This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. Listen 6:14 Clarinetist David ...

Hip-hop purists and boom-bap enthusiasts alike recognize Funky Technician as a landmark release in the genre’s golden era. Released on February 6, 1990, through Wild Pitch Records, this debut album ...

This story corrects the day of the performances of "Hip Hop Nutcracker." It was June of 1980 when Kurtis Blow released “The Breaks,” the first rap song to be certified gold and one of the first hits ...

This story is part of our new Hip-Hop: ’73 Till Infinity series, a celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary. Producers are just as (if not more) important than MCs on a track. As much as fans care ...

From the Bronx block parties to Twitch streams, hip-hop’s heartbeat has always been community-driven. Sampling, innovation, and cultural connection keep the genre alive across decades. Now, curated ...

As the legendary DJ Premiere once said, “Hip-hop is about style and finesse and being creative and different. And to do that you have to be ballsy enough to not do what everybody else does.” Rap music ...

About 13 years ago, a friend told rap icon Kurtis Blow he would be perfect for a new project called "The Hip Hop Nutcracker" and invited him to check out a rehearsal. Blow had no idea what to expect.

Discover the essential music instruments for creating captivating Hip Hop beats. Explore drum machines, synthesizers, and samplers, and learn valuable tips for choosing the right instrument to achieve ...

Spotify has released a list of what it considers to be the 50 greatest hip-hop beats of all time in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Bronx-born music genre later this year. The list consists ...

As it celebrates its 50th birthday, we are mapping hip-hop's story on a local level, with more than a dozen city-specific histories of the music and culture. Click here to see the entire list. If you ...

There’s a raw energy in the air—a palpable, jittery anticipation as the old guard of hip-hop production gets tossed aside by the relentless force of technological innovation and cultural upheaval.