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.
ALL: Opening Acts
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.
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.
BLU Magazine
November 17, 2022
Freedom Archives, an online database focused on progressive and radical historical movements, has documentation on BLU magazine, which was published between 1998 and 2001. While
Twenty Years of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”
November 4, 2022
I recently spoke with The Ringer for a story about the 20th anniversary of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” which has become a pop landmark and perennial “jock jam.”
Here Come the Big Steppers
October 30, 2022
Memorably deployed by Kendrick Lamar, the phrase “big stepper” usually means what it suggests. But it has also led to some surprising interpretations.
Who’s Afraid of Youngboy NBA?
October 20, 2022
A recent Hits graphic omitted Youngboy Never Broke Again, the second-highest streaming artist of the year.
Rap Slips to 28%
October 19, 2022
Two recent stories on the decline of rap music’s overall market share have generated some concern in industry circles.
Surviving L.A.
October 14, 2022
An L.A. Times feature gathers opinions on a bleak trend that has claimed the lives of PnB Rock, Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle, and many others.
Mach-Hommy Speaks
October 14, 2022
New Jersey rapper Mach-Hommy recently gave a rare interview with Rolling Stone.
Ye’s White Lives
October 5, 2022
Kanye West’s alt-right stunts at Paris Fashion Week have drawn self-righteous condemnation from the fashion world and beyond.