Niall Smith

London, United Kingdom

Founder at The Culture Crypt

Articles

Sky Matters: a good time to spot Venus in the evening sky - and we've a 'strawberry moon' coming up on June 11

3 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Niall Smith

Last week I visited the Skinakas Astronomical Observatory on Mount Ida on the island of Crete. It’s a small observatory perched 1,750 metres above sea level, beyond the reach of the cloud layer that would make the site otherwise unusable for astronomical observations. The atmosphere here is unusually 'stable', evidenced by the lack of twinkling of the stars and the remarkable detail that can be captured in images from the Observatory’s two telescopes.
Being a passenger on a sailing ship doesn't mean you're a 'sailor' — so is Katy Perry an 'astronaut'?

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Niall Smith

The question of 'when is an astronaut an astronaut?' has received much attention with the most recent flight by the space company Blue Origin that included a number of high-profile individuals. While the question appears to be a simple one, the answer turns out not to be so. It depends both on how 'being in space' is defined, as well as the role of a person referred to as an 'astronaut' might best be considered to be. Looking first at the definition of 'space'.
Sky Matters: Two eclipses this month

Mar 2, 2025 | irishexaminer.com | Niall Smith

If February was the month when the world worried about the possible collision with a 'city killer' asteroid in 2032, then March will be the month when we turn our attention to eclipses. Two to be precise. And we can do so knowing that the 'city killer' asteroid is no longer a concern, as new data shows its chances of hitting us are much less than 1%. The first eclipse will be a lunar one, when the Earth casts its shadow onto the moon. This will occur in the early hours of March 14.
How J Dilla’s ‘Donuts’ set a new benchmark for instrumental hip-hop

Feb 7, 2025 | djmag.com | Niall Smith

What’s sweet, circular, and often coated in layers? James “J Dilla” Yancey’s ‘Donuts’, of course. The final album to be released during the Detroit hip-hop producer’s lifetime — landing on 7th February 2006, his 32nd birthday, three days before he passed — it is baked in an atmosphere of tragedy and false starts. It also encapsulates the enigmatic instrumentalist in all of his glory.
How J Dilla’s ‘Donuts’ set a new benchmark for instrumental hip-hop

Feb 7, 2025 | flipboard.com | Niall Smith

GTA 6 announcement confirms game will be unplayable for millions at launch, and possibly beyondMillions of fans will not be playing GTA VI at launch and this isn't related to those who game on last-gen consoles. When the next entry in Rockstar …
Sky Matters: Find a dark site on a cloudless night - to change your sense of place in the universe

Feb 2, 2025 | irishexaminer.com | Niall Smith

It was a dark February evening. In 1989. Devoid of the lights of civilisation and with only a dim red torch to illuminate the way, I was forced to choose my steps carefully as I ascended the 1.5 kilometre roadway from the astronomers' 'residencia' up to the array of telescopes perched atop the Canary Island of La Palma. The European Northern Observatory, high above the clouds and far from lights, save for the garish glow of distant Tenerife. The following night I was due to start observing.
Ghais Guevara: “We live in an anti-intellectual world. Rap, at its core, is intellectual. I want to bridge that gap”

Jan 23, 2025 | nme.com | Niall Smith

In the 2002 film State Property (starring rapper Beanie Sigel), director Abdul Malik Abbott canonised Philadelphia’s slippery streets. Burrowing through the salvo of XXL tees, Rocawear sweats, and low-angle shots, the rallying quote “get down or lay down” ripples through the cult classic flick. While it may seem arbitrary, it crystallises Philly’s fragmented, unwavering ethos and culture. At 24, rapper Ghais Guevara is now delivering his own manifesto.
SkyMatters: Looks like acid rain, dear - if you're having Christmas on Venus

Dec 1, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Niall Smith

Santa has a lot to consider at this time of year. Flitting across the rooftops from town to town, country to country and continent to continent is no mean feat, especially as it all has to be done in one night. But what if Santa had to do this on other planets as well? What extra challenges would he, his trusty reindeers and his present-packed sleigh face? On Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, Santa would immediately face the issue of the length of day.
DUCKWRTH for The Artists Vol. 1

Nov 23, 2024 | notion.online | Niall Smith

We peer into the mind of DUCKWRTH, discussing his unfurling music catalogue, hypothetical smoke sessions with George Clinton, movies and more for NOTION The Artists Vol. 1. “It’s not just about making music; it’s about telling a story – one that evolves with me.”California crusader Duckwrth is a man of many talents. For NOTION The Artists Vol.
GNX: Under the Hood of Kendrick Lamar’s Scorching West Coast Symphony

Nov 22, 2024 | flmag.co.uk | Niall Smith

Following the release of Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, Frontline’s Niall Smith delves into the the Compton emcee and pgLang leader’s sixth studio album, its themes, and its placement amongst his wider artistic mosaic. A few weeks ago, while sifting through my vinyl collection, I found myself appreciating how refreshing it is to consume entertainment in analogue formats.