Episode 224: kris ex Show/Hide Search
kris ex is a writer who played a key role in the creation of hip-hop journalism. Starting in the early 1990s, his work at Ego Trip, One Nut, Rolling Stone, The Source, and especially Vibe helped set the template for what it meant to write about rap music and the people who make it. His eye for the perfect detail, love for the music and culture, and willingness to challenge pretty much anyone and anything has made him arguably the most well-regarded writer in a peer group that includes many heavy hitters.
kris has profiled stars like Jay Z, Aaliyah, The Lox, and A Tribe Called Quest; and reviewed the highest of high-profile albums by the likes of Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem. He also co-wrote 50 Cent’s 2005 memoir. These days, you can find him writing for Mass Appeal, Pitchfork, and Billboard, among other outlets.
Tracks featured in this episode:
- Ahmad, “Back in the Day”
- Biggie On Fulton Avenue in Brooklyn
- Bob James, “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”
- N.W.A., “Panic Zone”
- Too $hort, “Life is …Too $hort”
- 2 Live Crew, “Me So Horny”
- Digital Underground, “The Humpty Dance”
- Ka, “Delaney Card”
- Burnt Sugar, “Poem By Asha Bandele”
- Leader The Real World - MTV series 1 in New York
- Kendrick Lamar, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”
- Pharoahe Monch, “Simon Says”
- Kanye West, “I’ll Fly Away”
- Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
- Quincy Jones, “Summer in the City“
- Billy Joel, “New York State of Mind”
- Jay-Z & Alicia Keys Perform Empire State of Mind (AMA’s 2009)
- Dame Dash f/Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam’Ron, Young Chris, & Twista, “Champions”
- 2 Chainz f/Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz, & Jhene Aiko, “It’s A Vibe”
- Elliott Smith, “Say Yes”
- The Notorious B.I.G., “Big Poppa”
- Jay Z, “Rap Game/Crack Game”
- Jay-Z force out a laugh because he is on TV…
- Tupac Shakur f/Akil and Ashley, “Raise Up Off These (NUTS)”
- Ice Cube, “Get Off My Dick And Tell Yo Bitch To Come Here”
- Jay Z, “Dead Presidents II”
- Puff Daddy f/Lil’ Kim, The Notorious B.I.G., & The Lox, “It’s All About the Benjamins”
- Jay Z, “The Watcher 2”
- Eminem f/Dr. Dre, “Say What You Say”
- Aaliyah, “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number”
- Nas, “Street Dreams”
- Wyclef Jean, “Gone Till November”
- 50 Cent, “If I Can’t”
- No Suh Foster, “Manchild in the City”
- Action Bronson & Party Supplies f/Kool A.D., “Arts & Leisure”
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Jamila Woods, “White Privilege II”
- Insane Clown Posse, “Juggalo Homies”
- Eminem, “Nail in the Coffin”
- Slakah the Beatchild, “Wanna Do”
- FKA Twigs, “Glass and Patron”
- Kelela - Vevo Meets: Kelela
- Soulection Radio Show #335
- Thundercat, “Them Changes”
- FLying Lotus, “Zodiac Shit”
Show notes:
- Vibe, April 2000, kris ex, “The Lox: Free At Last”
- Vibe, Dec 1996 - Jan 1997, kris Ex, “Got To Give It Up”
- Vibe, Sept. 1996, kris ex, “Nas, ‘It Was Written’”
- Mass Appeal, kris ex, “How Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D. City Defined the New Classic”
- Rolling Stone, kris ex, “Jay-Z: Vol. 3 Life And Times of S. Carter/DMX: …And Then There Was X”