October 19, 1999, marks the day that the eclectic and iconic MF Doom launched his career with his debut record Operation Doomsday.

Though the duo of MC and DJ complement one another’s abilities, upon further inspection, they basically use different methods ...

Nelly has claimed hip-hop in the 2000s was the most challenging era to succeed in. During his visit to The Shop, the St. Louis native reflected on how the Grammys needed to do right by artists and how ...

Welcome to The State of R&B, ESSENCE’s look at the past, present and future of rhythm and blues. In this piece, ESSENCE editor Rivéa Ruff reports on the blending of hip-hop and R&B. Since the ...

Her university’s vast collection of albums, scholarly essays and other ephemera helped establish rap as a course of serious study on a par with classical music.

The phenomenon has threaded through society since it was born in the Bronx in 1973. Hip-hop is on radio, television, fashion and sports arenas. This year the movement is celebrating a special birthday ...