From the Site
Sango and Waldo Establish Themselves as Grand Rapids' Finest on 'Lake Effect'
July 28, 2021
A creative love letter to Grand Rapids, Lake Effect is vying to push Michigan closer to the forefront of hip-hop culture.
Author:
Carter Fife
Carter Ace Is Just Here to Enjoy the Ride on "The One and Lonely"
July 26, 2021
"This track is about creating art in the void of loneliness."
Author:
Joey Legittino
Marco Luka Shows His True Colors on "get me high"
July 24, 2021
"I can't wait for people to take in the rawness and beauty of this one."
Author:
Joey Legittino
Kevin Abstract, slowthai, and $NOT Pull No Punches on "Slugger"
July 19, 2021
Between Abstract, $NOT, and slowthai, this collaboration made in heaven seems simply incapable of missing.
Author:
Carter Fife
Peach Tree Rascals and AG Club's "Popeye" Is the Collaboration of the Summer
July 16, 2021
The wild party anthem is pure organized pandemonium at its finest.
Author:
EJ Saftner
Little Simz's "I Love You, I Hate You" Sees the UK Rapper at the Top of Her Game
July 14, 2021
"I Love You, I Hate You" synthesizes the best parts of both classic and contemporary hip-hop.
Author:
Carter Fife
IDK Trades Agony For Affection on 'USEE4YOURSELF'
July 9, 2021
<i>USEE4YOURSELF</i> stands as an exercise of painstaking emotional catharsis from one of music's most promising artists.
Author:
Carter Fife
Vince Staples' Self-Titled Album Presents an Unflinching Look at the Artist
July 9, 2021
Vince Staples is a representation of who the artist was and who he has grown to be.
Author:
EJ Saftner
KDVSGOLIATH Proves Himself London's Best-Kept Secret on "Sad."
July 8, 2021
"Sad." sees the rising London artist make good on his alternative promise.
Author:
Alexis Vaganos
99 Neighbors Deliver a Frenetic Hip-Hop Anthem on "Live a Little"
July 6, 2021
Every moment of "Live a Little" pulses with a manic, infectious energy.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Shygirl and slowthai Deliver a Hyperpop-Fueled Sex-Positive Anthem on "BDE"
July 6, 2021
Both of them revel in the literal BDE of "BDE."
Author:
Carter Fife
Wale the Sage Lives Up to His Name on "Stoves"
July 1, 2021
"Stoves" resonates on a deeply personal and universal level.
Author:
Giselle Libby
Kill Jasper Displays a Relentless Flow on "Muddy Flow"
June 28, 2021
The Compton-bred artist seems to move at a mile a minute on his latest showstopper.
Author:
Tyler Borland
Doja Cat Shoots For the Moon on "Planet Her"
June 25, 2021
Doja Cat proves that "the sky's the limit" doesn't apply to everybody.
Author:
Carter Fife
347aidan Presents a Wholly Infectious Double Vision on 'Troubled Memories!'
June 22, 2021
Falling somewhere between emo, hip-hop, and hyperpop, 347aidan's sound is nothing if not intoxicating.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Johan Lenox's 'chamber johan' Turns His Hits Into Striking Symphonies
June 21, 2021
<i>chamber johan</i> almost feels like a victory lap, one where the horns are replaced by lush string orchestration.
Author:
Carter Fife
Kwame Adu and Zay Celebrate Juneteenth With KWAMZAY EP 'Motherland!'
June 21, 2021
Evoking comparisons to the likes of Ohbliv, Madlib, and The Alchemist, KWAMZAY is heady hip-hop at its finest.
Author:
Carter Fife
Nana's "Save Yourself Sessions" Are Inspirational Moments of Fine-Tuned Storytelling [Q&A]
June 17, 2021
"Poetry is poetry, but rap is another level. That's why I chose that form of therapy."
Author:
Carter Fife
'The Life Of Pi'erre 5' Proves Pi'erre Bourne Saved the Best Beats For Himself
June 17, 2021
Hip-hop's cultural landscape would look entirely different without Bourne.
Author:
Carter Fife
Kenny Mason's "Play Ball" Video Is a Punk-Rap Nostalgia Trip
June 16, 2021
Mason's music is a harmonious synthesis of punk, alternative rock, and Atlanta hip-hop affinities.
Author:
Carter Fife
Skip Waiters Takes Aim With Fervent "Handgun" Visual [Premiere]
June 16, 2021
Rife with staccato bravado familiar to fans of Kendrick Lamar, Skip Waiters delivers on every front.
Author:
DJ Connor
IDK's "Peloton" Is The Perfect Song For Getting Over Your Toxic Ex
June 14, 2021
With three successful singles and a Migos co-sign under his belt, 2021 is certainly shaping up to be IDK's year.
Author:
Carter Fife
Florida Rapper Cochise Is Finally Getting His Flowers
June 8, 2021
Cochise's music is a testament to the power of being yourself and making art that you believe in.
Author:
Carter Fife
B.I Opens the Page on a New Chapter With Debut Album 'WATERFALL'
June 1, 2021
A king is coming for his crown ðŸ''
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Peach Tree Rascals' "Mariposa" Is as Colorful & Wholesome as the Band [Q&A]
August 29, 2019
With Mexican, Filipino, and Palestinian roots that run deep, Peach Tree Rascals is one of the most hardworking collectives we've had the honor of introducing.
Author:
Alissa Arunarsirakul
Who is Joey Valence & Brae?
September 15, 2022
Meet the brash, larger-than-life MCs bringing back a classic sound.
Author:
Ruby Scott
Yung Gravy Drops the Most Infectious Rick Roll With "Betty (Get Money)"
June 10, 2022
Getting Rick Roll'd has never sounded this good.
Author:
Jazmin Kylene
SAINt JHN's "Roses (Imanbek Remix)" Gets an Exhilarating Visual Treatment
March 6, 2020
SAINt JHN is a stylistic chameleon in the world of hip-hop.
Author:
Emily Bird
Hip-Hop Is Under Construction, and Freddie Dredd Is Rebuilding It
April 15, 2020
Dredd has Gen Z under his spell.
Author:
Emily Bird
Joey Valence & Brae Are Breathing New Life Into a Classic Sound
July 13, 2022
If you've ever once considered yourself a fan of the Beastie Boys, you need to listen to Joey Valence & Brae.
Author:
Alessandra Rincon
Doja Cat Goes Full Grunge With the Best Friend Anthem, "Bottom Bitch"
October 3, 2019
Who allowed Doja Cat to channel 2002 this hard?
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Who Is AG Club?
August 5, 2021
Meet the alternative rap collective with no ceilings.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
$NOT and Maggie Lindemann Embark for the "Moon & Stars"
February 3, 2020
$NOT samples Lord Huron in his latest infectious offering.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Ashnikko's Viral Hit "STUPID" Gets a Blood-Soaked Video Treatment
October 22, 2019
Suddenly going viral on Tik Tok earlier this fall, Ashnikko is not wasting any time.
Author:
Precious Kato
The Visual for Mereba's "Sandstorm" feat J.I.D Gives Texture to a Haunting Track
July 9, 2019
R&B singer/songwriter Mereba has released a video for "Sandstorm" ft J.I.D., one that is as mesmerizing and emotional as the single itself.
Author:
Jess Myers
Torrentiiial Is the Hawaiian Hip-Hop Artist You Need to Keep on Your Radar
April 14, 2020
Torrentiiial makes putting together high-quality music seem easy.
Author:
Tyler Borland
bbno$ and Yung Gravy's "shining on my ex" Is a Surefire Tik Tok Hit
November 4, 2019
"Dude, I'd be pissed off if this song blew up on TikTok."
Author:
Matthew Rudas
4 Moments of Enlightenment From Kota the Friend's 'FOTO'
May 20, 2019
The 19-track album is chock-full of wisdom and inspiration, making us sure that Kota the Friend is the modern day musical Yoda.
Author:
Jessica Thomas
reggie's "Southside Fade" Is Our New Favorite Hometown Anthem [Q&A]
August 27, 2020
reggie has arrived.
Author:
Malc.
Turbo's "Heart Stop" Is Proving Country/Hip-Hop Is More Than a Passing Fad [Q&A]
May 1, 2020
"I believe that meme culture is the gateway for this genre... My mission, though, is to show people that this is the start of something enormous, not a temporary trend."
Author:
Kristin Robinson
New Zealand's Will Swinton Exceeds Expectations on His Sophomore Single "Cocaine"
August 31, 2021
Swinton's music is in no way confined to the New Zealand city in which he makes it.
Author:
Tyler Borland
boylife's Nervous Honesty Is a Much-Needed Slice of Comfort
May 14, 2020
Through his music, boylife reminds us we're not alone in facing our most brazen feelings.
Author:
Krista Marina Apardian
StaySolidRocky's "Party Girl" Is a Budding TikTok Hit
May 5, 2020
The rapidly rising rapper may very well have a breakout hit on his hands.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Samm Henshaw and EARTHGANG Deliver a Gospel Hip-Hop Sermon in "Church"
January 20, 2019
Don't forget to go to "Church," kids.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Who Is Rico Nasty? [Setlist.Fm x NEW ARTIST DISCOVERY]
June 18, 2019
Fueled by rage, colors and cartoons, the 21-year-old DMV rapper is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Author:
Hannah Cotter
Kota the Friend Continues to Pave His Own Path in 'EVERYTHING' [Q&A]
May 22, 2020
Kota the Friend is aiming to build a legacy. One he hopes his kids can inherit.
Author:
Ruby Scott
RMR's "Rascal" Is a Transfixing Country Trap Ballad That I'll Play at My Wedding
February 27, 2020
The only song of 2020 that matters.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Baby Keem's 'DIE FOR MY B*TCH' Is the Hip-Hop Breakthrough We Needed
November 20, 2019
Baby Keem is here. Catch up.
Author:
Emily Bird
Meet 1300, the Korean-Australian Group Looking to Change the K-Pop Game
March 29, 2022
The alternative K-rap outfit thrives on the idea of creating something new, fun, and chaotic.
Author:
Kelly Park