In the ever-evolving landscape of music, nostalgia plays a significant role in shaping contemporary sounds. As we dive into 2024, it’s clear that many artists are channeling the past, breathing new ...

“Grindin’,” a song performed by legendary Virginia Beach group the Clipse, was the national anthem in 2002. The song’s sparse beat—which would be recognizable even without any accompanying lyrics or ...

Sampling in hip-hop has been going on since the genre’s inception, but in 2023, it’s been more prevalent than ever. If everything sounds familiar, it’s because it definitely is. Words: Grant Rindner ...

House music being celebrated in new songs from big-time acts like Drake and Beyoncé has turned into a huge conversation as of late, but the fast-paced, drum and hi-hat-riddled genre has always had a ...

These rap icons transformed more than just a genre; they shifted the direction of modern music itself. Their innovation and impact continue to shape the sound of today’s biggest artists. Few genres ...

Loud Sound Studios is home to two of Rwanda's up-and-coming hip-hop acts: Pro-Zed and Kenny K-Shot. Hip-hop is all about the beats and the flow. For two Rwandan artists, that flow sometimes comes in ...

This article has been handpicked from the Okayplayer editorial archives and included in our Hip Hop 50 collection as a noteworthy inclusion to the genre's rich and diverse narrative. The article has ...

On August 11 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy threw the now legendary Back To School jam in the recreation room of 1520 Sedgewick Avenue in The Bronx, New York. Herc’s party represented a ...

When producer Zaytoven first heard the lyrical testimonials of Atlanta hip-hop artists such as Outkast, Goodie Mob, Pastor Troy and Ghetto Mafia, he sensed a familiar spirituality in their secular ...