Mac’s Impact
Summer 2011 – a young, upcoming rapper posts a music video. It begins with a home video clip showing an energetic, laughing toddler attempting to sing and dance along to “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill […]
Rap
Musical Musings: “Respect these women, boy”
One of the countless positive results of the #MeToo movement has been that people – mostly men – are finally being held responsible for their actions. I’ve covered it before in this column with artists […]
King Cole kills demons
“This album is in no way intended to glorify addiction.” These are the select words that adorn the cover of Fayetteville, North Carolina rapper J. Cole’s fifth studio album, “KOD,” which dropped Friday, April 20. […]
Cardi brings the party
Whether you are a fan of her music, it is hard not to love Cardi B. That being said, it is also extremely difficult not to be a fan of her music. On “Invasion of […]
Only Getting Meaner: 2011’s “Take Care” stands the test of time
When Drake released his sophomore album, “Take Care,” in November 2011, I was a sophomore in high school, and admittedly, I wasn’t a Drake fan. I hadn’t listened to much of his music, and all […]
Musical Musings: Diversity, inclusion and Brockhampton
“Anybody wanna make a band?” That was a post made by then-14-year-old aspiring rapper Kevin Abstract on a Kanye West fan forum in 2010. Now dubbed as “America’s favorite boyband,” Brockhampton has released an immense […]
The word is good!: “Black Panther” album brings out the big shots
With the strike of a match and an intense crescendo of strings, leading to a cut to silence and a light piano melody tinged with sadness, Kendrick Lamar sets the tone immediately on his curated […]
Fear and Loathing in Dubai: “Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho”
One of the best parts of any album is the artwork. In contrast to other artistic mediums like painting, an album’s cover art reflects its music, evoking emotions and setting the tone before you press […]