Rap

Music

Chilly Gonzales breaks down the essence of music

A life less ordinary — The most interesting mind in music talks breaking rules, chasing fame and soundtracking the World Cup Final.

Written by: Cian Traynor

Music

The rise of Sampa the Great: hip hop's brightest spark

Giving into greatness — Sampa Tembo's family hoped she’d lead a conventional life: one where music was just a backup plan. But that was never going to happen. Instead she started opening for the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Joey Bada$$, winning acclaim for her socially conscious rhymes. Now, with a debut album on the way, the 24-year-old is primed for a major breakthrough.

Written by: Niall Flynn

Magazine

The Native American rapper turning rhymes into activism

A different kind of superhero — After a difficult upbringing and a foray into petty crime, Supaman found himself – and his purpose – through hip hop. Now he’s determined to elevate other voices.

Written by: James Stout

Activism

This Syrian rapper risked everything for freedom. Now he wants the world to listen

From activist to outcast — In his homeland of Syria, Mohammad Abu Hajar is considered a fugitive – a political musician who wore out his welcome. But in Berlin, where he lives in exile, the right to exist poses a new set of challenges.

Written by: Lara Atallah

Music

Inside the unlikely hip hop scene taking root in Italy

Brothers in the barrios — On the outskirts of Milan, a divided city rife with tension, photographer Roberto Ramirez has uncovered a stigmatised community bonding over the power of rap.

Written by: Cian Traynor

Magazine

Iceland's female hip-hop collective is changing the game

Daughters of Reykjavik — With songs about slut-shaming and body positivity, Iceland's punkest hip-hop crew are finally putting the country's female rappers on the map.

Written by: Katy Beth Young

Music

Awate: The North London rapper fighting for racial justice

Music video premiere — Awate premieres 'Uncontrollable Dopeness' on Huck and talks about confronting racism on the streets and his family’s freedom fighting heritage.

Written by: Alex King

Film

The rappers who took down an African 'dictator'

The Revolution Won't be Televised — Filmmaker Rama Thiaw documented how rappers Thiat and Kilifeu led Senegal’s Y’en a Marre youth resistance movement to topple despised president Abdoulaye Wade.

Written by: Alex King

Music

Cakes da Killa: A fresh voice shaking up hip-hop

A serious slice of attitude — Having shot to attention for being an openly gay rapper with a dirty mind, Cakes da Killa is steering attention back to where it should be: his skills on the mic.

Written by: Cian Traynor

Music

Stretch & Bobbito: The story of hip hop’s greatest tastemakers

Radio that changed lives — From Nas to Jay Z, Eminem to Notorious B.I.G., some of the biggest rappers got their start on an independent, underground radio show in the middle of the night. Now its story is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Written by: Cian Traynor

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