Opening Acts: When the Tide Is High
June 4, 2022
Wu-Tang Clan’s second album, Wu-Tang Forever, elicits a discussion on imperial eras. Plus, Kendrick Lamar’s new album and a Fat Joe TV doc.
ALL: Opening Acts
Opening Acts: Rock & Rap’s Imperfect Hall
May 12, 2022
This week’s entry discusses Eminem’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Ben Merlis’ oral history of the Juice Crew.
Opening Acts: The Best Rapper Alive Since…
April 28, 2022
This week brings a new column: Opening Acts. The inaugural edition mulls over a GQ cover story on Future, Alchemist vs. Get on Down, and Godfather Don’s Hazardous.
A Company Flow Fan’s DJ Bag in 1997
February 21, 2022
As I spent the weekend revisiting Company Flow’s Funcrusher Plus, I began to wonder…what other records did I spin as an amateur DJ in 1997?
Cover Art Gems: Quasimoto, The Further Adventures of Lord Quas (Gold Chains Edition)
January 1, 2022
A 2021 “Gold Chains Edition” of Quasimoto’s 2005 album, with new artwork inspired by Sgt. Pepper’s. Note the name spelled out in bricks.
Inspired by Shel Silverstein: MidaZ the Beast, Mavi
December 18, 2021
Recent album covers for MidaZ the Beast and Mavi have drawn inspiration from Shel Silverstein’s 1974 book, Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Notable 20th Century Hip-Hop Books
November 9, 2021
A list of great hip-hop books from the early years of the genre.
Cover Art Gems: Ghostshrimp and Audio Recon
November 6, 2021
Audio Recon answers a few questions about its vinyl reissues featuring illustrations by Ghostshrimp.
Cover Art Gems: Meek Mill, Expensive Pain
September 22, 2021
Meek Mill is rendered in a thug’s dreams and nightmares. Artwork by Nina Chanel Abney.
Ten Posse Tracks by Female Rappers
August 13, 2021
A list of great collaborations between female rappers.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib vs U2
July 7, 2021
The Record Store Day pressing of Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s Piñata ’84 has art inspired by a design Island Records used in 1983 and 1984.
Top 10 Songs About H.E.R. (Hip-hop in its Essence is Real)
April 10, 2021
A list of songs inspired by the idea that hip-hop is a woman.