Ha ha — do y’all remember when people used to lament the corporatization of hip-hop? Like, when it first started to go mainstream and everyone was up in arms because N.W.A. and Body Count were being banned from record stores (Google “Tower Records” kids), and Public Enemy had middle America experiencing Tea Party-like fainting spells […]


25 Jun
The first single from her upcoming 4th studio album "Matangi"

M.I.A. rarely disappoints with her videos, ranging from the future retro of “XXXO” to the ultra violence of “Born Free” to the sheer awesomemess of “Bad Girls”. Now the Sri Lankan-via-London pop star posts her latest visual expression for “Bring The Noize”, the first single from her upcoming 4th studio album Matangi, unfortunately without the guiding […]


One of the most important musical acts across genres to come out of the 1980s — and the second greatest hip-hop band of all time (Wu) — Public Enemy is finally getting its just deserved day in the sun. The oft slept-on group bombshell that is P.E. not only militarized the face of hip-hop, but […]


9 May
Ninja Tune delivers 39 tracks of superhero inspired tunes

DJ Food, who we’ve interviewed in these pages before (e.g. DJ Food Interview: Recording “The Search Engine”, Rolling Cigarettes with Herbaliser & Designing the Coolest Label Logo Ever), has put together a special mixtape in honor of Free Comicbook Day. We love us some DJ Food, who also did an amazing Tribute to the Beastie […]


World-renowned music photographer Lawrence Watson has captured some of the most legendary hip-hop artists alive. And dead. So, it’s no surprise that streetwear pioneers XLarge chose his iconic snapshots of Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J for their special capsule collection. The capsule is part of the brand’s larger “Golden Age of Hip-Hop” collection, […]


3 Oct
New 42-minute set from San Francisco's Bass maestro

Maestro of bass, original dubstep provocateur, friend of LIAS, political rabblerouser and all around supernatural EDM talent Bassnectar blesses the world with a brand new mixtape today, simply titled the Freestyle mixtape. Mr. Lorin Ashton’s chest-rattling 40-minute set offers remixes, collaborations and guest appearances by the likes of Hudson Mohawke, Ming & FS, Zion I, Mimi […]


17 May
The Capsule Collection celebrating pre-Golden Era Hip-Hop glory

Before his fashion career took off, Takeshi Osumi (founder of PHENOMENON) was a successful and influential rapper in his native Japan. Given his knowledge and proficiency in both fields, it was only natural that Osumi teamed up with venerable street photographer (and Beastie Boys punchline) Ricky Powell, selecting three of his photos of hip hop […]


23 Apr
New Art Correspondent Freddi C hits up MOCA for opening night

We previewed the Transmission LA: AV CLUB last week, and sent new Art Correspondent Freddi C with mic and camera in tow to check out the exhibit. This was her recap… As the sun set downtown at the Geffen Contemporary MOCA, the Veuve flowed under an enormous shiny Mercedes-Benz logo suspended to look like a giant […]