Brandon Diaz
Brandon Diaz is a fiction writer, music maniac, and teacher. When not scouring the web for the newest hottest, he's probably spinning a set on the 1's and 2's in his Oakland crib and trying to break in some stiff denim.
More by Brandon Diaz
Why The Karate Kid is THE Quintessential '80s American Film
04.26.18 — "We are the rooters for the doers, and the doers of the unrealistic. That is America. And we love this movie because it reflects what we hope to be, even...read more
He Found BIGFOOT :: The Story of Bob Chandler and the First Original Monster Truck
03.21.18 — Bob Chandler remembers it like this, “I just wanted to be bigger than everybody else, ya know?” The story of the blue grandaddy of all monster trucks, BIGFOOT, and the...read more
Revisiting Who Framed Roger Rabbit
10.06.17 — "The film was an anomaly, created under circumstances that will probably never happen again... A re-watch gives pangs for a time when cartoons were hand-drawn, extravagantly slapstick, and a bit...read more
How Zev Love X Became DOOM :: A Supervillain Origin Story
03.02.17 — Like all proper masked heroes, DOOM has an origin story underwritten by a tragic personal loss, a music industry fallout, soul searching, and rebirth. Here's how hip-hop's supervillain was born.read more
This New Book Tells a Visual Narrative of '90s NYC Nightlife
01.30.17 — "New York’s clubs celebrated our differences, heralded our creativity, and rewarded our love of life." Utilizing printed flyers, this new book tells a visual narrative of NYC nightlife.read more
The Subversive Rap Album :: A Review of Isaiah Rashad's 'The Sun's Tirade'
09.19.16 — "Perhaps the 'Tirade' in its title is a reflection upon that sun up there looking down accusatorially at [Isaiah] Rashad in his exploits as a young man, trying to reconcile...read more
Why Hawaiian Graffiti Documentary 'Mele Murals' Is a Must-See
09.13.16 — Aunty Pua reminds the viewer, “...if you’re going to put our living history on the side of a building, then it’s not just what you do, it’s what you feel......read more
Friendship & Survival :: A Review of Seminal Graffiti Documentary "Wall Writers"
07.08.16 — "You couldn’t buy followers. You had to have a felt tip and a spray can." Brandon Diaz reviews Roger Gastman's fast-paced must-see graffiti documentary "Wall Writers: Graffiti in Its Innocence."read more
Hustle :: A Quick Etymology
06.17.16 — "It’s that scrappy, heart-pumping persistence into your backbone, perseverance into your pineal gland." Brandon uncovers the surprising history behind our generation's favorite word—all the way back to Abe Lincoln.read more
Oakland's Wine + Bowties Stunts with Music & Art Fest FEELS V
06.03.16 — "Wine + Bowties’ FEELS V was not only lit AF, but a showcase of how the integrative arts scene in the Bay is flourishing in a time of economic displacement,...read more
Combing the Zoot Suit Riots and the Murder At Sleepy Lagoon
03.09.16 — "But with cultural richness blossoming, one specific tragedy would pour floodlights over over the city, illuminating a bigoted mirk that crawled the social undercurrent of 1940s LA: The Murder at...read more
Listen to Airplane Mode :: Oakland's Erk Tha Jerk is What You Need
08.31.15 — “I take it a step further, because I’m not rushing. I would like to drop something new every month or every week, but you just don’t make good food...read more
Dull and Cliche—but Satisfying :: A Straight Outta Compton Movie Review
08.19.15 — "[SUGE KNIGHT'S CHARACTER] IS SO UNTHREATENING ON-SCREEN THAT I WAS WONDERING ABOUT HIS PINTEREST ACCOUNT." Brandon Diaz hilariously reviews the film Straight Outta Compton.read more
Prescription: Over the Counter :: Dr. Dre Delivers a Very Mild Compton
08.12.15 — "The prognosis? It’s just aight. Very medium. Decent. Coo. Good enough, I guess." Brandon Diaz goes in-depth with Dr. Dre's long-awaited studio album, "Compton: A Soundtrack," in this album review.read more
Ratatat's "Magnifique" Album Review:: A New Very Good Thing
07.29.15 — Ratatat's new album, Magnifique, lives up to its name in this album review by Brandon Diaz.read more
Miguel's "Wildheart" Album Review :: The Return of an Artist
07.24.15 — Miguel's third studio album, Wildheart, delivers with live instrumentation, layered harmonies, and unabashed sweetness paired with blatant sexuality. We can't say we're too surprised, and we dig it. read more