Opinion

We highlight five must-hear French rap records from August 2020, including 13 Block, F430, Kaaris, Leto, and Zesau.

clipping., Vic Spencer, reggie, & Seycara Orchestral make up our Lo-Fi Rap Snack Pack for the week starting August 31, 2020.

FlySiifu, Stik Figa, Curbside Jones, & Blackbird Belle make up out Lo-Fi Rap Snack Pack for the week of August 24, 2020.

“Songs like Frank Ocean’s ‘Super Rich Kids’ and ScHoolboy Q’s ‘Man of The Year’ made highlight reels out of otherwise banal moments.”

Mach-Hommy, Jay Versace, Black Noi$e, & Ovrkast. make up our lo-fi rap snack for the week of August 17, 2020.

“Rappers, especially in our modern times, represent all the feelings a person is faced with in pursuit of their personal legend.”

We rank the 10 best Tyler, The Creator guest features, with appearances on songs by Freddie Gibbs, Westside Gunn, and more.

Ohbliv, Marlowe, Koncept Jack$on, & Irish Kuzco make up our lo-fi rap snack pack for the week beginning August 10, 2020.

By learning to let life slow down, things are falling into place for alt-pop artist Davy Boi.

Rap’s adaptability makes it perfectly suited to the online experience in 2020.

Week 24. Four more must-hear lo-fi rap records.

We present the best French hip-hop songs coming out of France in July 2020.

If you’ve ever wondered how an artist can be in debt while the record company is still making money, the answer lies in recoupment and cross-collateralization.

On the music business, and why it isn’t called the “artist business.”

“Futura Free,” the final song on Frank Ocean’s masterpiece ‘Blonde,’ feels like a grand unveiling.

“Humoring Kanye’s political rhetoric doesn’t just reflect a lack of education and disenchantment with electoral politics, but the luxury to be apathetic.”

“I didn’t plan to write this guest editorial or release this cover for that matter.”

Jay Worthy, Animoss, Jonathan Cloud, and Baby Cate make up our lo-fi rap snack pack for the week beginning July 27, 2020.

On his final album, Logic embraces being a man with a son to raise, businesses to run, friends to support, and his mental health to protect.

When Logic raps, “Killing myself to make a killing,” it’s not a brag. It’s a word of caution.

When Lupe isn’t tethered to an overbearing concept, his thoughts are still intriguing enough to build worlds around.

Independent R&B artist Jhyve pens a guest editorial in advance of the release of his new EP, ‘Rapture.’

The sincerity of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed” reminds us of the permanence of love, and love’s ability to transform itself and us into new people.

Philadelphia-born rapper Khemist shares the meaning behind his latest EP ‘Khemtrails.’

We break down the secrecy behind J. Cole’s “Snow on tha Bluff,” and the controversy with Noname.

Week 22. Four more must-hear lo-fi records.

What really makes “Seigfried” special is a collection of singular lines.

“I know my lyrics saved you.”

Week 21. Four more must-hear lo-fi rap songs.

The void year may become a void period, with several years of stillness yet to come.

“There are myriad emotions our acute sense of collective irony has muted, and earnestness may be chief among them.”

JPEGMAFIA, MIKE, Black Noi$e, and Drew Dave make up our lo-fi rap snack pack for the week beginning June 29, 2020.

“Until we dismantle capitalism, the music industry will continue to promote reprehensible acts in the name of a dollar.”

“Beach Chair” was the moment JAY-Z finally let go of his youth, marking his journey into the philosophical elder statesman we celebrate today.