J. Cole Works on His Coping Mechanisms with ‘KOD’
J. Cole explores coping with pain in a loosely conceptual form on KOD with varying effectiveness.
rap
Cardi B Delivers Strong Album Debut on ‘Invasion of Privacy’
On Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B combines the uncompromising confidence of "Bodak Yellow" with just enough pop appeal to create a no-filler collection that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.
Black Milk’s Poetry Is Dexterous and Crisp on ‘Fever’
Black Milk draws a parallel between funky hip-hop swing and the daily exploits of inner city living on Fever.
Keeping an ‘I’ on the Prize: An Interview with Zumbi of Zion I
Zion I lyricist Zumbi offers PopMatters an overview of his body of work and discusses what he brings to hip-hop as a creative individual.
Chuck Strangers Enters the Old vs. New Rap Debate on ‘Consumers Park’
Despite Chuck Strangers' excellent production, his arguments in the old vs. new debate, however accurate they may be, are preached to the choir and do very little to inspire change.
Vision Quest: Poet and MC Azeem On His Latest Work, ‘Vision Teller’
Azeem returns to his roots of poetry to deliver Vision Teller, a collection of spoken word pieces that hum with the silk-spun lyricism of a speakeasy street poet.
Bass is Loaded: Kid Sensation on His Bass Music Classic, ‘Rollin’ With Number One’
Electricity and simplicity are the two prime characteristics which drive Kid Sensation's debut.
Sareem Poems’ Tuned-in Tone Poems
Hip-hop artist Sareem Poems (of LA Symphony and FKA Sharlok Poems) infuses his work with the metaphysic ideologies of Afro-spiritualism.
The Best Hip-Hop of 2017
The hip-hop story is more exciting to follow than a lot of primetime TV as it changes and adapts, telling stories of so-called "minorities". These are the ten albums that we think tell the biggest stories of 2017's hip-hop scene.
No Place Like ‘Homem’: Rapper Terra Preta Gives Hip-Hop a Brazilian Re-Think
Preta's chancy way with a honeyed melody and the sensual pulse of Afro-Brazilian rhythms calls to mind the vibrant colours of his São Paulo’s coastal ridges; beautiful and exhilarating all at once.
Dälek: Endangered Philosophies
Dälek release a statement regarding the current state of reality. By reflecting on their past and collecting the various aspects making up the essence of their identity they unleash a vitriolic work of experimental hip-hop.
Tyler, The Creator: Flower Boy
All the imperfections and risk-taking of Tyler’s past efforts bloom into fruition now on his most beautiful and open record to date.