Pacman and Peso: Escape to North Korea

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

Every now and again a story comes along that is truly stranger than fiction. This week DC’s aspiring rappers, Pacman and Peso, released their music video for “Escape to North Korea” which was shot on location in the heavily guarded totalitarian state. The duo funded their project on Kickstarter, which in turn connected them with local fan Ramsey Aburdene who eventually became their manager. Under …

Leonard Cohen: Songs of Leonard Cohen

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’s PrivateJam comes from Red Bull Music Academy’s resident DJ, record collector and go-to music historian Jefferson Mao—aka Chairman Mao. With Mao’s encyclopedic knowledge of hip-hop and impressive interviewing skills with the likes of Dåm-Funk and DJ Premier, we were curious to know what Mao listens to when away from the decks. “I’m absolutely not any kind of authority on Leonard Cohen,” he says, …

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 …