Music

Cartel Madras are changing the face of rap music
Culture

Cartel Madras are changing the face of rap music

Two of a kind — The Chennai-born, Calgary-raised rap duo discuss finding their feet in an industry dominated by men, and why a salacious sense of humour is at the heart of everything they do.

Written by: Thomas Hobbs

Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity
Culture

Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity

‘I feel an urgency to be heard’ — Ahead of the release of her debut album, the 22-year-old singer talks resisting the erasure of Black and brown women’s voices and leaning into her Bangladeshi roots.

Written by: Bethan Harper

Lord Apex is always evolving
Music

Lord Apex is always evolving

In partnership with Element — To mark his appearance at Element x Hotel Radio Paris, the London MC explains why he’s never been one to follow the crowd.

Written by: Charlotte Rawlings

Photos capturing the rise of South London‘s dubstep scene
Culture

Photos capturing the rise of South London‘s dubstep scene

Drumz of the South — A new photo book traces the birth of dubstep in its early years between 2004 and 2007, and the pioneers who helped make the sound a global phenomenon.

Written by: Vuyokazi Mtukela

Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs
Culture

Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs

‘He was the heart of the band‘ — Over a year ago, hip hop band Injury Reserve tragically lost one of its three members. Now, amid the release of their new album, the band’s remaining artists, Ritchie With A T and Parker Corey, are facing up to and finding ways to honour the late rapper’s legacy.

Written by: Thomas Hobbs

Common is starting his own beautiful revolution
Culture

Common is starting his own beautiful revolution

‘Biden must be held to account‘ — Ahead of the release of his new album, the 49-year-old rapper talks mixing his art with politics, and working alongside music’s greats.

Written by: Jeremy Allen

Photos celebrating 48 years of hip hop and its pioneers
Culture

Photos celebrating 48 years of hip hop and its pioneers

The Elements — On hip hop’s 48th anniversary, photographer Joe Conzo Jr. has curated a special collection of seldom-seen photographs that embody the culture of the genre and its roots.

Written by: Miss Rosen

How Brainchild defied the odds with this year’s festival
Culture

How Brainchild defied the odds with this year’s festival

Dancing through the rain — This year, a pandemic and flash floods posed unprecedented challenges for the not-for-profit festival’s organisers – but this did little to dampen the spirits of attendees.

Written by: Ben Smoke and Daisy Schofield

The anthology celebrating 45 years of hip hop and art
Culture

The anthology celebrating 45 years of hip hop and art

Sound of the streets — A newly-released multimedia collection chronicles the growth of hip hop and its surrounding culture from the parks of the Bronx to its becoming a global phenomenon.

Written by: Miss Rosen

London artist Nayana IZ is writing her own story
Music

London artist Nayana IZ is writing her own story

Ignite the feeling — The 20-year-old musician and NiNE8 collective affiliate talks history, heritage and how her family have influenced her output.

Written by: Charlotte Rawlings

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