Raekwon’s Palantir Reunion Raises Questions About Surveillance and Culture
In August 2024, Raekwon visited the Palantir Technologies headquarters again, sixteen years after his first visit, sparking a debate about the relationship between hip-hop culture and a tech company involved in controversial surveillance and government contracts. While Palantir defends itself against accusations of monitoring U.S. citizens, the ACLU has criticized…
How Breaking Hip-Hop Conquered the World
Breaking originated in the Bronx in the 1970s as a response to breakbeats and grew into a global phenomenon that made hip-hop visible and universally accessible. Unlike rap and graffiti, which are tied to language and location, breaking speaks a global language that requires no translation or context, making it the ultimate…
Prosecutors Drop Case Against Keefe D in Tupac Murder Trial
The District Attorney’s Office has concluded the case against Keefe D in the trial surrounding Tupac’s murder after nearly two weeks of testimony and extensive evidence, including recordings and his own memoir in which he describes his involvement. Prosecutors argue that Keefe D orchestrated the operation as an act of revenge and procured the murder weapon, while the defense contends…
"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" as a blueprint for solo empires in hip-hop
The Wu-Tang Clan's 1993 debut album, *Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) laid the foundation for a lasting solo empire in hip-hop through a unique combination of raw production, kung fu mythology, and an innovative group strategy that allowed each member to develop their own solo career. The lo-fi production and iconography created a recognizable sonic and visual world,…
Snoop Dogg biopic: Camron Jones plays Tupac Shakur
The Snoop Dogg biopic, set to be released in 2027, has cast Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur, with Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg and Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre. The film is directed by Craig Brewer and produced by Brian Grazer and Snoop Dogg himself, which inspires confidence in an authentic story. The release is scheduled for June…
August 27, 2026 – History Fact
Scott La Rock of Boogie Down Productions passed away on August 27, 1987. Rest in peace.
Keefe D-Trial: Ballistics Point to a Single Weapon in Tupac's Murder
In the trial of Duane ‘Keefe D’ Davis, it was determined that all seven shell casings from the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur came from a single .40-caliber Glock firearm. This supports the prosecution’s theory that a single shooter fired multiple shots from a white Cadillac, suggesting a premeditated act of retaliation in…
Wyclef Jean on the music industry, algorithms, and his art
Wyclef Jean discusses his multifaceted musical career, which spans seven albums and genres, and emphasizes the importance of patience and artistic development in an era dominated by algorithms. He reflects on his roots, including his unexpected country influences and the role of the church in his life, and advocates for a more honest conversation about…
The collaboration between Hit-Boy and Nas is definitely over
The collaboration between producer Hit-Boy and rapper Nas—which yielded five albums between 2020 and 2023 and earned them widespread acclaim and Grammy Awards—is definitively over. Hit-Boy hasn’t spoken to Nas in three years and doesn’t expect to work with him in the studio again—and there’s no argument or drama involved….
Lauren London plays Beverly Tate, Snoop Dogg's mother
Lauren London plays Beverly Tate, Snoop Dogg’s mother, in the upcoming biopic “Snoop,” which traces the rapper’s life from his childhood in Long Beach to his breakthrough in the hip-hop world. The film, directed by Craig Brewer and produced by Snoop himself, also highlights Beverly Tate’s influence on Snoop’s life…