Guest Introduction This post is a guest article written by Paul Martin. Paul is an English teacher who’s from New York and is currently based in Buenos Aires. A music lover, he tries to incorporate music from all different genres into his lesson plans. He teaches with Listen & Learn, which offers English courses in New York, in […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique is a Peruvian born American rapper as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics and are largely commentary on issues such as class struggle, Marxism, poverty, religion,government, imperialism and institutional racism. Immortal Technique has voiced a desire to retain control over his production and has stated in his music that […]
Learn English Idioms with Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake
“Holy Grail” is a song by American hip hop artist Jay-Z from his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail. It features vocals from singer Justin Timberlake and serves as the album’s first single. It was produced by The-Dream, Timbaland and Jerome “J-Roc” Harmon, with additional production from No ID and contains elements of Nirvana‘s 1991 hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit“. Following the release of the album, the […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Big L
Big L was an American rapper born and raised in Harlem, New York, where he started his rapping career with Three the Hard Way. His first professional appearance came on Lord Finesse‘s “Yes You May (Remix)”. He released his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous in 1995, and significantly contributed to the underground hip hop scene. He created his own independent label, Flamboyant […]
Learn Canadian Slang with Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada’s “hip hop ambassador”, he is considered one of the country’s best hip hop producers, and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip hop. In “BaKardin Slang”, Kardinal breaks down the city’s slang in each verse, similar to Big L‘s song “Ebonics”. The song popularized Toronto’s nickname “T-dot“, and […]
Fridays with Biggie: Big Poppa
“Big Poppa” is the Grammy nominated and Billboard Award€“winning second single from The Notorious B.I.G.‘s Ready to Die. The song was his first Top 10 pop hit, and peaked at #1 on Billboard’s rap chart. It features a sample of the song “Between the Sheets” written by The Isley Brothers. “Big Poppa” was one of many songs of the era to continue […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature is a Grammy Award-winning hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock and the DJ Kay Gee. They are known for being one of the few hip hop acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore credibility. The group’s first hit was a […]
2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “Dear Mama”
“Dear Mama” was written by 2Pac as a dedication to his mother, Afeni Shakur. The song is considered by critics, fans, and purists as one of the greatest hip hop songs of all-time, and one of 2Pac’s best songs in particular, being ranked number four on About.com’s “Top 100 Rap Songs” list. “Dear Mama” is one of 25 songs that […]
2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “I Get Around”
“I Get Around” is a single from 2Pac‘s second album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and features Shock G and Money-B of Digital Underground, which is a hip-hop group from the San Francisco Bay Area. 2Pac is known for rapping about the challenges and struggles of inner-city life, and his songs are thought-provoking and poignant. This light-hearted track is quite different than his usual […]
Summer Vocabulary with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was an American hip hop duo from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rapper Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) met DJ Jazzy Jeff while trying to make a name for himself in West Philadelphia’s local hip hop scene. After joining forces with Clarence Holmes (Ready Rock C) the team members became local celebrities. Holmes left the group in 1990, and later sued […]