Music
The record label bringing Iranian music to the world
Unsanctioned music — Hampered by US sanctions and the pandemic, it has become near impossible for Iran’s artists to introduce their music to international audiences. But 30M, a new record label in Germany, is determined to change that.
Written by: Matthew Neale
Hanif Abdurraqib on celebrating Black genius
A Little Devil in America — The 37-year-old poet and critic speaks to Huck about his new book, which offers a stirring meditation on Black performances, cultures and communities in the United States, and his own personal experiences of love and grief.
Written by: Dhruva Balram
$NOT is the defiant Florida rapper making his own rules
‘I like calling the shots‘ — After releasing two albums last year, the 23-year-old artist is already a cult favourite among underground rap fans. Now, he’s ready to take his genre-blurring sound and transgressive lyrics to the next level.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
Django Django are starting a new chapter
Lessons Learned — Founding band members Dave Maclean and Vinny Neff discuss the making of their latest album, Glowing in the Dark, and how the small mistakes that happen along the way often make for the best tracks.
Written by: Rhys Thomas
How the lost music of aunt Mirry was brought back to life
Unheard world — We speak to musicians and brother-in-laws Tom Fraser and The Verve’s Simon Tong about reviving a late relative’s legacy after stumbling on her music by chance.
Written by: Jeremy Allen
LD, godfather of drill, speaks out from behind bars
‘I‘m free to fly‘ — To mark the release of his new LP, the frontman of south London group 67 calls from prison to discuss his fraught past, dismantling the Tories and embracing the multitude of ways drill has evolved.
Written by: Dhruva Balram
Julien Baker is embracing a slower pace
Lessons Learned — The 25-year-old artist has followed up a period of prolonged introspection with her most expansive work yet – a collection of songs that accept the messiness of modern life in all of its various facets.
Written by: Niall Flynn
Steelpan pioneer Fimber Bravo is a musical revolutionary
Still fighting — The Trinidadian artist, who has been living in Britain since the ’70s, has long used his instrument as a tool to fight oppression. His new album is the latest instalment in a life defined by resistance.
Written by: Jeremy Allen
South Africa’s jazz upstarts are imagining a new nation
Moving pictures — A new release from some of the country’s most exciting musicians challenges the notion that the fight for freedom is a battle of the past.
Written by: Hugh Morris
The Mitchell Brothers, British rap’s forgotten duo
Geezers with skills — In the early noughties, Owura “Tony” Nyanin and Kofi “Teddy” Hanson were signed to Mike Skinner’s label and two of the UK’s most influential MCs – then they disappeared. Now reunited over a decade later, the pair say the world wasn’t ready for them.
Written by: Sam Davies