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Hip Hop

The best articles about hip hop, saved and viewed by millions of people on Pocket.

Iggy Azalea and Realness in Hip-Hop

“First things first: I’m the realest.” This is the first line of “Fancy,” a single that has dominated the hip-hop charts since June.

Losing Yourself All Over Again

Few cities have as rich a cultural and sporting history as Detroit. From the ’80s Pistons to Bob Seger, Eminem to Miguel Cabrera, the Motor City is a rich tapestry of compelling figures, unbelievable moments, and uniquely American ingenuity.

It Took A Nation: The Greatest Rap Album Gets Its Due

That honor is owed to Public Enemy’s second album, , which was largely regarded as such until came along. To be fair, to call any singular piece of art the greatest in its class, for now and forever, really isn’t just or accurate, mainly because none of us will live that long.

Hip-Hop Speaks to the Guns

The work of the rapper Kendrick Lamar should enjoy heavy rotation in the White House these days. In this time of Tucson, Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., Lamar’s major-label debut album, “good kid, m.A.A.

The Rolling Stones of Rap

From the moment it was introduced via a handsomely filmed three-minute commercial that first aired during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Magna Carta … Holy Grail was one of the most hyped albums of 2013.

Watch this: Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake take on hip hop again with new 'History of Rap'

These two have been weaving through over three decades of hip hop music for years now, but last night Jimmy Fallon brought back his "History of Rap" partner Justin Timberlake for the fifth installment in the series — and their first since Fallon took over as The Tonight Show host.

This Is What Happens When Hip-Hop Lets The Saints In

A who's who of conservative celebrities gathered in November in Asheville, N.C., to honor and praise Billy Graham, the famed Christian evangelist, on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

Iggy Azalea’s post-racial mess: America’s oldest race tale, remixed

Recently, my nine year-old nephew came running into the room, eager to find a seat to watch a performance by Iggy Azalea on an awards show.

Finding a Place in the Hip-Hop Ecosystem

A couple of hours after the Grammys on Sunday night, Macklemore sent a text to Kendrick Lamar, whom he had just beaten for best rap album.“You got robbed,” the text read. “I wanted you to win. You should have. It’s weird.” He added, “I robbed you.

The Largest Vocabulary in Hip hop

35,000 words covers 3-5 studio albums and EPs. I included mixtapes if the artist was just short of the 35,000 words. Quite a few rappers don’t have enough official material to be included (e.g., Biggie, Kendrick Lamar).

What Is It About Kendrick Lamar?

Kendrick Lamar put out his most recent album (and major label debut), good kid, m.A.A.d. city, in 2012. That album was acclaimed by both hip-hop critics and fans, and their mainstream equivalents, and Lamar's fame has only grown since then.

An Insider’s Look Before They Were Hip-Hop Stars

The sharp features and bedroom eyes are eminently familiar. But the sun-dappled portrait of Snoop Dogg Lisa Leone took in 1993 surprises. The rapper appears not just young — this was just before the release of his first solo album — but soft. “What you see in those photos is time,” said Ms.

A Rational Conversation: The 20-Year-Old Album That's MF DOOM's Missing Link

In May of 1994, KMD were supposed to release their second album, Black Bastards, on Elektra Records. Three years earlier the trio of lead rapper Zev Love X, his younger brother Subroc and Onyx the Birthstone Kid had put out their debut, Mr. Hood.

Why Did Islam Disappear From Hip-Hop?

Back in July, reclusive Roc Nation rapper Jay Electronica emerged from self-imposed exile to the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, playing a raucous, cameo-filled set that ended with his mentor Jay Z conferring a righteous honor upon him.

Run the Jewels: Last Rappers Standing | Pitchfork

How two 39-year-old rap underdogs combined vulgarity, politics, and cartoons in order to become one of the hottest hip-hop duos in America Inside the two-story main cabin on board the S.S.

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