Inside Dominica's Mix-Soup Genre: Bouyon to the World
Bouyon wields a floor-filling power. We trace the history, politics and spirit of this Dominican-born music genre in conversation with bouyon hit-maker Shelly.
Pop’s Authenticity Crisis—Coco Jones Is Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud
Coco Jones' candid questions about her artistic identity have sparked a wider conversation about what it takes to succeed in the music industry today.
'Cause It's Fan-Tas-Tic: Revisiting Slum Village's Imperfect Masterpiece
Caught in a record-label tailspin, Motor City hip-hop trio Slum Village's original 1997 debut album circulated through leaks and word of mouth, becoming a cult classic long before its official release. Here's a look back at Fan-Tas-Tic, Vol. 1—the gem that almost never was.
The Sound of Survival: BBE and the Future of Black British Music
We're tracing the rich story and seismic impact of record label BBE Music, and shining a light on the new generation that flourishes in its wake.
This Year's Recessland Was Black Joy in Motion
Fuelled by every facet of Black enjoyment, Recessland shows what's possible when community, culture and sound converge. Here, we dive into Recessland's cultural significance and what it reveals about the state of Black Britain today.
Mariah the Scientist and the Business of Heartbreak
Heartbreak narratives continue to dominate our cultural imagination. Do destructive R&B love stories, embraced by the likes of Mariah The Scientist, hold us back or set us free?
Alt-R&B Star Jordan Ward's Sprint to the Finish in London
Joining the wave of run clubs along the tour, the US singer-songwriter closes his UK run in London with 'too much motion'.
Remembering Rod Temperton: The British Genius Behind Michael Jackson's Greatest Work
Meet Rod Temperton: the mastermind behind numerous iconic hits of the disco era, yet a name remains largely unknown to the general public…
"Superhero, Supermodel, Super Freak": Exploring SALIMATA's 'The Happening'
Brooklynite SALIMATA's breakout 2025 album is a fearless celebration of Black femininity in rap form. Let's dive in.
Inside 'Made in the Manor': A Track-By-Track Look at Kano's 2016 Masterpiece
A thorough exploration of Kano's fifth album—a powerful return shaped by the intensity of the 2010s grime revival—ten years later.
How Do We Navigate the Complicated Legacy of Tupac's 'All Eyez On Me' Album?
Three decades on, Tupac's fourth album remains a bona fide double-disc classic. Its influence on hip-hop is undeniable, but so are the arguments about the album's misogynistic content and the industry politics behind it all…
To Catch a Culture Vulture: Why Does Hip-Hop Refuse to Learn Its Lesson from White Rappers?
Hip-hop falls down when it allows white voices to drown out its Black roots. The viral frenzy surrounding rapper Sunshine Benzi is just another example of White-washed Minaj-esque hip-hop mimicry—but she's just one of many.
Revisiting Tricky's 'Maxinquaye': The Sound of Resistance
Emerging from Bristol's fractured soundsystem scene, Tricky defiantly reshaped British electronic music. Let's revisit his debut album that brought downtempo experimentation into the mainstream.
The UK Rap Scene Needs Sustainable Support Systems: Here's What We Can Do
With the noise around the UK underground scene and artists like EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy and Proph, now's the time to ensure UK rap gets the structured support it needs to sustain.
Exploring Mobb Deep's 'Infinite' and the Ethics of Unconsented Art
Investigating how AI and unconsenting scraps of material are reshaping the afterlife of creative endeavours.
Jim Legxacy's 'Black British Music' Is Album of the Year: Let's Talk About It
How our generation's production wiz blends brainrot, Blackness and Britishness to create a landmark sound.
Quantum Psalms: Mapping Out London's Faith Rap Movement
Through Obi Psalms' latest EP, we explore London's faith rap network—a tight-knit corner of the underground reshaping youth culture with optimism and purpose.