Behind 'The Unseen': Part III
The third instalment of our sample-chronicling journey through The Unseen, Quasimoto’s landmark underground debut, finds us exploring tracks from "Jazz Cats Pt. 1" to album closer "Discipline 99 Pt. 1."
Read MoreThe third instalment of our sample-chronicling journey through The Unseen, Quasimoto’s landmark underground debut, finds us exploring tracks from "Jazz Cats Pt. 1" to album closer "Discipline 99 Pt. 1."
Read MoreJoey Badass was yet to graduate when he released 1999, his career-launching debut mixtape. Now, six years on, the tape that launched his career is finally on Spotify. We take a look at the samples underpinning Joey’s debut, exploring production from DOOM, Lord Finesse, Knxwledge and many more.
Read MoreAs part of our focus on Madlib, we're delving into his extensive and intimidating catalogue. This week, we look at his four multi-instalment album series: Beat Konducta, Rock Konducta, Mind Fusion and Madlib Medicine Show.
Read MoreBoogie Down Productions’ second album, By All Means Necessary, is 30 years old. The classic 1988 LP helped shape politically-conscious hip hop, spurred by the untimely death of a founding member of the group. In this piece, we look back at the seminal album and the samples that underpinned it.
Read MoreDaytona, Pusha T’s third solo album, is finally here. After three years of waiting, and a handful of false starts, the seven-track, Kanye produced record marks the beginning of Yeezy season. In this instalment of our Behind… series, we look into the samples underpinning Pusha’s new effort.
Read MoreJeru The Damaja’s The Sun Rises In The East is a minor East Coast classic. Though obscured by a swathe of impressive East Coast efforts, Jeru’s debut finds him at his creative zenith alongside producer DJ Premier. In celebration of its 24th anniversary, we’ve broken down the samples within.
Read MoreMadlib is one of hip hop's most visionary and versatile producers. We look back at his storied career, revisiting releases from Lootpack, Quasimoto, Jaylib, Madvillain, MadGibbs, Jackson Conti and Madlib himself.
Read MoreA young man dissociates freely, gliding in and out of memories both grim and uplifting.
Read MoreWhilst almost all industry awards shows are a race to the bottom, The GRAMMYs are impressively terrible. In order to make sense of it all, we’ve looked into two key questions: why is hip hop so consistently maligned, and what are the hallmarks of a GRAMMY winning album?
Read MorePiñata, a collaboration between Madlib and gangsta rapper Freddie Gibbs, is yet another crowning achievement for the versatile producer. In dissecting the samples within, we explore the cultural connections fostered by hip hop culture.
Read MoreSamples and interpolations are two of the most artistic ways to pay homage. Repurposing classic tracks and lifting from deep cuts shows both appreciation and knowledge, equal parts a reference and a flex. In our third Purple piece, we look at five great Prince samples.
Read MorePrince knew how to write a song, something he proved time and time again throughout his 39-album career. Here's ten standout, streaming-ready tracks that aren't the five you always hear on the radio.
Read MoreThough prolific in his own right, one of Prince's greatest strengths was his eye for talent. Two years after his untimely death, we look at five the young artists endorsed by The Purple One.
Read MoreZach Braff is best known for his role as JD on Scrubs, but his influence over the show's soundtrack made him an unlikely mid-2000s tastemaker. From Scrubs to Garden State, we look at the generation of indie music that Braff helped popularise.
Read MoreIn the second part of this piece, we look at all the samples that make up Madvillain's sole LP, identifying and contextualising the pop culture within.
Read MoreAs one of hip hop's most enduring classics, Madvillainy is a cultural touchstone. We look at all the samples that make up the landmark 2004 record, identifying and contextualising the pop culture within.
Read MoreTyler The Creator's fourth album, Scum Fuck Flower Boy, has cemented him as one of hip hop's most engaging emcees. Conor looks at his long come up, from reviled edge-rap poster boy to uncommonly introspective artist.
Read MoreThe Roots' tenth studio record, Undun, is a triumphant concept album exploring the tragedy of urban poverty and the role of opportunity in inner-city crime. We look at the acclaimed LP and the forces that influenced it, including The Roots' already long and prosperous career and their then-new gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Read MoreConor reflects on the short-but-sweet career of piano-rock group Jack's Mannequin, the trials that shaped them and the heartfelt music they left behind.
Read MoreLeaks: a fact of life and the bane of the music industry. Internet-era artists must contend with the unpredictable and high-stakes reality of unauthorised leaks, an ever-present threat that costs them time and money... but who actually leaks music? From unscrupulous hackers to devious colleagues and untrustworthy critics, here's a look at how unreleased tracks emerge.
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