One of the few great hip-hop albums to deal with the state of America post-September 11th, ‘Insomnia’ also cements Capital D’s rightful status as one of Chicago’s greatest emcees.
Read moreMase’s ‘Welcome Back’ Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
For those of us who at least loosely followed Mase during his musical hiatus, we accepted that the former prince of the Bad Boy empire would never return to hip-hop.
Read more‘Violator: The Album’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
The late hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty is missed by an entire community and remembered as we listen to this exciting ensemble collaboration that helped close out the final summer of the ‘90s.
Read moreI Wasn't Born to Follow: The ‘Easy Rider’ Soundtrack Turns 50 | Anniversary Retrospective
There are many ways in which Dennis Hopper’s film ‘Easy Rider’ still resonates five decades later, not least of which is its music’s enduring influence on the art of curating film soundtracks.
Read moreDaddy Yankee’s ‘Barrio Fino’ Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
‘Barrio Fino’ was the zeitgeist for all of the Caribbean kids and youths, who now know they can create a global movement out of nothing and accomplish everything.
Read moreA Stroke of Genius: Prince’s ‘Batman’ Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
The ‘Batman’ soundtrack captures the shared essence of Prince and The Joker: rebels who took the rule book, rewrote it, and ripped it to shreds with playful grins on his faces.
Read moreMase’s ‘Double Up’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
A strong follow-up to his classic debut album ‘Harlem World’ (1997), Mase’s sophomore album contains subtle signs of the wear-and-tear he endured as a rising star in the spotlight.
Read moreSwollen Members’ Debut Album ‘Balance’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
Swollen Members play to their strengths on their debut long player, which is creating hard-hitting, gimmick-free hip-hop.
Read moreMandy Moore’s ‘Amanda Leigh’ Turns 10 | Anniversary Retrospective
Moore’s sixth LP continued to expound on the reconstructionist principles set forth on its two precursors, 2003’s ‘Coverage’ and 2007’s ‘Wild Hope.’
Read more‘Soundbombing II’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
The ‘Soundbombing’ series was a showcase for new tracks and previous 12” highlights from Rawkus Records’ impressive roster of artists and affiliates, packaged as hosted mixtapes.
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