Hip-Hop/R&B archive
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.
Read Heavy Rotation: 5 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing
September 18, 2012 – Download five new songs heating up NPR station playlists in Chicago, Detroit, Juneau and beyond.
Watch Two Attempts To Turn Summer Platinum Into Fall Gold
September 18, 2012 – Carly Rae Jepsen and Kanye West release albums that double down on their summer success.
Listen Remembering Chris Lighty, Hip-Hop Leader And My Friend
August 31, 2012 – As a teenager he carried records. As a professional, he carried water for an industry and a culture.
Read Microphone Check: Hip-Hop From NPR Music
August 29, 2012 – We aim to bring you the full breadth of rap music, from old school classics to new school favorites.
Listen THEESatisfaction On World Cafe WXPN
August 29, 2012 – The Seattle hip-hop duo's debut album is soulful in a spoken-word tradition, with West Coast flavor. WXPN
Watch My American Dream Sounds Like Black Star
August 22, 2012 – For Teju Cole, "Respiration," a song about New York City, is the best words in the best order.