Speaking for a Generation: 5 Years with Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’
‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ wasn’t made to be ordinary, it was made to be exceptional.
Editors Picks
Denzel Curry vs. JID: “A Motherf**king Fight”
Denzel Curry versus JID is the reason why rap battles will always exist; it’s natural for hip-hop to yearn for great talent.
Denzel Curry Is a Champion
If we take Denzel Curry for granted today, he might not be here tomorrow.
What It Feels Like to Be Bipolar in the Music Industry
“When I’m not manic, music is the only thing keeping me stable.”
God Bless Pop Smoke & the Radiant Children of Rap
The artist’s identity in music cannot be defined until they have an audience to define themselves against. It is cruel, but it is the truth.
Remembering the Kaleidoscopic Vision of Matt Doo
Matt Doo continues to inspire with his dense fusion of style and substance.
Why Music Videos Still Matter
Social media is the new 24-hour music television channel, where art and marketing intersect to create stars.
Why French Rap Was Ignored at the French Music Awards
“Some might call this racist—not the French.”
Makaya McCraven Brings Gil Scott-Heron Back Home
We spoke with Makaya McCraven about ‘We’re New Again,’ a legacy album in time with the legacy of the artist.
The Oral History of New Orleans’ The Soul Rebels
“When they see us, everybody just assumes we’re a marching band...until they hear us.”
Music Festivals Are Liminal Spaces
For music lovers, festivals represent headlines and history, openings and closings, and being there — or wishing you were.
Mac Miller’s Final Album Isn’t Just About Mac Miller. It’s About Us
“I am still learning about Mac, learning about what his last moments were. I guess that is why I am crying.”
Smif-N-Wessun’s ‘Dah Shinin’ Is a Testament to an Era That Defined Hip-Hop
A quarter of a century later, all heads realize.
Here’s to Juice WRLD, My Generation‘s Kid Cudi
Thank you for everything, Juice. You deserve a million words.
Breaking Down J. Cole’s Discography Using Love
We break down J. Cole‘s discography through the lens of the four Greek words for love.
Here’s How Tory Lanez Cleared Every Sample on ‘Chixtape 5’
“In total it was 97 writers, including the sample writers.”
I Can’t Stop Playing Deb Never
Deb Never is an LA-based musician who makes… Well she doesn’t make happy music.
Behind-the-Scenes of EarthGang’s “UP” Video
Like the directors they employ, artists must understand the world they’re building. EarthGang knows the world they are building.
nostalgia, FOREVER: Frank Ocean’s “Strawberry Swing”
The duality of “Strawberry Swing” is a reminder to make blessings out of the ordinary.
The Actor Is Present: Childish Gambino’s Last Act
If Austin City Limits was his last performance, Glover-as-Gambino treated the night as the culmination of his engagement with the audience as actors in his theater.
Danger Mouse Is Rap’s Great “What If?” Producer
Imagine the creative chemistry Danger Mouse might share with rappers like Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Tyler, The Creator. I know I have.
Kevin Abstract’s Recurring Antagonist: America
To listen to Kevin Abstract is to, on some level, question your Americanness.