This past summer, Tyler, the Creator unveiled a secret Instagram account that he'd been hiding for years. The account held hundreds of never-before-seen images and videos from the "Flower Boy" sessions, chronicling the album's creation from its earliest stages. We went through the entire account, from top-to-bottom, to collect every single post that corresponds with any of … [Read more...] about The Creation of “Flower Boy”: A Track-by-Track Visual Guide
The Evolution of Malcolm McCormick, As Told By Mac Miller [with Playlist]
Malcolm McCormick started rapping at the age of 14, dropped his debut mixtape at 15, and signed his first major record deal before his 19th birthday. As a result, "Mac Miller" was a household name well before Malcolm McCormick could legally purchase alcohol -- but with this early success came a hard-to-shake stigma. Follow along with us as we use Mac's own words, music, and … [Read more...] about The Evolution of Malcolm McCormick, As Told By Mac Miller [with Playlist]
The Extraordinary Heir of Tyler, the Creator: Meet Tierra Whack
If Tyler, the Creator founded Odd Future in 2018, what would the collective look like? Who would he draft? The admittedly easy and popular first pick would be Brockhampton, the boy band branded as Odd Future 2.0. Although Brockhampton is certainly a solid choice, allow me to offer an alternative: a dark horse who fits Odd Future even better than some of its original members. … [Read more...] about The Extraordinary Heir of Tyler, the Creator: Meet Tierra Whack
Gangsta Rap is Dead – and Your Favorite Rapper Has Blood on Their Hands
Imagine if Drake released his record-breaking album Scorpion in 1988, the year Straight Outta Compton hit the airwaves. Not only would the music would seem totally out of place, but he’d be straight up laughed out of the room. Now let’s flip the picture: imagine a young group of artists releasing Straight Outta Compton in today’s music scene. Not only would the music seem … [Read more...] about Gangsta Rap is Dead – and Your Favorite Rapper Has Blood on Their Hands
The Collective Rise of the Social Experiment, Donnie Trumpet, and Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper has grown into his influence and fame at amazing speed, especially considering his decision to reject all label interest for artistic independence. But Chance did not do this alone. Chance the Rapper’s growth is closely intertwined with the rise of his band, The Social Experiment. The Social Experiment consists of Nico Segal (the artist formerly known as … [Read more...] about The Collective Rise of the Social Experiment, Donnie Trumpet, and Chance the Rapper
The Unexpected Influence of Lauryn Hill’s “Unplugged” Album
Ms. Lauryn Hill holds an unenviable place in the hip-hop world. She is a dominant force within music who holds claim to some of the most immediately recognizable musical moments. She is the mastermind of one of the most successful hip-hop albums ever released. But nowadays, she is primarily known for her untapped potential and lost genius. Ms. Lauryn Hill is the woman who … [Read more...] about The Unexpected Influence of Lauryn Hill’s “Unplugged” Album
