Music and Culture
Mormon American Idol, Church on Second Life and Barack Obama in Indiana
It’s been a big night, yet another Tuesday evening of clicking back and forth between American Idol and Democratic primary results. So first things first: It looks like America is going to have its first-ever Mormon American Idol in 17-year-old David Archuleta. The three judges, Randy, Paula and Simon, go crazy for Archuleta’s earnest crooning, [...]
6May2008 | Andrea Useem | 7 comments | ContinuedThe Religion of American Idol: Random Faith Facts about Season 7 Finalists
UPDATE April 22: For the first time (I think) Jason Castro wore a cross during the show — maybe a shout out to his fellow Christians?
No distraction is more satisfying for me right now than watching American Idol, which I look forward to watching tonight with my neighbor and husband while folding laundry. I’ve written [...]
Native Deen Responds: “Our Audience is Global”
Earlier this week, I reviewed the latest album of Muslim hip-hop trio Native Deen, Not Afraid to Stand Alone.
Displaying a great deal of patience and civility, the band and its manager, David Hawa, agreed to answer some of my criticisms in an e-mail interview: Abdul-Malik Ahmad responded on behalf of the group. Ahmad, in [...]
“Osama Bin-Who?” Native Deen, and Why American Muslims Shouldn’t Play the Victim
When ReligionWriter first heard that the American Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen had a new album out this winter, she wanted to buy it right away. Native Deen’s earlier album, The Deen You Know, was played more-or-less non-stop in RW’s car for months, at the request of her young sons, who loved to rock out [...]
14Jan2008 | Andrea Useem | 19 comments | Continued