Quality Control Music It’s hard not to give the Migos credit for shaping the sound and state of rap music in 2018. The last five years—with heightened emphasis on the past two—have been nothing short of a total Migos-subjugation. Not only has their distinct flow and delivery become a standard amongst rappers of varying generations, but their […]
CupcakKe may be famous for her eyebrow-raising lyrics about sex and sexuality, but even her earliest songs like “Pedophile” and the electro-infused LGBTQ anthem “LGBT” have showcased an artist with near-boundless thematic and stylistic range. The Skittles-tinged 20-year-old continues to display that versatility on the sonically kaleidoscopic Ephorize, a striking blend of pop sensibilities, gritty lyrics and blunt self-help advocacy. The […]
Shady / Aftermath / Interscope It’s hard to deny Eminem’s status as one of hip-hop’s all-time legends. He’s given the genre a considerable number of classics—from singles (“Lose Yourself”) to full-length projects (The Marshall Mathers LP)—that not only soundtracked the 2000s but also stand the test of time. Aside from his unbelievable contorting of the English language, it’s Em’s introspection that’s granted the […]
When Quality Control bosses Coach K and Pee Thomas founded their label in 2013, the music moguls took a big gamble on Migos, the Atlanta trap trio that many were ready to write off as word-repeaters who would overstay their welcome. But Quavo, Offset and Takeoff have persisted, not only proving their knack for hit […]
Columbia Records Few rappers have aged as gracefully as Juicy J. After 25 years in the game, the Memphis legend remains relevant to fans young and old, focusing primarily on his career as a solo artist since partnering with Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Entertainment in 2011. The Three 6 Mafia co-founder saw a resurgence in popularity with his Rubba […]
Undercover Prodigy / 300 Entertainment For many artists, making the transition from young, abrasive, goofy name-dropper to a fully appreciated virtuoso doesn’t happen overnight. Hopsin splashed onto the genre’s radar in 2012, when he dropped the intentionally unsettling sing-a-long “Sag My Pants.” His coarse messaging and aggressive demeanor were combined with high caliber rap abilities, […]
Javotti Media / 3D Talib Kweli fans know almost exactly what they’re getting when they listen to a new record from the Brooklyn MC. Over 20 years into his career, he’s never been one to change his formula too much. On every project, Talib typically brings his lyrical, politically-charged conscious style of rap, often over […]
Sony Music Entertainment Before Kanye West flew CyHi The Prynce out to Hawaii to aid in writing his coveted album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, CyHi was just an amazingly gifted Atlanta-born lyricist finding it hard to bubble out of his city’s exploding trap scene. To this day, CyHi dubs himself as one the best […]
Killa Entertainment Two years have passed since Cam’ron dropped a complete project, and even back then, the spotlight was shared. In November of 2015, Killa Cam and Berner dropped Contraband, a collaborative EP that included a handful of underwhelming tracks that fizzled before they even had a chance to make heat. Before that it was […]
If you were to judge Ty Dolla $ign’s Beach House 3 album on the intro track alone, you would have no idea that he’s one of hip-hop’s most consistently successful songwriters. “Famous” is an exemplary acoustic ballad that would lead any brand new listener to believe that Ty is just a gifted guitar player and […]
