Hip-hop beat-makers are usually unseen. Not all sample-based producers are as reclusive as the torch-bearing loop artist Madlib, but even the most prominent among them are part of the backdrop. After ...

Something interesting is happening in the “Progressive R&B” category at this year’s Grammy Awards. Four of the six nominated albums contain songs that bear the unmistakable rhythmic signature of a ...

Hip-hop’s rhythm, visuals, and production style have quietly influenced modern digital games. From arcade sound loops to ...

This story is part of our new Hip-Hop: ’73 Till Infinity series, a celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary. Producers are just as (if not more) important than MCs on a track. As much as fans care ...

The past, present, and future of hip-hop came united in one glorious celebration on Feb. 5, when the 65th Annual Grammy Awards paid tribute to 50 years of hip-hop, and DJ Jazzy Jeff had one of the ...

In the past few years, gaming and creator culture have become an increasingly prominent part of the rap world. Think of the growing presence of Twitch streamers, or Ericdoa’s viral “Ninja Taper Fade” ...

There’s a raw energy in the air—a palpable, jittery anticipation as the old guard of hip-hop production gets tossed aside by the relentless force of technological innovation and cultural upheaval.

The global music industry is increasingly becoming borderless, allowing talent from every corner of the world to influence mainstream charts. Among the most notable success stories in recent years is ...

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — In a classroom at the House of Urban Culture, tucked away in the narrow streets of Dakar, Senegal, Aminata Thiam claps her hands in time with a beat she created on her computer. ...

Have you always wanted to become the next Pharrell, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, or old Kanye West? Akai is now giving you that opportunity and won’t cost you a dime. Akai, who is more ...