#R.I.P. Beatking, Houston’s hometown hero

#R.I.P. Beatking, Houston’s hometown hero

An elegy for the self-proclaimed Club Godzilla, who passed suddenly at 39. Beatking. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images   Before I ever heard a song by Beatking, his shirts announced the vibe, bearing 150-point Impact font slogans like “GUM IS NOT TOOTHPASTE,” “Squirting is cool but it stank,” and “STOP MOVING TO HOUSTON.” The tees…

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#We don’t need a tapped-in president

#We don’t need a tapped-in president

The 2024 presidential rap primary is almost as depressing as the election itself. Donald Trump, Sheff G, and Sleepy Hallow in the Bronx. Photo by Steven Ferdman/GC Images   When Kanye West revealed his support for Trump back in 2016 it was a scandal; nowadays, a rapper backing the 2024 Republican presidential nominee is barely…

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#It’s feeling like a skaiwater summer

#It’s feeling like a skaiwater summer

The Nottingham rapper and producer refracts their omnivorous music taste into a singular vision on their new album #gigi. skaiwater. Photo via publicist.   skaiwater is nonbinary and uses he, she, and they pronouns; this interview uses the singular they for consistency. skaiwater “hates asking for help,” they admit halfway through our call, but that…

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#d0llywood1 wants you to love digicore, too

#d0llywood1 wants you to love digicore, too

d0llywood1 wants you to love digicore, too The Louisiana rapper discusses her growth as a lyricist, balancing vulnerability and accessibility, and her new mixtape This is just a Dream (and soon I will awake). By Vivian Medithi d0llywood1. Photo by @shots.by.renzi.   How do you explain digicore to someone unfamiliar with the genre? d0llywood1 offers…

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#Anycia doesn’t believe in fear

#Anycia doesn’t believe in fear

The 26-year-old rapper from Atlanta talks to The FADER about horror movies, touring with Veeze, and her new album Princess Pop That. Anycia. Photo via publicist   It’s a Thursday in early April and Anycia is calling me in the middle of getting her nails done. The 26-year-old rapper is supposed to be relaxing: she’s…

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