HipHopDx Editorials
Lyrics To Go: Hip Hop's Struggle With Corporate Endorsements
Rick Ross, Tyler the Creator & Lil Wayne serve as three high profile acts who have already lost promotional revenue this year with the sudden upswing in Rap being publicly vilified.
Memories Back Then: Emcees Recount Their Earliest Hip Hop Moments
R.A. the Rugged Man, Papoose, Fashawn, Problem, Bangladesh & Rich Kidd take a stroll down memory lane by reminiscing on their first encounters with Hip Hop.
Your Introduction To Battle Rap: A New Viewer's Guide
For those new to Battle Rap, Loaded Lux, Lush One, Math Hoffa, Cortez, Bonnie Godiva, Pass, Real Deal, Shotgun Suge, Dirtbag Dan & Okwerdz explain the rules and their favorite battles.
Moment Of Clarity: Jay-Z's Holy Grail Of Advertorial Hip Hop
The landmark deal between Jay-Z's camp and Samsung has already made its mark. And if we're lucky, there will be some actual substance on "Magna Carta Holy Grail" too.
Full Cooperation: Participating In Hip Hop In The Internet Era
In an era where YouTube fame can lead to a million dollar Rap career, artists and fans have to figure out how some of Hip Hop's five pillars remain relevant.
Just The Two Of Us: Chronicling, Defending & Meeting Eminem
As an eighth grader, Andrea Aguilar began following Eminem's career. She details how that led to national news coverage, a dedicated fan site and eventually meeting Eminem in person.
Yeezus Saves: Kanye West, Black Power & Consumerism
Contextually speaking, Kanye West's broad generalizations about race, wealth & power may be the best we can hope for from a Top 40 emcee signed to a major record label.
Father Emcees: 10 Hip Hop Songs Celebrating Fatherhood
In anticipation of Father's Day, we look at examples of fatherhood through the lyrics of rappers that present themselves as not only people who can spit dope rhymes, but also as doting daddies.
All Samples Cleared: The Importance & Rules Of Hip Hop Sampling
Apollo Brown lists his 20 favorite Hip Hop samples and runs down the significance and proper etiquette of sample-based production.
13 Great Hip Hop Songs For The Summer
HipHopDX compiles a list of great Rap songs perfect for summer.
Born Sinner: Predictions On J. Cole's Sophomore Album
An improved understanding of Top 40 radio singles, a desire to provide social commentary and some natural evolution as an artist offer reasons to be excited about J. Cole's "Born Sinner" album.
Digitally Divided: Technology's Impact On Hip Hop Music & Culture
Big Daddy Kane, 9th Wonder, Needlz, Benzino, Statik Selektah and Adrian Younge weigh in on the role of technology in Hip Hop.
An Underground Documented: Indie Rap 2003 Revisited Via DVDs
The 2003 Indie Rap scene saw Def Jux, Eastern Conference Records and Rhymesayers all thriving. A 10-year retrospective on their DVDs offers early insights into Murs, Brother Ali, El-P & others.
Death Is Silent: Addressing Hip Hop's Rash Of Suicides
In a short span, many notable or fringe Hip Hop contributors took their own lives. Somehow, nobody wants to talk about it.
Dressing The Part: Hip Hop, High Fashion & Gender Roles
And as absurd as a man in women's leggings is, taking cues from rappers on fashion or anything else in life may be an equally poor choice these days.
Keep It Real: Hip Hop's Changing Views On Authenticity
Though many Hip Hop listeners hate to hear this, rappers have a right to write fictional songs. The great part about it is that you also have a right to decide if that's what you'll listen to.
No Half Steppin': Rick Ross & Hip Hop's Double Standard On Offensive Lyrics
R.A. the Rugged Man gives his unfiltered thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding Rick Ross' lyrics on "U.O.E.N.O" and the hypocrisy displayed toward similar rhymes.
Get Your Mind Right: Hip Hop & Mental Illness
There's often shame and guilt associated with mental health issues. But as the country becomes more transparent about mental illness Hip Hop should follow suit.
Spin Cycle: The Evolution Of Deejaying Culture
As technology and genre blending change the definition and role of being a deejay, Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, Bonics and Z-Trip weigh in from the Red Bull Thre3Style competition.
Seizures & Shootouts: Rick Ross, Lil Wayne & Hip Hop Yes-Men
Recent, near-fatal events surrounding Rick Ross and Lil Wayne may serve as an example that it's always wise to watch who's in your circle.
