Oliver Wang

Oliver Wang is a music writer, scholar, and DJ based in California. Since 1994, he's written on popular music, culture, race, and America for outlets such as NPR, Vibe, Wax Poetics, Scratch, The Village Voice, SF Bay Guardian, and LA Weekly.

Wang begins work as an assistant professor in sociology at Long Beach State this fall; He also hosts the renowned audioblog soul-sides.com. For more information, visit o-dub.com.

Two Attempts To Turn Summer Platinum Into Fall Gold

Credit Vanessa Heins / Courtesy of Universal Music Group

Carly Rae Jepsen and the cover of Kanye West's latest album, Cruel Summer.

By Oliver Wang

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 8:47 am

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2:33 pm

Tue July 31, 2012

Fat Boys: A Hip-Hop Novelty Act Strikes Back

Credit Ebet Roberts / Redferns

The Fat Boys in 1990. Left to right: Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, Darren "Buff Love" Robinson and Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales.

By Oliver Wang

Originally published on Fri August 3, 2012 9:33 am

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4:39 pm

Thu June 28, 2012

Dad Builds A Recording Studio, Sons Make A (Lost) Classic

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Credit Courtesy of the artist

By Oliver Wang

Originally published on Mon July 2, 2012 4:01 pm

2:52 pm

Mon June 4, 2012

'Personal Space': Relics From Synth Soul's Early Days

Credit Courtesy of the artist

Electronic soul artist Jeff Phelps with his synthesizers.

By Oliver Wang

Originally published on Mon June 4, 2012 6:44 pm

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Early synthesizers were supposed to imitate or re-create other existing sounds, but as anyone can tell you, they mostly sounded like synthesizers. That distinctive whine and wheeze captivated all manner of pop artists, from prog-rockers to classical composers to soul musicians. However, back then, synthesizers were so expensive and bulky, you needed a major-label budget and an entire studio wall to install them.

9:18 am

Sat May 5, 2012

How Adam Yauch Grew Into His Voice

Credit Janette Beckman

Adam Yauch (center), with Mike Diamond (right) and Adam Horovitz, in a photo from 1985, the year before the Beastie Boys' debut LP, Licensed to Ill, was released.

By Oliver Wang

Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 6:50 pm

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1:58 pm

Tue September 18, 2012