The Listening: New Music From Vince Staples, Flo Milli, Smoke DZA, Tinashe, Bryson Tiller and More This week’s new music Friday also features Paul Wall, Tierra Whack, Shaboozey, Vybz Kartel, and Pitbull with Lil Jon. featured June 5, 2026
All of Drake’s No. 1 Singles, Ranked From Worst to Best Following Drake’s latest chart-topping single, Okayplayer ranks all of his No. 1 songs. featured June 5, 2026
Jharrel Jerome Says He Used to Rap for Entry Into Basketball Games Jharrel Jerome shares how a childhood love of rap and storytelling laid the foundation for his acting career. featured June 5, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside with SALIMATA The eclectic New York rapper enjoys a free-spirited existence consisting of wake and bakes, good friends, Yoga classes and studio recording sessions. new york June 5, 2026
Donwill's Black Music Month Podcast Mixtape A handpicked collection of independent podcasts covering music, culture, history and wellness. featured June 4, 2026
25 Black Artists Who Helped Shape Modern Music Influence isn't always about who came first. It's about whose fingerprints still show up everywhere. These 25 artists helped shape the sound of modern music as we know it. featured June 4, 2026
JAŸ-Z Channels His Inner Marlo Stanfield at The 2026 Roots Picnic Taking the stage at this year’s Roots Picnic, JAŸ-Z reminded fans that his name is, indeed, his name, during a virtuosic performance. featured June 4, 2026
Albums We’re Excited For in June As summer kicks off, there are several hot upcoming releases from Lizzo, Vince Staples, Rick Ross and more. entertainment June 2, 2026
Okayplayer Exclusive: Here's What Happened at The Roots Picnic 2026 From Jay-Z's first performance in five years and Erykah Badu's closing set to surprise reunions, exclusive artist reflections and unforgettable moments at Belmont Plateau, here's what we experienced at The Roots Picnic 2026. featured June 2, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Latto, Future & Tyla, Young M.A, Flo Milli, Anderson .Paak and More This week’s new music Friday also features Freddie Gibbs, G Herbo, PJ Morton, Rome Streetz, 38 Spesh and Wyclef. entertainment May 29, 2026
Sequoia Holmes on Black Alternative Culture, Paramore and The Emo Era The ‘Black People Love Paramore’ creator joins Donwill for a conversation about pop punk nostalgia, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the evolving relationship between rap, rock and alternative music. featured May 29, 2026
Okayplayer Partners With VP Records and Greensleeves Records to Bring Reggae Classics to OkayShop Featuring artists like Gregory Isaacs, Sister Nancy, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Augustus Pablo and Beenie Man, the new OkayShop collection celebrates decades of Caribbean music history and influence. featured May 29, 2026
So What Exactly is Experimental Rap Anyway? We Asked Six Rappers, Producers and Journalists Industry insiders mull over the history of "experimental" as a label for hip-hop and whether the term is functional, redundant or useless. featured May 28, 2026
Artists Are Still Navigating Mental Health Without Consistent Industry Support Big Boss Vette and MusiCares speak on the growing gaps in mental health and wellness support throughout the music industry. wellness May 27, 2026
Gucci Mane Opens Up About Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Diagnoses The trap superstar discussed the diagnoses in his 2025 book 'Episodes,' and recently elaborated in an interview with 'Nightline.' wellness May 27, 2026
Roots Picnic: How It Started vs. How It’s Going Across 18 years, Roots Picnic has bridged genres, eras and generations of Black music while documenting the moments that helped shape Black music and culture over time. featured May 27, 2026
10 Times Hip-Hop and R&B Artists Paid Tribute to Miles Davis Through Music From Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu to Thundercat and André 3000, Miles Davis’ influence continues to live through contemporary Black music. featured May 26, 2026
The Listening: New Music From JPEGMAFIA, 6LACK, Vince Staples, Veeze and More This week’s new music Friday also features Johnny Gill, French Montana & Max B, Ro James, K Camp and Adrian Younge. featured May 22, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Phil Adé The DMV-based, Nigerian American rapper/songwriter maintains an enviable, balanced lifestyle that accommodates his relentless creative drive and calming relaxation routine. featured May 22, 2026
Grafh Recalls Pushing Back When Teddy Riley Asked Him to Change Part of a Verse Grafh shares how an early studio session with Teddy Riley taught him to trust his instincts. featured May 21, 2026
5 Takeaways From Drake’s New Album, ‘Iceman’ The rap superstar drops three albums and addresses his ongoing rivalries and feuds with Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and more. We break it all down. featured May 15, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Drake, Chip Fu, Mya, Shakira & Burna Boy, Victoria Monet, Giveon and More This week’s new music Friday also features Jorja Smith, Kurupt & Snoop Dogg, Shaggy, Kevin Gates and Tank & The Bangas. featured May 15, 2026
Michael Holman Talks ‘Graffiti Rock,’ Basquiat and Hip-Hop’s Four Elements on ‘The Almanac of Rap’ The filmmaker and musician reflects on working alongside Fab Five Freddy, Basquiat and other pioneers during hip-hop’s formative years. featured May 14, 2026
Pursuit of Happiness: For Fergie Baby, Honesty is Next to Godliness For the latest edition of Pursuit of Happiness, Harlem’s own Fergie Baby breaks down how basketball and unplugging from the internet help keep him on point. wellness May 13, 2026
Black Thought Breaks Down His Favorite Foods and His Fitness Routine The Roots frontman talked to NY Mag about what he likes to eat and his weekly lifestyle. wellness May 13, 2026
Every Drake Album, Ranked From Worst to Best Today, ahead of his Iceman album. Okayplayer ranks Drake’s projects from absolute worst to best. featured May 12, 2026
Five Best Moments From Rick Ross and French Montana Verzuz The latest entry in the popular battle series took place in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 7. featured May 8, 2026
The Listening: New Music From T.I., Anderson .Paak, Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor & Wale, Cash Cobain and More This week’s new music Friday also features Chaka Khan, Khalid, DJ Premier & Alchemist, Too $hort with E-40 and Tyga, Little Simz, and AZ. featured May 8, 2026
Rapsody, Dionne Warwick, Durand Bernarr and More Share What Their Moms Said When They Wanted to Pursue Music For Mother’s Day, artists revisit the first conversations they had with their moms about choosing music as a career. featured May 8, 2026
Raekwon Says Wu-Tang Clan Doesn’t Get Enough Credit for Changing Hip-Hop Raekwon reflects on legacy, ownership and why he believes Wu-Tang’s impact on the rap game deserves more recognition. featured May 7, 2026
Shaggy to Host ‘Lottery’ Album Signing at I AM CARIBBEING in Brooklyn The new album features appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Jeremih and more. featured May 6, 2026
Teyana Taylor, Beyoncé, Colman Domingo and More Stun on the Met Gala Red Carpet The annual fashion showcase raised a staggering $42 million for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. featured May 5, 2026
Albums We’re Excited For in May From Drake’s ‘Iceman’ to the return of Isaiah Rashad and the big delivery from Latto, this month has a wealth of highly anticipated releases. featured May 4, 2026
Player’s Pass With Jane Handcock: The Future of Soul Ahead of her debut at the Blue Note, Okayplayer sat down with Jane Handcock for an intimate conversation about the moments that shaped her soulful sound and what’s next. featured May 4, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Lizzo, Isaiah Rashad, Chris Brown & Leon Thomas, Mya, Durand Bernarr and More This week’s new music Friday also features Lil TJay, Meek Mill, Bryson Tiller, The-Dream, and B.O.B. entertainment May 1, 2026
Okayplayer Exclusive: 25 Years Later, Shyne is Finally Performing His Debut Album Ahead of his first headlining show at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre, Shyne reflects on his self-titled debut album, the years after his career was cut short and what's to come. featured April 30, 2026
Lizzo’s Openness About Her Body Journey is Her Greatest Strength The Grammy winner has invited fans along for every step of her fitness experience. wellness April 29, 2026
Rediscovered: Drake’s ‘Views’ Released in 2016, Drake’s ‘Views’ codified the value of cross-diaspora synthesis. featured April 29, 2026
Inside ‘Michael’: How the Film Recreates the Performances That Defined Michael Jackson Through performance, design and meticulous attention to detail, ‘Michael’ aims to capture what it felt like to watch Michael Jackson at his peak. featured April 29, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Kehlani, Reason, Fredo Bang & BigXThaPlug Latto & GloRilla and More This week’s new music Friday also features Denzel Curry, Cypress Hill, Action Bronson, BLU & Exile and Akon. featured April 24, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Crystal Caines The multifaceted Harlemite with proud Guyanese roots shares her eclectic picks for creative relaxation in NYC new york April 24, 2026
Pursuit of Happiness: Blu & Exile Let Time — and Friends — Do Its Job Fresh off dropping their latest album, Time Heals Everything, Blu & Exile discuss their continual mental health maintenance. wellness April 22, 2026
Inside Sly Stone’s Final Years: Family, Clarity and Joy In his final years, Sly Stone found sobriety, spent more time with his family, and experienced a quieter sense of clarity and closeness. featured April 22, 2026
From Bieber's Star-Studded Set to The Strokes’ Statement: The 5 Best Moments at Coachella 2026 Weekend 2 Superstars took the stage in the desert for the popular music and culture festival. entertainment April 20, 2026
The Listening: New Music From 6LACK, Tyla, Benny The Butcher, Ludacris and More This week’s new music Friday also features 50 Cent, The Kid Laroi, Teedra Moses, Red Cafe, Adrian Younge and Honey Dijon. featured April 17, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring JWords Come along on a Brooklyn tour with a DJ, vocalist and producer known for consistently vibing at a higher frequency. new york April 17, 2026
From Clipse to FKA Twigs: The 5 Best Moments at Coachella 2026 Weekend 1 Superstars took the stage in the desert for the popular music and culture festival. featured April 13, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Doechii and Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Gucci Mane, Kehlani, Isaiah Rashad, Joyner Lucas and More This week’s new music Friday also features DJ Khaled, Future, Tink, Bossman DLow and AZ. entertainment April 10, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Yaya Bey The free-spirited singer/songwriter is dropping a new project this April, but in the meantime, she shares her favorite NYC chill-out joints. new york April 10, 2026
Fergie Baby is the Latest Member of Harlem’s Fellowship of Fly Riding the success of “A Good Day to be in Harlem,” Fergie Baby is positioning himself as Uptown’s proverbial next up. featured April 7, 2026
If Funk Had a Mount Rushmore, These Four Are on It You can’t say “Mount Rushmore” in music without starting a debate. So when it comes to funk, here’s our case for the four artists who earned a spot on the mountain. featured April 6, 2026
Okayplayer Exclusive: Fetty Wap’s Return Feels Bigger Than a Comeback Ten years after his run helped define a generation’s summer, Fetty Wap returns with Zavier, a more reflective, evolved sound and a chance to tap back into something people have been wanting to feel again. featured April 4, 2026
Rediscovered: Maxwell’s 'Urban Hang Suite’ The landmark album helped announce the singer-songwriter from Brooklyn and further affirmed neo-soul. entertainment April 3, 2026
Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE Shapeshift on Surf Gang-Produced ‘Pompeii // Utility’ On their new, Surf Gang-produced joint project, Earl Sweatshirt and Mike are masterful shapeshifters. entertainment April 3, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Meek Mill, MIKE & Earl Sweatshirt with Surf Gang This week’s new music Friday also features Tank, Swae Lee, YG, Estelle and Lil Yachty. entertainment April 3, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Dante Hillmedo Take a stroll through NYC with a Bronx-born auteur with proud Jamaican roots and a bold artistic vision. new york April 3, 2026
Moments Sly Stone Would've Broken the Internet A look at the Sly Stone moments that would’ve taken over timelines if social media existed during his peak. featured April 2, 2026
Okayplayer Exclusive: Dionne Warwick is Entering Her Final Chapter in Music and She’s Letting What’s Next Come to Her As she prepares to release her collaborative album, DWuets, the 85-year-old icon reflects on women in music, six decades in the industry and embracing whatever comes next. featured April 1, 2026
Pursuit of Happiness: Mannie Fresh Finds Serenity in Spare Car Parts For the latest edition of Pursuit of Happiness, Mannie Fresh breaks down the role of the DJ in community care, fixing broken cars and more. wellness April 1, 2026
Sly Stone — The First Rap Superstar? Cloaked in otherworldly, funky style, Sly Stone was a rap superstar before hip-hop even existed. featured March 30, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Central Cee, Snoop Dogg, Fetty Wap, The LOX & Jaheim, Kota The Friend and More This week’s new music Friday also features Chief Keef, Ne-Yo, and Westside Gunn. entertainment March 27, 2026
Bun B Reveals André 3000 Didn’t Want to Shoot the “Int’l Players Anthem” Video On 'The Almanac of Rap,' Bun B shares how he convinced André 3000 to appear in the “Int’l Players Anthem” video. featured March 26, 2026
The Women Leading the Island Music Conference Deserve Their Flowers Now, Not Later The women leading the charge at the Island Music Conference aren’t just behind the scenes, they’re shaping the culture, building community and making space for what’s next. featured March 23, 2026
The Sly & The Family Stone Songs That Became Funk Anthems From “Everyday People” to “Family Affair,” these songs capture the joy, protest and spirit that made Sly & The Family Stone one of funk’s most influential forces. featured March 23, 2026
10 Things to Expect at 2026 Roots Picnic With JAŸ-Z and Erykah Badu HOV and Erykah Badu will take the stage at the festival. What else is going to go down? featured March 20, 2026
