18 Jun Mac Miller – Watching Movies With The Sound Off | Album Review
Ask any artist their creative process and they will convey a special story. Whether it's stuffing the studio with yes-men, relocating to Hawaii or making sure they’re high on acid; every practitioner has a unique way of creating art. Mac Miller's story involves plenty of muted throwback '80s films and wildlife documentaries. Quite an interesting process, right? Let me explain.
In the past four years a lot has changed for Mac. Between his own MTV reality show, moving from Pittsburgh to LA and acquiring a bunch of new rap friends, he managed to produce the first independent number one album in 15 years. But if we're on the subject of change I suppose we better talk about the biggest change of all; Mac Miller's sophomore record Watching Movies With The Sound Off.
25 Apr Big K.R.I.T.: “Music has always been my therapy”
Soul Culture sits down with Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T for our ongoing #OKNotToBeOK mental health campaign, as he speaks on music as therapy, loneliness, depression and finally making the decision to be happy.09 Nov Meek Mill – Dreams And Nightmares | Album Review
The hierarchy within a crew is not often formerly advertised, especially within hip-hop, but based upon viewer and listener assumptions, bosses, underbosses, and capos are identified. Some are recognised based upon their musical impact - NWA had Eazy E (boss), Dr. Dre (underboss), Ice Cube (capo); some are identified upon their street stature - G-Unit had 50 Cent (boss), Tony Yayo (underboss), Lloyd Banks (capo); while others are a mixture of the two. Meek Mill is someone who sits somewhere in between an underboss and capo. Reason being is that musically he’s an underboss while his goon affiliations make him a capo. Either way he’s a decorated individual.
Under the guidance of Rick Ross, the buzz surrounding Meek has been phenomenal. Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no denying his domineering presence within the rap world over the past year or so. Following his acclaimed mixtape series - Dreamchasers, which is also the name of his budding record label - the Maybach Music Group emcee's debut album has finally arrived and the time has now come for the boy to prove he’s a man, and the cub to prove he can be King.
31 Oct Turbulent Times: Machine Gun Kelly talks ‘Lace Up’ mantra, the art of Raging, Diddy’s antics
Remember that kid you picked on for not having the latest kicks? Or the one you made fun of for having problems at home? How about the one you beat up in the gym just because? Well that guy is now the most popular kid in school, and he goes by the name of Machine Gun Kelly.
Growing up was never easy for the Cleveland city native. Sleeping on other peoples couches, seeing close friends go to prison for life and witnessing family members just disappear became a regular occurrence. However, that’s all changed now after some seriously hard grafting, which in turn lead to him securing a record deal with, a man who knows a little thing or two about the music industry, Diddy.
30 Oct Lauryn Hill debuts “Black Rage” in Dallas [Video]
The title track from her current tour with Queensbridge rap legend Nas, equally iconic Hip Hop Soulstress Lauryn Hill debuted "Black Rage" onstage this week, with a poetic recital of her new song for the cheering Dallas audience. Filmed from the crowd, watch Ms Hill recite the song below.
30 Oct Ryan Leslie – Les Is More | Album Review
A titan on the boards, Ryan Leslie once again returns to wow listeners with his signature production style and lavish tales of exclusivity. No longer in his contract at Universal Motown, the Washington D.C. singer/songwriter is now free of restraints and living the independent life under his own NextSelection Lifestyle imprint. A distinctly visual album, Les Is More plays like the ultimate success story and with ten accompanying videos - or motion pictures as Leslie likes to refer to them - listening to the 14-track project becomes a completely different experience.
24 Oct Danny! – Payback | Album Review
Relaunching after some years in the abyss, the acclaimed Okayplayer Records, home to some of the most revered acts in Hip Hop history makes its long awaited return to business. Much like the label's own rise from the ashes, South Carolina rapper Danny Swain - or Danny! - embarks on his comeback of sorts, with his new album released through the OKP label.
The spirited and animated rapper/producer has had more than his fair share of musical obstacles and industry politics to hinder his progression. But after much grafting and co-signs from The Roots' stickman Questlove and the empirical Jay-Z, Swain's Payback LP carries extra momentum upon its release.
23 Oct Kendrick Lamar – good kid m.A.A.d. city | Album Review
Eagerly anticipated, hyped up to the max, and with the buzz of a thousand hornets, good kid m.A.A.d. city is the major label debut album from Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar. Without doubt the most discussed project of recent years, hip-hop aficionados, frat boys, and industry insiders have set the internet ablaze the past few months discussing the TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records release. The question is, does it justify the hype?
20 Oct Madlib Medicine Show London f/ DOOM, Freddie Gibbs, J Rocc, Kutmah | Review
October 12th saw a gig tipped as "Hip-Hop show of the decade" take place in London, featuring the two components of critically acclaimed duo Madvillain - masked maniac rapper DOOM and the extremely talented producer Madlib - supported by a number of heavyweights and up and coming artists from both sides of the pond, including J Rocc, Freddie Gibbs, Kutmah, Illum Sphere, Dels and Jehst.