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Rap

Opinion

What #AlexFromGlasto shows us about race in the UK

Black and white — After being plucked from the crowd at Glastonbury to rap alongside Dave, the teen became a national treasure – but would it have happened if he was black?

Written by: Jeffrey Boakye

Music

Capturing hip hop’s biggest stars, before they were famous

From the source — Nigerian-American photographer Chi Modu took intimate portraits of rappers – including Nas, Method Man, and 2Pac – on the brink of success.

Written by: Jesse Bernard

Art

Hip hop photography, remixed by iconic graffiti artists

The mash-up — Legendary New York photographer Janette Beckman hands her work over to the world’s biggest streets artists for new project, The Mash-Up.

Written by: Miss Rosen

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

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