Almost since it first emerged on the streets of the Bronx, audiences have expected hip-hop to express a revolutionary purpose. But perhaps this music shouldn’t have to take a political standHalfway through side one of A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, the 19…
The Mirror and the Light review – Cromwell’s spell is finally broken
Gielgud theatre, LondonThe climactic play based on Hilary Mantel’s magisterial trilogy has wit and grace but no great dramatic releaseIt’s a truism all too well known to Thomas Cromwell that history is written by the victors. By the final volume in Hil…
The Harder They Fall review – Idris Elba rides into trouble in garishly violent western
Jeymes Samuel’s gonzo revenge western, with a cast including Elba, Regina King, and Zazie Beetz is enjoyable, if face-splatteringly brutalThe London film festival saddles up for a gonzo revenge western which aims to reclaim the often erased African Ame…
‘People of colour were less than human’: how The Harder They Fall redefines the western
Directed by London-born Jeymes Samuel, the movie with an all-black cast and strong female characters was always going to be unique, but the experience was also shaped by CovidFrom John Wayne’s toe-to-heel walk to Clint Eastwood’s trademark squint, the …
Robert Richardson obituary
Crime writer who drew on his experience as a Fleet Street journalist to colour his thrillersThe crime writer Robert Richardson, who has died aged 80, started out as the inventor of Gus (Augustus) Maltravers, an erudite playwright and classic amateur sl…
Hervé Télémaque review – ‘His work is just waiting for some pretentious fool to decode it’
Serpentine Gallery, LondonFrom military operations to the death of André Breton, the Parisian artist loved to paint seismic events. But it’s odd and themeless, proving nothing dates more badly than pop artYou can’t accuse the Serpentine of relentlessly…
A microcosm of segregated America: Michael von Graffenried’s best photograph
‘The people of New Bern liked the fact my ancestor founded their town. But the atmosphere changed when they realised I was there to show reality, not promote a touristy vision’The guy on the left is Frank Palombo, the former chief of police of New Bern…
‘I don’t judge his decision to die’: the hit podcast about love, loss – and Britney Spears
When Chris Stedman’s friend Alex took his own life, he left him a final puzzle to solve. Unread charts Stedman’s journey down a rabbit hole of grief and realisation“When someone dies, there are always questions that will be left unanswered. But what ha…
Dave Chappelle: The Closer review – aggressive gags and feeble protests
NetflixRather than explore the blind spots within modern gender and racial thinking, the comedian’s latest special triples down on the phobia‘I’m going all the way,” is Dave Chappelle’s refrain through this last in his run of Netflix specials. It’s a b…
Tina Turner sells rights to her music catalogue spanning 60 years
Publisher BMG takes on shares of recordings and image management of ‘queen of rock’n’roll’ in its biggest single artist dealTina Turner has sold the rights to her music catalogue spanning six decades, including hits such as What’s Love Got to Do With I…