Opinion
Call of the Wild: The Heroic Journey of Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles
If Paper Boi is not a hero, then I'm not sure who is.
The Art of Fragmentation in Rap Music
Tierra Whack, Pink Siifu, and Earl Sweatshirt are all gaming the system. And it, resoundingly, works.
13 Life Lessons from JAY-Z: A Letter to My Unborn Niece
The best thing about JAY-Z's lyrics is that they're always there when you need them most.
Mac Miller, ‘Live From Space’ and Beyond
Mac Miller's 'Live From Space' was much, much more than just a live album.
The Life and Death of Rap's Leak Era
Album leaks were the scourge of the music industry. Now, they have little if no impact.
How Anxious Music Creates a Sense of Place
From his grand discomfort, Slug of Atmosphere establishes a sense of place in his life and in his music.
Best Songs That Made Us Cry of 2018 (Staff Picks)
Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, Anderson .Paak, and more—these are the songs that made us cry in 2018.
10 Best Love Songs of 2018 (Staff Picks)
The Internet, Noname, Daniel Caesar, and more—our favorite love songs of 2018.
The Importance of Creating Selfishly
"How can art nourish another person if it does not first nourish the creator?"
Relearning Myself as an Artist: A Guest Editorial by Sebastian Mikael
Sebastian Mikael had to take a step back from music to live his life and relearn himself as an artist. Now, he's back.
How Can Rap Trust the GRAMMYs?
Donna and Yoh discuss the 2019 GRAMMYs and hip-hop's relationship to awards shows.
10 Best Unexpected Collaborations of 2018 (Staff Picks)
Mariah Carey and Gunna, Young Thug and Elton John—our favorite unexpected but great collaborations of the year.
"The Streaming Era Is F**king Exhausting": A Response
People don’t blame an all-you-can-eat buffet for providing too much food. We blame the person for overeating.
10 Best Non-Rap Albums of 2018 (Staff Picks)
Mariah Carey, The 1975, 'A Star Is Born'—our favorite non-rap albums of the year.
The Perspective of Mercy: A Guest Editorial by Grace Weber
"Mercy and love, over division and hate, should be the pride of what it means to be human."
Living Within the Music: The Internet Live Experience
"We celebrated life that evening. Inhibition-free, as one hive mind, we let our hearts flow."
Why Rick Ross Saying "Faggot" Is a Teachable Moment
Donna and Yoh discuss Rick Ross' slur usage in Meek Mill's "What's Free."
9 Best Music Videos of 2018 (Staff Picks)
Rocky, Gambino, Travis—these are our favorite visuals of the year.
The Development of an “East Atlanta Playboy”
J.I.D's 'DiCaprio 2' and 6LACK's 'East Atlanta Love Letter' comprise a portrait of the “East Atlanta playboy.”
How Tyler, The Creator & Earl Sweatshirt Found Comfort—Finally
In 2018, Tyler and Earl find themselves sitting in a long-stewing sense of self-awareness.
Ski Mask the Slump God Is Spreading His Wings—We Should Let Him
Fans should be thrilled by the creative risks Ski Mask takes on his new album ‘STOKELEY.’
10 Best Guest Features of 2018 (Staff Picks)
Our favorite show-stealing guest features this year.
Drake's AM-PM Series Expanded to All 24 Hours of the Day
With 20 more hookless, State of the Union addresses.
777: The Cult of KEY! and Kenny Beats
God may have rested on the seventh day of creation, but KEY! and Kenny Beats did not.
Written by J.I.D: The Cinematic Beauty of 'DiCaprio 2'
Many of our favorite rappers know how to use their words to paint cinematic pictures. J.I.D is one of those rappers.
20 Greatest Years in Hip-Hop History, Part 4: 5-1
1988 is the greatest year in rap history because it’s the moment everything in hip-hop changed.
10 Greatest Hip-Hop Superteam Songs of 2018, Ranked
The magnetism of musical superteams creates a curiosity too strong to resist.
The Power of Reinvention: A Guest Editorial by Rapper Big Pooh
The veteran MC breaks down his three acts of reinvention in hip-hop.
Why Lil Baby Is 2018's Rap Rookie of the Year
With another project due out before the end of November, Lil Baby’s 2018 rookie campaign isn't even over.
Year of Mac: Welcome to ‘The High Life’
Mac Miller did not take his time for granted, and ‘The High Life’ is our proof.
On J.I.D and How to Handle Things Not “Workin Out”
J.I.D crafted a special and particular song.
20 Greatest Years in Hip-Hop History, Part 3: 10-6
We filtered through 45 years of the genre’s existence, picked out the 20 best, and ranked each one with regard to overall greatness.
A Tale of Humility: A Guest Editorial by Armani White
"You’re less fearful that the world isn’t revolving around you and more happy that it doesn’t."
20 Greatest Years in Hip-Hop History, Part 2: 15-11
We filtered through 45 years of the genre’s existence, picked out the 20 best, and ranked each one with regard to overall greatness.
Sharing Music Is More Than Sharing Music
Sharing music is more than a recommendation. It is the creation of a bond.
"Broken Girls," Drugs & Viewing Women as Substances
From Lil Peep to Saba, women have historically been seen as substances in hip-hop.
20 Greatest Years in Hip-Hop History, Part 1: 20-16
We filtered through 45 years of the genre’s existence, picked out the 20 best, and ranked each one with regard to overall greatness.
Kanye's "Family Business" Needs to Be the Thanksgiving "Jingle Bells"
We nominate "Family Business" as the official song of Thanksgiving.
How Jack Harlow Became a "Somebody" Onstage
Jack Harlow’s Philadelphia concert was a restorative moment, with Harlow taking the helm.
E. Dan Reflects on His Relationship with Mac Miller
“Not only did he change my life by the music he made, but he changed my life as a person.”