Shabazz Palaces Resist Profiling on Elusive ‘Exotic Birds of Prey’
Following Robed in Rareness from last fall, Shabazz Palaces continues a provisional series with the cryptic and digressive Exotic Birds of Prey.
experimental hip-hop
‘Robed in Rareness’ Elaborates Shabazz Palaces’ Afrofuturism
On Robed in Rareness, Ishmael Butler aka Shabazz Palaces takes yet another step in his forward-thinking, far-sighted project of Afrofuturistic hip-hop.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of April 2023
This month’s new, best hip-hop column looks underground at gems from the likes of Fly Anakin, Avelino, Lloyd Banks, and many more.
Once Upon a Time in the Northeast with Kid Koala
The beloved Canadian turntablist Kid Koala knows the secret to success: always push for the new and unexpected. No wonder his new album comes with a board game.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of January 2023
The best hip-hop of January focuses on albums from underground veterans, viral upstarts, and hyper-productive modern masters.
The Noise of the World, Turning on Itself: Dälek’s ‘From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots’
From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots established Dälek as the finest underground, deconstructive hip-hop outfit that ever toured with heavy-metal heavyweights and held their own.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of June 2022
Following underwhelming releases by the genre’s big hitters, this month’s column dives underground in search of the best hip-hop gems.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of May 2022
An especially strong month in hip-hop saw the release of brilliant albums from, amongst others, Kendrick Lamar, Black Star, 700 Bliss, and Boldy James.
Kendrick Lamar Steps Off the Pedestal on ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’
On Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, renowned rapper Kendrick Lamar observes the strife plaguing his kingdom and consciously abdicates the throne.
Hip-Hop Matters: The Best Hip-Hop of March 2022
This month’s best hip-hop traverses the spectrum with the return of a legendary group, a dreamy jazz-rap collaboration, a UK drill upstart, and industrial rap metal.
Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2021
The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2021
Hip-hop and myriad mutations of electronic music are the critical contemporary cultural lenses through which we view the creation of new ideas and aesthetics.
Moor Mother Makes Accessible and Challenging Music on ‘Black Encyclopedia of the Air’
Black Encyclopedia of the Air from Philly-based poet and musician Moor Mother fuses activist hip-hop with a warm, jazzy groove and an experimental spirit.