Songs We Love: Oddisee, ‘Things’
The bright and bouncy dance track adds a new color to the Maryland-born rapper’s production palette — but the song’s energy belies its lyrical content.
Tag: Hip-Hop
To These Maryland Rappers, ‘DMV’ Stands For ‘Dope Music Village’
For Maryland rappers Brain Rapp, Nature Boi and Ezko, it takes a village to make dope music. That’s the premise…
D.C.’s Fat Trel Covers ‘Broccoli,’ Because Why Not
The chipper, profane rap hit “Broccoli” by D.R.A.M. and Lil Yachty has spawned a steady stream of remixes. That blocky…
For D.C. Rapper J-Scienide, John Candy Equals Hip-Hop Gold
It’s debatable whether the 1985 comedy Brewster’s Millions is a true classic, but the Richard Pryor/John Candy flick has certainly…
Some Funky Late-Summer ‘Love’ From GoldLink
Warning: Explicit lyrics. Since a 2014 mixtape and a 2015 album — not to mention a membership in that year’s XXL Freshman…
Premiere: Vivid Lyricism And Bristling Guitars Define Thaylobleu’s Debut Album, ‘Oscars & Jellyfish’
When Terence Nicholson writes a song, he files it under one of two categories: oscar or jellyfish. Oscars — a species of fish…
Ras Nebyu Has Multiple Personalities In New Video For ‘No Love’
This post has been updated with a release date for Ras Nebyu’s next single. Ras Nebyu is consistent on a few…
First Listen: Kitty Cash, ‘Love The Free Vol. 3’
The Brooklyn DJ’s final installment of her curated mixtape series is a patient journey toward personal excellence, crafted with a steady hand and a discerning ear fixed to the streets.
Review: Oddisee, ‘The Odd Tape’
The Brooklyn rapper-producer’s latest instrumental album is evenly weighted from front to back. There’s never an off moment — or even a precarious one.
Photos: 2016 Broccoli City Fest
Scenes from the 2016 Broccoli City Fest, April 30 at St. Elizabeths East: Anderson .Paak BJ the Chicago Kid Nag…
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Baltimore Performer Abdu Ali: ‘We’re All Dealing With Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome’
When the drums pound in Abdu Ali’s music, they travel straight to the head. “I blatantly confront racism and white…
A D.C. Rapper’s Love Song To A Gentrifying Hometown
Tarica June wrote “But Anyway” in response to quickening change in District. What she didn’t expect was the wave of positive feedback — especially from other gentrifying cities across the country.
K.A.A.N. Could Be The Next DMV Rap Star, But He’s Not Taking Anything For Granted
When K.A.A.N. raps, he sounds like he’s releasing the valve on a pressure cooker. There are a lot of confessions, rants…
Video Premiere: Prowess The Testament Assails Conventional Thought On ‘Alpha Centauri’
As a kid, Tia Abner rarely went anywhere without a notebook and pen. A poet from age 5, she began…
Rapper Fat Trel Arrested For Passing Counterfeit Bills At Casino
D.C. rapper Fat Trel was arrested Sunday for passing counterfeit money at a Maryland casino, police say. The rapper signed…
Six Pics: Young Rapids, RDGLDGRN And More D.C. Artists At SXSW
Music acts from the D.C. region perform at the 2016 edition of Austin superfest SXSW. BOOMscat at the WeDC showcase:…
Oddisee Debuts A Lush New EP, ‘AlWasta’
One of the most accomplished hip-hop artists to emerge from the D.C. region, Maryland native Oddisee has just released AlWasta, a…
Q-Tip Is Now The Kennedy Center’s Hip-Hop Guy. What Should He Do With That Power?
The most distinguished performing arts venue in Washington, the Kennedy Center, made a grand gesture earlier this month when it…
On ‘How We Ride,’ Da Kid Emm Celebrates The Simple Joys Of Summer
A breezy banger in the vein of Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “Summertime,” Da Kid Emm‘s “How We Ride”…
Now D.C. Has Two Songs About Selling Drugs At Chain Stores
D.C. hip-hop imprint FHTMG calls itself “the most subversive record label in the world.” I’ve got another superlative for it: “most proficient…