Author Archives: Nick Toole

“It Rivets Its Way Through My Soul Sometimes…” – Why We Love Rap

Inherent in my interest in hip-hop is storytelling, which I see as the most effective way to promote engagement from an audience. Many of the pieces on this blog are analytically sound, but lack a story with which the reader can engage. For that reason I wanted this post to tell a story, or rather multiple stories. … Continue reading “It Rivets Its Way Through My Soul Sometimes…” – Why We Love Rap Continue reading

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A Healthy Streak of Delusion: An Interview With Jeff Weiss

Jeff Weiss is a writer by definition. By vocation. His work is a product of passion when he has time, and a work of dedication when he doesn’t. He doesn’t claim to be an expert, but he does have experience. He was a staff writer at a business blog. He worked for free for the … Continue reading A Healthy Streak of Delusion: An Interview With Jeff Weiss Continue reading

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“Now All the Ladies in the Place…”

Perhaps only politicians could give hip-hop a run for its money when it comes to degrading rhetoric about women. At least politicians experience some sort of pushback. Hip-hop, it seems, is impervious to the sporadic attempts to address issues of sexism; a war of words is hard to win against the genre that invented the … Continue reading “Now All the Ladies in the Place…” Continue reading

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Teaching Kendrick

Just needed to drop this here. It’s a wonderful video, and an awesome thing to have happened. Continue reading

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Switchup: JSmith, Lido, and Brasstracks – Four5 

A funky take on Kanye, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney’s FourFiveSeconds from Soundcloud power-users JSmith, Lido, and Brasstracks.  Continue reading

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“Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself…”

Name: Nick Toole Age: 21 Height: 5′ 10″ Weight: 180lb Hair Color: Brown (balding) Ethnicity: Caucasian Origin: Brunswick, Maine, USA.… Read more “Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself…” Continue reading

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“Let Me Clear My Throat” A Few Clarifying Words Before I Continue

Before I continue with substantive posts about hip-hop, social issues, dope tracks, fire mixtapes, and entertaining rap beef, please allow… Read more “Let Me Clear My Throat” A Few Clarifying Words Before I Continue Continue reading

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Switchup: Moxie Raia – Drugs You Should Try It

Moxie Raia covers Travis Scott’s loud-induced, slow motion “love” song.  Continue reading

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Homophobia In Hip-Hop: Mistaking Steps For Leaps

I originally posted this piece through the Odyssey on September 28th, 2015.  A poster hanging in my college’s student union… Read more Homophobia In Hip-Hop: Mistaking Steps For Leaps Continue reading

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Switchup: BADBADNOTGOOD – Flashing Lights

A throwback take on a throwback jam. BADBADNOTGOOD covers Kanye West’s Flashing Lights. Enjoy. Continue reading

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