Rapsody Is Everything We Say We Want From Hip-Hop
With God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops and an extraordinary performance at the Blue Note, Rapsody reminds us that musical excellence has never gone out of style.
Dwann B
Dwann Brown is a music historian, cultural analyst, and the founder and senior writer of IncenseNashtrays, a publication documenting the history, structure, and cultural impact of Black American music. He is President of the Black American Music Family Tree Historical Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) dedicated to preserving the full lineage of American music. A former gospel drummer, he writes from decades of study and firsthand interviews with the musicians who built the tradition.
Greg Phillinganes: The Man Behind the Biggest Records in Music History
A night with Greg Phillinganes at Blue Note Los Angeles reveals the stories behind Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones and decades of unforgettable recordings.
The Greatest Day in Album Release History
Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Spirit both arrived in 1976. Why these two albums remain music’s highest spiritual statements.
Josef Leimberg: The Producer and Musician Who Connects Snoop, Kendrick, SZA and Badu
You may have heard Josef Leimberg long before you knew his name. The trumpeter, producer, and engineer behind records for Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Snoop Dogg, and Erykah Badu sits down with Incense N Ashtrays to trace the connections between jazz, hip-hop, funk, and his own albums Astral Progressions and Mystic Journey.
Taylor Graves: The Musician Behind the Sound of the Future
From Dr. Dre and Battlecat to Thundercat, Flying Lotus, Mac Miller, and film scoring, Taylor Graves has quietly helped shape some of Los Angeles’ most adventurous music. In this IncenseNashtrays profile, Graves discusses his musical upbringing, the Bruner-Graves sound, and the journey behind the credits.
Before Kool Herc: The Bronx Hip Hop Pioneers Mainstream History Erased
At DJ Phase’s annual Bronxdale Houses celebration, I heard directly from the people preserving hip hop’s overlooked early history. DJ Phase and Disco King Mario’s daughter, Mina, shared the stories of a Bronx scene already moving speakers, cutting breakbeats, and building community before Kool Herc’s famous 1973 party.
Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight Make the Hollywood Bowl Feel Like Home
Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson brought timeless Black American music, high energy, and personal memories to the Hollywood Bowl—reminding Los Angeles why it remains the city’s greatest summer venue.
The R&B Roots of Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop: How Rhythm & Blues Changed the Sound of the World
Was Rhythm & Blues simply another genre, or did it become the musical language that shaped the modern world? This essay traces the Black American origins of Rock & Roll, Soul, Funk, Disco, Hip Hop, House, Reggae, Afrobeat, K-Pop, Latin Pop, and more, arguing that Rhythm & Blues became one of the parent musical traditions from which modern popular music evolved.
How Clive Davis Helped Destroy Music
For decades, Clive Davis has been celebrated as one of the most influential executives in music history. But what if his greatest impact wasn't the stars he helped create, but the musical traditions that disappeared under his watch? This article examines Davis' rise from Harvard-trained lawyer to industry kingmaker, the 1973 payola scandal that nearly ended his career, his rivalry with Walter Yetnikoff, the Whitney Houston crossover blueprint, and the corporate philosophy that critics argue stripped Black American music of its gospel foundation, live musicianship, and artist-centered development. From Earth, Wind & Fire to Bad Boy Records, this is a look at how one executive came to symbolize the transformation of music from a cultural ecosystem into a corporate product.
Why We Celebrate Black Music Month
Black Music Month is more than a celebration of artists and hit records. It is an opportunity to recognize how Black American music became the foundation of American culture and one of the nation's greatest contributions to the world. From spirituals and gospel to jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, funk, disco, and hip hop, Black American music has shaped the sound, economy, and cultural identity of the United States for generations.
Rest in Peace James Anthony Carmichael — The Musical Genius Behind The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie & The Commodores
James Anthony Carmichael, the legendary arranger and producer behind classics by The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, The Commodores, Atlantic Starr, Diana Ross, and countless others, has passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. More than a musical genius, Carmichael was a devoted husband, father, and family man whose quiet influence helped shape the sound of American music for generations.
Kamasi Washington, Stanley Clarke & The Birth of the Santa Monica Jazz Festival
Kamasi Washington closed the inaugural Santa Monica Jazz Festival with a powerful hometown performance alongside Los Angeles based jazz giants including Terrace Martin, Tatiana Tate, Brandon Coleman, Miles Mosley, and DJ Battlecat. Curated by Stanley Clarke, the festival showcased why LA remains one of the premier jazz cities in the world.
Bilal’s First Born Second Still Sounds Alive 25 Years Later
Twenty-five years after First Born Second, Bilal returned to the stage at Blue Note Los Angeles sounding stronger than ever. In a sold-out anniversary performance, Bilal reminded audiences why real singing, live musicianship, and soul-driven music still matter in today’s industry.
DJ Battlecat: The Sound That Built West Coast Hip Hop
A deep conversation with DJ Battlecat on his story, sound, and the musical foundation behind West Coast hip hop—from drums and gospel to jazz and groove.
Ali LeRoi’s Hidden Lens: The Creative Mind Behind Everybody Hates Chris
Ali LeRoi’s photography exhibit reveals a deeper layer behind Everybody Hates Chris, showing how great artists create across multiple forms. Through candid images and personal reflection, this exhibition captures the emotion, family, and creative vision that made the show a global cultural staple.
K-Pop or Copy-Paste? The Black American Blueprint
I compared classic Black American R&B and hip hop records side-by-side with K-pop songs. The similarities in groove, vocals, and structure are hard to ignore.
Robert Glasper at Blue Note LA Is the Gold Standard of Live Music
No two Robert Glasper shows are the same. Inside his Blue Note LA residency, the band reshapes jazz, funk, R&B, and hip hop in real time—proving live music still has no ceiling.
James Gadson: From Watts to Hip Hop — The Groove That Built Modern Music
James Gadson (1939–2026) was the drummer behind some of the most important grooves in music history. From Marvin Gaye to D’Angelo, his feel shaped generations of Black American music.
Beyond Gang Culture: How Policy Reshaped Black Los Angeles
Black Los Angeles has long been reduced to gang culture, but the reality is far more complex. From historic cultural hubs to modern hiring barriers, this piece examines how access, policy, and perception—not gangs—have shaped economic outcomes in LA.
Veritus Miller: Young Band, Old Soul
Veritus Miller and his band deliver a powerful performance that challenges every misconception about young musicians, proving the next generation is already ready.