hip hop

The sequel to Long.Live.A$AP has arrived at long last, and it tells a story. The anticipation for new A$AP Rocky material has been rising exponentially for two years now, and with the rapper’s erratic and unpredictable personality, even Nostradamus would have had trouble guessing what we would see next. But...

To say Kanye West is one of the world’s most divisive artists is actually something of an understatement. To most of the public he is nothing more than an asshole – so it might be something of a shock to them to find out just how respected he is...

This is an exciting time for hip-hop fans; releases from the likes of Lil Wayne, Kanye, Wu-Tang, Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco are coming thick and fast, and then out the blue; a brand new album from ChampagnePapi himself. Over airy trap flavoured Boi-1da beats Drake drops the sung...

Illmatic (1994) is an album that needs no introduction for anyone even mildly acquainted with the world of hip hop. The debut LP from New York native Nasir “Nas” Jones, the record is a raw account of life in Queens, told through a perfect blend of poetic lyrics and experimental beats....

A city, which some claim has a ‘record shop-shaped hole‘, has recently gained another string to its bow with the opening of Plates. Impact went to their opening party to survey. The gathering got started early in the day: a very chilled affair with people making conversation and playing...

The fifth full-length release from the Los Angeles producer Flying Lotus, You’re Dead!, starts off incredibly hectic. Opening track, ’Theme’, sounds like a great orchestra warming up and tuning their instruments, preparing for the fast paced, scatty tempo that is to come. As with much of Flying Lotus’s work, it’s...