Appreciation: Remembering Saafir, California’s avant garde rap innovator
Hip-hop fans around the world were shocked this week to hear the sad news that one of California’s all-time great rap innovators, Saafir, died Tuesday…
Remembering Quincy Jones with his own words in the L.A. Times
The late Quincy Jones’ life spanned the entirety of modern American pop music — a tradition he absorbed, influenced and reinvented for generations. It’s remarkable…
Lil Wayne says Super Bowl Halftime show snub ‘broke me’
Although devastated that he wasn’t selected to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show in his hometown of New Orleans, Lil Wayne said Thursday that…
Opinion: Denigrating Drake, and Kamala Harris, as ‘Not Like Us’
On the same day that former President Trump claimed before a national gathering of Black journalists that Vice President Kamala Harris “was Indian all the…
Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees cancel 2024 tour
Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees have called off a U.S. tour that was set to begin Friday.Concert dates listed on Ticketmaster were updated Tuesday…
‘Kneecap’ review: Rowdy Irish rap trio tells its own story
A pair of proudly Irish-speaking lads stump for their marginalized native language when they become underground rappers in the box-bursting, enjoyable “Kneecap.” That’s also the…
Missy Elliott, rap’s freakiest visionary, had never toured. Until now
Back when the rapper Missy Elliott embarked on her first headline tour, she turned heads for the alien brilliance of her music. She was confident…
Questlove declares hip-hop ‘history’ in more ways than one
Book Review Hip-Hop is History By Questlove with Ben GreenmanAuwa: 352 pages, $30If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a…
A Chinese flavour of rap music is flourishing as emerging musicians find their voices
In 2018, the censors who oversee Chinese media issued a directive to the nation's entertainment industry: Don't feature artists with tattoos and those who represent…
Feds raid Sean Combs’ homes in sex-trafficking case, sources say
Homeland Security agents conducted searches of Holmby Hills and Miami mansions owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs on Monday as part of a federal inquiry into…
Half-a-century later, hip hop’s accidental heroes Cymande get their moment in the sun
You might not have heard their name but you've probably heard their music.London band Cymande's unique blend of funk, jazz, soul and reggae didn't garner…
Kanye West barely performs onstage at Rolling Loud
Whatever Kanye West was paid to headline the first night of this weekend’s Rolling Loud California festival, it was easy money. Onstage for about an…