Matt's Writing

George Watsky's album Cardboard Castles released today shot up to #1 on iTunes, as the best-selling hip-hop album. Watsky is a San Francisco hip-hop and spoken word artist who I interviewed back on my radio show on Fresh Air: The Alternative , which was included in Oakland in Popular Memory .  Why is Watsky's album the #1 hip-hop album on iTunes, edging out Macklemore & Ryan Lewis? It has to do with the power of vulnerability . In an era of rappers boasting about their lavish lifestyles, cars, gold chains, and how many women they've been with, Watsky rejects that veneer and comes real with his spoken-word inspired tracks Tiny Glowing Screens Pt 2  and  Dedicated to Christina Li . Could you imagine Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, or Gucci Mane releasing tracks like these? It's doubtful. Watsky showcases his range on Cardboard Castles , and his years of hustle have paid off--the word about his talent is out, and he debuted at #6 on the R&B/Hip-Hop  Billboard charts...

George Watsky's video Pale Kid raps fast is currently the most viral video online, according to the Viral Video Chart . He's been bustin' like that since his Youth Speaks days, and it's great to see him get recognition for his talents. I interviewed him back in Nov. 2008 on my Fresh Air: The Alternative show. Click here for the MP3 .

George Watsky (the first musician I interviewed on my radio show in Scotland last year), just dropped a cool stop-motion music video for "I Got This Love," recorded by Max Miller-Loran: Also, the interview I did with George Watsky can be found here .

You can download my interviews on Fresh Air: The Alternative, University of Edinburgh student radio on my website http://mattswriting.com/ or on iTunes. When you search the iTunes store for DJ Matt Werner, my podcast "mattswriting" will come up. Or, by clicking this direct iTunes link , you can download my interviews and features on Talib Kweli, Saul Williams, Dahlak Brathwaite, Kid Beyond, Dave Smallen, Fr. Bruno Clifton, George Watsky, and Ise Lyfe.

DJ Matt Werner's interview with spoken-word, hip hop artist, actor, and playwright George Watsky premiered on Fresh Air: The Alternative on November 11, 2008. The complete 40-minute podcast is below in 5 videos on YouTube. Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Part 4: Part 5 (Features George Watsky's Michael Cera diss track):

DJ Matt Werner's Radio Show on Fresh Air: The Alternative, the University of Edinburgh's student radio station was a big success this autumn semester. I will continue it in the spring, interviewing and doing features on authors, artists, and musicians who are challenging the status-quo of their fields. Interviews this semester included: Saul Williams, Kid Beyond, Dahlak Brathwaite, and George Watsky. For updates on my show next semester, please sign up for my show's Facebook group.