Since leaving the South Korean boy band 2 PM in 2010, Jay Park has reinvented himself as a music industry entrepreneur. He founded his own Hip Hop label in South Korea and in 2017, made history when he became the first Asian-American artist to sign to Roc Nation. His catalog…
DJ Khaled would say otherwise, but collaboration albums are hard to get right. It’s not easy to get assorted personalities in the studio to create a cohesive album that also allows individuals to shine. Maybe that’s one reason the Hip Hop practice is an endangered species. Up-and-coming label Guin Records…
Tre Capital’s mission isn’t just to be the best rapper among his competition. He takes more pride in his artistic development and humanist approach to all of his career endeavors. As his Hero project’s title and Star Wars Jedi-resembling cover suggest, the Los Angeles lyricist is simultaneously asserting himself as…
G-Unit’s original southern representative Young Buck has been the most active of the original foursome over the past decade, releasing (among other things) his “10” series of mixtapes. His recent eighth entry in the series 10 Plugs is a curious blend of excellent production, consistency, but — ultimately — forgettable…
Buddy has been waiting to shine for a long time. The Compton MC caught the ear of Pharrell about a decade ago, but he’s just now fully stepping into the limelight with his debut album, Harlan & Alondra. The album, which was named for the intersecting streets of his childhood home,…
After years of branding himself as the premier West Coast gangsta attraction, YG has been faced with a career crossroads. It’s a First Rap World problem if you will — he simply needs to expand his fanbase. His debut studio album was a near-production masterpiece and its follow-up revealed his…
In the near two years since Travis Scott dropped his platinum-selling sophomore LP Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, there have been countless acts who have attempted to emulate his sound that has engrossed millions. After a series of delays — and a forgettable collaborative effort — eager fans were…
Popcaan has been infiltrating the world stage for nearly a decade now. With a powerful co-sign from his close friend and mentor, the infamous dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, 2010 single “Clarkes” marked Poppy’s international debut. Since then, the Jamaican singer-songwriter has gone on to collaborate with everyone from Pusha T…
When Syd Bennett and Matt Martians decided to branch out from Odd Future to form The Internet in 2011, the music that followed wasn’t exactly predictable. Odd Future was renowned for its raucous, sometimes controversial rap, while The Internet was emanating ’70s-influenced, sophisticated soul vibes. After three albums (including the Grammy…
It’s been five years removed since Lefrak City legend N.O.R.E. dropped his star-studded Student Of The Game LP. Shortly afterward, he announced that his next album would be his last — as he was going to focus more attention on being an executive, rather than a solo artist. Two years…