Bars for Gaza
October 29, 2024
Over a year after the Israel-Hamas war began, numerous rap songs have appeared that address the ongoing conflict.
ALL: Opening Acts
Okayplayer’s Future
October 15, 2023
The intrigue surrounding Okayplayer’s future comes amid a dearth of sites that cover hip-hop with journalistic integrity.
Welcome to Rap City
October 15, 2023
Welcome to Rap City explores the history of the much-missed video program with not enough vintage clips and too many talking heads.
Wham!
September 4, 2023
More than just a doc of an indestructible pop act, Wham! offers an instructive look at how early rap penetrated the mainstream.
Valentino, Inc
September 4, 2023
Few seem to know that one of the key brands in the 1992 film Juice is Valentino, Inc, a now-defunct library music company.
The #HipHop50 Parade
August 13, 2023
The yearlong #HipHop50 celebration has become a microcosm of the myths and reality that continue to define the culture.
Dancing with Sinéad O’Connor & MC Lyte
July 27, 2023
In 1988, the late Sinéad O’Connor and Brooklyn rapper MC Lyte enjoyed a brief but memorable cross-cultural exchange.
Generation “Notti Bop”
December 13, 2022
In an article on the “Notti Bop” craze inspired by a teen’s murder, New Yorker writer Jody Rosen avoids making aesthetic judgements.
Chicago Rap in 2012
December 13, 2022
In a brief retrospective, These Days talks to a handful of industry folks involved in the Chicago rap scene’s breakout year of 2012.
A Year of Inspiration: Rap Visual Homage in 2022
December 4, 2022
Every year brings a fresh crop of album art clearly influenced from various sources. This season brought covers from Metro Boomin, Joey Bada$$, Boldy James and Nicholas Craven, and more.
“One Mic, One Gun”
December 1, 2022
As a response to 21 Savage’s comments about Nas’ relevance, “One Mic, One Gun” is a pleasant surprise that works best as a statement of unity.
Mapping the Hip-Hop Nation in the 1990s
November 21, 2022
By 1990, hip-hop culture had inspired regional scenes across the United States. A series of maps attempted to mark the changes.