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Tag: Rap

Go Live: How Rapper and Producer Gios4ma Turned a Series of Collaborative Sprees Into His Best Album Yet

August 20, 2021August 20, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Jackson up and comer shares on the inspirations for his new album, putting his city on the map, and the importance of online community.

Navy Blue – Song of Sage: Post Panic!

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The New York rapper's second album feels born directly out of last year's inescapable isolation.

Rich Jones & Montana Macks – How do you sleep at night?

December 4, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Chi-town veterans reunite their musical partnership and heritage for a jazzy affair that confronts 2020's social turmoil from a blunt point of view.

Travis Scott’s “FRANCHISE” and the Lasting Impact of “White Tee” by Dem Franchize Boyz

October 14, 2020October 27, 2020 ~ tblankin ~ Leave a comment

While the white t-shirt has been a cultural staple for decades, Dem Franchize Boyz turned the unassuming article of clothing into a statement piece and became a permanent part of the hip-hop lexicon.

Marlowe – Marlowe 2

August 14, 2020November 12, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The second collaboration from L'Orange and Solemn Brigham is another captivating work full of laser-sharp lyricism paired with dusty and groove-centric sampling.

Blu & Exile – Miles: From an Interlude Called Life

August 12, 2020August 19, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The legendary duo's third full-length collaborative effort brings their journey full circle, flexing their superior skill and craftsmanship to create an ambitious, 95-minute jazz-rap opus that celebrates and pays homage to a rich musical and cultural history.

Dinner Party – Dinner Party

August 4, 2020November 29, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The self-titled project from the newly formed supergroup illuminates a vibe and cheerfulness only attainable when collaborators are closely bonded by friendship.

Imp – Children of the Atom

July 24, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On their new album, the Atlanta rapper-producer uses comic book fan-fiction as a vehicle for their societal observations and personal anxieties.

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfredo

June 22, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new collaboration from Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist is another slick and assertive offering in the coke-rap canon.

Run the Jewels – RTJ4

June 15, 2020August 24, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The fourth installment in the duo’s essential self-titled series is as vital and of the moment as anything in their increasingly historic catalog.

Three words, three albums. 

June 10, 2020June 9, 2020 ~ Cable Writes ~ Leave a comment

Their music will do far more than my words ever will.

New Music Roundup: April

May 9, 2020February 17, 2021 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Lucinda Williams, Quelle Chris, Rina Sawayama and more.

Playboi Carti – “@ MEH”

April 20, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ mikefleezy ~ Leave a comment

Playboi Carti's new single is a colorful response to his haters.

New Music Roundup: March

April 13, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Don Toliver, Jesse Daniel, U.S. Girls and more.

Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake / LUV vs. The World 2

April 11, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ mikefleezy ~ Leave a comment

Last month, Lil Uzi Vert shocked the rap community by finally releasing his long-anticipated, leak-plagued sophomore album, Eternal Atake. As if that weren't enough, he followed that up with another project, LUV vs. The World 2, the following Friday.

New Music Roundup: February

March 13, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Grimes, King Krule, Midland and more.

Lyric of the Week: Post Malone – Candy Paint

March 2, 2020March 2, 2020 ~ Alex Johnson ~ Leave a comment

A look back at one of the lead track's from Post Malone's blockbuster 2018 record "beerbongs & bentleys."

Record Talk Episode 1: Danny Brown – XXX

February 28, 2020July 5, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

We break down the ambitious 2011 project that catapulted Danny Brown from a local riser to an underground phenom.

New Music Roundup: January

February 12, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Bad Ambassadors, Gabrielle Aplin, Mick Jenkins and more.

Mac Miller – Circles

January 31, 2020July 27, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

In honor of Mac Miller's new album, Circles, Riffs & Rhymes is hosting a special track-by-track review of the record, including words from various members of Album Book Club.

The Most Anticipated Albums of 2020

January 28, 2020January 26, 2022 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ 2 Comments

Riffs & Rhymes staff members chime in on their most anticipated albums of the year.

Lyric of the Week: Mac Miller – 2009

January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 ~ Alex Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Mac Miller's music and personality impacted countless lives, and his absence still lingers in the hearts of many. "Circles," the posthumous companion project to 2018's "Swimming," was released last Friday.

Chatting With South Carolina’s PATx About His Explosive New Album and the Power of Self-Expression

December 16, 2019July 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

PATx is a hip-hop fiend with a taste for stitching together emotionally anarchic verses over eerie trap soundscapes. We linked up with the producer-rapper to learn about his brand new album, Mesomatic.

New Music Roundup: November

December 16, 2019January 22, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Doja Cat, Gang Starr, Michael Kiwanuka and more.

Lyric of the Week: JAY-Z – Cashmere Thoughts

December 9, 2019January 20, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

In observing all of JAY-Z's achievements, all roads point back to his seminal debut album, Reasonable Doubt, a landmark record for East Coast hip-hop that embodied the mafioso ethos which fueled many of New York’s great rap releases in the 1990s.

Classic Artist of the Week: Slick Rick

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 ~ Alex Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Often credited with introducing storytelling and narrative to rap music, Slick Rick is the most successful British-American rapper of all time.

New Music Roundup: October

November 15, 2019November 17, 2019 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ 2 Comments

New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Angel Olsen, Cigarettes After Sex, Wilco and more.

10 Years of Fashawn’s Magnificent Debut Album, ‘Boy Meets World’

November 1, 2019May 4, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Fashawn's 2009 debut is a gem in the canons of both West Coast and underground hip-hop. A decade later, it holds up as one of the compelling works from its era.

Seasonal Playlist: Sounds of Autumn

October 22, 2019July 5, 2020 ~ Riffs & Rhymes ~ Leave a comment

Seep into the sounds of fall with this seasonal mix featuring various artists. Curated by music lovers for music lovers.

Danny Brown – uknowhatimsayin¿

October 18, 2019July 27, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Danny Brown's latest is a celebration of longevity, artistic significance and an allegiance to the craft of being one of this decade's most dynamic rappers.

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