J. Cole's Middle Child Syndrome Maligned by critics and fans alike, "Grippy" is the greatest test yet to the 39-year-old's self-defined role as a bridge between generations.
Song Of The Week The Gospel According to Cheeno Ghee "God Don't" is a showcase of the Charlotte rapper's versatility and precision — and her unflinching sense of self-confidence.
Album Reviews Album Review: Please Don't Cry, by Rapsody Rapsody's first album in five years is a tender, expansive look at the distorting mirror of self-image.
Song Of The Week With "For You," NANCE Focuses on His Most Important Audience: Himself Prioritizing personal fulfillment over external validation, the Raleigh rapper sounds sharper than ever, and genuinely at peace.
Q&A Erick Lottary Wants to Remind You That He Raps, Too Heading into his first major release since becoming a social media golf sensation, the Charlotte rapper talks celebrity friendships, authenticity, and trusting his vision.
Song Of The Week Suzi Analogue and Blu's "Best 16" Sounds Like The End of the World A UNC professor and a West Coast rap legend combine to make a fitting soundtrack for unnerving times.
The Scene Beats N Bars 2024, Through the Lens of Tommy Coyote A hip-hop holdover from Durham's mid-2010's festival era stubbornly refuses to go away.
Song Of The Week On “One,” JSWISS Models Self-Belief Over Cynicism The NC-schooled, NY-based rapper continues his stellar string of jazz/experimental collaborations, this time with saxophonist/producer Marcus Strickland.
Features A Tale of 2 Cameraz: Scenes From Dreamville Fest '24 Two days, two shooters and a ton of images.
Q&A Did J. Cole Do The Right Thing? A baker's dozen of NC hip-hop artists and media personalities react to "The Apology."
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "Other Side" - Kooley High The Raleigh quintet leans away from Earthly matters like sales and streams, and into mortality and eternal life.
Song Of The Week Song Of The Week: “7 Minute Drill” - J. Cole The Dreamville leader's attempt at fiery, pre-festival fireworks pulls punches and leaves numerous opportunities on the table.
Features Dreamville Preview: Three NC Artists to See in 2024, and Three to Hope for in 2025 Plus, a roundup of Dreamville-adjacent Friday events to fill out the weekend in Raleigh.
Opinion The Devil(s) on Dreamville's Shoulder What the courting of headliners like Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj says about the contradictions facing Dreamville Fest — and its leader, J. Cole.
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "Hello" - Shirlette Ammons ft. Amelia Meath Durham’s consummate collaborator pens an uplifting tribute to community, and as usual, brings others along for the ride.
Album Reviews Album Review: Gamma, by Sonny Miles On his nearly seamless debut album, Sonny Miles confidently steps into North Carolina's soul/R&B void.
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "Stand Tall" - Rapsody The new single from her first album in five years hints at some of the best, most personal music of Rapsody’s career.
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "New Fragrance" - Lxnny In his first self-produced release since 2022, the Charlotte emcee/producer takes a break from his usual indulgences. Mostly.
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "Penmanship" - Kooley High The Raleigh/Brooklyn stalwarts give the first glimpse into their forthcoming collab album with producer Tuamie.
Song Of The Week Song of the Week: "My Bad" - Cyanca The genre-hopping Charlotte native channels Missy Elliott — and gets a cosign from her, too. Plus: Kooley High, Nance, and chlothegod.
Features Twenty Years Later, Little Brother Get Their Feature Film Closeup — Their Way The strained relationships, false starts, chance encounters and life lessons that led to May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story.
Song Of The Week Song Of The Week: "Call On" - Mez ft. Kurtis Wells Mez's trademark eeriness reaches a new stage of evolution. Also: Charlie Smarts drops a remix, and Shame and Reuben Vincent debut new videos.
Features Seeing Stars How a series of unlikely, up-close influences taught the Grammy-nominated, Durham-born producer Groove that anything was possible.
