The Search for Extraterrestrial Megastructures

For the first time in their history, NASA recently began funding searches for artificial extraterrestrial megastructures. While the agency has looked for life in space for decades, it’s been via biosignatures rather than technosignatures; signs of biological processes rather than signs of technological activity, which indicate higher intelligence. As Mordechai Rorvig writes for VICE, the existing department SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, founded in 1984) …

Fana Hues feat. Mereba: Desert Flower

Singer-songwriter Fana Hues released her glorious debut album Hues last year, featuring the slow-burning, delicate ballad, “Desert Flower.” Now the song gets a rework, with Hues teaming up with Mereba. Still gentle, vulnerable and ethereal, this new version includes violin (played by Hella Strings) and an arresting, almost haunting, verse from Mereba.

Biz Markie: Make The Music

Internationally renowned and beloved, the Clown Prince of Hip-Hop, Biz Markie (born Marcel Theo Hall) has passed away at 57 years old. Best known for his massive hit “Just a Friend,” Biz Markie was a talented beatboxer (a talent he honed during his teens) and rapper, but embraced his goofiness with playful, self-deprecating lyrics and off-tune singing: “I’d rather have a smile than to be …