] I know you’ve been thinking it. And if you haven’t, you probably
] haven’t been paying attention. The art we once called hip hop has
] been dead for some time now. But because its rotting carcass has
] been draped in platinum and propped against a Gucci print car, many
] of us have missed its demise.

Fuck Hip Hop

] "This was also two days after a modern day QUEENS
] existence took the life of RUN-DMC's heart and soul,
] their DJ who made all our damn day, Jason 'JAMMASTER
] JAY' Mizell. "

Chuck D's reflection on Jay Master Jay and some of the early hip-hop scene. Good read. Tells you something about the interconnectedness of the these early innovators and something of what the scene was like "back in the day."

Public Enemy: Terrordome

] "On the heels of the murder of its DJ, Jason Mizell (Jam
] Master Jay), on Oct. 30 (allstar, Oct. 31),
] groundbreaking hip-hop group Run-DMC has announced its
] retirement."

Run-DMC has left the building.

Rev. Run Announces the retirement of Run DMC from the hip-hop game.

'[Fuller] has redefined the role of a manager for the 21st century. He treats pop acts as brands, to be exploited over different media, rather than performers who make money only by selling records and playing concerts. He's a genius -- he makes everyone else look like complete amateurs.'"

From the head mouth of Universal Music, U.K. comes this nugget of wisdom. No wonder they aren't selling any CDs.

Why today's music industry sucks: Salon.com | Slaves of celebrity

Big business record industry caused their own ills. Surprise! Need I remind anyone that big business short-term goals generally 'cause them far more grief than it's worth?

Hit Charade - The music industry's self-inflicted wounds. By Mark Jenkins

Why radio sucks.

Clear Channel's Big Radio Ways Are Getting a Lot of Static These Days

Jega is awesome... AphexTwin/Autechre style strangeness... Check the MP3 on this link.

Matador Records | Jega

Will the RIAA please wake up?

The band Wilco defies experts as their `Foxtrot' gallops

Jaron Lanier: "I'm 41 now so I've decided I need to develop my grumpy side. So here's a rant about the sorry state of pop music."

I'm not going to include a bunch of excerpts for this one, because I want everyone to read the whole thing start to finish. It will only take a few minutes; like most good rants, it's short, direct, and thought provoking.

'Where did the music go?' by Jaron Lanier

Looking for HeadPhones? I think this the place.

Tom, take note, the layout is very nice, too.

HeadRoom Corporation Web