Critic’s Notebook: Lil Wayne and Other Rappers Run Afoul of Propriety

Recent embarrassments involving rappers and their product endorsements highlight the conflicting values and public images of hip-hop artists and mainstream corporations.    

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Mountain Dew Drops Lil Wayne Over Emmett Till Lyric

How Mountain Dew backed away from Lil Wayne’s “offensive” reference to Emmett Till.

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Chris Kelly of the Duo Kris Kross Dies at 34

Mr. Kelly was barely in his teens when he became a star who helped bridge hip-hop to pop.    

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Critic’s Notebook: New Releases by Snoop Lion and Will.i.am.

Snoop Dogg turns into Snoop Lion for his new album, while Will.i.am’s latest record tends toward dance.

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ArtsBeat: Coachella: 2 Chainz, Action Bronson, Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt and Pusha T Perform

The festival’s lineup of rappers included Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt and others who arrived at stardom without the benefit of radio airplay or major-label deals.

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Reebok Drops Rick Ross After Social Media Protest

How a social media campaign put pressure on the sneaker company to drop the rapper Rick Ross as a spokesman.    

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ArtsBeat: Reebok Drops Rick Ross After Protest Over Lyrics

Reebok cut its ties with the Miami rapper Rick Ross on Thursday because of a track in which he boasted about drugging and raping a woman.    

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ArtsBeat: Timberlake’s ‘20/20 Experience’ Rolls On at No. 1

Justin Timberlake’s latest album is No. 1 on the Billboard chart for a third week, beating new albums by the Band Perry and the rapper Tyler, the Creator.

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