Liam Jackson, Michigan State University

After years of silence, the St. Louis rapper is back.

Chelsie Ross, Florida A&M University

The Queen of Rap is no stranger to public feuds, but her recent battle with Latto sheds light on the way she treats her fellow artists.

Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

From social media posts to comments sections, the internet is becoming a battleground on which rival fandoms enflame tensions between musicians.

Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

The recent surge of sampled songs has led some to believe mainstream hip-hop has become unoriginal, but how accurate is this feeling?

Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

As three of rap’s biggest stars reunite to commemorate their successful careers, it’s time we take a look back at their legacies that were years in the making.

Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

Just how finger-licking good is the rapper’s KFC meal?

Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

These innovative, visually stunning videos are a treat for rap enthusiasts and animation lovers alike.

Re’nesia Mills, University of Tampa

Female rap artists like Yung Miami, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion make mature music all the time, but why are parents bothered by it?

Jenna Amore, Oakland University

The controversial musical artist has been showing off his baby bump to his TikTok viewers, which finally culminated in the ‘birth’ of his latest album in mid-September.

Niall Calvert, Wesleyan University

Two of the largest rappers have entered a new chapter in their long war of words, and while many fans are grabbing popcorn, the battle is already stagnating.

Mason Cannon, Columbia University

In his newest album, Tyler, the Creator describes recurring themes of heartbreak within a wider exploration of social injustice, sexuality and a sense of stagnation.

Anna Hupp, University of Wyoming

The moody soundscape and raw, vulnerable lyrics of the artist’s new LP are impressive, but his blind instinct for self-preservation is less so.

Michael Boland, DePaul University

The Brooklyn rapper was just released from prison and will be in the public eye for the first time since his arrest in 2014.

Karen Lu, Yale University

While hip-hop and rap have become a phenomenon in China, these artists have abandoned both the genre’s Black roots and its emphasis on authenticity.

Danielle Kuzel, Florida State University

In their latest release, Spillage Village uses religious motifs to address racism, police brutality, the pandemic and other prominent issues from 2020.

Tanisha Bhat, Boston University

Laying rumors of retirement to rest, the artist has conjured up an album filled with diverse musical styles and songs of heartbreak.

Caleb Mullenneaux, St. Olaf College

Despite several decades separating the heights of their popularity, both the rapper and the English singer-songwriter share an unwavering independent spirit.

Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

As he rises from obscurity to stardom, the singer’s new album combines bright, reckless sound with dark lyrics about the pressures of fame.

Eva Halvax, University of Arizona

The musician pairs the melancholy with the joyful aspects of life, creating a balance of carefree nostalgia.

Madelyn Haasken, Bemidji State University

Using beautiful melodies, catchy beats and lyrics that stick with you, this music reflects the struggles of these tumultuous times.

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Boasting poetic lyrics and lighter melodies, the Brooklyn native’s latest album is a concept record exploring what it means to have everything.

Desiree Jaime, Hofstra University

The rapper and comedian, real name Dave Burd, opens up on his autobiographical FXX television show.

Nayeli G. Pena, Colorado College

The Florida rapper joins Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X as the latest artist accused of having a manufactured stardom. Are we too quick to affix the label of inauthenticity to popular musicians?

Kayla Johnson, Bradley University

The song is blowing up all over social media, but as a piece of music, it doesn’t have much going for it.

Nayeli G. Pena, Colorado College

Hailing from Australia, this teenager is carrying on the legacy of his former mentor, Juice WRLD.

Bryan Lance, Liberty University

The hip-hop artist sadly joins the ranks of influential artists taken far too soon.

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

The multi-talented musician and ‘Hamilton’ cast member is one of the most innovative artists working today.

Blair Krassen, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia

The talented producer, rapper and writer is creating hilarious tunes for a new digital age.

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

If you’re an OG fan of the melodramatic rapper, you probably hate him now.

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

The artist speaks out on some controversies in this new release.

Brendan Bell, Towson University

The new album might be his worst one yet.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

While Gucci Mane has dropped some great hits, his newest album shows that he’s getting a little too comfortable with his patented formula.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Big Easy is known for jazz, but is it what everyone’s listening to? It’s time to explore the multifaceted music scene that includes rock, rap and funk.

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

EarthGang is the Southern dynamic duo you have been waiting for.

Brandon Suss, University of South Carolina

XXL posts an annual list of top new artists. Which year produced the ones with the most staying power?

Abby Webb, Rice University

The new Travis Scott documentary has some fun moments, but avoids deeper insights into the rapper’s life.

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

Hip-hop culture needs to make female representation and diversity a priority.

Alicia Owens, Georgia State University

Hip-hop artist Taylor Bennett talks about alienation on this EP. 

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

The raw debut album is a narrative toward self-discovery and meaning.

Taylor Sprinkle, University of Texas at Austin

The musician’s latest release reframes our issues as an opportunity for self-improvement, rather than an excuse for self-pity.

Sydney Hawkins, Alabama A&M University

Rap and hip-hop is once again turning to Africa for inspiration.

Sydney Hawkins, Alabama A&M University

Smith’s second album is a considerably rare yet beautiful approach to rap music.

Ashley Peterson, Geneva College

The latest album by the Christian rapper dives deep into themes of pain, depression and introspection.

Lauren Prestia, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Here are the details about the rapper’s detainment in Sweden.

Aliza Pelto, Pratt Institute

The DNA test wasn’t kidding when it said she was 100% ‘that b—h.’

Sarah Mease, Columbia College Chicago

When life gave Cole Bennett lemons, he made Lyrical Lemonade.

Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire

The sharp EP proved that the overcooked ‘Slime Language’ was just a misstep.

Ashlyn Leigh Willis, University of North Alabama

Though his hijinks, music and literature might be controversial, they all aim to empower the queer community.

Ashlyn Leigh Willis, University of North Alabama

Drake vs. Pusha T, Chief Keef vs. 6ix9ine and Lil Uzi Vert vs. Rich the Kid. What a time to be alive.

Natalie Sonier, Wake Forest University

It’s going to be hard to beat the summer heat with this fire album at the top of the charts.

Anastasia Cottone, St. Bonaventure University

The unremarkable four-track project has only served to sour his fan base.

Yoni Yardeni, Pierce College

A wrap-up of the Drake/Pusha-T beef, with no detail spared.

Remington Jensen, University of Idaho

After two years’ hiatus, and on the heels of a slew of controversial remarks, West is back.

Grace John, Rutgers University

Who is the 9-year-old rapper who moves bricks, lives in the Hills and has your mama’s rent money?

Sam Kasierski, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

According to J. Cole, the fans are all to blame. And the rappers.

Haley Newlin, Southern New Hampshire University

Damn, Lamar.

Haley Newlin, Southern New Hampshire University

Will the old Iggy Azalea please come back to the stage?

Onaje McDowelle, University of Texas at Austin

You: It’s a match made in heaven. Me, an intellectual: Actually, it’s a match made in ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’

Sarah Marchan, University of Texas at San Antonio

Let’s map out how exactly the genre of emo rap came to be.

Gillian Farnan, SUNY Cortland

‘Bobby Tarantino II’ is the sixth mixtape by Logic and it currently has his fans reeling as ‘mixtape Logic’ makes a much-welcomed comeback.

Xavier Austin Reyna, University of Texas at San Antonio

Watch out this month – artists are dropping albums like no tomorrow and you’ve got to be prepared. Here’s a list of some you should definitely look out for.

Onaje McDowelle, University of Texas at Austin

San Marcos rap collective PNTHN reflects on the five albums that helped define their sound.

Christian Zeitler, Carnegie Mellon

With their new album, ‘Vacation in Hell,’ dropping April 6, The Flatbush Zombies offer a solution to hip-hop’s problem with carbon-copy personas.

Adriana Luna, Northwest Vista College

The new year has just begun, but these artists are already taking no prisoners with their lyrical mastery.

Xavier Austin Reyna, University of Texas at San Antonio

Atlanta-based hip-hop trio ‘Migos has wasted no time making their impact in 2018 with the release of ‘Culture II.’

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The rap collective, who released three albums in 2017 alone, are exploring new frontiers in hip-hop, both sonically and thematically.

Christian Zeitler, Carnegie Mellon

These four songs showcase collaborations between successful electronic artists and rappers that perfectly combine the strengths of the two genres.

Christian Zeitler, Carnegie Mellon

After a years-long sabbatical, battle-rap legend Aaron Solomon has returned to the scene to prove that he’s still one of the greatest to ever spit.

Brittany Sodic, University of North Texas

Where does the Boat end and the Yachty begin?

Christian Zeitler, Carnegie Mellon

With under 200,000 monthly listens on Spotify, these artists may not be popular, but they’re definitely talented.

Terry Mooney, Ohio State University

If you have ever accused Future or Young Thug of ‘not even saying anything,’ you might be missing the point.

Tyler Fitch, Florida State University

Ricardo Valdez Valentine, a.k.a 6LACK, is channeling his traumatic upbringing into rhyme with great success.

Kevin Cordon, University of California at Irvine

Donald Glover’s hit show is taking Georgia’s capital to new heights.