THINKPIECE

Nearly three decades into his career, we examine how Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J remains as vital as ever.

Do fightin' words really have an expiration date?

Rather than following hip-hop's treasured code of conduct, today's rappers are echoing the early days of punk rock.

As their debut album approaches, we examine why even Beast Coast's biggest entities are still burdened with the title of "slept on" in the industry.

How a cutting-edge record label would come to define an entire era.

Far from an isolated incident, Lil Nas X's exclusion from the Billboard Country Charts is endemic of a wider problem facing today's hip-hop stars.

Taking a look back at the First Lady of Murder Inc.'s reign at the top of R&B and rap.

After years of being overlooked, is Carolina finally getting its due respect as a hotbed of talent?

Have we misunderstood what Lil Pump is all about, really?

With his hip-hop influences worn on his sleeve, Conor McGregor's closest counterpart in hip-hop comes in the shape of a long-term adversary.

Peak social media era is upon us, gobbling up virality and spitting it back out to mixed (and often controversial) results.

Now that he's laying down the law on a regular basis, it's time for a refresher course on how J. Prince became one of hip-hop's most formidable figures.

Who shall weep for the Compact Disc?

As he prepares to sever his ties to Shady Records, Yelawolf has given himself a new lease of life as an independent artist

Before "Rap Or Go To The League" drops, we take a quick look back at how 2 Chainz became one of the most enduring rappers of the past decade.

While his music career has been prosperous, Donald Glover's "Atlanta" is his shining glory.

The line between carefully planned publicity and reality is becoming more and more blurred.

Despite 21 Savage's birthplace, it's clear his identity is deeply intertwined with Atlanta.

An examination of the innovations Missy Elliott made to music and culture throughout her career.

Tracing signs of a Kylie Jenner influence on her man's, Travis Scott.

Caught in the middle of two generations, J.Cole is doing his utmost to create a future where the two can prosper.

After decades of fighting for its due respect, Drake and Cardi B's Las Vegas residencies cement hip-hop's place at the forefront of modern culture.

The art of competition.

Is there more to the possible Joe Budden and CyHi The Prynce lyrical warfare than meets the eye?

Advocating for Soulja Boy's comeback.

Iggy Azalea's return to the game feels imminent.

We revisit the legacy of Bobby Shmurda, and all that he helped New York achieve prior to his incarceration.

Did B.O.B truly "fall off" or was it all a plot of his own devising?