Features
Wednesday, December 12 2012
The Best Hip-Hop of 2012
From riotous humor to sociopolitical commentary, hip-hop in 2012 gave us quality and variety.
Thursday, February 9 2012
“Don’t Let Me Fall”: Hip-Hop in the Age of Austerity
Rappers have always wrestled with the question of how to succeed in a society where the odds are stacked against them. The biggest difference now is that their middle class listeners have the same worries.
Wednesday, December 28 2011
The 75 Best Songs of 2011
The year's best songs are headlined by an instant synth pop classic, the massive hitmaking of the planet's hottest new diva, the pristine harmonies of a young band headed for greatness, the return of the poster boys for indie rock, and an instant Americana classic.
Friday, December 19 2008
The Best Albums of 2008
PopMatters presents our 60 best albums of 2008, highlighted by the return of British trip-hop legends and some infectious American indie rock by way of the Cascade Mountains.
Friday, December 12 2008
The Best Hip-Hop of 2008
A return to the mic nine years in the making, a hip-hop supergroup of sorts, and Tom Waits beatboxing: this year's top-shelf hip-hop is equal parts anticipation, teamwork, and wha?!
Columns
Monday, July 20 2009
It Ain't Hard to Tell: The Legacy of 'Illmatic'
The "half-man, half-amazin'", Nas' persona is part myth and part "everyday kid" from the Queensbridge projects.
Friday, December 12 2008
The Politics Inside Black Pop
Will black pop artists still see themselves as outsiders now that a black person is President? Will they use their cultural platform to criticize him if need be, just as they did to help elect him?
Monday, July 30 2007
The NAACP’s Mock Burial of Its Relevance
Our enemy is not the "N-word" itself; it’s whatever propels people to use it. We need healers, not language nannies.
Reviews
Friday, July 27 2012
Various Artists: Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap
Soundtrack makes for a pretty good listen, but doesn't live up to its audacious subtitle.
Tuesday, July 17 2012
Nas: Life Is Good (take one)
Nas tries to power through uneven production with fiery raps, but the sad truth is that the self-conscious way Life is Good is put together undermines his energy and intention.
Tuesday, July 17 2012
Nas: Life Is Good (take two)
Welcome back to the realm of excellence, Nasir Jones.
Friday, October 21 2011
Pretty Lights + Nas: 2011 September 15 - Austin, TX
Smith's dynamic sound clearly appeals to a wide demographic, resulting in a diverse crowd that becomes like one nation under a groove here tonight.
Monday, July 14 2008
Nas: Untitled
Nas's ninth studio LP lost its title. Its content, however, deserves far more dialogue than the controversy generated by what he wanted to call it.
Blogs
Wednesday, October 3 2012
Nas feat. Amy Winehouse - "Cherry Wine" (video)
Nas has released a video for "Cherry Wine" featuring vocals from the late, great Amy Winehouse. Great mix.
Tuesday, January 26 2010
Nas and Damien Marley - Distant Relatives (video)
One is arguably the most iconic lyricist in rap history; the other is a reggae star and the son of a legendary musician/activist (Bob Marley).…
Tuesday, July 15 2008
Dissecting Nas’ Untitled - Part 3
Tracks four and five: the triumphant pop songs...
News
Thursday, July 19 2012
Rolling with the punches, Nas rises to the challenges
It’s easy to get a sense of how the rapper Nas has seen himself over the years by noting his choice of album cover portraits.…
