At the outset of PBS’ docuseries Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World, Chuck D asserts, “[In 2020], the Black Lives Matter protests wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for hip-hop.” It’s a lofty statement, as anti-establishment organizing and revolt have existed since Black people were brought to America. …
Read More »Chuck D Still Believes Rap Can Change the World
Chuck D is humble about his contributions to Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World — the expansive, four-part PBS and BBC series where he joins other hip-hop icons from Melle Mel to Eminem, as well as executives, journalists, and academics, in unspooling rap’s history as a social …
Read More »Black Sheep Files Class Action Claiming Universal 'Unlawfully Retained' $750 Million in Royalties
The choice wasn’t theirs – and it cost them, they say. The duo behind the influential Nineties hip-hop group Black Sheep has filed a class action lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan claiming Universal Music Group owes more than $750 million to its stable of artists for allegedly breaching contracts …
Read More »Tory Lanez Found Guilty in Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion
Rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty Friday of shooting music superstar Megan Thee Stallion in both feet during an alcohol-fueled curbside confrontation in the predawn hours of July 12, 2020. After seven hours of deliberations, a Los Angeles jury convicted the “Luv” singer on all three counts, finding that he …
Read More »Rapper Who Posed at Capitol Riot for Album Cover Sentenced to Prison
A rapper who posed at the Capitol riots for an album cover will spend five months behind bars. On Monday, a federal judge sentenced Antionne Brodnax, who performs as Bugzie the Don, to five months in prison after he entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and used a …
Read More »Babyface Ray to Release New Album 'Mob'
Babyface Ray, a dominant figure in Detroit‘s rap scene, announced his second album of 2022: Mob, set to release Dec. 2. The full-length album will include Ray’s recent tracks, “Nice Guy” and “Spend It,” featuring Blxst and Nija. In the trailer for Mob, a chain-smoking panel of people asks “contestants” …
Read More »Destroy Lonely Makes Whatever the Hell He Wants. He Plans To Inspire You To Do the Same
If you scrolled through TikTok this year, you’ve probably heard Destroy Lonely’s “NOSTYLIST.” The 21-year-old Atlanta native scored a viral hit when he crooned over a mesmerizing beat, boasting about waking up and “putting that shit on,” shouting out his favorite brands to wear and reminding us all that he …
Read More »YG Brings 'I Got Issues' LP on the Road for His Red Cup Tour
Pour up the drinks, YG is headed on tour. On Tuesday, the rap star announced his 2023 Red Cup Tour to promote his I Got Issues album — and he’s bringing a posse with him to open the shows. He’s set to bring OhGeesy, D3SZN, Day Sulan, and Kalan.FrFr on …
Read More »'It Turned the World Upside Down': How New York City's 1977 Blackout Jump-Started the Hip-Hop Era
Journalist Jonathan Abrams spent the last four years compiling an enlightening, entertaining, and deeply researched history of hip-hop. Abrams traces the music’s humble beginning in the Bronx and DIY block parties to some of the most popular music in the world today. In this exclusive excerpt from “The Come Up: …
Read More »The Northern Boys, Rapping Retired U.K. Teachers, Break Down Their Filthy Viral Hit 'Party Time'
“This song may be the single best thing to come out of 2022,” tweeted one fan. “It’s breaking me how good this is,” wrote another. “This is not safe for work, but you should just quit your job and watch it,” a third recommended. All had shared a link to …
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