Rap news, new music, guides and the business behind the music.
103 articles
MUSIC & RAP
The October 5 album brings DJ Foxy into several credits and closes with Ele A El Dominio and Uzielito Mix.
Watch & read: Bellakath releases 11-track Undisputed Queen I: BellaQueen
MUSIC & RAP
Tickets start at $20 on Ticketera; the tour’s first class, as Wisin put it, is at home in Puerto Rico.
Watch & read: Wisin opens La Universidad del Perreo tour at the Choliseo on November 13
MUSIC & RAP
The official preorder lists 18 songs, with “LITE” featuring Belly Gang Kushington among the titles already revealed.
Watch & read: BigXthaPlug sets Better Over Time for October 30
MUSIC & RAP
The 14-track album also features Future, Lil Baby, Tyler, The Creator and Justin Timberlake.
Watch & read: Quavo drops QRÖMELIFE with Pharrell, Offset and an all-star lineup
MUSIC & RAP
The 22-track album arrives ahead of a North American tour starting October 27.
Read story: Victoria Monét brings SZA and Bruno Mars into Frequency Of Love
MUSIC & RAP
His new single is dedicated to his late mother, with a Phillip Youmans video connecting his childhood and present life.
Watch & read: Lil Nas X returns to Atlanta for “World’s Greatest!”
MUSIC & RAP
“2008” reunites her with J White, while London On Da Track produces “F You.”
Watch & read: Yung Miami sets Watch Dis for October 23, drops two singles
MUSIC & RAP
The October 2 single opens his fifth album, scheduled for October 23; his live commitments remain on hold.
Watch & read: Michael Kiwanuka previews his self-produced FUDGE with “Summer Clothes”
MUSIC & RAP
The October 2 reissue includes “Butterflies,” with Thundercat on bass, plus a deluxe vinyl edition tied to the Mac Miller Fund.
Watch & read: Mac Miller’s Divine Feminine anniversary edition adds three unreleased songs![Original video cover: NoCap - Angels Smile [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e-z2tEGgLug/maxresdefault.jpg)
MUSIC & RAP
The October 2 release gathers his recent singles, with three official videos included in Apple Music’s edition.
Watch & read: NoCap brings “Angels Smile” and split-title songs to Heaven on Mars
MUSIC & RAP
The October 2 project follows All The Flowers Have Bloomed and opens with its previously released title song.
Watch & read: Kofi Stone’s Last Flower To Bloom closes with three bonus tracks
MUSIC & RAP
Synonym pairs her with a different set of voices across 15 songs, including Moses Sumney, Chaka Khan and WILLOW.
Watch & read: Meshell Ndegeocello remakes classics with Cynthia Erivo and DESTIN CONRAD
MUSIC & RAP
The October 2 edition keeps May’s 11 HABIBTI tracks, then closes with four new songs and nine music videos on Apple Music.
Watch & read: Drake’s HABIBTI (FOMO) adds “Quebec” and two Don Toliver songs
MUSIC & RAP
The 15-track Warner Records album is led by “Talk To Me,” whose official video arrived the night of October 1.
Watch & read: Lucky Daye sets ALOUD! for October 16 with Pusha T and Muni Long
MUSIC & RAP
The 13-track album lands October 23, and the five-city Platinum Nights Tour starts in Houston on November 17.
Watch & read: Toosii releases “Nights Prayed” ahead of Platinum Heart 2, with YoungBoy on board
MUSIC & RAP
The 16-song Vol. 3 arrived October 1, and Randy says it is the place he got to show his sweeter side.
Watch & read: Randy closes his Romances de una Nota trilogy with Young Miko, Wisin and Arcángel
GOSSIP
He raised it on Tea Time with Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday, in the middle of his Coloring Book 10th-anniversary run.
Watch & read: Chance the Rapper floats dropping “Chance” to become just The Rapper
MUSIC & RAP
Rakei’s official site and Apple Music list A Safe Place To Be Wild for October 30, after his label had announced a February 2027 release.
Watch & read: Jordan Rakei’s next album is now listed for October 30
POP CULTURE
The NYC Mayor’s Office short centers on the Bronx public high school that teaches through hip-hop.
Watch & read: Nas and Mayor Mamdani talk the Bronx School of Hip-Hop in a new city film
MUSIC & RAP
The SAME DIFFERENCE rapper says he wants listeners to hear his vault while he is still here.
Watch & read: Swae Lee says he has 50,000 unreleased songs parked
POP CULTURE
Shaboozey brought the collaboration to the stage after performing “Cowgirl.”
Read story: Gunna joins Shaboozey for “High Noon” at the 2026 VMAs
MUSIC & RAP
Part two follows his 26-song album with Gunna and Chance the Rapper.
Watch & read: Hurricane Wisdom returns to Lunch Break after Weathering The World
MUSIC & RAP
The September session brings his French rap into the platform’s Levi’s partnership.
Watch & read: Ino Casablanca takes “PA’ TOUCH” to COLORS’ EMERGENT program
MUSIC & RAP
The Colombian artist follows his Feid collaboration “Mentira” with a solo reggaetón release.
Watch & read: Ryan Castro’s “La Sapió” previews his next album
MUSIC & RAP
His October 21 show brings together generations—and a María Becerra collaboration outside their usual styles.
Watch & read: Trueno takes TURR4ZO’s Argentine mix to Madrid
MUSIC & RAP
Jungle’s J. Lloyd and Lydia Kitto produced the September 25 album, built around Bridges’ return to music he can dance to.
Watch & read: Leon Bridges made half of Happiness Anytime in four days
MUSIC & RAP
The September 25 project packs nine songs into 21 minutes, with KAYTRANADA and Rance producing “Bittersweet.”
Watch & read: Nippa brings Blxst, Jordan Ward and KAYTRANADA into Homegrown![Original video cover: Tee Grizzley - No Effort 2 [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eyj5J5AZaG4/maxresdefault.jpg)
MUSIC & RAP
The 16-song project includes “Rain” with Skilla Baby and a new chapter of his “Robbery” series.
Watch & read: Tee Grizzley brings Ashanti and Hurricane Wisdom into They Forgot
GOSSIP
His Diary Of A CEO interview connects a music-video cameo to a bigger bet on his own comedy.
Watch & read: Netflix said no. Druski put his own money into the shows.
GOSSIP
Fan edits gave the song some unlikely duos. Quavo pointed back to Takeoff.
Watch & read: Quavo brings back the original “Hotel Lobby” amid AI remixes
MUSIC & RAP
The new album is scheduled for November 11 through Interscope, following the singles “Hurt” and “Sex.”
Watch & read: 2hollis tapped Yoshitaka Amano for Pirouette’s hand-drawn artwork
GOSSIP
Loe Shimmy gets a superhero suit, Pinkchyu picks the outfit, and Drake’s mum gets her own cameo.
Watch & read: Drake went Iron Man, then Hot Topic, in FOMO
MUSIC & RAP
Aidan Zamiri directed the London video for the new single from Skepta’s forthcoming The Fork and Knife.
Watch & read: Skepta brings Suggs and Chase & Status into “Innocent Smile”
MUSIC & RAP
“GET EVEN” is their first song together, with an Ayodeji video arriving before LAROI’s European tour.
Watch & read: The Kid LAROI rescued his GIVĒON collaboration from a scrapped album
MUSIC & RAP
EL CLUB DE LAS 19 FLORES brings Bad Gyal, Yandel and Pirlo into the second EL GREEN PRINT chapter.
Watch & read: Feid returns to the world of “19” with his new EP
MUSIC & RAP
Hannah Lux Davis directs a video built around water, reflection and dance.
Watch & read: Shakira and Maluma reunite for “AGUA,” with merengue in the mix
INDUSTRY
Eligible artists can opt into a year of benefits, including LANDR and Splice access. U.S. artists can access studio sessions.
Read story: Spotify’s Fresh Finds Forward offers indie artists studio time and tools
POP CULTURE
The urban categories also put Ryan Castro, Milo J and Daddy Yankee in the mix.
Watch & read: Young Miko, Bad Gyal and OMERTA share the Latin GRAMMY album ballot
MUSIC & RAP
The October 15 performance gets a SiriusXM broadcast on October 30.
Watch & read: Myke Towers takes “CARITA FELIZ” to Miami’s El Pulso show
MUSIC & RAP
QuestionATL hosts the project and shares production credits with Mattmac and Lil Miva.
Watch & read: Mattmac’s Smoke Signals comes with a braille CD edition
MUSIC & RAP
A September release and new official video bring the older freestyle back into circulation.
Watch & read: Wretch 32’s 2015 Fire in the Booth reaches the singles chart
POP CULTURE
The booking brought him back to a show he first appeared on in 1994.
Read story: Snoop Dogg was announced as host of the 2026 VMAs
MUSIC & RAP
Their ‘Ever Since U Left Me’ reunion single has also reached the top of U.S. rhythmic radio, Rolling Stone Canada reports.
Watch & read: French Montana and Max B are planning a disco tape and tour
MUSIC & RAP
The Jamaican-Irish rapper discusses voice and self-expression alongside her September performance.
Watch & read: JayaHadADream pairs “Dive Not Dip” with a COLORS interview
GOSSIP
A September clip catches an officer asking about the money; YoungBoy puts the amount at a little over $100,000.
Watch & read: YoungBoy says he had $100K on him at a Lamborghini traffic stop
GOSSIP
The song’s Maxine came from his own memories of a club near high school.
Watch & read: Wyclef says dancers still thank him for “Perfect Gentleman”
MUSIC & RAP
La Universidad del Perreo brings reggaetón veterans and newer guests into a 12-track album.
Watch & read: Wisin puts Ivy Queen and Don Chezina on the perreo syllabus
INDUSTRY
The Toronto festival’s co-founders told The FADER how they rebuilt the schedule after multiple artists pulled out days before the event.
Read story: OsamaSon played First Class Fest twice after Nettspend dropped out
MUSIC & RAP
“Please Come Home” joins six catalog selections before the closing return to “Easy.”
Watch & read: Mac Ayres debuts a Carrtoons co-write at Tiny Desk
MUSIC & RAP
His Chicago session preceded a 22-track album featuring Lil Yachty, Tierra Whack and Veeze.
Watch & read: Rio Da Yung OG takes Lunch Break ahead of The World Is Yours
MUSIC & RAP
Sugar Bear leads eight songs from the D.C. band, with drums, percussion and horns.
Watch & read: E.U. bring go-go’s percussion and “Da Butt” to Tiny Desk
MUSIC & RAP
“Heavenly Father” and “Prayers Up” frame a set crossing several chapters of his catalog.
Watch & read: Isaiah Rashad fits 13 songs into his Tiny Desk
POP CULTURE
Lyrical Lemonade’s travel series starts with noodles, a boat ride and a DIY punk community.
Watch & read: Lil B meets Bangkok’s Zavia Gang in No Comfort![Official video cover: Saucy Santana - Quiet on the Creek [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MKl7uciEUE4/maxresdefault.jpg)
GOSSIP
The campus detour became a callback in his “Quiet on the Creek” video.
Watch & read: Saucy Santana says Lizzo helped him sneak into Streamer University
INDUSTRY
The label addresses an AI-generated public identity, separate from whether AI was used to make a song.
Read story: Spotify announces an AI Persona badge for artist profiles
MUSIC & RAP
Tenor, Suspect 95, Yanga Chief and Fena Gitu complete the six-artist lineup filmed in Johannesburg.
Watch & read: Sarz leads a Hennessy cypher with ENNY, Kwesi Arthur and more
MUSIC & RAP
The English-language duet arrived three days before NO ME ARREPIENTO DE SENTIR TANTO.
Watch & read: KAROL G and Bruno Mars share “Still” on her breakup album
MUSIC & RAP
His FADER interview connects Somewhere Over The Rainbow with the responsibility he feels toward home.
Watch & read: Nino Paid wants his next chapter to carry DMV rap further
MUSIC & RAP
ELUCID and billy woods share a six-song set with Human Error Club and Ryan Crosby.
Watch & read: Armand Hammer bring Kenny Segal and solo cuts to Tiny Desk
MUSIC & RAP
The July session sits inside an album built around The Wizard of Oz.
Watch & read: M Huncho brings The Wizard’s “COWARDLY LION” to COLORS
MUSIC & RAP
The Spanish-language album grew out of two weeks of sessions with Eric Bobo and DJ Flict.
Watch & read: Cypress Hill bring Alemán and Trueno into Dios Bendiga
MUSIC & RAP
His five-song set pauses to name George Jackson, Bobby Hutton and Larry Kimmons.
Watch & read: Vince Staples brings Cry Baby and Black history to Tiny Desk
MUSIC & RAP
The genres accounted for nearly one in four on-demand audio streams, according to Luminate data reported by AP.
Read story: R&B and hip-hop led U.S. streaming at 2026’s halfway point
POP CULTURE
The career feature follows writing credits, Drake connections and Concrete Boys alongside his own records.
Watch & read: Lyrical Lemonade traces Lil Yachty from “Act Up” to Let’s Start Here
MUSIC & RAP
Carolyn Malachi joins a six-song set that reaches back to his teenage breakthrough.
Watch & read: redveil brings sankofa home with a full-band Tiny Desk
MUSIC & RAP
Six songs connect his early breakthrough to the BET countdown years.
Watch & read: Bow Wow brings his 106 & Park era to Tiny Desk
INDUSTRY
December 4 is also on the calendar; payment processing charges still apply.
Read story: Bandcamp Friday returns November 6 with its revenue share waived
MUSIC & RAP
Tainy, AKRIILA and LATIN MAFIA join a project designed to unfold in sequence.
Watch & read: Álvaro Díaz serves OMAKASE as a four-part album
GOSSIP
His May statement frames uncomfortable performances as deliberate choices, with very little room for an apology.
Watch & read: fakemink answered his live-show critics with 605 words of confidence
MUSIC & RAP
The Colombian duo’s ten-track project pairs guest collaborations with a cinematic rollout.
Watch & read: J Balvin and Ryan Castro built OMERTA around a film worldINDUSTRY
The April rollout also introduced profile details covering releases, touring and career milestones.
Read story: Spotify adds verification badges to artist profiles
POP CULTURE
The longtime Bieber fan joined him during his second Coachella headlining set on April 18.
Watch & read: Justin Bieber brings Billie Eilish out for “One Less Lonely Girl”
MUSIC & RAP
“Lose Control” sits alongside collaborations with Grimes, Kid Cudi and Don Toliver.
Read story: Yeat brings Elton John into his ADL double albumINDUSTRY
The beta feature lets listeners explore creative connections on supported tracks, with artist and label teams able to review them.
Read story: Spotify’s SongDNA connects songs to their writers, producers and samples
MUSIC & RAP
AP’s R3SET preview traced the road to his first solo album since Ransom 2, with J. Cole and YoungBoy Never Broke Again on the project.
Watch & read: Mike WiLL Made-It rebuilt his vault after stolen hard drives
INDUSTRY
The trade group’s 2026 report puts global recorded music revenue at $31.7 billion, with paid streaming still driving growth.
Read story: Global recorded music revenue grew 6.4% in 2025, IFPI says
MUSIC & RAP
The eight-artist shortlist also included Central Cee, BigXthaPlug, Lil Tecca, Rod Wave and Sexyy Red.
Read story: Doechii, Baby Keem and GloRilla made Spotify’s next-gen rap ballot
GOSSIP
He acknowledged his behavior after the Tony Yayo encounter while leaving the old rivalry firmly unresolved.
Watch & read: Ja Rule’s plane apology didn’t come with a G-Unit reunion
GOSSIP
The pair told TODAY about their La Scala visit while covering the Winter Games in Milan.
Watch & read: Snoop and Martha’s Olympic side quest took them to the opera![Official video cover: Rolling Loud: The Movie [Official Trailer]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o_pIiP1A0RY/maxresdefault.jpg)
POP CULTURE
Live Nation announced Ketchup Entertainment’s U.S. distribution deal and a September 18 release date for Jeremy Garelick’s film.
Watch & read: Rolling Loud becomes the setting for a father-and-son comedy
MUSIC & RAP
“tv off” took the songwriting award, while GNX won the album category.
Watch & read: Kendrick Lamar wins Best Rap Song and Album at the 2026 GrammysINDUSTRY
Independent artists and labels accounted for half of royalties, the company said. The total covers industry payments, not artists’ take-home pay.
Read story: Spotify says its 2025 music payouts passed $11 billion
POP CULTURE
Cameron said the team needed more time to refine the edit and 3D presentation.
Watch & read: Billie Eilish and James Cameron moved their 3D concert film to May 8INDUSTRY
Its January policy also prohibits AI impersonation and gives listeners a reporting route.
Read story: Bandcamp bars music made wholly or substantially with generative AIMUSIC & RAP
PLUTO and sosocamo complete the hip-hop picks, with a track from each act on the Artists to Watch playlist.
Read story: Spotify’s 2026 rap watchlist includes Hurricane Wisdom and Ovrkast.
INDUSTRY
The platform’s 2026 report highlights fakemink, EsDeeKid and the scene’s growing U.S. audience.
Read story: UK underground rap streams jumped nearly 300%, SoundCloud says
POP CULTURE
André 3000 and Big Boi accepted the honor as part of the Hall’s 2025 class.
Watch & read: Outkast joins the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025
MUSIC & RAP
During his 35-day livestream, Speed visited the company’s HQ and got on the mic.
Watch & read: iShowSpeed takes his Chicago stop to Lyrical Lemonade’s Lunch Break
MUSIC & RAP
The 15-track album also brings Ciara and EARTHGANG together on “Sk8.”
Read story: JID links with Clipse on the Christo-led God Does Like Ugly
MUSIC & RAP
Pusha T explained why the brothers’ tribute to their parents opens the album.
Read story: Clipse’s return starts with family on Let God Sort Em Out
MUSIC & RAP
Apple Music’s album notes trace the 2025 release from “Thief” to the lighter mood of “Young” and “Free.”
Read story: Little Simz tried four times before landing on Lotus
MUSIC & RAP
Watch his May 2025 session for Lyrical Lemonade.
Watch & read: Denzel Curry steps up for a Lunch Break freestyle
MUSIC & RAP
Lotto hosted the Lyrical Lemonade session, with Cole Bennett credited as executive producer.
Watch & read: VonOff1700 takes the mic for Lunch Break in Chicago
RAP GUIDES
Start with a scene, give each section a job, then test the rhyme and rhythm in an eight-bar draft.
Read story: How to build a rap verse that goes somewhere
RAP GUIDES
Follow the rhythm, rhyme and changes of voice that make a collaboration hold together.
Read story: How rappers connect their verses on the same track
RAP GUIDES
Use Denzel Curry’s L.A. Leakers session to separate the writing, rhythm and delivery that make a performance work.
Read story: Break down a freestyle in three listens
RAP GUIDES
A practical vocabulary for rhythm, rhyme, pitch and phrasing, with examples you can test out loud.
Read story: Flow, cadence and delivery: how to describe a rap verse
RAP GUIDES
Find the pulse, compare Kendrick Lamar’s timing and separate rhythmic placement from sheer speed.
Read story: How to hear a rapper’s pocket
RAP GUIDES
Follow internal rhymes, sound patterns and sentence endings through MF DOOM and Rakim examples.
Read story: How rap rhymes build a verse beyond the last word
RAP GUIDES
Separate a reused recording from a replayed musical idea, then trace what a producer changes.
Read story: Sample or interpolation? Here’s how to tell the difference
RAP GUIDES
Read framing, movement and edits, with a production example from grime filmmakers Tim & Barry.
Read story: How to break down a music video scene
RAP GUIDES
Track dropouts, bass, ad-libs and effect tails before giving the rapper all the credit for a shift.
Read story: How a beat changes without a beat switch
RAP GUIDES
Denzel Curry and Rakim describe processes that connect improvisation and writing. A finished clip only shows part of that work.
Read story: Written or off the dome? What “freestyle” can meanTry another artist or choose All to browse the archive.