Listen, Whitey: The Music of the Black Power Era 1965-1975

Annenberg Research Seminar: Pat Thomas

Pat Thomas, author of the newly published Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power, 1965-1975 discusses his book, which focuses on the 'underground' subversive music that influenced and was inspired by the Black Panther Party and similar organizations during the late 1960's and early 1970's. His talk includes song selections you have probably never heard before.

Monday, April 2, 2012, 12 noon | Geoffrey Cowan Forum

Crossroads Music: Radiolab & Myths Surrounding Bluesman Robert Johnson

The amazing show Radiolab offers a list of 10+ songs in this episode investigating the mythical stories surrounding legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, songs which in a way offer a brief history of the roots of rock and roll. Dig in!

What's Goin' On, Now? A Listening Party at USC

As part of a nationwide non-profit educational initiative of The Kennedy Center aimed at using Marvin Gaye's album What's Going On as a means of raising political and social awareness among urban youth, the Lear Center's Popular Music Project and the USC Office of Religious Life are hosting a live listening session of the whole Marvin Gaye album, start to finish, outside, in public, open and free to all, as an experiment in making musical community through listening. PMP director Josh Kun will moderate a conversation with singer Aloe Blacc during the break between Side A and Side B to inform the audience on the album and its legacy.
Thursday April 12, 2012, 5:00-6:30PM :: USC Quad

Josh Kun Featured in BBC Radio 4 Doc

Popular Music Project director Josh Kun is featured in a new BBC Radio 4 documentary, North of the Border - The Rise of Mexican Music about Narcocorridos, violence, and Los Angeles. Listen up!

Adele Saves the Music Industry! Album Sales Grow in 2011

OK, the growth was small - a 1.3% increase - but perhaps the music industry doesn't have to completely self-destruct before it finds its way in the digital wonderland. Here's a NYT piece with more numbers and details on how Adele's album 21 really mattered.

Death Rattle: Mexico, Music and the War on Drugs

Read Josh Kun's disturbing piece in the January 2012 issue of The American Prospect about the changing mood and POV of narcocorridos and one new introspective song that sounds a hope for a different future.

A Conversation & Mixtape Demonstration with J. Period

Popular Music Project Director Josh Kun sat down recently with renowned hip-hop DJ J.Period for a conversation and mixtape demonstration at the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, with an SRO crowd.

With DJ & remix work for Grammy-winners Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and Mary J. Blige under his belt, J. Period has become one of hip hop's undisputed Mixtape Kings and most respected DJ/Producers. Praised by The New Yorker for his groundbreaking Bob Dylan remixes, and named one of "the world's top DJ's" by The New York Times, J.Period was also featured in Activision's blockbuster video game, DJ Hero, alongside a short list of DJ legends: Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Shadow, Z-Trip & DJ AM.

All About US: Paul Simon - American Tune

Summertime Clothes - Animal Collective

Refreshing original, like running through sprinklers as a kid, and a bliss-filled remix.

Summer of Love: Love Yourself Some Sassy!

Sarah Vaughan, also known as "Sassy" and "Sailor" due to her joyful use of obscenity, offers the perfect voice for a summer of love, lust, loss, more love, and then just some flat-out fun. Top off your drink, sit back, and enjoy.