Email Author Calvin Cox

2011 Stories by Calvin Cox

• Black Spade

  published November 17, 2011

  Local legend Black Spade has long been known for taking hip-hop off its beaten path. Just as capable a producer as he is a singer and emcee,... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Curren$y, Method Man And Big K.R.I.T At The Pageant, 10/25/11

  published Oct 26, 2011

  Curren$y | Method Man | Big K.R.I.T The Pageant October 25, 2011 The 2011 Smoker's Club tour hit St. Louis last night, leaving in its wake both fond memories and irreparably damaged brain cells. The ... More >>

• Curren$y/Big K.R.I.T./Method Man

  published October 20, 2011

  The Smoker's Club Tour returns to St. Louis this month, once again featuring two of the most popular names in underground hip-hop. New Orleans... More >>

• Prince Ea's "Make 'Smart' Cool" movement picks up steam

  published October 13, 2011

  St. Louis doesn't exactly have the best reputation on the national hip-hop scene. While we do have our share of platinum-selling artists, most... More >>

• Rockwell Knuckles

  published September 29, 2011

  With a style that's constantly evolving and a flow that's one of a kind, Rockwell Knuckles has long been one of the more creative forces on the... More >>

• The Isley Brothers at Chaifetz Arena, 9/17/11: Review and Setlist

  published Sep 19, 2011

  The Isley Brothers | El DeBarge | After 7 Chaiftez Arena September 18, 2011 Things got off to a bit of a rocky start at this weekend's Superstars of Soul concert. Just prior to start time, lines for ... More >>

• Joe Budden at Fubar, 8/26/11: Review

  published Aug 27, 2011

  Joe Budden Fubar August 26, 2011 Joe Budden is not an asshole -- or at least that's what his merch would have you believe. (Literally: "I'm Not An Asshole" screams from the t-shirts he's selling.) ... More >>

• Joe Budden

  published August 25, 2011

  "Jumpoff" Joe Budden has undoubtedly had his ups and downs in the music biz. A Grammy nod early in his career, several high-profile industry beefs... More >>

• Lil Wayne and Rick Ross at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater: Review, Photos, Setlist

  published Aug 22, 2011

  Lil Wayne | Rick Ross | Keri Hilson | Far East Movement |Lloyd Verizon Wireless Amphitheater August 21, 2011 Though it's barely been four months since his last St. Louis show, rap/rock/pop phenomenon... More >>

• Jill Scott at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8/4/11: Review

  published Aug 05, 2011

  Jill Scott | Mint Condition Verizon Wireless Amphitheater August 4, 2011 Last year, St. Louis ardently welcomed Jill Scott as she opened for Maxwell on their controversially short-lived US tour. Last... More >>

• Sade

  published July 28, 2011

  Absence, it is said, makes the heart grow fonder. That would seem to be the case, as British jazz/soul band Sade makes its way stateside... More >>

• 2011 RFT Music Awards Winners: Best Jam/Funk Group: Funky Butt Brass Band

  published June 23, 2011

  Sounds Like: While firmly rooted in the tradition of the New Orleans brass band, FBBB often adds elements of funk, soul and Southern... More >>

• 2011 RFT Music Awards Winners: Best Soul/R&B (Solo Artist): Theresa Payne

  published June 23, 2011

  Sounds Like: Theresa Payne takes many of her cues from soul and gospel greats of the past, while adding a generous dose of hip-hop... More >>

• 2011 RFT Music Awards Winners: Best Rock Band: Kentucky Knife Fight

  published June 23, 2011

  Sounds Like: With a style that's been called everything from punk to alternative country, Kentucky Knife Fight's gritty blend of rock... More >>

• R. Kelly at the Chaifetz Arena: 6/17/11

  published Jun 20, 2011

  R. Kelly | Keyshia Cole | Marsha Ambrosius Chaifetz Arena June 17, 2011 Although last night's R&B spectacular at the Chaifetz was titled the Love Letter Tour, the name may have been slightly mislead... More >>

• St. Louis' biggest hip-hop showcase turns two

  published June 16, 2011

  Late last May, the first annual St. Louis Underground Music Festival (S.L.U.M. Fest) took place at Atomic Cowboy. The twelve-hour affair... More >>

• Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

  published June 16, 2011

  Cleveland's notorious Bone Thugs-n-Harmony played one hell of a sold-out show last spring at Pop's, despite Bizzy Bone's decision to not... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Weird Al Yankovic at the Family Arena, 6/3/11

  published Jun 06, 2011

  Weird Al Yankovic Family Arena June 3 As a youth, I can recall laughing helplessly while playing parodies like "Fat" and "Eat It" on my cassette deck. Back then, I never imagined that I'd one day be ... More >>

• Funky Butt Brass Band: Meet Your RFT Showcase Main Stage Headliners

  published Jun 02, 2011

  Taking much of its inspiration from the New Orleans second line tradition, the Funky Butt Brass Band has earned a reputation for its infectious blend of up-tempo jazz, blues, and soul. As the six-man... More >>

• Curren$y at the Old Rock House, 5/27/11

  published May 28, 2011

  Curren$y/Fiend/Nesby Philps Old Rock House May 28, 2011 Check out a full slideshow of Curren$y at the Old Rock House After nearly a decade in the game, Curren$y Tha Spitta has become something of a... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Charlie Wilson at Chaifetz Arena, 5/6/11

  published May 06, 2011

  St. Louis Music Festival Chaifetz Arena Friday, May 6, 2011 The Chaifetz played host to a satisfying mix of old and new school R&B last night, marking the second installment of the St. Louis Music Fe... More >>

• StarStrukk Productions, the locals responsible for "Shy Ronnie" and "Like A Boss," are still rising

  published May 5, 2011

  StarStrukk Productions took a big step toward breakout stardom when the local duo created the tracks that became "Like a Boss" and "Shy... More >>

• St. Louis Music Festival

  published May 5, 2011

  For more than three decades now, St. Louis Music Festival headliner Charlie Wilson has been making his way to the top of the R&B... More >>

• Dirty South author Ben Westhoff on his time covering St. Louis hip-hop and the new book

  published Apr 25, 2011

  What y'all really know about the Dirty Southr Enough to write a book, apparently. Congratulations are in order to RFT alum Ben Westhoff, whose second book will be officially released on May 1. The boo... More >>

• Talib Kweli at Pop's, 4/19/11: Review

  published Apr 20, 2011

  Talib Kweli/Fred the Godson/Dusty Wallets/Earthworms Pop's Nightclub and Concert Venue Tuesday, April 19 Not to be discouraged by the lightning, hail and winds that tore through the area last night... More >>