Albums like To Pimp a Butterfly and 1999 blend jazz harmonies with sharp lyricism, proving the genre’s deep connection. Hip-hop may keep evolving, but funk and jazz remain its heartbeat, fueling its ...

Eye-catching cover art goes a long way in enticing rap fans to give an album a spin. The artwork tends to capture the essence of a rapper's music through imagery that matches the vibe of the music ...

From the gate, Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones wanted you to know that he was an extraordinary mind with influences that far extended the 26 buildings of Queensbridge projects. That, his level of quiet ...

Hip-hop culture has made it to 50 years, but that doesn’t mean the celebration stops. To its credit, hip-hop culture has made it to 50 years, but that doesn’t mean the celebration stops. Nope, hip-hop ...

As music creators lean into sample-driven production across hip hop, soul, and melodic techno, the visual identity of their releases is undergoing a quiet revolution. In 2026, cover art is no longer ...

The most memorable album covers tell a story in itself or, at the very least, illustrate what the album may sound like. The Beastie Boys’ debut, Licensed to Ill (1986), and its busted down jet with ...

James Brown's funky beats, brought to you by drummer, Clyde Stubblefield, are the most popularly sampled in hip hop, but what about jazz? Has it not significantly impacted hip hop as well? The answer ...

The Crocodile might’ve waddled a few blocks north, but opposite the old venue at Second Avenue and Blanchard Street, a new music night is taking shape in the heart of Belltown. In the summer of 2024, ...