Hip-Hop and Rap

Greg Grease's Cornbread, Pearl, and G album release

Public Enemy at First Avenue, 12/6/12

Public Enemy's Hip Hop Gods Tour with X-Clan, Monie Love, Schoolly D, Leaders of the New School, Wise Intelligent, Son of Bazerk and No Self Control, Awesome Dre, Davy DMX and DJ Johnny Juice Thursday. First Avenue, MinneapolisThursday, December 6, 2012 The Hip Hop Gods Tour, the brainchild of Pub ... More >>

Public Enemy's Chuck D: Yeah, I voted in the 2012 election

Rap music is an omnipresent sound in the country's earbuds today because acts like Public Enemy refused to fold. With two albums released this year, Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp and The Evil Empire of Everything, this has been a vital time for the 25-year-old group and its mercil ... More >>

Big Boi at Epic, 11/9/12

Big Boiwith Get CryphyEpic, MinneapolisNovember 9, 2012"One more?" the DJ asked. He stood there awkwardly at the corner of the stage, not sure what to do with himself. "Big Boi, one more?"For an uncomfortably long couple minutes Friday night, it looked like Big Boi's DJ hadn't gotten the memo about ... More >>

Big Boi

Big Boiwith Get CryphyEpic, MinneapolisNovember 9, 2012"One more?" the DJ asked. He stood there awkwardly at the corner of the stage, not sure what to do with himself. "Big Boi, one more?"For an uncomfortably long couple minutes Friday night, it looked like Big Boi's DJ hadn't gotten the memo about ... More >>

Raekwon at First Avenue 11/4/12

Raekwon First Avenue, Minneapolis Sunday, November 4, 2012 For the closing of the afterparty of the first annual Twin Cities Sneaker.Art Exchange (TCS.AX) Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon the Chef was the main draw. Still, First Avenue only had maybe 75 people in it Sunday night and Raekwon was clearly ... More >>

Kevin Beacham on Get Out to Vote and when politics meet hip-hop

This Sunday is the Keith Ellison-sponsored Get Out to Vote concert at First Avenue. The incumbent Representative of Minnesota's Fifth-Congressional District has put together quite the bill, including performances from Brother Ali, Slug, Dessa as well as a DJ set from noted hip-hop historian and Rede ... More >>

Picked to Click 2012: #10. Audio Perm

#10. Audio Perm: 32 points"We haven't done one photo shoot where every member has been in it," says Audio Perm rapper 80H20 with a laugh. That's because the AP crew, which has risen to prominence putting in work and a fresh approach to the Twin Cities rap sound, is more than 10 members deep. Each Au ... More >>

Picked to Click 2012: #1. The Chalice

#1. The Chalice: 83 points "Our ladies' nights are really dope," asserts the Chalice's queen-bee rapper, Lizzo. "We get together and drink. That's how it started -- with red wine. If it were liquor, it wouldn't get done. Making tracks, turning tracks into a song, and turning tracks into a banger is ... More >>

Five of our favorite DMX moments

If you're taking part in the Zombie Pub Crawl this weekend, get read to stop, drop, shut 'em down, and open up shop as DMX is rolling into town to get at you, dog! X is gon' give it to ya at 9 p.m. Saturday at Midway Stadium, AKA Zombie Island. Unless you're slippin', you know the combination of zom ... More >>

Raekwon tops Twin Cities Sneaker.Art Exchange in November

The Wu loves coming to the Twin Cities. This year alone has featured three visits from Ghostface (including Soundset with Raekwon the Chef), a RZA show, and a GZA performance just a couple weeks ago. Now, Raekwon is coming back in early November as the featured guest at the first annual Twin Cities ... More >>

Lil B

The Wu loves coming to the Twin Cities. This year alone has featured three visits from Ghostface (including Soundset with Raekwon the Chef), a RZA show, and a GZA performance just a couple weeks ago. Now, Raekwon is coming back in early November as the featured guest at the first annual Twin Cities ... More >>

GZA at First Avenue, 9/20/12

GZA with Bear Hands, Sweet Valley and Killer Mike First Avenue, MinneapolisThursday, September 20, 2012Without a word to the cheering, three-quarters full audience, dressed simply in baggy jeans and a grey, Pringle of Scotland sweater, Wu-Tang Clan heavyweight GZA (neé Gary Grice) stepped onstage a ... More >>

Hip Hop Harambee at Nomad World Pub, 9/15/12

Hip Hop Harambee With Talib Kweli, Sims, Big Zach, and moreNomad World Pub, MinneapolisSaturday, September 15, 2012Saturday's Hip Hop Harambee, an all day hip-hop block party held in the parking lot of the Nomad World Pub, was by all measures a success. You couldn't have asked for a better day to ha ... More >>

Five Brother Ali classics you've probably never heard

See Also:Cover Story: Brother Ali in His Own WordsBrother Ali: The day I met Cornel West This week, hometown hero and indie rap superstar Brother Ali unleashes his new album Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color. Declaring that it's not only a new album, but a new chapter in his career, we decid ... More >>

Carnage the Executioner comes into his own

The best rapper from Minnesota you've never heard

Wiz Khalifa/Mac Miller

The best rapper from Minnesota you've never heard

Summer Set Music & Camping Festival

The best rapper from Minnesota you've never heard

Talib Kweli to headline Hip-Hop Harambee Block Party

See Also: Talib Kweli talks about his new tour, album, and role models in hip-hop The name of the festival might be a bit unfamiliar, but for local hip-hop fans the stellar lineup certainly won't be. The Hip-Hop Harambee Block Party is set to take place on Saturday, September 15 in the Nomad World ... More >>

Ice Rod leaves Minnesota

Michael Gaughan takes his rap act to San Francisco

Smokers Club Tour featuring Juicy J

Michael Gaughan takes his rap act to San Francisco

El-P/Killer Mike

Michael Gaughan takes his rap act to San Francisco

Claire de Lune’s New Lion establishes her as more than just a “hook girl”

Album release at 7th St. Entry

Sadat X

Album release at 7th St. Entry

Too $hort

Album release at 7th St. Entry

Iggy Azalea brings her edgy Australian attitude to the Fine Line tonight

Australian hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea's "Pu$$y" has made her famous (calm down, it's just a song, guys). But if you take the striking blonde's raunchy subject matter at face value, then you've got it all wrong. At just 21 years old, the eager artist is surprisingly self-aware amidst the hip-hop game ... More >>

Soundset battled extreme weather at Canterbury Park, 5/27/12

By Reed Fischer and Ian TraasSoundsetWith Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon, Astronautalis, Big K.R.I.T., and moreCanterbury Park Festival Field, ShakopeeSunday, May 27, 2012Related:Soundset 2012 evacuated amid tornado watchSoundset photos 2012Up until about 7:20 p.m., the fift ... More >>

Top 20 best Minnesota rappers: The complete list

Related:Cover Story: How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset FestivalTop 20 best Minnesota musicians: The complete listTop 20 best Minnesota songs: The complete listIn 2012, rap music is as definitive a part of Minnesota lore as the Mall of America -- or anything else Muja Messiah name-checks in "Leech ... More >>

Chuuwee on Watching the Throne, his Soundset approach

By Mike MaddenRelated:Bambu on the L.A. riots' 20th anniversary, his Soundset debutTraveling from his native Sacramento to take over Shakopee, Chuuwee might be the best bet among this year's Soundset freshmen to blow up by the time May 2013 rolls around. Not long removed from his excellent Wa ... More >>

Truthbetold on Tribe & Big Cats! next record, Soundset strategy

By Mike MaddenRelated:How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset FestivalOne of the groups set to make their Soundset debut this year, the duo of the Tribe and Big Cats! was born out of a somewhat unlikely relationship. MC Chris "Truthbetold" Hooks spent parts of his youth in Chicago's south side and began ... More >>

Big K.R.I.T. on country rap, dream cars, and playing Soundset

Related:How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset FestivalSoundset 2012 lineup announcedDanny Brown on XXX, almost signing to G-UnitFrom the jump, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T is full of interesting paradoxes. He represents dirty-south rap with endless country swag that juxtaposes hip-hop's decidedly ... More >>

Top 20 best Minnesota rappers: #10-1

Related:Top 20 best Minnesota rappers: #20-11How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset FestivalTop 20 best Minnesota musicians: The complete listTop 20 best Minnesota songs: The complete list10> Mictlan Origin: Minneapolis/Hopkins/Los Angeles | Active: 2001 - present | Songs: "Prizefight," "Game Over, ... More >>

Bambu on the L.A. riots' 20th anniversary, his Soundset debut

Related:*How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset Festival*Danny Brown on XXX, almost signing to G-Unit*Big K.R.I.T. on country rap, dream cars, and playing SoundsetBy Mike MaddenRealizing Bambu deliberately released his debut album, self untitled..., 10 years after the 1992 Los Angeles riots, it's ... More >>

How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset Festival

Minnesota's biggest annual hip-hop showcase enters its fifth year

Top 20 best Minnesota rappers: #20-11

Related:How Rhymesayers set up the Soundset FestivalTop 20 best Minnesota musicians: The complete listTop 20 best Minnesota songs: The complete listIn 2012, rap music is as definitive a part of Minnesota lore as the Mall of America -- or anything else Muja Messiah name-checks in "Leech Lake" or Slug ... More >>

Summer Set Festival 2012 lineup

The 2012 Summer Set Music and Camping Festival arrives in late August, and the lineup is a doozy. Combining the powers of jam bands, electronic music, hip-hop, reggae, and all of the confluences that exist between these many worlds, this year's edition should be a shock to the system. To say nothing ... More >>

Rick Ross at Epic Nightclub, 5/18/12

Rick RossEpic Nightclub, MinneapolisFriday, May 18, 2012Since his undeniable hit "Hustlin'" in 2006, Miami's Rick Ross has banked on the legend of his namesake by crafting a string of street anthems touting his wealth and ability to move drugs in large quantities. While the subject matter has certai ... More >>

Lil' Kim

Rick RossEpic Nightclub, MinneapolisFriday, May 18, 2012Since his undeniable hit "Hustlin'" in 2006, Miami's Rick Ross has banked on the legend of his namesake by crafting a string of street anthems touting his wealth and ability to move drugs in large quantities. While the subject matter has certai ... More >>

Soundset 2012 videos: Brother Ali, MaLLy, I Self Devine, & Aesop Rock

Related:Soundset 2012 lineup announcedWith Soundset 2012 less than a month away now, the Rhymesayers Entertainment folks have launched a rapid-fire barrage of new videos.Conveniently enough, the guys featured in these fresh clips -- Brother Ali, MaLLy, I Self Devine, and Aesop Rock -- will all take ... More >>

De La Soul at the Cabooze, 4/27/12

De La SoulThe Cabooze, MinneapolisFriday, April 27, 2012View a slideshow from the concert here. De La Soul have always been on the outside edges of hip-hop. They have tight rhymes, sharp, smart beats and a manner about them that's incredibly magnetic. But they weren't and aren't part of the gangsta ... More >>

De La Soul

De La SoulThe Cabooze, MinneapolisFriday, April 27, 2012View a slideshow from the concert here. De La Soul have always been on the outside edges of hip-hop. They have tight rhymes, sharp, smart beats and a manner about them that's incredibly magnetic. But they weren't and aren't part of the gangsta ... More >>

Best of Coachella 2012: Sunday, April 22

See also: Our complete Coachella coverage By the third day of Coachella's second weekend -- the sixth and final day of this year's festival -- folks had more or less learned to ignore the dust and the heat. Here are our intrepid writers' favorite things about the final hours of the 2012 event.

First Avenue's 20 best concerts: #10-1

Related:Slideshow: First Avenue: An archived history via flyers, riders & contracts First Avenue's 20 best concerts: #20-11First Avenue's 40 years of rock 'n' rollTop 20 best Minnesota musicians: The complete list10. Basement Jaxx, First Avenue, 10/08/01Basement Jaxx's first appearance in Minne ... More >>

Five identity crisis songs: Danny Brown, Garbage, & more

​This week's edition of 5ingles spotlights songs by artists who seem to be undergoing an identity crisis -- musicians who aren't quite themselves, who apparently woke up a bit off of their game. So these five tunes sound sort of like what you've come to expect from their creators, but not quite, w ... More >>

Critics' Picks: Skream & Benga, Black Milk, and more

​This week's edition of 5ingles spotlights songs by artists who seem to be undergoing an identity crisis -- musicians who aren't quite themselves, who apparently woke up a bit off of their game. So these five tunes sound sort of like what you've come to expect from their creators, but not quite, w ... More >>

Black Milk

​This week's edition of 5ingles spotlights songs by artists who seem to be undergoing an identity crisis -- musicians who aren't quite themselves, who apparently woke up a bit off of their game. So these five tunes sound sort of like what you've come to expect from their creators, but not quite, w ... More >>

B-Boy J-Sun Presents: Hip Hop?

​This week's edition of 5ingles spotlights songs by artists who seem to be undergoing an identity crisis -- musicians who aren't quite themselves, who apparently woke up a bit off of their game. So these five tunes sound sort of like what you've come to expect from their creators, but not quite, w ... More >>

Shabazz Palaces

​This week's edition of 5ingles spotlights songs by artists who seem to be undergoing an identity crisis -- musicians who aren't quite themselves, who apparently woke up a bit off of their game. So these five tunes sound sort of like what you've come to expect from their creators, but not quite, w ... More >>

Lil' Twist on Adele, his name, and his mentor Lil Wayne

​Minneapolis has a tendency to become so preoccupied with the local backpack rap mainstays that commercial hip-hop oftentimes gets lost in the periphery. Chalk it up to Rhymesayers loyalty or the fact that a majority of big-ticket rap promoters have settled on dismissing Minneapolis as a flyover c ... More >>

Soundset 2012 lineup announced, includes Big K.R.I.T.

​ Officially on its fifth year of making the Twin Cities a legitimate festival destination for hip-hop lovers, Soundset will celebrate a handful of years when it returns to Canterbury on Sunday, May 27.