ZelooperZ raps like the world is going to combust. It’s not future apocalypse Blade Runner rap, but something that closer approximates the fear of current decay. The latest single from the Bruiser Brigade breakout is called “Isolation,” and you can almost imagine him rapping it from an abandoned building in downtown Detroit, squatting with an […]

Art by © Lights Camera Click This is almost too surreal for words. A just released 22-minute conversation of 2Pac calling Monster Kody in October ’95, fresh on bail and so newly signed to Death Row that Kody congratulates him on the deal. “This was me and Tupac’s first conversation,” said Kody. “This was October 18th, […]

After several years spent becoming a household name in Hong Kong, Jin’s back on U.S. soil and came through Shots Fired. The first Asian-American rapper to ever release a major label solo record waxes philosophical about growing up in Florida, the fleeting nature of fame, his legendary wins on BET’s Freestyle Friday’s, working with Kanye […]

The greatest rap video show in the history of Beverly Hills returns for its fourth episode — first released on April 16th, 1993. The guest hosts are the Pharcyde beaming live from Delicious Vinyl’s label offices on Sunset Blvd. Fatlip is absent because Fatlip. The word “papes” is used repeatedly in regards to “The Hills.” […]

The full podcast drops tomorrow, but in the meantime, he’s a video clip from our newest episode with Jin. It features the BET Freestyle Friday Champ, ex-Ruff Ryder, and Hong Kong rap star, discussing battling Shells, Jae Millz, and Wreckonize at the Mixshow Power Submit in Puerto Rico, and how Game inspired a line that […]

You have to sympathize with the city of Portland. Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alridge revitalize the Trail Blazers franchise to the days when Kevin Duckworth haunted the forests surrounding Mt. Hood, and yet Young Thug and Bloody Jay steal the city’s mantle with Black Portland. The city keeping the 90s torch lit has produced its […]

Few cities treasure their history quite like Compton. It’s the pride that comes from a small city disproportionately producing some of the world’s greatest rappers. Even the most ratchet Compton rappers are aware that they’re part of a deeper lineage that extends back to Eazy E and Dre (or Toddy Tee if you really want […]

Mexican wrestling masks, Afu-Ra hair, stray cats, and strong blunts comprise the short list of shots for “Act IV | Scene IV-V-VII,” the mini-movie from the agnostic Buddhist, Chester Watson. Ennui is rarely this unnerving. There are rare Japanese snacks and bodegas, villainy fit for a Dumile, and a monotone style fit for your favorite […]

Anyone angled towards downcast, piano-house driven melancholia that makes you feel like you’ve spent the last few decades digging a grave will be floored by “Reassuring” from Jim-E Stack. I received the promo a few weeks ago and have been waiting to post ever since. It’s already become one of my favorite songs of the […]

Bonus points afforded to “New Atlanta” for the forcible conscription of Jermaine “Funkdafied” Dupri from whatever gold-plated bunker he’s been hiding in. Points subtracted for avoiding updating the “Welcome to Atlanta” list of popping clubs on any given night. There are people still going to Stroker’s on Lean on Wednesday nights and walking away wildly […]