The ‘G’ in Warren G stands for Griffin, but it might as well be shorthand for “G Funk”. Warren’s distinctive production chops and romantic vision of gangsterism made him one of the most indispensible voices of the G Funk era and, in the years since, they’ve enshrined him as one of the West Coast’s most […]
How J. Cole Flourished Under – and Ultimately Outgrew – Jay-Z’s Approach as a Label Head (ROTD 3 Preview)
J. Cole is changing before our very eyes. The infamous “no features”, self-reliant Cole that flourished under Jay-Z’s hands off management at Roc Nation has learned from his mentor to form a new mentality – far, far from his comfort zone. This new J. Cole is a label head first and foremost, sacrificing his own […]
How Earl Sweatshirt and Quelle Chris capture the Complexity of Human Existence through Art
Earl Sweatshirt and Quelle Chris use the contrast and inconsistencies in their psyche to create music that digs at what it truly means to be human. On their most recent solo albums, the two MC’s undertake a tandem journey to understand their own minds and how self-perception shapes the imperfect realities of being alive. Earl […]
25 Years of Illmatic: The Producers and Samples that Created a Classic
If 1994 is one of hip hop’s greatest years, then Illmatic is one of the richest cherries atop the proverbial cake. Whilst it might not have been the most immediately impactful of the year’s debuts, it still stands as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. We’re breaking down the samples throughout […]
How Curren$y Rose as the King of New Orleans, In His Own Words
Today marks the 38th birthday of New Orleans’ own Curren$y. We celebrate his born day by chronicling his path to becoming the latest king of the Crescent City. Happy Birthday, Spitta. Burn one for us. Curren$y cares about his legacy. The forefather of the fly doesn’t always make it clear, his nonchalant demeanor can mask […]
In Conversation: Where Did Solange’s When I Get Home Come From?
We sat down the two biggest Solange fans we have on the Sauce to have a conversation about her latest wave-making album When I Get Home. What follows is a conversation about the influences that helped craft Solange’s sound, the cultural roots of the album, and how her career has been building toward this project […]
How Kanye Made “The College Dropout” – Every Sample, Every Beat
It’s hard to imagine the world without Kanye West, and it’s hard to imagine Kanye West without The College Dropout. Fifteen years on, we’re breaking down the sampling on Ye’s triumphant debut and talking about the creation of a classic. Things were different in 2004: 50 Cent was a musical titan, Jay-Z had retired from […]
How Leikeli47, Vince Staples and Frank Ocean Teach Us to Stop Hearing and Start Listening
In today’s age of the Infinite Scroll, listeners are becoming desensitized and disengaged with art. But artists like Vince, Frank, and Leikeli47 are fighting back by manipulating imagery to challenge and confront your perspective head-on. Empathic listening is an active form of consideration that allows you to immersively engage with what you’re hearing. It’s an […]
18 Years of Beats: Inside J. Cole’s Unsung Career as a Producer [Beats & Bars]
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 […]
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 […]
