‘CHROMAKOPIA’ embraces a new, old era with life lessons from mom
Tyler, the Creator’s seventh studio album “CHROMAKOPIA” is simultaneously a return to his signature sound and the beginning of a new era. Read more »
music column
SOPHIE’s posthumous album doesn’t achieve artist’s musical vision
Electronic music icon SOPHIE’s posthumous self-titled album features fragmented ideas that don’t honor her legacy. Read more »
Metro Boomin, Future prove their mettle with ‘WE DON’T TRUST YOU’
“WE DON’T TRUST YOU” is the first full-album collaboration between Metro Boomin and Future. Together, the artists capture hustle and progress. Read more »
Rod Wave's 'Nostalgia' blends heartbreak with emotional beats
Rod Wave's new album mixes heartbreak with soulful beats. Read more »
Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore album 'GUTS' is an angsty, coming-of-age catalog
Olivia Rodrigo releases GUTS, her long-awaited sophomore album Read more »
Daft Punk’s legendary final studio album created a lasting legacy
Ten years after the release of award-winning ‘Random Access Memories,’ take a look at what made the album such a hit. Read more »
12 years of BROCKHAMPTON, from “ALL-AMERICAN TRASH” to “TM”
Our music columnist unpacks the journey and discography of eclectic boy band BROCKHAMPTON and their impact on the alternative music scene. Read more »
While full of exciting beats and bars, ‘Her Loss’ misses the mark of greatness
Drake and 21 Savage's new album, “Her Loss,” is an improvement from Drake’s previous works, but still misses the mark for a great album. Read more »
Shorter albums, change in lyricism marks hip-hop shift
While the 2010s saw some outstanding conscious hip-hop, it also led to the rise of clout-chasing artists and perpetuated rivalries between women artists in the industry. Read more »
Juice WRLD’s latest album proves artists’ most popular albums aren’t always their best
Juice WRLD’s latest album, “Death Race For Love,” is a prime example that for some artists, their most commercially successful projects aren’t their best ones. Read more »
Offset proves he’s the best of Migos with ‘Father of 4’
Following the release of Offset’s “FATHER OF 4,” he has officially earned the title of the best member of Migos. Read more »
Gunna is using his clout as a crutch to produce mediocre albums
Gunna’s first official studio album, “Drip or Drown 2,” is full of throwaway tracks which highlight his reliance on ‘clout privilege’ to carry his career. Read more »
J. Cole needs to diversify his sound to maintain hip-hop relevance
J. Cole’s lyricism and cadence have established him as a staple in hip-hop industry. But his past three projects have many similarities — Cole needs to step up his game to stay relevant to his fan base. Read more »
Boogie’s latest album ‘Everythings for Sale’ is honest, transparent
Boogie’s newest album, “Everythings for Sale,” is an honest reflection of his life — loving his son and trying to make peace within himself. Read more »
J.I.D. brings fresh lyricism to sophomore album ‘DiCaprio 2’
With boastful beats and creative wordplay, J.I.D.’s “Dicaprio 2” solidifies his place as a much-watch rising star in the rap industry. Read more »
It’s time uncredited ‘ghostwriters’ in rap music get their proper due
For some fans, the use of ghostwriters in hip-hop can give off a sense of inauthenticity in its performers. But these writers have largely been responsible for some of the biggest hits and evolutions in the rap music industry. Read more »
Anderson .Paak’s talent shines through in his multi-layered 3rd album ‘Oxnard’
Music columnist Dylan takes you on a ride through Anderson .Paak’s latest project “Oxnard.” Read more »
Head bobbing to sick beats, do lyrics still matter in rap?
An artist’s image may influence which music we value most, but our judgement of a song may be clouded by the quality of a song’s technical production. Read more »
How religious music continues to impact the music scene today
The impact of religious music may not be quantified in record sales or mainstream appeal, but its value comes from how it encourages participation amongst its listeners. Read more »
Sheck Wes tells stories of his life in debut album ‘MUDBOY’
Debut album “MUDBOY” showcases Sheck Wes’ passion and personal journey as an artist. Read more »
Spotify to help independent musicians grow while preserving artistic freedom
The rising popularity of independent artists has also led to a greater variety of streaming services, such as Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube. Streaming platforms have made it easier for fans to access music and musicians to grow their fan bases digitally. Read more »
John Legend made history as the first black man to reach EGOT status
John Legend recently made history as the first black man to win an Emmy, Grammy Award, Oscar and Tony Award, reaching the heralded “EGOT” status. But there’s something bigger going on with black representation in the awards arena. Read more »
Tupac ‘died’ 22 years ago, but this is why he’s still around
Whether Tupac actually died or not, his influence on music, art and hip hop culture still live on. Read more »
Get off your phone during Juice Jam
A sea of glowing devices at live music events is the new norm, but the best way to enjoy this year’s music is to unplug from your device and tune in to the moment. Read more »
