New York hip-hop experimentalist Elucid: ‘I like the harmony of the city. Everybody’s got a little solo’
New York hip-hop experimentalist Elucid, known for his innovative soundscapes both as a solo artist and as half of the duo Armand Hammer with Billy Woods, offers a unique perspective on his creative process and his deep connection to the city's rhythm. Reflecting on his musical philosophy, Elucid notes, ‘I like the harmony of the city. Everybody’s got a little solo.’
During a recent visit to La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela’s renowned Dream House installation in a Manhattan loft, Elucid found himself deeply immersed in the otherworldly sonic environment. Seated and later lying down amidst the long-running drone compositions, illuminated by pink and purple stage lights and perfumed by incense, he allowed himself to drift into a meditative state. This marked his first return to the Dream House in at least a decade, yet his regular practice of frequenting flotation tanks had primed him for the installation's profound calming effects. He confessed to drifting off slightly, and as he settled into the cascading tones, thoughts of "engine room" and "turbine" came to mind—an unconscious mirroring of his own songwriting process.
Elucid elaborates on his artistic approach, stating, ‘Rappers always be like, “The beat tells me what to do,”’ and he finds himself in full agreement. He perceives sound as possessing ‘colour, emotion and force,’ acknowledging that each listener's interpretation is inherently unique. For him, developing a distinct ‘sound vocabulary’ means that ‘oftentimes words pop in. Sometimes it’s a whole sentence,’ emerging organically from the sonic landscape and the perpetual din of the city he calls home.
Fresh materials — Society news
Esther Rantzen, TV Presenter and Childline Founder, Dies at 86
Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning television presenter and creator of the charity Childline, has died at 86. Her family described her as “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother,” whose “legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childli
How Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Captures the Game's Essence
Some Resident Evil fans have voiced dissatisfaction online with Zach Cregger’s film adaptation, calling it "not a real Resident Evil movie." Yet, despite the absence of iconic heroes like Leon or Claire, familiar villains, and well-known settings, Cregger's interpretation stands out a
Questions for Michael Winterbottom
The 90s are currently in vogue, but they wouldn't have happened without the 80s. Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, explores Manchester's music scene from the Sex Pistols' 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, through Factory Records, Joy Division, New Order, an
Mighty Sparrow, Trinidad and Tobago's 'Calypso King of the World,' Dies at 91
Slinger Francisco, known on stage as the Mighty Sparrow and hailed as the “calypso king of the world,” has died at 91. His family confirmed his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones in New York on Sunday, stating it followed a brief illness. Francisco rose to prominence in calypso music
Korea review – a nirvana of wild beauty shattered by the 20th century
Can they replicate the success? The British Museum's blockbuster Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has set a high bar. Now, they follow with "Korea," an exploration of "2,000 years of creativity" from a land that, prior to the 20th century's hardships, experienced millennia of peace, as refl
Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore": A Human Glimpse Amidst Bitter Love Songs
Taylor Swift's decision to release an expanded version of her album, "The Life of a Showgirl," titled "The Encore," has sparked speculation. Many fans believe it's a strategic move to influence Grammy voters or to disrupt chart records. This follows Swift's earlier statement that "