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” …

School of Seven Bells: Painting a Memory

Remembering Benjamin Curtis and Phil Everly, White Lies' album art, Afrika Bambaataa and more in music this week

2014 started off with the sad news of musician Benjamin Curtis passing at the young age of 35 after a battle with cancer. The distinctly talented artist began as a drummer in Dallas-based bands UFOFU and Tripping Daisy before becoming the rocking guitarist in Secret Machines and ultimately the multi-instrumentalist in NYC’s beloved indie rock band School of Seven Bells, with Alejandra Deheza. While their …