Kelefa Sanneh, Ariel Levy Join New Yorker
New York Times music critic Kelefa Sanneh is leaving the newspaper to become a staff writer at The New Yorker, according to an internal memo distributed yesterday. (Radar had reported a rumor to this effect.)
Also heading over to 4 Times Square is New York Magazine contributing editor and writer Ariel Levy, who has already posted the news to her personal web site.
David Remnick wrote in an email to Media Mob that they are both expected to "write reported pieces."
Ms. Levy wrote in an e-mail that she starts on April 1 and adds: "I am really psyched. I've loved working at New York magazine but I've also been there for TWELVE years if you can believe that, since I was an intern at the gossip column and Kurt Andersen was my boss. So, you know, I think it's time for a change."
Nooo!.... Kelefa Sanneh is one of the best things about the NYT's music coverage. I've read him over the years and have been so heartened to see some of the artists he writes about getting some attention in such a mainstream publication (A thoughtful essay on Jay-Z: The Adult Years? Beenie Man's views on homosexuality, mentioned at all?).
Of course, the New Yorker's a great publication (and could really use the coverage enhancement), but I'm sad to see him move away from the daily publication ... Big congrats, but big tears (or at least, heavy sighs), and questions about who might be filling Sanneh's sizable and talented shoes*.
A.D.
*I'm totally free.
Sanneh's article on "rockism" single-handedly ruined music writing forever. I hope he rots in New Yorker hell with that other Great Satan/hack, Sasha Frere-Jones. Good riddance.
Sanneh's rockism article was very true and it touched a nerve in all of us. Sometimes when the truth comes out it tends to be ugly, but that doesn't make it any less true.
Kudos to him on his new position.
wow gold