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Culture

Wednesday

Review

Movies

Love, Loss and Le Carre: 'Constant Gardener'

Fresh Air

Film critic David Edelstein reviews The Constant Gardener, the new thriller based on the John Le Carre novel. The film is directed by City of God's Fernando Meirelles and stars Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.

Love, Loss and Le Carre: 'Constant Gardener'

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Art & Design

Black Comic Book Superheroes

Allison Keyes traces the history and the lasting appeal of African-American comic book characters. While superhero movies starring mainstream characters have grossed billions, adaptations of comics with black heroes have fared less well

Black Comic Book Superheroes

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Tuesday

Opinion

A Mixed Bag in Williams' Blog

Commentator Judy Muller has been reading NBC anchorman Brian Williams' new Web blog, and she's not sure she likes where this new journalistic medium is going. The postings often detail newsroom discussions over what stories should lead the broadcast.

A Mixed Bag in Williams' Blog

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New Hope for Revitalizing a Civil Rights Classic

Eyes on the Prize, the historic documentary of the civil rights movement, is getting a new life, thanks to a grant from the Ford Foundation and philanthropist Richard Gilder. There are plans to release the restored documentary to educational institutions next summer and have it shown again on public television next fall.

New Hope for Revitalizing a Civil Rights Classic

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'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

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The History of Hip-Hop

'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

Fresh Air

Ice-T is one of the original gangster rappers, of whom Greg Knot of The Chicago Tribune wrote: "Ice-T is that rare gangster rapper who leads with his brain instead of his gun or his crotch." He's gone on to a successful acting career. (This interview originally aired May 1, 1992.)

'Original Gangster': Rapper and Actor Ice-T

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Review

Music Reviews

Kanye West Shines

When Chicago's Kanye West released his debut, College Dropout, in 2004, many weren't sure if this hip-hop producer could also pick up the mic and make it as a rapper. Reviewer Oliver Wang says the music shines on West's new CD, Late Registration.

Kanye West Shines

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Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

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The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

Fresh Air

Known today equally as a musician and actor, Ice Cube was born O'Shea Jackson. He first gained notoriety in the late 1980s with the revolutionary group N.W.A. He now also acts in and produces movies, including this year's comedy Are We There Yet? (This interview originally aired Jan. 10, 2005.)

Hip-Hop Renaissance Man: Ice Cube

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Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

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The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

Fresh Air

Called the "godfather of hip-hop," Russell Simmons has been credited with bringing rap to the mainstream. In the early 1980s, he helped found Def Jam Records, launching pad of legendary hip-hop acts like Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. (This interview originally aired Nov. 27, 2001.)

Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Russell Simmons

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Monday

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

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The History of Hip-Hop

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

Fresh Air

When the hit rap song "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five came out in the early 1980s, many rappers regarded it as an inspiration and political message. Melle Mel was the original vocalist on the song. (This interview originally aired August 4, 1992.)

Rapper Melle Mel: Delivering 'The Message'

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DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

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The History of Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

Fresh Air

DJ Kool Herc is known as the father of the DJ breakbeat, part of the foundation of modern hip-hop. He also wrote the introduction to the recent history of hip-hop, Can't Stop Won't Stop. Kool Herc kicks off Fresh Air's Hip-Hop Week. (This interview originally aired March 30, 2005.)

DJ Kool Herc and the Birth of the Breakbeat

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DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

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The History of Hip-Hop

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

Fresh Air

At the dawn of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash recorded hits like "The Message" and "White Lines (Don't Do it)" with the Furious Five.

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

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Sunday

Movies

Actor Scott Goes the Distance with 'Saint Ralph'

He's played Robert Benchley and Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. He's been cast as an introspective dentist, an atomic scientist, a cop and Hamlet. Now, in the film Saint Ralph, Campbell Scott takes a turn as a priest coaching an unlikely marathoner.

Actor Scott Goes the Distance with 'Saint Ralph'

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Saturday

Friday

Review

Book Reviews

Tennis' King vs. Riggs in 'A Necessary Spectacle'

Fresh Air

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews A Necessary Spectacle: Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs, and the Tennis Match that Leveled the Game. It's about the 1973 battle of the sexes match that inspired great bravado and even greater publicity.

Tennis' King vs. Riggs in 'A Necessary Spectacle'

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Music

Queen of 'Vocalese': Jazz Singer Annie Ross

Fresh Air

Singer and actress Annie Ross was part of the legendary team of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and originated the style known as vocalese. She's currently performing in Manhattan at Danny's Skylight Room on Wednesday nights until September. (This interview originally aired March 2, 1990.)

Queen of 'Vocalese': Jazz Singer Annie Ross

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