Mac Miller Circles

Published Jan 20, 2020

There is so much potential for disaster on posthumous albums. But Circles, the final effort from the deeply missed Mac Miller, sets a new st...

From #MeToo to "Me First": Women in Hip-Hop and R&B Change Their Tune

Published Dec 16, 2019

Whether acting up or having a hot girl summer, women in hip-hop and R&B gave zero fucks in 2019. While women artists have always been fixtur...

From Meme to Movement: How Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hot Girl Summer' Went from Internet Trend to Cultural Shift

Published Dec 11, 2019

This year, three simple words shook up the internet and permeated the pop culture lexicon: Hot Girl Summer. But how did the term, coined by...

Cartel Madras Pave a New Path of Visibility with 'Age of the Goonda'

Published Dec 04, 2019

Age of the Goonda, the latest EP from Calgary duo Cartel Madras, starts with a cacophony of screams, swearing and menacing bass. Before the...

Cartel Madras Age of the Goonda

Published Nov 27, 2019

In an interview with Exclaim!, Cartel Madras said that Age of the Goonda, their first release since signing with Sub Pop, speaks to a certai...

Xavier Omär and Sango Moments Spent Loving You

Published Nov 04, 2019

Longtime collaborators Xavier Omär and Sango return with the followup to 2015's Hours Spent Loving You just in time for cuffing season. Whil...

Little Brother May the Lord Watch

Published Sep 04, 2019

Though a Little Brother reunion once seemed about as likely as a finished album from Jay Electronica, the North Carolina duo surprised liste...

Raphael Saadiq: "I Didn't Think I'd Ever Make" His New Album About Drug Addiction, 'Jimmy Lee'

Published Aug 23, 2019

On his new album, Jimmy Lee, Raphael Saadiq breaks away from his usual feel-good love songs to assume the role of the titular protagonist, a...

Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again

Published Aug 15, 2019

Like its name implies, Snoh Aalegra's - Ugh, those feels again is an emotional rollercoaster. On it, the Swedish songstress is a master cond...

Snoh Aalegra Is Still in Her Feels on New Album '- Ugh, those feels again'

Published Aug 14, 2019

Two years after her debut studio album, Snoh Aalegra is still deep in her emotions. The aptly titled - Ugh, those feels again, the Swedish c...

Elle Varner Ellevation

Published Jul 17, 2019

The path to Elle Varner's sophomore effort has been a winding one. Pushbacks and label drama (the singer was dropped from RCA Records, the c...

Jaden ERYS

Published Jul 17, 2019

Jaden Smith's 2017 debut, SYRE, showed creativity and tremendous potential. On it, the neo-Fresh Prince established himself as a legitimate...

JD Era Back From the Dead

Published Jun 28, 2019

On his latest effort, aptly titled Back From the Dead, Mississauga rhymer JD Era delivers confident bars with a renewed and refreshing vigou...

The HamilTones Watch the Ton3s

Published Jun 25, 2019

As backup singers for Anthony Hamilton, North Carolina trio the HamilTones became social media darlings known as much for their cheeky sense...

Skepta Ignorance Is Bliss

Published Jun 10, 2019

If you're new to Skepta and hoping to settle into his sound, Ignorance Is Bliss is not the place to start. While Skepta is far too seasoned...

Steve Lacy Apollo XXI

Published May 27, 2019

Since joining the Internet at 16, Steve Lacy has established himself as a quiet force. Unfailingly humble, the coy Compton native has been p...

Ari Lennox Shea Butter Baby

Published May 23, 2019

On the intro to her debut, Ari Lennox issues a theatrical warning: "Are you ready? 'Cause it's about to get disgusting. It's about to get so...

Rahsaan Patterson Heroes & Gods

Published May 15, 2019

Time is a luxury that neo-soul vet Rahsaan Patterson uses well on Heroes & Gods. Doing away with schedules and deadlines, Patterson gave him...

Tanika Charles Proves She Has 'The Gumption' on Her Confident New Album

Published May 08, 2019

Just a month out from the release of her new album The Gumption — her followup to her Juno-nominated, Polaris Music Prize long-listed debut...

Tanika Charles The Gumption

Published May 07, 2019

Building on the markedly old-school feel of her previous album, Soul Run, singer Tanika Charles stays rooted in classic soul, rock, and funk...