Blog Layers of the Punisher LRR, May 13, 2025May 13, 2025 Written by: Ronnie Prado On September 16, 1979, a group of small-time New Jersey musicians released a song that would usher a whole new era of music into mainstream American culture. The group was called The Sugar Hill Gang, and the song “Rappers Delight” was the first of its kind… Continue Reading
10 Examples of Why Rappers are among the Best Writers of the 21st Century By: Sten Spinella LRR, March 5, 2017February 8, 2025 Last year, one of my blog posts for the Long River Review claimed that hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar is America’s leading public intellectual. In sports journalism terms, that would be called an “electric” or “hot” take. Continuing in that direction this year, I’d like to posit a deeply held conviction… Continue Reading
America’s Great Black Hope by Sten Spinella LRR, March 7, 2016February 8, 2025 I’ve been doing some thinking on Kendrick Lamar lately. His new album, untitled unmastered is great, but that is to be expected. I don’t have any more to say on it than your average music reviewer does. I want to get into something different. I want to address the fact… Continue Reading
Lines From the Works of William Shakespeare, or Jay-Z Lyrics? LRR, March 2, 2013February 8, 2025 Answers at the bottom. Good luck. We swaggering here For now I get around Life is but a dream to me I hit it right She’s too low for a high I flow too many ways These clothes are good enough to drink in I’ll teach you how to flow… Continue Reading