HipHopDx Editorials
Cyber Thugs: How Twitter Became Hip Hop's New Source Awards
From Mobb Deep to Lil Wayne and The Clipse, as well as Pete Rock and Lupe Fiasco, Twitter may be the world's hippest online promotional networking resource, but it's where rappers now come to beef.
DIY Hip Hop - 7 Hip Hop Crews Reinventing The Industry Wheel In 2012
With crews like Strange Music, A$AP Mob, and Odd Future building their movements outside of standard business models, we take a look at how an organic Hip Hop platform wins in 2012.
Famous Stars & Straps: 40 Hip Hop Songs That Exercise Freedom Of Speech
For July 4th, we highlighted social-political statement songs. From Jay-Z to Immortal Technique, and Nas to N.W.A., 40 Hip Hop messages about the government, the law and the nation are profiled.
Punked: Why Dissing Drake Is Trendy (And Sometimes Justified) In 2012
Drake is successfully challenging traditional notions of masculinity, class and gender roles. But especially in 2012, sometimes he's just a victim of his own sometimes-comical lack of self-awareness.
Sneak Preview: The Music Industry's Embrace Of Free Streaming Albums
The most talked-about Hip Hop albums of 2012 have been available to stream, and the independent and major labels are now behind it.
The Art Of Storytelling: 10 Great Stories Told Through Rap Songs
From the grandmaster Slick Rick to Eminem, Immortal Technique and Vakill, we decided to look at 10 artful stories told through Hip Hop verses.
DVD Review: Big Fun In The Big Town
This 1986 relic comes to DVD with a look at the crack epidemic, rappers who condoned glamorizing it, LL Cool J's residence of the day and more.
Welcome To The Indie Era: Viable Alternatives To The Major Label System
With quality artists, business savvy and hard work independent labels may be ushering in the end of the predatory major label system.
The Maturation Of Jay-Z: The Role Of Fatherhood In Shawn Carter's Life & Times
As "a kid torn apart once his pops disappeared" promising he would "never repeat him," Jay-Z has continued to make big statements in Hip Hop. In 2012, the statement has been about fatherhood.
Life Under The Scope: Canibus, Self Sabotage And Hip Hop's Digital Era
In the era of YouTube and Internet memes, it only takes a few brand-damaging moments for people to stop caring about your music altogether.
Has-Lo: School Of Conversation
Philadelphia's Has-Lo released his studio debut and a follow-up remix project. Like his introspective rhymes and sparse beats, this old soul calls back to a specific era of Headphone Rap in Hip Hop.
Big K.R.I.T.: School Of Southern Anthropology
The week of his studio debut "Live From The Underground," it is deeply apparent that Big K.R.I.T. is no rookie artist, and brings music to his fans that will last the ages.
Radio Daze: Nicki Minaj, Hot 97 And Radio's Relevance In Hip Hop
Hot 97 is still going to play "Starships" and any other Nicki Minaj single that increases their bottom line. And, as their Monday phone call showed, Nicki isn't done with Hot 97 either.
Homeboy Sandman: School Of Health & Human Services
With various projects releasing throughout the last five years, Queens' Homeboy Sandman is truly one of the most original, refreshing and thoughtful emcees in Hip Hop.
Action Bronson: School Of Culinary Arts
Queens-bred Action Bronson feeds your head with real Rap cuisines, and they're all lyrical delicacies.
Kendrick Lamar: School Of Representative Geography
HipHopDX's Graduation series returns. We open 2012 with the man who made our staff's favorite album of last year and helped brand TDE's movement. And by the sound of things, he's just getting started.
He Comes Bearing Gifts: 8 Entertaining Moments Of Nardwuar Vs. Hip Hop
From the hilarious to the dry, Nardwuar The Human Serviette gets reactions out of rappers like nobody else can. From Ghostface Killah and Jay-Z to MGK and Krizz Kaliko, we revisited some of our favorites.
10 Things I Learned After Reading "Knowledge Of Self: A Collection of Wisdom On the Science of Everything in Life"
With Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian and other Hip Hop luminaries involved with the Nation Of Gods & Earths, DX broke down a recently published book on Five Percenters.
Soulja's Story: 10 Hip Hop Artists Who Served Their Country
To mark Memorial Day, we examine the service backgrounds of a now malice-free emcee, Young Jeezy's comrade and several other often overlooked soldiers turned spitters.
Graditude: The Impact Of MCA And The Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys should be celebrated not mourned. And for us, that doesn't just extend to the two-week period after MCA left the physical form.
