Oliver Wang
Oliver Wang is a professor of sociology at California State University, Long Beach. He’s contributed to KCET since 2012 and also writes about arts and music for NPR, KPCC, the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Review of Books. He is the creator and writer for the audioblog, Soul-Sides.com and the creator, producer and co-host of the album podcast, Heat Rocks. Photo credit: Eilon Paz
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The Southern Soul Spinners play R&B styles that go by different names in L.A.: oldies, slow-jams, and -- at least among Chicanos -- "firme rolas."
The R&B duo known as The Internet -- aka Sydney "Syd tha Kyd" Bennett and Matt "Martians" Martin -- performs "Dontcha" in the KCET Studios.
San Fernando Valley-based indie rock band Run River North performs their single "Growing Up" at the KCET Studios.
The Korean American rapper Dumbfoundead, arguably K-Town's most visible and accomplished MC, speaks about his early days and offers his own guide to Koreatown.
"Style Wars," a 1983 documentary on the culture of New York graffiti crews of the late '70s and early '80s, had a large influence on L.A. graffiti writers.
Many back-up singers in the music industry came through the South L.A. church community. The new documentary, "20 Feet From Stardom," profiles of some of the most prolific voices ever recorded.
Glendale's Moonlight Rollerway has been a cultural and community landmark for over 60 years.
Traditional visual effects specialists have shifted their creative focus from movies into other realms as pre-digital make-up and costuming decline.