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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 (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.
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 and his band deliver a powerful performance that challenges every misconception about young musicians, proving the next generation is already ready.
Was The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill really a hip hop album? This article argues that Lauryn Hill’s masterpiece is better understood as a classic R&B album—one that blends gospel, soul, doo-wop, funk, and hip hop in the tradition of Black American music.
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott, delivered a powerful Stretch Music performance at the Blue Note. Backed by Elena Pinderhughes, Andrew Renfroe, Kris Funn, and John Davis, the band moved from quiet atmospheric passages to explosive moments while carrying forward the tradition of Black American jazz innovation.
Motown’s “Dancing in the Street” didn’t just become a hit—it helped reshape rhythm and blues. With its fast groove, bebop-influenced horns, and Detroit’s polished production style, the record pushed R&B into mainstream pop and helped define the Motown sound.
Charlie Bereal brought warmth, restraint, and elite musicianship to the Blue Note, redefining the Death Row narrative with live band energy rooted in groove and love. Backed by a powerhouse lineup of Los Angeles–based players, the night delivered textured drums, melted horn arrangements, and a falsetto that echoes the early ’70s while remaining unmistakably his own.