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Royce da 5'9"'s 'Book of Ryan' Crackles with Boom Bap Energy

Royce da 5'9"'s Book of Ryan offers vulnerability on family and addiction, but never sacrifices its energy to deliver the message.

Music

'DAYTONA' Is Pusha T in Top Gang Boss Form

It may not be the most woke album of the year. But nothing is going to touch the "YUGH" factor of Pusha T's DAYTONA this year.

Music

Kanye West Attempts Some Life-Affirming Love on 'ye'

Although not a masterpiece like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, ye shares an abbreviated, yet complete look at Kanye, both the highs and the lows.

Music

"Far Flung" Is Aptly-Titled Tune From Future Release By spoony bard (premiere)

When David Nord tired of jazz, he turned to the music he heard around him. All of it. The result? spoony bard's deeply singular approach.

Jedd Beaudoin

Music

Kanye West: The Iconoclast Gives In

How the allure of newness is leading Kanye West astray.

Music

Chuck D on the Early Days of Sampling

In those early, free-wheeling days of hip-hop, the artists were waaaay ahead of the lawyers.

Music

Saba Sends a Cry for Help for His Beloved Chicago on 'CARE FOR ME'

Although delivered as a plea, Saba's message on Care For Me is necessarily uplifting and therapeutic.

Music

Janelle Monáe Is Still Mostly Electric on 'Dirty Computer'

Even with its shallow letdowns, Janelle Monáe's Dirty Computer succeeds overall because it mostly delivers the same elements that made the Metropolis lineage soar.

Music

Meet the New Übermensch: Lil Pump and the Will to Power

Unsurprisingly, Lil Pump's divergence from accepted social norms generates anger, but for similar reasons, he inspires his followers to mad devotion, as did Zarathustra. Nietzsche would have been delighted.

Music

Bishop Nehru's Debut Album 'Elevators: Act I & II' Is Well-Built But Hollow

Bishop Nehru is a technically gifted rapper, and his talents shine brightest when the BPM gets highest.

Music

Akua Naru Celebrates the Blackest Joy with new LP (album stream)

Akua Naru's new LP, The Blackest Joy, highlights a collage of hopes, history, and fears at a deeply tumultuous moment in history.

Jedd Beaudoin

Music

J. Cole Works on His Coping Mechanisms with 'KOD'

J. Cole explores coping with pain in a loosely conceptual form on KOD with varying effectiveness.

Music

Cardi B Delivers Strong Album Debut on 'Invasion of Privacy'

On Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B combines the uncompromising confidence of "Bodak Yellow" with just enough pop appeal to create a no-filler collection that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.

Music

Black Milk's Poetry Is Dexterous and Crisp on 'Fever'

Black Milk draws a parallel between funky hip-hop swing and the daily exploits of inner city living on Fever.

Music

Snoop Dogg's Latest Reinvention Is Heaven-sent

Snoop Dogg: "There's so much hate in the world right now, I want to show love. I want people's spirits to be full of joy. When I listen to this record, I'm fulfilled. I'm complete."

Music

Pop Ten

"Pounding Humility into You Permanently": On Anthony Bourdain

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Say It Loud! 100 Great Protest Songs: Part 2 - Steve Reich to the Sex Pistols

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Royce da 5'9"'s Book of Ryan offers vulnerability on family and addiction, but never sacrifices its energy to deliver the message.

It may not be the most woke album of the year. But nothing is going to touch the "YUGH" factor of Pusha T's DAYTONA this year.

Although not a masterpiece like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, ye shares an abbreviated, yet complete look at Kanye, both the highs and the lows.

When David Nord tired of jazz, he turned to the music he heard around him. All of it. The result? spoony bard's deeply singular approach.

How the allure of newness is leading Kanye West astray.

In those early, free-wheeling days of hip-hop, the artists were waaaay ahead of the lawyers.

Ex-White Denim, Free Radicals, Shape of Broad Minds members team of up as the Young Mothers for an unbridled track from new LP, Morose.

Although delivered as a plea, Saba's message on Care For Me is necessarily uplifting and therapeutic.

Even with its shallow letdowns, Janelle Monáe's Dirty Computer succeeds overall because it mostly delivers the same elements that made the Metropolis lineage soar.

Unsurprisingly, Lil Pump's divergence from accepted social norms generates anger, but for similar reasons, he inspires his followers to mad devotion, as did Zarathustra. Nietzsche would have been delighted.

Bishop Nehru is a technically gifted rapper, and his talents shine brightest when the BPM gets highest.

Akua Naru's new LP, The Blackest Joy, highlights a collage of hopes, history, and fears at a deeply tumultuous moment in history.

J. Cole explores coping with pain in a loosely conceptual form on KOD with varying effectiveness.

On Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B combines the uncompromising confidence of "Bodak Yellow" with just enough pop appeal to create a no-filler collection that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.

Black Milk draws a parallel between funky hip-hop swing and the daily exploits of inner city living on Fever.

Snoop Dogg: "There's so much hate in the world right now, I want to show love. I want people's spirits to be full of joy. When I listen to this record, I'm fulfilled. I'm complete."