Tupac Shakur

Bun B, Clyde Peterson: Two Houston Giants End Blood Feud, Appear Together On Stage Thanks To Annise Parker

We know, we know -- Beyonce was able to gather a who's who of the Houston music scene for an "I Been On" remix. But Bey can't put together a Houston team like Mayor Annise Parker can. For years (we're assuming) the world has been clamoring for tow H-town giants to get together -- two men who have ... More >>

The Best Hip-Hop at SXSW 2013

I remember going to SXSW a few years ago without a place to sleep, less than $100 to spend, no agenda, badge, wristband, or RSVP. I bar-hopped up and down Red River, made friends, snuck into Stubb's, ate cheese pizza and drank Lone Star. After years of busting my ass as a music photographer and wri ... More >>

Almost There: My Digital ACL Festival Experience

Knowing what's happening at a major music festival is easier than ever. Bloggers post daily recaps, people tweet updates round the clock, and Instagram provides a world of images for those that can't afford to make the trip. Rewind: ACL 2013: What's Next For Texas' Other Big Music Festival? Rocks ... More >>

The 5 Best Shows In Houston This Week: The Go-Go's, 2 Chainz, etc.

The Go-Go's Monday, House of Blues God bless the Go-Go's. If Monday's House of Blues show is anything like last August's all-killer-no-filler HOB date - and it should be, since the reunited five-piece isn't pushing any new "product" - you're in for a real treat. Listen to "Lust to Love," "How Much M ... More >>

Musically Speaking, What Is the Best Zodiac Sign?

Sometimes some musicians just can't even be put in the same sentence as one another. Depending on people's musical preferences. It's hard to compare and can be a bit confrontational. But one thing is for sure the day on which someone is born can't be changed. And then that's where astrology comes in ... More >>

True Believers and Other Local Releases

Rest Of The Best: Houston's Top 8 Jukeboxes

Along with pickled pig's feet and a steady supply of Slim Jims, a good jukebox is a prime element for any great bar. But, like dinosaurs, jukeboxes are a vanishing breed. Unlike digital jukes, iPods or DJs, jukeboxes require love, care and maintenance, as well as -- among the truly great ones -- som ... More >>

CrazySexyCreepy: TLC To Tour With "Resurrected" Left Eye?

In a move that shouldn't surprise anyone, especially in the wake of the Tupac Shakur "hologram" at Coachella, the surviving members of '90s R&B group TLC are looking into a 2012 tour -- with help from the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Yes, Lopes died in an April 2002 car accident in Honduras. Her lo ... More >>

Coachella: Best Of Weekend 2, Day 3

Sunday, our friends at LA Weekly and OC Weekly trekked out to the desert for one more day -- ed. By the third day of Coachella's second weekend -- the sixth and final day of this year's festival -- folks had more or less learned to ignore the dust and the heat. Here are our intrepid writers' favor ... More >>

Coachella: Best Of Weekend 2, Day 2

More fun in the desert from our friends at LA Weekly and OC Weekly -- ed. Saturday at Coachella meant tributes, tributes, tributes. From Levon Helms to Biggie, everyone got a shout-out. In between all that, some nasty partying and a little recreational drug use. Read our highly-trained writers as t ... More >>

Bedtime Stories: The Naughtiest Madonna Videos Ever (Semi-NSFW)

This weekend, the grand dame of American pop music, Madonna, will grace the halftime stage at Super Bowl XLVI. This is a major improvement from last year's more-inhuman-than-human Black Eyed Peas performance, which tested the resolve our country, and even the world. But we all survived. Who won the ... More >>

How Much Has Hip-Hop Affected Race Relations?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Kyle Hubbard, Mic Skills, Snoopy, Kiotti, Chingo ... More >>

Four Artists Who Died Before Playing Houston

theindependent.co.uk​When Amy Winehouse died Saturday, almost everyone noted how the troubled British soul singer had joined the "27 Club," the list of legendary musicians who passed away at that age that also includes Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, ... More >>

Which Rapper(s) Should Headline Summer Fest 2012?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't the day after a gigantic local music festival, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture. Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray​This Week's Panel: Trae, Wreck, Roosh Wil ... More >>

Saturday Night: Rusko At Warehouse Live

Photos by Jody Perry​Rusko, Doorly Warehouse Live May 7, 2011 See more young local dubsteppers from Saturday in our slideshow. As any cranky old scenester will tell you, there comes a time when you feel that your favorite underground and underappreciated art form has been co-opted and corrup ... More >>

Is Rap Bad For Your Mental Health?

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. ... More >>

The 31 Best Music Documentaries Of All Time

​Hands down, above all of these following music documentaries, Craig's Hlist's two favorite of all-time are The Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years, and The Beatles Anthology. We can watch both on repeat for days and not complain. That will probably all change once we see ... More >>

30 Seconds With B L A C K I E

​Rocks Off sat down with one of Houston's foremost rappers, B L A C K I E, to see what we could learn about him in 30 seconds. Rocks Off: What is the worst song in the world? B L A C K I E: "Heart of The Heartland." The last song on Songs In The Key Of Z, Vol. 2. Love Love Love it. RO: Wh ... More >>

Top 10 Double Albums That Should Have Stayed Single

​Not all double albums should have been double albums, just as some albums had to be double albums in order for their point to be made. Each case is different with each band or artist. The Who's Tommy and Quadrophenia had to be double albums to tell their stories of teenage wastelands and po ... More >>

Bush & Kanye West: Five Lower Points In His Presidency, None Of Which Involve WMDs, Torture Or Decimating the Middle Class

That belt: another low point​As you've likely heard, George W. Bush has a new book out, one that promises to be as good as his campaign bio A Charge to Keep.Decision Points proves once and for all that W is not to blame for anything and even if he did some things that didn't work out like they sho ... More >>

The Year of Magical Thinking

How Bun B dealt with Pimp C's death.

Is The National Recording Registry Ready For The Geto Boyz?

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email it to introducinglisto ... More >>

Pop Rocks: Hope Justin Bieber Dies Before He Gets Old

​Oh, calm down. This isn't a call for the murder of American's favorite prepubescent pop idol. Sure, the former YouTube sensation from Stratford, Ontario who dresses and talks (and Tweets) like a diminutive Tupac Shakur has made more money in the last two years than you or I will see in ten li ... More >>

Take The "Which Houston Rapper Are You?" Quiz

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and, albeit sometimes awkwardly, tie it to a bit of Houston rap. It's five videos and occasional cussing. Send tips to sheaserrano@gmail.com. ​A few weeks back, someone sent along a link to a Facebook application tit ... More >>

The Hot Seat: Lee-Coc, Richmond Revolutionary

Every Friday, Rocks Off will beam hip-hop artists into our demented, imaginary, incredibly witty, fantasy world of pretend scenarios. We predict it'll soon be known as a feared interrogation of hip-hop artists, revealing their most-inner thoughts and desires. In reality, it's just a fucking cool Q&a ... More >>

The Great Green Room In the Sky: The Grim Reaper's 2009 Musical Roll Call

​Thankfully, 2009 was a sorry year for the Greil Marcus Rock Death Meter. Aside from the not terribly unexpected (but still weird) demise of the King of Pop, few bona fide legends went on to the Great Green Room Beyond the Sky. The Rock Death Meter rates rock deaths on a ten-point scale in three c ... More >>

Five Spot: The Hot Boyz Are Reuniting, Watch Your Knees

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. Note: A regular reader passed along a story that interested us greatly, so fo ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Arrest In Trae Day Shootings, More Michael Jackson Exploitation, Who's Getting Slappy and Who's Getting Stabby

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: Paul Wall feat. Baby Bash, "Lemon Drop." Wire To Wire This weekend, 19-year-old Albert Walker "A-Walk" ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Surreall, Asher & Cudi, Eminem vs. Mariah, Slum Village, Young Jeezy, Ghostface, Nas, DJ Hero, Guerilla Maab, etc.

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: "#1 Dame in the Game," Surreall Wire To Wire Kid Cudi continues his rapid ascension to stardom, scores ... More >>

Turning the Screw: Archie Lee & Coota Bang, R.I.P. Michael, Lil Jon, Jae Millz, Drake, 50, Tupac, Chris Brown and More

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: "Down For My Block," Archie Lee and Coota Bang Wire To Wire Michael passed. Three thoughts: 1. Michael ... More >>

Turning the Screw: G.R.I.T Boys, Coolio, Nas, Eminem, Tupac, Lil' Kim, Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg, Scarface and More

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 "I'm Fresh," G.R.I.T. Boys ft. Trae and Tum Tum Wire to Wire Brooklyn's Uncle Murda was convicted o ... More >>

Anthony Hamilton

The Game: LAX

www.comptongame.com

New North Heights Hipster Hang: Big Star Bar

Bad Motor Scooter

Five Spot: Jack White, The Edge, Jimmy Page and the Mediocrity of Your Life

Turning the Screw: TxHustla, Beanie Sigel, Lil' Wayne, Ciara, Kanye, Tupac, Akon, Usher and More

Houston Takes a Stand in the Frozen Yogurt Wars

Art Capsule Reviews

A picture of our opinions on local exhibitions

Burning the Yule Log

Capsule Reviews

A picture of our opinions on local exhibits

Can't Touch the MMMBop

A new boxed set excavates the '90s

Z-Ro

Let the Truth Be Told

Get Envolved

Songs of praise and hip-hop commingle at Expressions of Faith

Fuddy Buddy

Hollywood Homicide tries to mock cop partner flicks, but the joke's on it

Rhythm Room Boom

Chicks who rock and Tourbaby take the Washington Avenue stage

D12

Thursday, November 1

Amplified

Out In Sight

Rotation

Press Picks

Can't Touch This

Scarface hasn't simply weathered gangsta rap, he's conquered it