "commencement." Yes, it's graduation season. Yet it could be worse. Surprisingly enough, there ... More >>

Beyonce's Naughty T-Shirt, Devin's Suite 420, Eric B Vs. Nicki Minaj, Rick Astley Chopped And Screwed...

Welcome back to Turning the Screw, Rocks Off's weekly rap post. It probably won't rhyme, at least most of the time. E-mail tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Thanks, homies. Single of the Week: Kritikal Van Gogh, "Dog Eat Dog" Wire to Wire ​Beyonce had tongues wagging at this weekend's Coac ... More >>

Five Best New Year's Eves In The Movies

The New Year's Eve countdown is only hours away. The built-in suspense of it all, along with the opportunity for pathos via a lonely celebrant, or a doomed couple exuding cheery optimism, has been catnip for moviemakers.There have been some great New Year's Eves in the movies. Here are five of the b ... More >>

Aftermath: Even If You Couldn't Get In, R. Kelly Was Still Kinda Fun

Photos by Brittanie SheyFYI, the sign says "Enjoy the show." Assuming you could get in...​Aftermath was really looking forward to R. Kelly. When we were asked to cover the event we were a little hesitant, since modern R&B is entirely outside of our scope of musical knowledge, if not slightly o ... More >>

Piss Up a Rope: Songs R. Kelly Probably Won't Sing In Concert Friday, but Should

​Get out your towels: R. Kelly is coming to town. The singer would be best known as "that guy who sang that song in the Michael Jordan/Bugs Bunny movie" if not for the allegations in 2002 that he engaged in sex with an underage girl. Kelly was found not guilty of child porn charges last year, but ... More >>

Aftermath: Common and The Roots Crew's Private Engagment at the Corinthian, With Special Guests (Cough, "Nite and Day")

Photos by Larami Culbertson​ 9:10 p.m.: We pull up to the front of The Corinthian and hand the car off to the valet. He says, "It's $20 plus tip." Oh, so it's $20, then? Got it. Thanks. 9:20 p.m.: Common just walked in. He's way more stout than we imagined him to be. His skin is also less clear th ... More >>

Songs Slightly Less Inappropriate Than R. Kelly's Latest Single, "Number One"

So R. Kelly's newest single is called "Number One." Seriously? Okay, we know Kelly was found innocent of all child-related golden-shower charges by a jury of 12 idiots, but when the subject of Dave Chappelle's "(I Wanna) Piss On You" releases a single called "Number One"... sorry, but we have to be ... More >>

Aftermath: Mos Def at House of Blues

Larami Culbertson​ 9:30 p.m.: Just walked in to see the place pretty well filled. Snoop is playing through the speaker system. If you walk into a venue and "Gin and Juice" is playing, you can take that as a sign that you're going to have a good time. Well, that or that a riot is going to break out ... More >>

Five Spot: The Laid-Back Genius of Devin the Dude

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and, sometimes awkwardly, tie it to a bit of Houston rap. It's five videos and occasional cussing. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Ohio's rapper-turned-Internet-sensation Kid Cudi signed his first major ... More >>

Jim Breuer

Web exclusive!

Donnell Rawlings

Ashy Larry gets the last laugh

Carl Rimi

Web exclusive!

B L A C K I E

Type-concerned MC proves to be quite the pacemaker

Miss Pop Rocks Has the Flu

Future Shock: the iTaser

Listen to tunes while you tase

Donnell Rawlings

Chappelle Show‘s Ashy Larry stops at The Improv

Carlos Mencia and Graffiti

Does the bean dare call the beaner brown?

Funny Business

Once upon a time Houston was a hot spot for comedy clubs. Now it's anybody's guess on who'll turn out on any given night

How to Be Musically Hip

A cheat-sheet for the culturally challenged

Cred Sheet

Stuff you need to know to avoid musical ostracism

Mooney's tha Man

Pause and Effect

A truly universal remote leads to Sandler's best movie in years

Bring in the Trash

He's "Somebody…!"

You should get to know Russell Peters

Charlie in Charge

Get Down with Dave

Chappelle returns with a raucous Block Party

No-Balls Buzz

Morning-radio wackiness has its limits

Dave to the Rescue!

Dave Chappelle

Assault 'n' Prepper

A reckless cop goes undercover as the Underclassman

Ying Yang Twins

USA (United State of Atlanta)

The Latino Dave

Tired of waiting for Chappelle's Show? Pick Carlos Mencia's Mind.

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Strange Heights

Bobbindoctrin offers up a lighthearted look at tyranny

G Unit

Beg for Mercy (Interscope)

O.J. All Over Again

Charm trumps evidence with accused pedophile R. Kelly

Tow Down

By Prescription Only (D.I.M.E.)

Ho, Ho, Ho

This Is Your Brain on Drugs

Like, wow: Half Baked proves to be half-witted