With the start of a new year, it only makes sense for us to reflect on the events of the past year. Last year marked the deaths of two legendary hip hop figures, J Dilla and DJ Dusk, and the proclamation that hip hop, too, is dead. In 2007 we need to ask ourselves, is Nas just starting a controversy, or is hip hop really dead? Well, I can’t answer that for you. I......

Shanghaiist probably knows a little more about China than the Chicago Sun-Times. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. The city does to have a music scene. Don't even front like they don't. They also have Dorito bananas and white guys shopping for wives. What they don't have is any more tolerance for jaywalkers. Bostonist sees Boston and Somerville each whip out their art and face off. A plagiarized novel is the......

For this Laist contributor, the love for The Brand New Heavies began with a little Heavy Rhyme Experience. Before LL Cool J went unplugged and before The Roots became the only contemporary Black (hip-hop, r&b, pop or rock) band with national acclaim and radio airplay in America, there was this eclectic group of British cats getting supremely funky underneath my favorite rap group in high school, The Pharcyde. From "Soul Flower" 14 years ago......

People probably expected Luchadores at the rally but did they expect Filipinos? The New York Times joins the Clipper Nation. Online Karaoke can't really be the next myspace can it (and would anyone have gotten it if we had made a "Your mom's in my business" reference here?)? Lost returns tonight with new episodes all the way til the finale. There's a whole new Hanso Foundation site and they even issued a press release......

We've listened to his J Dilla tribute mix at least 10 times since James Yancey died in February and now we have to say goodbye to him as well? We're not ready to let go of an integral part of The Root Down and one of our favorite turntablists at Fusicology events. Tarek Captan aka DJ Dusk was killed Saturday night by a drunk driver. He was 31. Fusicology eulogizes: A long-standing member of......

WEDNESDAY • Raul Malo (of The Mavericks), Greencards and Vaquetones are on stage tonight at The Coach House. Tickets are $17.50. • The Viper Room features Diablo's Darlings Burlesque tonight at 11:30 PM, preceded by Mozella, Geoff Byrd and Thriving Ivory. • Breakestra, People Under the Stairs, Cut Chemist, DJ Dusk and Chali 2na hit the stage at The El Rey tonight at 8 PM. Tickets are $20. • Beyond Baroque is celebrating Abbot......