Rap Roundup
Lil Mabu and Fivio Foreign’s “Teach Me How to Drill” Is Viral Rap at Its Most Shameless
Plus casting ideas for 21 Savage’s alleged biopic and a consideration of 1Up Tee’s modern, message-based raps.
Pitchfork Rap Columnist Alphonse Pierre’s Favorite Records of 2023
Projects by Veeze, Ken Carson, MIKE, Noname, billy woods, Babyface Ray, Sexyy Red, and more prove that hip-hop is still thriving.
It’s Hard Not to Fall for KP Skywalka’s Hustler Love Anthems
Plus a confounding new mixtape from Babyxsosa and must-hear tracks from Philly club rapper Brock and the dynamic Milwaukee duo MarijuanaXO and Joe Pablo.
Regional Rap Classics Are Slowly Disappearing From the Internet
Plus a night in Newark with Jersey heroes Fatboi Sharif and Papo2oo4, a heartwarming moment between Sexyy Red and Katie Got Bandz, and more.
Get Lost in Outrageously Prolific Rapper-Producer GAWD’s Mind-Bending Musical Universe
Plus a report from the opening date of Detroit hero Veeze’s new tour, and must-hear tracks by mic-passing Milwaukee crew Firebatch and fire-and-ice Atlanta duo Anycia and Karrahbooo
Atlanta Rapper 2Sdxrt3all’s Name Isn’t Even the Most Baffling Thing About Him
Plus the best bars from Armand Hammer’s latest record and why veteran producer the Alchemist’s beats aren’t hitting like they used to.
Meet Niontay, the Versatile Upstart Who Counts MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt as Fans
Plus a roundup of the best and worst recent New York drill tracks and an intoxicatingly odd song from Georgia newcomer 2sdxrt3all that’s both silly and deadass.
8 Overlooked Rap Mixtapes You Need to Hear
Plus a heartwarming interaction between Cam’ron and Ghostface, and an appreciation of LL Cool J’s performance in the classic shark-attack flick Deep Blue Sea.
An R-Rated Day With Cash Cobain, the Raunchiest Rapper in New York
Plus a track by 454 and Surf Gang that should have been on the Barbie soundtrack and a new Lil Durk verse that breaks his recent losing streak
RealYungPhil Is the Rapper Every Underground Producer Wants to Work With
Plus an overwhelmingly great new mixtape from Detroit hero Veeze, a recap of Ne-Yo’s very important appearance on Love Island, and more.
Kendrick Is Finally Having a Good Time Again
Plus a live report from questionable YouTuber-turned-rapper Fulcrum’s recent Brooklyn show, and must-hear tracks by the Bronx’s Kenzo B and Oakland’s 1100 Himself.
Plot Twist—Jack Harlow Is the Only Tolerable Part of the White Men Can’t Jump Remake
Plus a close look at the supposedly funny viral drill star Lil Mabu, and a review of TisaKorean’s raucously nostalgic live show.
Get Familiar With Ot7Quanny’s Apocalyptic Punchline Rap
Plus a list of Kendall Roy's favorite Jay-Z songs, and a couple of underground dance-rap floor-fillers you need to hear.
Spotify’s RapCaviar Presents Documentary Series Is Hip-Hop Storytelling at Its Most Sanitized
Plus praise for Teyana Taylor’s acting breakthrough in the NYC drama A Thousand and One, and scorn for the abysmal rock remix of Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock.”
The Best Under-the-Radar Rap Mixtapes of 2023 So Far
Including fast rap that is not corny, an ode to The Wire’s Avon Barksdale, and a few Milwaukee tapes teeming with Auto-Tuned chaos.
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De La Soul Is Finally Streaming—But at What Cost?
Plus the best and worst cameos in the underwhelming new House Party reboot and a must-hear track from the Diddy-backed R&B singer-songwriter Jozzy.
New York Rapper Jay Critch Sidesteps the Nostalgia Cycle
Plus: Revisiting Q-Tip’s appearance in one of Spike Lee’s weirdest movie, and the Ice Spice/Radiohead mashup you didn’t know you needed.
Lil Poppa, Legend Yae, and Why the Best Southern Pain Rap Is More Than Just Sad
Plus more highs and lows from the world of rap, including a bong-ripped hallucination from Xaviersobased and a hyperspeed rush of chaos from New York drill rapper WinterDaBrat.
Tubi Is Somehow the Best Video Streaming Service for Rap Cinephiles
Plus more highs and lows from the world of rap, including Rick Ross’ Tesla paranoia and a diabolical track from Texas newcomer Enchanting.
Luh Tyler Is the Coolest 16-Year-Old Rapper in America
Plus more highs and lows from the world of rap, including a stupendously mean track from Ohio’s 9ina and a hauntingly personal one from Houston’s Sauce Walka.