Album
V9 is bringing his larger-than-life personality to drill music
Murk with a Mouth — Following the recent release of his highly-anticipated mixtape, the rapper talks injecting humour and fun into his sound and challenging drill stereotypes.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Duval Timothy is using jazz to reckon with his heritage
Striking a chord — Ahead of the release of his new album with vocalist Rosie Lowe, the multidisciplinary artist and pianist reflects on incorporating his West African identity into his work and carving out his own sound.
Written by: Ammar Kalia
Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity
‘I feel an urgency to be heard’ — Ahead of the release of her debut album, the 22-year-old singer talks resisting the erasure of Black and brown women’s voices and leaning into her Bangladeshi roots.
Written by: Bethan Harper
Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs
‘He was the heart of the band‘ — Over a year ago, hip hop band Injury Reserve tragically lost one of its three members. Now, amid the release of their new album, the band’s remaining artists, Ritchie With A T and Parker Corey, are facing up to and finding ways to honour the late rapper’s legacy.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
Common is starting his own beautiful revolution
‘Biden must be held to account‘ — Ahead of the release of his new album, the 49-year-old rapper talks mixing his art with politics, and working alongside music’s greats.
Written by: Jeremy Allen
Rostam Batmanglij is facing up to change
New beginnings — Following the release of his latest album, the former Vampire Weekend musician talks bad art, embracing newness and resisting being boxed in.
Written by: Rhys Thomas
Drakeo The Ruler’s reign has only just begun
Finally free — After being released from prison last November, the LA-based artist has been busy working on multiple projects and is now gearing up to take his pioneering brand of West Coast rap to even bigger audiences.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
The Mitchell Brothers, British rap’s forgotten duo
Geezers with skills — In the early noughties, Owura “Tony” Nyanin and Kofi “Teddy” Hanson were signed to Mike Skinner’s label and two of the UK’s most influential MCs – then they disappeared. Now reunited over a decade later, the pair say the world wasn’t ready for them.
Written by: Sam Davies
Keleketla!: A global music and activism collaboration
From LA to Lagos — We talk to London DJ duo Coldcut about their new project, which features a cast of rising (and already established) musical talent from around the world.
Written by: Jeremy Allen
