J. Cole has tirelessly worked his way into our generation’s holy trinity of rappers alongside Drake and Kendrick Lamar, and his honest lyricism is celebrated by peers and veterans alike. Along the way, Cole’s been honing his craft as a dual-discipline artist and constantly reinventing himself to amplify his artistry beyond his voice. I think the first time I started … [Read more...] about 18 Years of Beats: Inside J. Cole’s Unsung Career as a Producer [Beats & Bars]
About Shane Ryu
Straight from the Dungeons of Rap: An Exploration and Oral History of “Illmatic”
When a twenty-year-old high school dropout from Queensbridge dropped his debut album in ‘94, the landscape of hip-hop changed forever. We explore the cultural context surrounding the release of Illmatic, provide an oral history of the creative process, and break the album down track-by-track. This is a tribute to the legacy of arguably the greatest album in hip-hop history, … [Read more...] about Straight from the Dungeons of Rap: An Exploration and Oral History of “Illmatic”
Tha Dogg Pound (Daz & Kurupt): G-Funk Pioneers
Tha Dogg Pound’s influence is often overlooked by those who aren’t familiar with the culture of West Coast gangsta rap, but as Pusha T says: if you know, you know. Eminem and Kendrick Lamar both cite Kurupt as one of their favorite rappers, and Daz Dillinger makes nearly $1 million a year from the back-end of his production catalog. We revisit the cult classic "Dogg Food" … [Read more...] about Tha Dogg Pound (Daz & Kurupt): G-Funk Pioneers
Triumph & Tragedy: Eminem’s Journey from the ‘Slim Shady LP’ to ‘Kamikaze’
At the tail end of his career, Eminem is at a crossroads between legacy and longevity. We revisit his meteoric rise from trailer parks to superstardom to make sense of this glaring dissonance. As someone who fell in love with rap after buying The Eminem Show in 2002, watching Marshall Mathers tarnish his legacy for the better part of a decade has been extremely … [Read more...] about Triumph & Tragedy: Eminem’s Journey from the ‘Slim Shady LP’ to ‘Kamikaze’
All Eyez on Tupac: Remembering Hip-Hop’s Immortal Emcee, 22 Years Later
Twenty two years after his death, we pay homage to the most influential rapper of all-time. The man who inspired millions and changed hip-hop forever. This is the story of Tupac Shakur. Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the untimely death of Tupac Shakur (born Lesane Parish Crooks) and, more than two decades after his passing, Tupac's passion and influence … [Read more...] about All Eyez on Tupac: Remembering Hip-Hop’s Immortal Emcee, 22 Years Later
Power & Podcasts: How Joe Budden Became the Most Indispensable Voice in Hip-Hop
How did a one-hit wonder avoid fading into obscurity to become arguably the most important voice in hip-hop media today? We examine Joe Budden’s transition from rapper to mogul – and why his unexpected ascent is a victory for creators everywhere. The Joe Budden Podcast When my Lyft driver pulled up to the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the line for a live show … [Read more...] about Power & Podcasts: How Joe Budden Became the Most Indispensable Voice in Hip-Hop
