Rap
ScHoolboy Q doesn’t care what you think
Maximum chill — Hip hop heavyweight ScHoolboy Q went from prison to platinum-selling artist, becoming a father in between. Five albums into a unique career, he’s hungrier than ever – just don’t expect him to take life too seriously.
Written by: Niall Flynn
EarthGang makes otherworldly hip hop rooted in reality
Block rockin' beats — EarthGang is a larger-than-life rap duo with a simple aim: telling stories that represent the real Atlanta, while pushing what that sounds like to the outer limits.
Written by: Ciaran Thapar
What #AlexFromGlasto shows us about race in the UK
Black and white — After being plucked from the crowd at Glastonbury to rap alongside Dave, the teen became a national treasure – but would it have happened if he was black?
Written by: Jeffrey Boakye
Capturing hip hop’s biggest stars, before they were famous
From the source — Nigerian-American photographer Chi Modu took intimate portraits of rappers – including Nas, Method Man, and 2Pac – on the brink of success.
Written by: Jesse Bernard
Hip hop photography, remixed by iconic graffiti artists
The mash-up — Legendary New York photographer Janette Beckman hands her work over to the world’s biggest streets artists for new project, The Mash-Up.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Chilly Gonzales breaks down the essence of music
A life less ordinary — The most interesting mind in music talks breaking rules, chasing fame and soundtracking the World Cup Final.
Written by: Cian Traynor
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
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
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
Inside the unlikely hip hop scene taking root in Italy
Brothers in the barrios — On the outskirts of Milan, a divided city rife with tension, photographer Roberto Ramirez has uncovered a stigmatised community bonding over the power of rap.
Written by: Cian Traynor