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Teezo Touchdown's search for the perfect breakthrough

With a catalog that almost resembles a mosaic, and a penchant for dressing the part, no matter what that part might be, it can be hard to anticipate Teezo Touchdown's next move. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Teezo Touchdown's search for the perfect breakthrough

The stylish genre-bending rapper has been pursuing his moment for years. With his debut album, How Do You Sleep At Night?, he finally gets to make a big first impression.

Jeezy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 25: Jeezy performs onstage during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET) Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Jeezy

Rap month continues here at Bullseye. Next up, the trap pioneer Jeezy. On his major label debut in the mid-aughts, he called himself Young Jeezy. And, also "your favorite rapper's favorite rapper." Jeezy, alongside T.I. and Gucci Mane helped bring trap music into the mainstream. Jeezy recently published a book: Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe.

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Nicki Minaj paints hip-hop pink — and changes the game

Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, Calif. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Music

Nicki Minaj paints hip-hop pink — and changes the game

The 2010 Nicki Minaj album Pink Friday brought vibrant new shades to hip-hop.

Nicki Minaj paints hip-hop pink — and changes the game

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Saba

Chicago rapper Saba Laiken Joy hide caption

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Laiken Joy

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Saba

In 2018, the Chicago rapper Saba released the critically acclaimed Care for Me. A frenetic, beautiful album recorded after the loss of his cousin Walter. It brought Saba a lot of attention, and changed his life in ways he couldn't process. Saba joins Bullseye to talk about living up to those expectations, collaborating with No I.D. and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and finding peace in self reflection. Plus, he shares some music gear recommendations!

Saba

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Rakim
Michael Wong Photography

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Rakim

This September is Rap Month at Bullseye - we're celebrating 50 years of hip-hop with a full month rappers. First up: Rakim! He changed the rap game forever. He's one half of the groundbreaking hip-hop duo, Eric B. and Rakim. And a legendary solo rapper in his own right. On Bullseye, Rakim kicks off Rap Month by looking back at his almost 40 years in hip-hop. He gets into how he met Eric B. and his mentorship with Marley Marl. Plus, how his career has changed now that he's in his 50s.

Rakim

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'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: Questlove; Chuck D; Diddy

In his new memoir, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson describes his life in music — and how he mimicked beats at just 10 months old. Danny Clinch/Grand Central Publishing hide caption

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Fresh Air Weekend

'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: Questlove; Chuck D; Diddy

Fresh Air

Questlove reflects on the Roots and his lifetime in music. Public Enemy's Chuck D discusses politically conscious rap. Hip-hop mogul Diddy says he's always been motivated to be "the best."

'Fresh Air' celebrates 50 years of hip-hop: Questlove; Chuck D; Diddy

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'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

Big Boi (L) and Andre 3000 of Outkast perform onstage during day 3 of the Firefly Music Festival on June 21, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival hide caption

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Music

'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald is looking back at the albums that changed the game. Today, it's OutKast's album Aquemini.

'The South got something to say' — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on 'Aquemini'

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Noname's 'Sundial' pursues a hip-hop revolution

Sundial is against sitting idle, and calls not just to hear its own voice, but to enter into conversation in the griot tradition of call and response. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images hide caption

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Review

Music Reviews

Noname's 'Sundial' pursues a hip-hop revolution

The Chicago rapper and poet is among the greatest lyricists of her generation. In asking tough questions of the art she practices, her third album reveals a fearless and visionary performer.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

Burna Boy's I Told Them... tops our shortlist for the best new albums out on Aug. 25. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out this week include global sensation Burna Boy, rising R&B star Victoria Monét and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

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Missy Elliott made hip-hop 'Supa Dupa Fly'

Missy Elliot performs at Lilith Fair at Jones Beach, New York, New York, July 16, 1998 Steve Eichner/Getty Images hide caption

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Steve Eichner/Getty Images

Music News

Missy Elliott made hip-hop 'Supa Dupa Fly'

Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald examines hip-hop game-changer Missy Elliott — as we celebrate 50 years of the genre.

Missy Elliott made hip-hop 'Supa Dupa Fly'

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The Culture Corner: Philadelphia's place in hip-hop history

Lil Uzi Vert Rich Fury/Getty Images hide caption

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Culture Corner: Philadelphia's place in hip-hop history

As we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, World Cafe takes a look at the history of the genre in Philly.

The Culture Corner: Philadelphia's place in hip-hop history

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'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

Genesis Owusu BARTOLOMEO CELESTINO/Grandstand Media hide caption

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BARTOLOMEO CELESTINO/Grandstand Media

Music Interviews

'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

Genesis Owusu has won just about every award he could in his home country of Australia with his debut album. Now with album number two, he's ready to take on America.

'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

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Three 6 Mafia turns $4,500 into $45 million with 'Mystic Stylez'

3 members of the Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia. D.J. Paul (from left), Juicy J and Crunchy Black at MTV's Total Request Live on March 22, 2006, in New York City. Peter Kramer/Getty Images Entertainment hide caption

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Music

Three 6 Mafia turns $4,500 into $45 million with 'Mystic Stylez'

In 1995, the Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia took a shoestring DIY approach to recording their debut album, Mystic Stylez. Their example led to a flourishing independent hip-hop scene.

Kings and queens gathered for 'Hip Hop 50 Live' at Yankee Stadium

Darryl McDaniels (L) and Joseph Simmons (R) of Run-DMC, closing the Hip Hop 50 Live concert at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y. early Saturday morning. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Kings and queens gathered for 'Hip Hop 50 Live' at Yankee Stadium

An eight-hour concert Friday night was a procession of generations of hip-hop royalty, from the Sugar Hill Gang to current stars like Lil Wayne. Run-DMC gave what was billed as their last performance.

Kings and queens gathered for 'Hip Hop 50 Live' at Yankee Stadium

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Hip-hop at 50: A history of explosive musical and cultural innovation
Illustration by Jackie Lay/NPR

Music

Hip-hop at 50: A history of explosive musical and cultural innovation

To mark hip-hop's 50th anniversary, NPR's All Things Considered explores five moments that are integral to how the culture grew and evolved.

Hip-hop at 50: A history of explosive musical and cultural innovation

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