Opinion

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.

Consider this piece less of an investigation and more of a candid observation

Both had breakout mixtapes, underwhelming debuts, and career-defining sophomore albums. Their careers couldn’t be more different.

Ocean’s poetry grows wilder as “White Ferrari” progresses, and yet the final message is so accessible: “We’re free to roam.”

We asked two experts to break down the future of live performance in light of COVID-19.

Rest in infinite power, Groggs.

Marlowe, JWords, RaFia, and Yui & Aio make up our lo-fi rap snack pack for the week beginning July 6, 2020.

The late Brooklyn rapper’s posthumous debut is a statement piece.

“You have to find a voice in it.”

“Close to You” is no simple interlude; it is a calling out into the void for ease.

Despite the formidable challenges, hip-hop’s second home, France, made a typically impressive account for itself in the second quarter of 2020.

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

“How can we be expected to both demolish white supremacy and rock you to sleep? We have too much to lose.”

Taylor’s third studio album, ‘The Album,’ is an honest work of art.

Every hip-hop head inherently subscribes to revolution, whether they know it or not.

“With every fresh listen, ‘DAMN.’ sounds more and more like a premonition of the end of days, an album made for this exact uncertain and imperfect world.”