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Without Jamaica and its people, there would most likely be no hip-hop. Rapping essentially originated in Jamaica, where it was initially referred to as “toasting.” Kingston native Kool Herc brought it to New York City in the early ‘70s and the rest is history. 

Ziggy Marley, Bob Marley’s eldest son, has carried on his father’s tradition of spreading love, spirituality and political messages through reggae music. From his first solo album, 2003’s Dragonfly, to his recent self-titled effort, his spirituality radiates from every word he sings. His second solo album, 2006’s Love Is My Religion, carried on the reggae-style pop sound and the lyrical themes established with Drago

Frank Ocean released his album Channel ORANGE in 2012. Fans have waited for years to hear his beautiful voice flow through their speakers. It was rumored that his follow up album would be released in July of last year.  However, fans have continued to wait. Their only hints to a new album are the updates Ocean posts on his website. His photos on his website both say “Boys Don’t Cry “ on them which is presumed to be the name of his upcoming album. One of the pictures shows Ocean staring at two different issues both with the title “Boys Don’t Cry”. The caption under the picture states, “I got two versions. I got twoooo versions. #ISSUE1 #ALBUM3 #JULY2015 #BOYSDONTCRY.” The most recent photo shows what appears to be a library ca

In honor of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the release of their first album, Cypress Hill will be re-releasing the beloved, Platinum selling album as a new, special limited edition package.

The reissue of 1991's Cypress Hill album will be packaged inside a black resin sculpture of the band's skull logo. The skull cap can be removed to reveal a CD copy of Cypress Hill's debut album.

"I thought it was a great idea; it goes along with the imagery that we've carried throughout the 25 years of our career," Cypress Hill's B-Real told Rolling Stone. "I saw the first round of it and it looked incredible, man … If there's Cypress fans out there that got, like, a Cypress Hill trophy case, keep it with all the m

Rich Homie Quan has been getting a lot of hate for forgetting the lyrics to "Get Money" during VH1 Hip Hop Honors tribute to Notorious B.I.G. The Roots' Questlove is defending the Atlanta rapper's flub, saying the problem wasn't with Quan, but with society's treatment of art as a disposable commodity.

In a post on Instagram, Questlove defended Rich Homie Quan. "A lot of you "real hip hop heads" seem to magically think that the music of our prime is gonna just translate on dopeness alone. I mean EVERYbody should know this song right? It's the Hood National Anthem. Even Big's rival had to reference "Get Money" to clap back at him. So how it all fall apart? I don't blame RHQ. I blame us," Questlove wrote. &q

On the #RAP50 Countdown this week is our Spotlight Artist, Aesop Rock, with the song "Rings" from his 2016 album The Impossible Kid. Born Ian Bavits on June 5th, 1976, Aesop Rock is a rapper, songwriter, musician, visual artist, poet, and producer who was born in New York but currently resides in Portland, Oregon. This multi-talented artist has had a career spanning two decades, during which he landed a deal with Run the Jewels' El-P's Definitive Jux label.  Aesop Rock has been officially making music since he was a college student in the 90's, and has been a member of the groups The Weathermen, Hail Mary Mallon, The Uncluded, and Two of Every Animal.

After playing a character named Aesop in a film he made with friends, Ian st

Public Enemy's Chuck D appeared on multiple 24 hour news networks today to defend the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of renewed criticism following last week's shootings in Dallas. Chuck explained the purpose of the movement, and went into detail about why so many young people of color feel alienated and distrustful of a system that continues to allow police brutality to happen.

"The situation in Dallas is the worst thing that ever happened... after the worst thing that ever happened... after the worst thing that ever happened," Chuck continued. "When it comes down to a movement like Black Lives Matter... these people were born after Rodney King... they see these [police] acquittals... and brutality. People feel that Black Lives Matter is this v