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.
Tag: Rap
Navy Blue – Song of Sage: Post Panic!
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
The new collaboration from Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist is another slick and assertive offering in the coke-rap canon.
Run the Jewels – RTJ4
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.
Their music will do far more than my words ever will.
New Music Roundup: April
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”
Playboi Carti's new single is a colorful response to his haters.
New Music Roundup: March
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
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
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
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
We break down the ambitious 2011 project that catapulted Danny Brown from a local riser to an underground phenom.
New Music Roundup: January
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
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
Riffs & Rhymes staff members chime in on their most anticipated albums of the year.
Lyric of the Week: Mac Miller – 2009
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
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
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
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
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
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’
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
Seep into the sounds of fall with this seasonal mix featuring various artists. Curated by music lovers for music lovers.
Danny Brown – uknowhatimsayin¿
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.