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]
Unprecedented: Big K.R.I.T.’s Groundbreaking Career as a Dual-Discipline Artist [Beats & Bars]
In today’s era of collaborative production, Big K.R.I.T. stands alone. Despite producing 67.9% of his album tracks alone - with no co-production whatsoever - K.R.I.T. has ascended commercial peaks historically reserved for elite rappers backed by production rosters as long as a phone book. He has carved his own path from the very beginning, employing an incredibly unique and … [Read more...] about Unprecedented: Big K.R.I.T.’s Groundbreaking Career as a Dual-Discipline Artist [Beats & Bars]
Behind the Sound of Janelle Monáe: It Takes a Village [Beats & Bars]
Singer. Songwriter. Actress. Visionary. Janelle Monáe is so many things, it’s easy to forget she’s also a producer, working alongside her closest collaborators to furnish her own sound. In this piece, we’re looking at how Monáe’s secret weapon - her production prowess - factors into her distinctive sound. Though she’s been active in the music industry since as early as … [Read more...] about Behind the Sound of Janelle Monáe: It Takes a Village [Beats & Bars]
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”
Best Songs of 2018: Uzi’s Defiantly Long “New Patek” (that’s it that’s the list)
Year end lists are subjective garbage so we let Edward Alexander write a list about his favorite song of the year. When was the last time you heard a 6-minute rap single? In the new regime of hip-hop a premium is placed on concision. Hooks, verses, songs, singles, and albums seem to have collectively shrunk in 2018. As rap continuously expands into new markets and into … [Read more...] about Best Songs of 2018: Uzi’s Defiantly Long “New Patek” (that’s it that’s the list)
How Larry Fisherman Made An Icon Out Of Mac Miller [Beats & Bars]
In the wake of Malcolm McCormick’s death, a massive wave from fans, fellow musicians, friends and family impacted by Mac’s authenticity and generosity washed over the world. On Halloween night at the “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” benefit concert, Mac Miller was described by so many as a stalwart friend who supported the dreams of everyone he knew. In a way the … [Read more...] about How Larry Fisherman Made An Icon Out Of Mac Miller [Beats & Bars]
“The Black Album”: Lyrical Breakdown of Jay-Z’s Least Collaborative Record
Fifteen years ago, Jay-Z announced that he was leaving hip-hop: but only on his own terms and with his own voice. The Black Album was meant to be the climax of Jay's career, a raw and personal record with minimal features. For the first time ever, here are the numbers to cement the album's legacy forever. I just felt like, it being the last album, that I wanted to do it … [Read more...] about “The Black Album”: Lyrical Breakdown of Jay-Z’s Least Collaborative Record
Behind “The Black Album”: Production & Sampling Deep-Dive
November 14, 2003: with nothing left to prove, Jay Z releases The Black Album, a project billed as his last. Fifteen years on, we reflect on the production throughout the LP, breaking down the sampling, examining the sonic palette and looking at the collaborators Jay chose to score his classic curtain closer. Fifteen years ago, Jay-Z felt he’d said all he had to … [Read more...] about Behind “The Black Album”: Production & Sampling Deep-Dive
Beats & Bars: The Complete History of Dual-Discipline Artists in Hip-Hop
Tyler, the Creator. J Cole. Mac Miller. Childish Gambino. Kid Cudi. Hip hop's new generation seems to be filled with artists that wear the hat of both "producer" and "rapper" like never before - but this DIY movement is no recent phenomenon. We trace the lineage of today's dual-discipline artists to its origins, over 30 years ago. The storied birth of hip-hop in the … [Read more...] about Beats & Bars: The Complete History of Dual-Discipline Artists in Hip-Hop
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
