For the bulk of February, New York’s 50 Cent and Atlanta’s T.I. found themselves at the center of 2026’s first major rap beef.

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have unveiled the song "Dancing" from their SATCHVAI project. The music video for the track stars ...

Why, in an era when music's biggest stars are more outspoken than ever, does it feel like we're still waiting for the contemporary political anthem?

The cause of death for Lil Jon's son Nathan Smith has been determined to be "drowning in the setting of psilocybin use." Smith, a.k.a. DJ Young Slade, was reported missing on Feb. 3 after leaving his ...

Emerging from a swirl of sonic influences, reggaeton began as Panamanian protest music long before Puerto Rican artists ...

To get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, here are some of The Root’s favorite rap love songs. While hip-hop is often characterized by its bravado and aggression, the genre has also flourished ...

What's going on with rap? After celebrating 50 years of legacy in 2023 with marquee moments like the Hip Hop 50 multi-headliner concert at Yankee Stadium, plus Kendrick Lamar's historic run – capped ...

Rap in 2025 was all about experimentation. From the year’s first runaway hit, NBA player-turned-musician Gelo’s single “Tweaker,” to the maximalist ecclesiastics of Playboi Carti’s Music, or even in ...

Every year, we’re told that hip-hop is in crisis. But if you ask us, it feels like there’s too much heat to keep up with. What’s lost on the chart-watchers lamenting rap’s mainstream lull is that the ...

Did you know that David Bowie once had a moment in rap music? Unsurprisingly, the art rock legend had no issue with diving into new territory. “Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)” was released back in 1987 ...

The nominees for Best Rap Song at the 2026 Grammys are in. Grammy SZN has officially commenced. On Friday (Nov. 7), The Recording Academy revealed all the nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Yesterday, Billboard deputy editor and Stereogum buddy Andrew Unterberger published a piece with some confusing implications: On last week's Billboard Hot 100, there were no rap songs in the top 40.