Hip-Hop/R&B archive

Watch The-Dream On Why We All Need R&B
June 19, 2013 – The singer and songwriter Terius Nash says R&B is the genre that's closest to the reality of love.

Watch Kanye's 'Yeezus' Packs A Bite
June 18, 2013 – West's latest album was meant to be an event, and it's served that mission quite well.

Watch Don't Kill Your Idols: J. Cole Looks For His Place In Hip-Hop
June 17, 2013 – The rapper's new album, Born Sinner, is a reckoning with the hip-hop lineage from which he descends.

Read First Listen: Statik Selektah, 'Extended Play'
June 9, 2013 – Mutual respect pervades Extended Play, an inviting, prideful album that's never snobby.

Watch Hot 97's Summer Jam: A Referendum On Hip-Hop
June 5, 2013 – The radio station's annual concert is a snapshot of what's going on in hip-hop right now.

Read First Listen: Fat Tony, 'Smart Ass Black Boy'
June 3, 2013 – The Houston rapper sounds at ease on the mic, delivering droll bars with a level stare.

Listen Kanye West Stands Alone
May 21, 2013 – On his new songs, the rapper points fingers in every direction, including back at himself.

Watch Marques Toliver: An R&B Crooner With Strings Attached
May 19, 2013 – Toliver's music is anchored by the violin, an instrument that, in a way, chose him.

Listen LL Cool J On 'Accidental Racist' And Authenticity
May 11, 2013 – "The last thing that I want to do is be a hack," says the rapper and actor.

Listen On Two New R&B Albums, An Old Soul Sound That Glows
May 8, 2013 – New York's Charles Bradley and London's James Hunter Six both mix inspiration and replication.
Watch 20 Years Ago Biz Markie Got The Last Laugh
May 6, 2013 – After Biz lost a legal battle over sampling, the mere existence of All Samples Cleared! was a win.

Read First Listen: Music From Baz Luhrmann's Film 'The Great Gatsby'
May 2, 2013 – The soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann's film transplants Jazz Age sensibilities to the hip-hop era.

Watch 'The Talent Comes First': Roc Marciano Takes An A&R Gig
April 30, 2013 – The New York rapper on his new role, Lil B's brilliance and doing business with good people.

Read The Tyler Interview: Silly, But With A Purpose
April 26, 2013 – In front of a paying audience, Tyler was flippantly entertaining and surprisingly vulnerable.

Watch Talib Kweli On Mainstream Hip-Hop And Honoring The Old School
April 24, 2013 – The New York rapper says he's learned over the years to be accessible but honest to his craft.