futureisnow

Following the critical and cultural triumph of 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar surprised the hip-hop world on March 4, 2016, with the release of untitled unmastered., a collection of previously unreleased demos recorded during the TPAB sessions (2013–2016). The compilation arrived with little promotion, spurred partially by LeBron James urging Top Dawg Entertainment to share the unreleased material Kendrick had been performing snippets of during live shows and television ... read more

When Kendrick Lamar announced GNX, he found himself at a crossroads. Fresh off the high of Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022) and nearly a decade after his genre‐redefining To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), anticipation for any new Kendrick project was palpable. Fans and critics alike expected a cohesive, socially incisive, musically adventurous journey. Instead, GNX arrived as a lean 12‐track offering that, despite some bright spots, ultimately left me longing for the depth and artistry ... read more

At the time It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot dropped in May 1998, the rap world was in a strange, shifting place. Biggie and Tupac were both gone, leaving a cultural vacuum. Shiny suit rap and radio-friendly commercialism, led by Puff Daddy and Mase, were dominating the mainstream. Hardcore, emotionally grounded hip hop was quietly starving ~ until a growling, tormented voice from Yonkers crashed through the speakers like a demon breaking chains.

That voice was Earl Simmons, better known as ... read more

The Low End Theory is one of the most defining albums in hip-hop history, a landmark of jazz rap that fused laid-back yet complex lyricism with dusty upright basslines and minimalist production. Following their debut, A Tribe Called Quest stripped their sound down and found sharper focus. This album is often cited as a cornerstone of conscious rap and East Coast hip-hop, revered for its smooth groove, intellectual leanings, and revolutionary sonic palette. While today it may sound rudimentary ... read more