Editorial – While the head-to-head Verzuz battles orchestrated by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz to date have been incredible shows of mutual respect, the November 19 season two premiere promises to be one of the platform’s more unpredictable matchups —…

The Origins Of Gucci Mane & Jeezy's Bad Blood Beef

In times as troubling as these, following one of the most universally mentally taxing periods in contemporary human history and an unbelievably divisive and polarizing election that saw the country reach an apex of division, Sacramento MC Tru Judah…

#EARLYLISTEN: Tru Judah Delivers ‘The Healing,’ A Collection Of Motivational & Spiritually In-Tune Gems

During a 2018 interview with Exclaim, Westside Gunn said, “My debut will be like [Supreme Blientele], just on steroids. Westside Gunn today is going to be Westside Gunn, even on Shady.” Over two years removed, the Griselda mastermind has finally…

Review: Westside Gunn's Shady Records Debut 'Who Made the Sunshine' Has Inklings Of A Creative Genius

Anyone who followed my writing over the years knows that — aside from being especially drawn to eclectic groups — I am a sucker for a great story. This week, I found both of those things after being put on to a new release titled WORD from…

#DISCOVERY: The Mighty Heard’s Long Lost LP ‘WORD’ Is A Treat For Fans Of Live Hip Hop & Funk

As the late DJ Shay notes on one of his sobering interludes from Conway The Machine’s latest release From King To A GOD, there is always a quotable to be found Conway verse. His lyricism has been established over a laundry list of projects, earning…

Review: Conway The Machine's 'From King To A GOD' Marks A Glow-Up For The Griselda Rapper

Following a creative hiatus, Virginia MC Cool Hand Trew has made a triumphant return with his brand new LP, The James Crockett Experience. First dropped September 4, 2020, the eclectic project features underground (see true school) giants and a…

Cool Hand Trew Returns With New LP Featuring Blu, Sadat X, Jean Grae & More

Interview – In the Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight Rises, the villain, Bane, utters the haunting quote, “You merely adopted the dark … I was born in it, molded by it.” After a conversation with Detroit native and Griselda artist Boldy James,…

Boldy James' Unreleased Song Stash Includes A Dilla-Produced LP

INTERVIEW – There is something to be said for defying expectations and following your creative spirit; few producers in today’s landscape can lay claim to a career shift as unexpected as that of 22-year-old former Vine star Jay Versace.
Over the past…

Griselda Collaborator & Social Influencer Jay Versace Is Paving The Way For Queer Hip Hop Producers -- & He Knows It

There is more than one way to carve a legacy in the music industry; I was a music artist before ultimately carving out a career as an established writer. 24-year-old Visual Artist Isaac Pelayo is also in the same boat; he’s an active music artist and…

Artist Isaac Pelayo Recalls Connecting With Westside Gunn & Selling A Biggie Painting To Diddy

Nas holds a unique position in Hip Hop’s stratosphere. Like JAY-Z, with whom he once famously sparred on wax, he has managed to hold onto relevance as the rap game transformed and evolved.
To put his unwavering stature in perspective: it’s been 27…

Review: 'King's Disease' Is Food For True Nas Fans' Soul

Bay Area-based multi-faceted singer Jonah Melvon is the musical equivalent of rolling down all the windows on the hottest day of the season and letting the cool breeze hit your face as you drive to your local waterfront. His RainWater Project LP he…

#IndieSpotlight: Jonah Melvon Delivers A Breezy Slice Of Necessary Summer Vibes

Editorial – Amid all the controversy, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s racy single “WAP” has debuted atop Billboard’s Hot 100. However, the endless think pieces and criticism since its release suggest the track is the most explicit sex-themed Hip…

20 Rap Songs Just As Filthy As Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP'

YouTube – Battle rap staple Math Hoffa first confirmed a legendary matchup between himself and Wu-Tang Clan heavyweight Method Man on Sunday (August 16) — noting in a follow-up post that it would be dropping randomly during the week. It appears that…

Method Man & Math Hoffa Lyrically Spar In Epic Battle Rap

Staten Island, NY – Ahead of the release of the RZA-directed drama Cut Throat City, the Abbot and fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah blessed fans with a brand new collaboration titled “Fighting for Equality.”
The song, which appears on the…

RZA & Ghostface Killah Get Political On' Fight For Equality' Duet

Sometimes the industry is just that, an industry — a business drenched by politics beyond the control of the actual talent bound by its residual effects. Plenty of great artists fall victim.
Look at Grafh; though he was one of the most talented…

On My Radar: BillboardBaby Is The Future

Something I often consider is how crazy some of my fav songs and moments in Hip Hop would be if they happened in an age where Twitter was a thing. There is one song I keep finding myself revisiting in every conversation I have on the topic; after…

Mad Skillz’ “Ghostwriter” Could Really Be One Of The Ballisest Tracks Of All Time

As I’ve been researching the book I’m writing about independent creatives, one figure I keep finding myself drawn to is Seattle alt-Hip Hop artist Sadistik. He’s a curious case study in audience creation; independently, he’s landed high-profile…

Sadistik Reveals Incredibly Dope Easter Egg He Left Fans & Breaks Down New LP ‘Elysium’

Interview – 29-year-old Romanian visual artist and musician Mihai Rusu recently created a one-of-a-kind piece of opulent artwork dedicated to producer DJ Khaled — and if things go the way he hopes, the funds raised from its sale will help fulfill his…

Romanian Artist Made A DJ Khaled Crystal Art Piece...Then Realized He Needed To Sell It For New Teeth ?!?!

Editorial – As 2020 keeps throwing a barrage of stuff at us, Logic has decided that he’s going to retire from music — following the release of his new album No Pressure — to focus on parenting and (judging by the seven-figure deal he signed with…

Now That The Joe Budden Smoke Has Cleared, Here's An Honest Look At Logic's Career

Editorial – On Wednesday (August 5), Dipset founding member and one-time Cam’ron protégé Juelz Santana was officially released from prison — where he’d been serving a 27-month sentence related to a 2018 incident at Newark Liberty International…