Tom Jennings
Radical cultural critic analysing different elements within popular culture.
8 Mile, dir. Curtis Hanson (2003), Eminem and hip-hop. Film review – Tom Jennings
Tom Jennings’ essay on the Eminem phenomenon and its cultural context.
Br(other) Rabbit’s Tale by Tom Jennings
Sound Clash: Jamaican Dancehall Culture at Large, by Carolyn Cooper, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. Book review – Tom Jennings
Carolyn Cooper’s Sound Clash sees contemporary reggae as rebel music, still. Tom Jennings is mightily impressed
A (New) Message from Rudy by Tom Jennings
Shameless, by Paul Abbott, series 1 and 2, Channel 4, 2003/4. Television review – Tom Jennings
The filthy fables of Paul Abbott’s Shameless trample over bourgeois morality. Tom Jennings tries to contain his laughter.
A Low Down Dirty Lack of Shame, and The Gutter Snipes Back by Tom Jennings
A LOW DOWN DIRTY LACK OF SHAME
The Gerbil’s Guide To The Galaxy - review
Tom Jennings enjoys Sally Madge's 2005 show; an art exhibition with real bite.
Rodent’s Eye View
The Edukators - review
Hans Weingartner's The Edukators (2005) has some interesting angles despite its sneering at childish idealism, finds Tom Jennings
Moral Politics at Play School
Bullet Boy - review
Hyped as a Brit Boyz N The Hood, Saul Dibb's Bullet Boy hits more ambitious bullseyes, according to Tom Jennings.
Hackney(ed) Crossroads
Bob & Roberta Smith, Help Build the Ruins of Democracy, Baltic Centre, Gateshead - review
Tom Jennings examines the political pretensions of a contemporary art show.
The Art of Brill O’ Pads
Beautiful Struggles and Gangsta Blues. Music review/essay – Tom Jennings
Tom Jennings’ urban music review of the year 2004.
Beautiful Struggles and Gangsta Blues by Tom Jennings
‘Life is a beautiful struggle / People search through the rubble / For a suitable hustle / Some people using their noodle / Some people using their muscle / Some people put it all together / Make it fit like a puzzle’ (Talib Kweli, ‘I Try’).
Wall and Piece, by Banksy, Century, 2005. Art/book review – Tom Jennings
Tom Jennings reviews a coffee table offering from the media’s favourite subversive.
Random Signage and Secret Acts of Beauty by Tom Jennings
Arofish stencil graffiti (2005). Art review – Tom Jennings
Stencil graffiti by Arofish often succeeds in transcending formula and cliché, according to Tom Jennings.
Aerosoul, by Tom Jennings
