France is Currently Experiencing a Hip-Hop Revolution
French hip-hop found its raison d’être in vociferous social criticism.
Opinion
How I Made My First Million in Music
GRAMMY-winning producer !llmind on how belief changed his life.
Lil Nas X Runs Into a Wall on Debut '7 EP': Cheat Code Review
'7 EP' is a collection of eight unfocused songs engineered to recreate the crossover genre success of "Old Town Road."
Do Singles Sound Better on the Album?
Donna and Yoh discuss singles that sound better on the album, and vice versa.
Benny The Butcher 'The Plugs I Met' 1 Listen Review
This isn’t a project with a lofty goal to meet; it’s an endurance test.
Introducing XXL's 2019 Freshman Class — As Selected by DJBooth
Who would we put on the XXL freshman cover? Let's find out.
The Art of Lyrical Breadcrumbs
Lyrical breadcrumbs help us make the trip through an artist’s ambitions less daunting.
Mac Miller and Vince Staples Grew Into Their Own on ‘Stolen Youth’
The artistic wunderkinds summoned the best of each other.
Drake Makes Music for Winners, But His "World Pack" Isn't Befitting a Chip
The Toronto Raptors global ambassador missed an easy layup.
Free Nationals' "Time": A Difficult Listening Experience
Where Mac Miller’s music brings me comfort, peace, and fresh perspective, “Time” just hurt my heart.
Breakdown: J. Cole's Rhyme Scheme on J.I.D's "Off Deez"
By harnessing J.I.D’s inspiring flow, Cole was able to craft a miraculous verse.
Where Does Drake Fit into Toronto's Magical Moment?
The risks of Drake becoming Toronto’s de facto ambassador are clear.
The Art of Artistic Reinvention: Guest Editorial by Marco McKinnis
To evolve and grow artistically, it is important to identify where you are at the moment.
The Avant-Garde Genius of Missy Elliott
Celebrating the legend’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Anderson .Paak's Home Is on Stage: Live Review
Underneath a half moon, 2,228 miles from Oxnard, Anderson .Paak showed Atlanta why the stage is his new home.
Mac Miller's ‘Watching Movies with the Sound Off’ — in His Own Words
We look back at ‘Watching Movies’ through old Mac Miller interviews.
Painting Shades of Queerness Into the Portrait of Popular Culture
There is a majesty to the way we make love and art, and face adversity.
GoldLink 'DIASPORA' 1 Listen Album Review
"'DIASPORA' is lush, made-for-summer music. It is black, and it is proud."
Why Consistency Is the Greatest Achievement in the Streaming Era
It’s the mark of a dedicated artist; an artist unafraid of monetary fears and label pressures.
Soul Samples Bring Out the Best in Your Favorite Rappers
Rapping over a soul sample is the equivalent of lacing up a pair of sneakers and stepping onto a city court; you better bring your A-game.
Future 'SAVE ME' EP 1 Listen Review
This is a return to the world of 'HNDRXX,' but far more lugubrious.
Dave B 'BLEU': Cheat Code Album Review
On 'BLEU,' Dave B tackles the uncertainties of mid-20s adulthood.
US Radio Stations Don't Pay Performers or Master Owners. They Want to Keep It That Way
It’s time to call out the NAB’s hypocrisy.
What Makes for a Great Hip-Hop Concert?
Donna and Yoh discuss the best concerts they've seen, and what made them special.
The Wild, Wild Western Story Behind Warren G and Nate Dogg’s Classic “Regulate”
“Regulate” sits alongside the greatest hip-hop narratives of all time, but there’s more to the story than just the exploits of Warren and Nate.
How to Take Control Over Your Album Release
Make fans proud to listen, but also make them proud to pay.
Why Drake’s "Successful" Remains a Millennial Male Anthem
In Drake, rap fans found a new, more “relatable” figure.
The Evolution of Violence in Rap
In less than a decade, the language of rap violence advanced from bouts on dance floors to shootouts in parking lots and neighborhoods.
The Spry Spirit of the Beastie Boys' 'Ill Communication'
25 years after the song’s release, “Sabotage” still makes fans want to throw elbows with reckless abandon and put fists to drywall.
What Does Self-Awareness Sound Like in Hip-Hop?
Donna and Yoh discuss self-awareness in hip-hop.
Denzel Curry 'ZUU' 1 Listen Album Review
Denzel Curry records with the energy of a live performance.
Breakdown: The Greatest Round in Battle Rap History
“I used to battle on the roof, the loser had to jump.”
What Is R&B Music in 2019?
With hip-hop’s current melody-based wave taking over, and an influx of "rappers" rebranding themselves as singers/artists, how do we define R&B in 2019?
The Tragedy of Aaliyah Dana Haughton
This is her story, this is her song, may it be heard as long as the world turns.
YG '4REAL 4REAL' 1 Listen Album Review
'4REAL 4REAL' is a comeback record that reintroduces YG at his most inspired.
Beast Coast 'Escape From New York' 1 Listen Album Review
"I feel less like I’ve escaped New York and more like I came back from the bodega with the wrong bottle of Snapple."
Flying Lotus 'Flamagra' 1 Listen Album Review
"I have no idea what 'Flamagra' is about, but I liked it."
Steve Lacy 'Apollo XXI' Album Review
We quickly realize ‘Apollo XXI’ is a jam session of one, and that one is a compelling auteur.
A Product of the Blog Era: Alexander Fruchter on Closed Sessions at 10
"Our biggest triumph is that we’re still going; we're celebrating 10 years."
What's Up With All Those Baby Photos on Rap Album Covers?
The baby photo is a reminder that innocence can never truly die.
Archetypes of Rap Villainy: From 50 Cent to 21 Savage
Trolls of today will never successfully mimic the real terror of a younger 50 Cent.
You Can Now Hire a Famous Rapper for Less Than $50
Shout out to Snoop Dogg for reassuring Janine that she should feel entitled to groom her pubic hair however she chooses.