Ibrahim "IB" Hamad Reflects on Launching J. Cole's Career
In celebration of 'The Warm Up,' the mixtape that launched a career.
Anniversary
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.
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.
MF DOOM's 'Operation: Doomsday' Is the Blueprint for Independent Hip-Hop
In the face of great loss, rapper Daniel Dumile perfected a formula.
25 Years Later: Writers Reflect on Nas' 'Illmatic'
We spoke with seven highly respected individuals in the music journalism space to hear their first impressions of 'Illmatic.'
J. Cole's Saving Grace: 'KOD' One Year Later
There are many ways to deal with the pain that life brings. Choose wisely.
'Piñata,' 5 Years Later: How Madlib Brought the Best out of Freddie Gibbs
The essence of 'Piñata' is found beyond Freddie Gibbs' seemingly endless tales of cocaine-slanging and gangbanging.
5 Years Later: How YG Crystallized 'My Krazy Life' Into Ordinary Madness
There’s omnipresent chaos that ebbs and flows throughout 'My Krazy Life.'
Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP ' 20 Years Later
Twenty years later, we examine Eminem's tragic fate following the release of his major label debut album, 'The Slim Shady LP.'
How De La Soul Brought Happy to Hip-Hop
Let's celebrate the 30th anniversary of De La Soul classic, '3 Feet High and Rising.'
An Ode to Isaiah Rashad: Five Years of 'Cilvia Demo'
Five years on, 'Cilvia Demo' still feels like a winding journey of self-discovery.
Palm Trees & Lowriders: Revisiting The Game’s Classic Debut ‘The Documentary’
Fourteen years ago, the introduction to Dr. Dre's new protégé thrusted the West Coast back to the forefront of mainstream hip-hop with a vengeance.
20 Years Later: DMX's ‘Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood’
DMX's sophomore album is a timeless Christmas miracle.
15 Years Later: JAY-Z's 'The Black Album,' the Perfect Goodbye
'The Black Album' was meant to be a once-in-a-career album.
25 Years Later: Wu-Tang Clan's 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'
We take a look back on the classic '36 Chambers,' 25 years after its release.
25 Years Later: Black Moon Reflects on 'Enta da Stage'
New York rap’s most underrated masterpiece.
‘INNANETAPE’ 5 Years Later: Revisiting Vic Mensa, the Dreamer
Five years later, we examine how Vic Mensa's breakout mixtape traverses all sides of destiny and dreams.
How Melody Made 'Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star' Timeless
This is the story of 'Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star,' 20 years later.
20 Years Later: Organized Noize Remember OutKast's ‘Aquemini’
For the 20th anniversary of 'Aquemini,' we spoke with Organized Noize about the album's legacy.
Solange's 'A Seat at the Table': My Reflection on Trauma and Self-Healing
"I wasn’t ready for this album."
In Praise of 'The Love Movement,' A Tribe Called Quest's Least-Loved Album
Tribe's fifth album was born out of conflict, and never received the promotion it deserved. Twenty years later, it's time to reevaluate.
10 Years with 'The Recession,' Young Jeezy's Second Classic Album
Jeezy's third album was as timely as it was timeless.
9 Writers Reflect on Ms. Lauryn Hill's 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'
The GRAMMY-winning album is now 20 years old.