William Onyeabor: Body and Soul (Justin Strauss and Bryan Mette remix)

Chairman Mao's love for Leonard Cohen, Pacman and Peso in North Korea, William Onyeabor remixed and more in our weekly look at music

Our knowledge of William Onyeabor is due to a chance suggestion from Rough Trade director Nigel House at the opening of the Brooklyn location. We heeded his advice and have been hooked on Onyeabor’s distinct vibe ever since. The Nigerian musician’s sound hits you over the head with funky dance-inducing beats, spiritual synths and simplified lyrics crooning the truth. Much of Onyeabor’s identity remains a …

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib: Shame

Chairman Mao's love for Leonard Cohen, Pacman and Peso in North Korea, William Onyeabor remixed and more in our weekly look at music

This week the internet was blessed with a rare and insightful interview by Dazed Digital with reclusive master producer Madlib. Towards the end—after we learn about everything from Madlib’s personal endeavor to consume and collect the world’s music, his knack for conspiracy theories, the potential for a Madvillain follow-up and his plans to burn all his unreleased music just before death—the music video for “Shame” …

T Burnett’s Analog Aspirations

Vibrating panties, Nendo's chopsticks, ancient brewers and more in our look at the web this week

With 50 years of professional experience and 13 Grammy awards (among countless others) on his shelf, T Burnett knows a thing or two about producing music. His recent collaboration, composing the soundtrack for the Coen brothers’ film “Inside Llewyn Davis,” has once again put him in the limelight and in an interview with Variety, the creative force speaks about the “sonic realities of the day” …