debates
-
After “Seen It All,” Breaking Down Jay Z’s Dope Guest Verse Streak
In three days, it will be America’s 238th anniversary. It will also be the one year anniversary of Jay Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail. (One is just a tad more important than the other.) For all the “new rules” mumbo…
-
Heat Check: How Do You Feel About Busta & Eminem’s “Calm Down”?
What’s better than a new Busta Rhymes song? A new Busta Rhymes song that features Eminem ! What’s better than a new Busta Rhymes song that features Eminem? How about a new Busta Rhymes song that features Eminem, which finds…
-
If You Could Sign to Any Label, Who Are You Signing With?
If you are on this site, reading this right now, you’re probably either a rapper, or you’ve thought about being a rapper. I know I have. The only thing holding me back is that little thing called skill, but if…
-
Elliot Rodgers & America’s Culture of Money, Violence & Sex
On May 23, 2014, Elliot Rodger, a 22-year-old student at the University of California Santa Barbara and son of director Peter Rodger, murdered six people and wounded thirteen others in Isla Vista, California. His killing spree began in his own…
-
Hey, White Pop Stars: Ignorance Is No Excuse for Racism
In recent weeks, two of the music industry’s biggest white stars have found themselves at the center of race-related controversies. First, Macklemore ran afoul of the Jewish community by performing “ Thrift Shop ” in a “disguise” reminiscent of Nazi-era…
-
Lupe Says Kendrick Lamar Isn’t the Dopest Lyricist in Hip-Hop, Is He Right?
I know, I know, that’s kind of an awkward way to phrase a question, especially for someone who, like, writes words for a living, or whatever. I could have just written “Is Kendrick Lamar the Dopest Lyricist Alive?” or something…
-
Does 50 Cent Still Matter? Debating Curtis Jackson’s Rap Legacy
Last week, Lucas and I were talking about 50 Cent’s upcoming Animal Ambition album , officially dropping tomorrow, and I suggested doing an entire “Week of 50”; one story a day on Fiddy for the entire week. Lucas acted like…
-
What’s the Best Hook of 2014 (So Far)?
You know what I love most about this glorious age of the internet? Videos of animals singing the Game Of Thrones theme song . Just kidding (but not really) my favorite part is the fact that super talented, yet unknown…
-
What Rapper Represents You? (aka Your Hunger Games Rapper)
The other day Lucas and I got to talking about hip-hop – because what else is there to talk about? – and off this article we got to circling around one question: if you had to pick one rapper to…
-
The Rap Soundtrack to My Life – What’s Yours?
These last few weeks has felt like 1994 all over again. This past month, with the 20th anniversary of Illmatic , Nas has been in the headlines more times than he has the past 19 years. If you aren’t Illmatic-ed out by…
-
Why I’m Boycotting the XXL Freshmen List: A Twitter Rant Reminder
I swear, this shit happens every year and it makes me want to kick a puppy. For literally years now I’ve been explaining why I decided to boycott the XXL Freshmen List as matter of principle. But then every year…
-
What’s the Best Hip-Hop Sample of All-Time?
I’ve done a lot of these “Questions of the Week”, but somehow, someway, I’ve never really touched one of the absolute foundations of hip-hop; the sample. Well that all ends today, let’s talk some “What’s the Greatest Hip-Hop Sample of…