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ERIN BALDASSARI

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Prescription opioids have wreaked havoc on the Bay State. For Big Pharma, that’s fantastic news.

The Price of Pain
First there's the pain. Then comes a prescription for an opioid: OxyContin, Tylox, Percocet, Roxicodone, among others. But what often follows is a vicious cycle of tolerance, increased dosages, abuse, and addiction.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | October 23, 2012

Boston's Rap Class of 2011

A slice of area hip-hop's diverse scene — from hardcore boom-bap to frat rap
The announcement of last year's Rap Class rang so loudly that we had to step back in the arena and cause more noise.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | September 29, 2011

Domo Arigato

The robots are here — and they look nothing like we expected
When Czech playwright Karel Capek first used the word "robot" nearly a century ago, it was to describe a coldly calculating machine, evil in its perfection and scornful of human frailty. And so began our fascination with the possibility of humanoid machines designed to be our underlings but destined to be our overlords.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | May 02, 2011

Photos: Scenes from the Rally to Restore Sanity

Thousands of Daily Show fans, Flying Spaghetti Monsters, and Hogwarts alums, and more converge on the National Mall | October 30, 2010
With nary a pair of be-skidmarked Betsy Ross boxer shorts in sight.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | November 01, 2010

Photos: Curren$y at Middle East Downstairs

Curren$y | Middle East Downstairs | October 4, 2010
Curren$y takes the Smoker's Club Tour to the Middle East Downstairs, along with Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA, and others on October 4, 2010.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | October 14, 2010

Black EL x Durkin | Color Commentary

Self-released (2010)
If you have yet to hear Black EL x Durkin's first project, you've probably never read a hip-hop blog.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | September 30, 2010

Storming the streets with the Moped Army

Easy Riders
Friday night. It's the start of Moped Massacre II, a three-day-long, all-moped, all-metal, two-stroke-engine spectacle hosted by Boston's only moped gang, the kHz.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | September 09, 2010

Photos: Certified G'z at the Western Front

Certified G'z, live at the Western Front, on July 29, 2010
Certified G'z perform live at the Western Front on July 29, 2010.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | August 03, 2010

Photos: Nappy Roots at Harpers Ferry

Nappy Roots, live at Harpers Ferry, on July 22, 2010
Rap quintet Nappy Roots perform at Harpers Ferry on July 22, 2010.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | August 03, 2010

Photos: 2010 Boston Rap Class at the Middle East Upstairs

Urban Nerdz, Bay Holla, Concep, Certified G'z and more, live at the Middle East on July 14, 2010
Boston's Rap Class matriculates at the Middle East Up

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | July 21, 2010

Boston Rap's Class of 2010

These 10 homegrown hip-hop artists are ready to graduate to the big time
With Sam Adams burning up the iTunes charts and Slaine set to co-star in Ben Affleck’s upcoming Charlestown heist flick, The Town , major-label poachers may well be looking toward Boston for the next up-and-gunning rap talents.

By: ERIN BALDASSARI | September 19, 2010