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The Best of Marshall: Eminem’s First Five Albums Ranked
Eminem just dropped his 12th album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), and we decided this was a great time to look back with a discerning eye at his first albums. Em has come a long way,...
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Common’s Top Five Albums, Ranked
At his best, Common is equal parts contemplative and aspirational, collapsing the distance between the man who has a dream and the seasoned skeptic who’s not quite wise enough to stop having them....
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Common's New LP With Pete Rock Might be His Best Super-Producer Collaboration...
The Auditorium, Vol. 1 is the new joint album from venerated emcee and multi-hyphenate Common, and fellow legend, super-producer Pete Rock — it’s a pairing of two of the most acclaimed hip-hop figures...
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LL Cool J Really is Back, and He Reminds Us on New Single “Passion”
With his name cemented in hip-hop history, there’s nothing left for LL Cool J to prove, but he’s coming with some new heat anyway. His hunger for hip-hop is still very much there, and he’s pouring it...
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Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
Kendrick Lamar’s dominance continues. On Monday (July 15), the folks at Billboard announced that the Compton rapper’s explosive Drake diss, “Not Like Us,” has returned to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot...
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The Judge in Young Thug’s RICO Case Has Been Recused
Another day, another new twist to Young Thug’s ongoing RICO trial. On Monday (July 15), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Fulton County Chief Judge Ural Glanville has been removed from...
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Introducing Respiration, Okayplayer’s Monthly Wellness Wednesday Playlist
Due to global warming, potential allergies and, hey, the world basically being on fire, breathing easy isn’t exactly easy. You could argue that it’s rarely been harder. There are people to love and...
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The “New” New York: Lord Sko Takes Over NYC’s Knitting Factory
On Tuesday, Lord Sko hosted a sold-out concert at Knitting Factory with support from other talented upstarts, Yoshi T and Wiseboy Jeremy.The trio of upcoming artists are all under the management of...
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Here’s Why Meghann Cuniff Believes Young Thug Just Might Win His RICO Trial
Anyone who’s followed the RICO trial against Young Thug knows it’s been as all over the place as the charges that have been levied against him. This week, the case took another twist when not one but...
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The U.S. Could Elect a Black Woman President
In one of the more unprecedented moves in recent U.S. political history, President Joe Biden withdrew his presidential candidacy this past Sunday (July 21). Naturally, he endorsed his Vice President...
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Lupe Fiasco Thinks Dame Dash Should Sell 'Reasonable Doubt' Shares to Drake...
In an entertainment career that’s stretched over 20 years, Drake has been many things: rapper, singer, actor, songwriter and NBA team ambassador. You name it, 6ix God has done it. But no one’s called...
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Top Five Black Culture Moments So Far in 2024
With a little more than half of 2024 behind us, this year has already been one for the books. In Black pop culture, 2024 is the gift that keeps on giving. From viral moments to mesmerizing...
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The Best TV Shows and Movies of 2024 So Far
Fans have had to say goodbye to a handful of TV favorites so far in 2024; as family prequel sitcom Young Sheldon, medical drama The Good Doctor and HBO perennial Curb Your Enthusiasm have all shuffled...
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Ezra Collective Delivers Electric Energy in NYC
We’ll go out on a limb and state quite plainly that you’ve never heard a jazz band quite like Ezra Collective. The surging U.K. quintet won the esteemed Mercury Prize in 2023 for their album, Where...
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The Best Rap Albums of 2024 So Far
Yes, the war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is the biggest rap story of 2024. No, it’s not the only thing that happened. Far from it. Since the turn of the new year, folks from across the hip-hop...
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Pursuit of Happiness: Chris Patrick on the Power of Journaling, Therapy and More
Hailing from East Orange, N.J., Chris Patrick is in the middle of a serious level up. Over the last couple of years, he’s used projects like his 2022 effort, X-Files and this past April’s The Calm to...
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The Best R&B/Soul Albums of 2024 So Far
The complaint, “I miss real R&B” has never really been a valid one, but it’s looked especially stupid this year. Over the last seven months, folks from all around the R&B plain have unloaded...
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Rakim Says Kendrick/Drake Battle Showed Gap Between Real and Mainstream Hip-Hop
Months after Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s epic rap battle climaxed, Rakim is giving props to both rap legends while also offering his perspective on what it means for the culture. Speaking to Billboard...
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The Evolution of Suzi Analogue: Artist, Producer, Trailblazer
Suzi Analogue, a recording artist, producer, musician and songwriter, stands out as a relentless innovator and creative pioneer. Known for her ability to seamlessly blend genres, she has consistently...
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Respected Lyricist, Chino XL, Dead at 50
Fans across hip-hop are now mourning another rap veteran gone too soon. This morning (July 30), Chino XL’s family used his Instagram account to announce that the rapper-actor passed away at his home...
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