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.
New Music 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.
Members only Features Back "In The 336," Pt. I A 2011 time capsule, a tribute to collaboration, and a needle worth finding in the NC hip-hop haystack.
New Music Glory In The Weight Over its 13 unhurried, meditative songs, Tab-One’s 2022 release ‘Glory in the Weight’ drips with wisdom and peace of mind.
Features A Moment of Khrysis Hip-hop producer Khrysis has spent years behind the boards. With his new album, he's stepping into a new role: leading man.
SE. Archive I Love NC, Thank You For a Los Angeles-by-way-of-Pittsburgh MC, Mac Miller had an unusual number of ties to North Carolina. For him, it was just the usual.
SE. Archive How "North Cack" Became The Biggest NC Anthem In A Decade With the right combination of precise planning, spontaneity, and controlled chaos, a small crew was able to create a new anthem for the Tar Heel State.
SE. Archive Love Thy Hip-Hop Neighbor Despite close proximity and a lot of crossover culture, the hip-hop scenes of South Carolina and North Carolina still largely keep to themselves. Does it have to be this way?
SE. Archive Everyday Struggle: The Colossal Failings of Hip-Hop Media In 2018, can the hip-hop landscape find a true journalistic outlet? Does it even want to?
SE. Archive Remember "Born Sinner"? A turbulent mix of depravity, braggadocio and contradiction, Born Sinner has become the forgotten album in J. Cole's discography.
SE. Archive Never Been Better: The Rise of J.I.D One album in, J.I.D is already a dazzling blend of exuberance, empathy and eccentricity. It’s a mix that might just make him Dreamville’s first breakout star.
SE. Archive Black Thought, Eminem, and the Two Faces of Aging in Hip-Hop Black Thought doesn’t have the album sales or name recognition of some of his aging contemporaries. He has something better: rap fans wondering if a 46-year-old is the best rapper alive.
