Hip Hop
Welcome to the world of small-town hip hop
Suburban rhymes — Photographer Jared Soares documents the DIY rappers of Roanoke, capturing a scene brimming with innovation, hope and creativity.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The grit and glamour of Californian hip hop
In pictures — From Snoop Dogg and Tupac to A$AP Rocky, photographer Mike Miller has spent decades documenting the world of West Coast hip hop. ‘I was in a drive-by shooting a couple of years ago,’ he tells Miss Rosen. ‘LA is not as safe as everyone thinks.’
Written by: Miss Rosen
The enduring legacy of Wild Style, hip hop’s first ever film
‘We took over the planet’ — As the 1983 feature – which brought New York’s hip hop scene to international attention – celebrates its 35th birthday this year, we talk to the people who made it happen.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A visual guide to the hidden history of hip hop
Power, pride & principles — Represent: Hip-Hop Photography is a new show exploring the immense cultural legacy of the genre, bringing together years of rarely seen, iconic imagery.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The rise of Sampa the Great: hip hop's brightest spark
Giving into greatness — Sampa Tembo's family hoped she’d lead a conventional life: one where music was just a backup plan. But that was never going to happen. Instead she started opening for the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Joey Bada$$, winning acclaim for her socially conscious rhymes. Now, with a debut album on the way, the 24-year-old is primed for a major breakthrough.
Written by: Niall Flynn
A peek inside the world of hip-hop’s video vixens
Lavish illusion — In his new book, Hip Hop Honeys, photographer Brian Finke goes behind the scenes on the world’s most glamorous music videos – only to find that things aren’t quite what they seem.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The Native American rapper turning rhymes into activism
A different kind of superhero — After a difficult upbringing and a foray into petty crime, Supaman found himself – and his purpose – through hip hop. Now he’s determined to elevate other voices.
Written by: James Stout
The photographer who defined old-school cool
Street symphony — Jamel Shabazz has spent his life documenting the city that never sleeps. But while his shots of urban street style have become iconic, the bigger picture – a world of police and prostitutes, drifters and dancers – reveals something much deeper: a commitment to community.
Written by: Alex King
We need to stop celebrating rappers who abuse women
From Where I Stand — Despite facing disturbing allegations of abuse, rappers like XXXTentacion and Kodak Black enjoy flourishing careers. It’s time we stopped letting them get away with it.
Written by: Anon
This Syrian rapper risked everything for freedom. Now he wants the world to listen
From activist to outcast — In his homeland of Syria, Mohammad Abu Hajar is considered a fugitive – a political musician who wore out his welcome. But in Berlin, where he lives in exile, the right to exist poses a new set of challenges.
Written by: Lara Atallah