Hip Hop

“Now I slay beats… ‘member when I would slay freaks.” Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe’s smooth sound and positive vibes are a breath of fresh air, complemented by soulful backing vocals and jazzy instrumentals as he performs Houston Tribute, Caged Birds, Against the Grain, Shine, and I’m Dope. at the NPR offices.

(PG-13: Language) “Somewhere in the middle of all that s**t was the hope that one of us was gonna make it.” Showtime’s Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men is a four-part documentary series about the rise and the legacy of rap’s one true supergroup. Premieres Spring 2019.

Amen, Brother is an obscure B-side from a 1969 record by The Winstons, but it’s also the source for a six-second, 4-bar drum and bass sample which has found its way into literally thousands of hip hop, techno, dance, and pop songs. It’s even in the Futurama theme.

(PG-13: Language) The Wu-Tang Clan celebrated the 25th anniversary of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) with this live set at NPR Music. They performed a medley of their hits, both from their discography as a group or from individual releases.

(PG-13: Language) Eminem produced this upcoming comedy film about the world of battle rap. In Bodied, a Berkeley grad student accidentally competes and wins a rap battle. He continues to find success but alienates the people around him. Premieres 11/2/18.

“Success brings sacrifice. And if you thinking it’s a piece of cake, you can have a slice.” Hall of fame MC Rakim dropped by NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert to perform King’s Paradise from the Luke Cage Season 2 OST, as well as his classics Paid in Full and Know the Ledge.

Let Beastie Boys members Adrock and Mike D walk you through their story in “revealing and funny accounts”, from their amateur days to the release of their classic albums. Also features contributions from their friends such as Spike Jonze and Wes Anderson.

“And yes, my kicks is 50% off on clearance but I never half-step.” Los Angeles-based rapper Ill Camille has that sick old school flow and verses with vivid imagery. Watch her perform four tracks from her latest album, Heirloom.

“I don’t waste ink, brother, I think. I drop megaton bombs more faster than you blink. ‘Cause rhyme thoughts travel at a tremendous speed.” Watch the Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA perform three tracks from his classic album Liquid Swords alongside brass band The Soul Rebels.

(PG-13: Language) Adult Swim keeps churning out hits. This time Rick and Morty unleash hell on gromflomites in an action-packed and stylish music video for Run the Jewels’ Oh Mama, from the duo’s latest album Run the Jewels 3.

The Wu-Tang Clan teamed up with StockX for Charity Rules Everything Around Me, a raffle where all proceeds will be used to help children in marginalized communities. The pieces are clothes, shoes and gear that have been used, signed or both by the members of the group.

(PG-13: Language) “Said my grace now, my light is still on, so why would I pray now?” Big K.R.I.T. dropped by NPR Music to perform tracks from his latest album 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, and share a sweet moment that he had with his late grandmother.

(PG-13: Language) “I am Killmonger, no one’s perfect, but no one’s worthless. We ain’t deserving of everything Heaven and Earth is.” Kendrick Lamar enlisted both established and up-and-coming stars to create music for and inspired by the upcoming Black Panther film.

“Sex, money, murder – our DNA.” King Kenny opened the 2018 Grammy Awards with a hell of a set. He used his verses from XXX., DNA, New Freezer and King’s Dead to talk about war, hip hop, the media, and the crowd admiring the messenger while missing his message.

With his natural beatboxing skills, godly knack for hooks, and the people he grew up with, it was almost impossible for Timbaland to not blow up. But he also fell into the trappings of success. He sat down with Complex to look back on his career.

(PG-13: Language) “Confrontation ain’t nothin’ new to me. You can bring a bullet, bring a sword, bring a morgue, but you can’t bring the truth to me.” From one king to another. All the Stars is from the soundtrack of the upcoming Black Panther movie.

Following up on their alternative and electronic music blueprints, Dorothy is back with a circuit-style chart of the connections between more than 700 important MCs, DJs, producers, turntablists, musicians, graffiti artists, b-boys and b-girls. Measures 80x60cm (~23.6×31.5″).

“I’ve always felt like shoes are like 90% of your outfit.” Complex met with Eminem at Detroit’s Burn Rubber sneaker store to talk shoes and do a little shopping. Slim, it’s hard to laugh at your jokes when you’re that intense.

Pop hiphop “boy band” Brockhampton closes out an insane year of productivity. We love the raw vibe of the previous LPs, but Saturation III is proof that these young men are growing in confidence and talent. Though producer Romil Hemnani, has been on fire since day one.

(PG-13: Language) Odd Future co-founder Tyler, The Creator graced NPR Music’s first ever nighttime Tiny Desk Concert. He and his band performed Boredom, See You Again and Glitter from his amazing new album Flower Boy.

(PG-13: Language) “Can’t erase the scars with a bandage. I’m hoping maybe we can come to an understanding. Agreed or disagreed, we could have an understanding.” Rapper Joyner Lucas speaks from both sides of white and black America in this necessary song.

(PG-13: Language) Meme no more. The son of Fresh Prince proves he can write and rap with his debut album. More importantly, Jaden Smith surrounded himself with ill beatmakers. Syre‘s sound is definitely reminiscent of Yeezy and Drake, but it’s still a solid start.

(PG-13: Language) “Looking for justice and it’s just us. It ain’t fair. There’s a riot going on out there, and it ain’t fair. When your protector is your predator – it ain’t fair.” The Roots and Bilal dropped by NPR to perform their contribution to the soundtrack of Detroit.

(PG-13: Language) “They criticizing the lyrics, guess everybody’s a critic, look: I push the limit while rappers is pushing gimmicks. I use it to push my pen and then add it to the premise hook.” Wu-Tang. New album. ‘Nuff said.

(PG-13: Language) Lo Life was an ’80s New York City gang obsessed with Polo clothing. Pop culture caught on and spread the craze worldwide. This retrospective from Lo Lifes’ Thirstin Howl and photographer Tom Gould is a teaser for their eponymous book.

(PG-13: Language) From Migos to Chance the Rapper, the triplet flow has defined 2010’s rap. Vox looked at the flow’s origins and how it works. We think they missed Snoop’s point though. It’s overuse combined with mumbling that makes for a homogenous sound.

(PG-13: Language) An appearance on Netflix’s Luke Cage is propelling Jidenna to the mainstream. Good thing the rapper and singer has more than enough charm and wit to sustain his success. Watch him perform songs from his album The Chief on NPR Music.

(PG-13: Language) NPR Tiny Desk Concert chose the perfect guest for its first DJ set. DJ Premiere and his live musicians The Badder Band performed some of the producer’s best hits, including tracks from KRS-One, his buddy Royce Da 5’9″ and of course Gang Starr.

(PG-13: Language) Oo-oooo! A$AP Ferg dropped by Hot Ones to talk about Nando’s, trading A$AP Rocky to Top Dawg or OVO, do-rags and more while contending with numb lips and a burning throat. Ten hot wings like I’m Sea-Sean Evans.

(PG-13: Language) If you gotta spin DAMN. you should make it look sexy. Previously an Interscope Records exclusive, HHV got their hands on 2,000 copies of Kendrick Lamar’s instant classic album pressed on a pair of translucent red vinyl records.