Hip-Hop/R&B archive

Watch It Isn't (Just) Ironic: In Defense Of The Hipster
November 20, 2012 – A rising hit by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis helps refute the idea that irony dominates youth culture.

Watch DJ Shadow On Sampling As A 'Collage Of Mistakes'
November 17, 2012 – The hip-hop producer says he loves scouring old records in search of "accidental brilliance."

Watch First Watch: Miguel, 'The Thrill (Live)'
November 15, 2012 – This live in-studio performance distills the best parts of the R&B singer into a single video.

Watch What Can You Make With $80 And A Hot Glue Gun?
November 5, 2012 – The low-budget video for Lushlife's "Magnolia" takes a simple idea to an astonishing end.

Read First Listen: Cody ChesnuTT, 'Landing On A Hundred'
October 21, 2012 – ChesnuTT's new album is a dynamite collection of timeless, celebratory, searching soul music.

Watch Death Grips In Concert Soundcheck
October 19, 2012 – Performing mostly in a fitting haze of red, the group creates a visceral experience on stage. Soundcheck

Watch For The Ladies: R. Kelly, Teddy Pendergrass And The State Of R And B
October 18, 2012 – Nelson George says R. Kelly's tour is an effort to reconnect R&B to its most devoted fans.
Listen K'Naan Brings Down Walls On 'Country, God Or The Girl'
October 16, 2012 – The best-selling, Somali-born rapper remains a versatile and powerful songwriter on his new album.

Watch This Is My Jam: Jaden Smith's 'The Coolest'
October 5, 2012 – Why we like what we like is a mystery. Kwasi Ansu says the Fresh Prince 2.0 surprised him.
Read Welcome To Jay-Z's Brooklyn
October 3, 2012 – Last Friday the first performance in a new arena signaled a change in both Brooklyn and hip-hop.

Watch New Rap Royalty: Killer Mike, El-P, Mr. Mf'n eXquire & Despot KEXP
October 2, 2012 – Watch some of today's most innovative rappers perform at KEXP in Seattle. KEXP

Watch Brother Ali: A Voice For The Suffering
September 26, 2012 – The veteran rapper takes on thorny issues throughout Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color.

Read Frank Ocean And Bon Iver Surprise Lucky NYC Fans
September 25, 2012 – See photos from a surprise show featuring two of today's most recognizable voices.

Read First Listen: Miguel, 'Kaleidoscope Dream'
September 23, 2012 – The singer gleefully smashes together R&B, pop and rock to make love songs about the early days.

Read The Purple Tape: Only Built 4 Collectors
September 20, 2012 – How the cassette of Raekwon's classic album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... became a hip-hop classic.