The 75 Best Rap Singles of 1985
February 8, 2025
Thanks to stars like Run-D.M.C. and Roxanne Shanté, rap grew fitfully into a pop culture fixture. But respect for the art remained elusive.
FEATURED
The 75 Best Rap Singles of 1985
February 8, 2025
Thanks to stars like Run-D.M.C. and Roxanne Shanté, rap grew fitfully into a pop culture fixture. But respect for the art remained elusive.
SPOTLIGHT
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.
Joseph Rathgeber on Caltrops
September 22, 2023
New Jersey writer Joseph Rathgeber discusses his zine Caltrops, which has become a key document of the underground rap renaissance.
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.
BEST OF
The 75 Best Rap Singles of 1985
February 8, 2025
Thanks to stars like Run-D.M.C. and Roxanne Shanté, rap grew fitfully into a pop culture fixture. But respect for the art remained elusive.
The 100 Best Rap Singles of 2004
September 2, 2024
As rap teetered between pop corporatism, brilliance and malaise, the eccentric MF DOOM as well as exotic Southern sounds offered redemption.
The 125 Best Rap Singles of 1994
June 8, 2024
By 1994, hip-hop had clearly evolved into a generational movement. But its innocent sensibility was lost in the process.
The 60 Best Rap Singles of 1984
March 24, 2024
Hip-hop in 1984 brought Fresh Fest superstars Run-DMC and Whodini, Melle Mel’s breakout year, and the beginning of the Roxanne wars.
The 75 Best Rap Singles of 1985
February 8, 2025
Thanks to stars like Run-D.M.C. and Roxanne Shanté, rap grew fitfully into a pop culture fixture. But respect for the art remained elusive.
The 100 Best Rap Singles of 2004
September 2, 2024
As rap teetered between pop corporatism, brilliance and malaise, the eccentric MF DOOM as well as exotic Southern sounds offered redemption.
The 125 Best Rap Singles of 1994
June 8, 2024
By 1994, hip-hop had clearly evolved into a generational movement. But its innocent sensibility was lost in the process.
The 60 Best Rap Singles of 1984
March 24, 2024
Hip-hop in 1984 brought Fresh Fest superstars Run-DMC and Whodini, Melle Mel’s breakout year, and the beginning of the Roxanne wars.