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.
ALL: Opening Acts
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
s 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.
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
Tame One and “Haagen-Dazs”
November 17, 2022
“Haagen-Dazs,” a track Tame One and El Da Sensei recorded with The Boulevard Connection, captures the essence of an era.
Hurricane G’s “Milky”
November 9, 2022
“Milky” is a testament to Hurricane G’s sharp Nuyorican voice, and a flow that swayed on and off beat with rope-a-dope grace.