Sly Stone Painted Black Music in Strokes of Revolution Sly Stone’s artistic contributions continue reverberating through all of Black music. featured March 16, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Jack Harlow, Earl Sweatshirt & Mike, 50 Cent, Thundercat, Nas and More This week’s new music Friday also features Elucid, Samara Cyn, 50 Cent and YG. featured March 13, 2026
Questlove Teases Soulquarians Reunion The Roots drummer says the death of D’Angelo has inspired him to revisit the famed musical collective. news March 10, 2026
Raphael Saadiq Was Never Just ‘Neo-Soul’ A sold-out Blue Note Los Angeles show highlights the music pioneer’s ongoing resurgence and why he’s always stretched beyond the “neo-soul” label. featured March 10, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Denzel Curry & The Scythe, Gnarls Barkley, Ty Dolla $ign, Jorja Smith, Flying Lotus and More This week’s new music Friday also features Omarion, Cypress Hill, Kevin Gates, Ayra Starr and Terrace Martin. featured March 6, 2026
10 De La Soul Songs That Will Make You Levitate Here are some singles, deep cuts, and favorites that perfectly showcase the breezy, eclectic genius of Pos, Maseo and the late Trugoy. entertainment March 4, 2026
De La Soul Rocks NPR’s “Tiny Desk” The famed crew from Long Island celebrates their legacy and catalog on the popular online concert series. entertainment March 3, 2026
Drake Wasn’t Allowed on Lil Wayne’s Tour Bus Because Bloods Were on it, Says Director Before he became way too rich and powerful to keep out of anywhere, Drake apparently wasn’t allowed on Lil Wayne’s tour bus. news March 3, 2026
Albums We're Excited for in March From Gnarls Barkley to Ty Dolla $ign, the spring kicks off with an eclectic slate of releases from across the musical spectrum. entertainment March 2, 2026
Celebrating 25 Years of J Dilla's 'Welcome 2 Detroit' On 'Welcome 2 Detroit,' the legendary rapper/producer did more than just announce himself, he painted a picture of his city using a palette from throughout the diaspora. featured February 27, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Bruno Mars, Juvenile and Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gnarls Barkley, Fredo Bang and More This week’s new music Friday also features Gorillaz, Freddie Gibbs, Sean Paul, Coi Leray and Brother Ali. entertainment February 27, 2026
Player’s Pass with LA REEZY: La Reezy Carries Malcolm X’s Message in His Own Work Honoring the 61st commemoration of Malcolm X, La Reezy reflects on culture, independence, and the responsibility of carrying New Orleans’ sound with purpose. featured February 27, 2026
Okayplayer Exclusive: Juvenile and Megan Thee Stallion Link Up on “B.B.B. (Remix)” Juvie’s return gets a Megan assist, bringing two rap generations together on one record. entertainment February 27, 2026
Pursuit of Happiness: Bushy B’s Headphones are an Escape — Whether He’s Listening to Music or Not For the latest edition of Pursuit of Happiness, Miami’s own Bushy B breaks down just how he finds momentary peace. wellness February 25, 2026
Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ Reboot Casts Danielle Deadwyler as Lead The acclaimed actress will be one of the two main stars of the upcoming reimagining of the popular sci-fi franchise. news February 24, 2026
This is What Black History Sounds Like A century of songs that didn’t just reflect the moment — they shaped eras, sparked movements, and carried the joy and resistance that define Black life. featured February 24, 2026
An Investigation: The Case for Baby Keem as the Best Nepo Rapper Ever Trading in my fitted for a fedora and white tee for a trench coat, I probe the possibility that pgLang’s Golden Child just may be the strongest branch of hip-hop’s sprawling family tree. entertainment February 23, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Baby Keem, SZA, J.I.D, Thundercat & Mac Miller and More This week’s new music Friday also features Mozzy, Young Thug, Jorja Smith, Khalid and Dave East. entertainment February 20, 2026
‘The Almanac of Rap’ Returns for Season 4 The two-time Webby Award-winning Okayplayer podcast returns Feb. 26 with a new slate of heavyweights and deeper conversation rooted in hip-hop history. featured February 19, 2026
Phonte, Bilal and More Help the Roots Take Over the Brooklyn Bowl on Valentine’s Day The Roots’ first performance of 2026 unfolded at the Brooklyn Bowl this past weekend — and it didn’t disappoint. entertainment February 17, 2026
Flea Releases Cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist reimagined the ‘Channel Orange’ hit as an instrumental. entertainment February 17, 2026
Not Your Soft Launch: 41’s Ratchet Valentine’s Playlist The Brooklyn rap trio curates a playlist for sneaky links, situationships and love that doesn’t whisper. entertainment February 13, 2026
The Listening: New Music From Jill Scott, Brent Faiyaz, Victoria Monet, Mary J. Blige, Ras Kass and More This week’s new music Friday also features Jamie Foxx, Central Cee, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Denzel Curry and Justine Skye entertainment February 13, 2026
Rediscovered: 2Pac’s ‘All Eyez on Me’ Turns 30 On his fourth album, the iconic rapper embraced the villain role and his status as Death Row’s newest superstar, but beneath all of the rage, there is a sense of pain, as well as purpose. featured February 13, 2026
J. Cole’s ‘The Fall-Off’ Is Lifted and Hindered By Its Ambition J. Cole’s latest album, ‘The Fall-Off,’ is sprawling, skillful, and doing a little too much. entertainment February 10, 2026
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Proves Radical Moves Don’t Have to Be Loud At a moment when expectations of protest were high, Bad Bunny delivered a halftime show centered on culture and belonging instead of controversy. featured February 10, 2026
5 Best Moments From Super Bowl LX, Including Bad Bunny From Kenneth Walker III’s MVP performance to Coco Jones channeling Whitney Houston, these were the big moments from the big game. featured February 9, 2026
Super Bowl-Bound Benito: 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Listening to Bad Bunny Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio is not your regular artist, but a performer creating a full-blown cultural movement. entertainment February 6, 2026
The Listening: J. Cole, Ella Mai, Fredo Bang, Ransom & Boldy James, RZA and More This week’s new music Friday also features Ty Dolla $ign, Raahiim, Stove God Cooks, Public Enemy and Ariel J. entertainment February 6, 2026
Pursuit of Happiness: Fredo Bang Would Rather Watch ‘Inuyasha’ Than Argue Online Fredo Bang is just the latest example that the path to happiness isn’t the same for everyone. wellness February 4, 2026
What’s the Price of Manhood? Moses the Black and the Consequences of Drill-Era Masculinity A look at masculinity, survival and consequence through the lens of ‘Moses the Black’ and drill-era reality. featured February 2, 2026
The Listening: J. Cole, Mya, Wiz Khalifa, Dave East & Joyner Lucas, Terrace Martin and More This week’s new music Friday also features E-40, Thundercat, Alchemist, Kelly Rowland and Tems. entertainment January 30, 2026
J. Cole Wants ‘The Fall-Off’ to Be His Best Album. Here’s How He Can Do It With his seventh and final album on the horizon, J. Cole has the opportunity to cap off his legendary career with his greatest work yet. Here’s how he can make 'The Fall-Off' the masterpiece fans deserve. featured January 30, 2026
Do Grammys Still Matter? Artists Tell Okayplayer Why They Do As conversations around the Grammys continue, artists like Rapsody and Terrace Martin reflect on what the recognition still represents at this point in their careers. entertainment January 30, 2026
If 2026 Is the New 2016, Rihanna’s 'ANTI' Was the Blueprint A decade later, Rihanna’s most unapologetic album still shapes music, fashion and culture. entertainment January 29, 2026
How Drake, Jay-Z and the NBA Speak the Same Language From locker rooms and warmups to highlight reels and All-Star Weekend, here's how music became basketball’s unofficial language. featured January 28, 2026
5 J. Cole ‘Birthday Blizzard '26’ Lyrics That Will Make You Sorry for Hating The North Carolina spitter unloaded a surprise new project just ahead of his birthday, and Okayplayer breaks down the best bars. entertainment January 28, 2026
On 'Vacancy,' Ari Lennox Sinks Smoothly Into Hard-Earned Freedom Ari Lennox’s latest album is her first since she departed Dreamville Records last year. entertainment January 28, 2026
J. Cole Drops Surprise New Mixtape, 'Birthday Blizzard '26' The DJ-Clue hosted mixtape arrives ahead of his new album, ‘The Fall Off,’ which is supposed to drop next week. entertainment January 28, 2026
Regina Hall to Star in Netflix Series With Adam Driver Thriller series ‘Rabbit, Rabbit’ got a straight-to-series order from the streaming giant back in October. news January 27, 2026
Roc Marciano’s ‘656’ Is Another Minimalist Masterpiece Roc Marciano’s entirely self-produced album only reinforces his legend. entertainment January 26, 2026
‘The Vince Staples Show’ Wasn’t Perfect, But it Was Too Good For Netflix Anyway The streaming platform canceled Staples’ show after just 11 episodes, before its strange world could blossom into something beautiful entertainment January 26, 2026
Delroy Lindo’s First Oscar Nomination is Beautiful — But Also Decades Late The 73-year-old is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler’s 2025 hit ‘Sinners.’ entertainment January 26, 2026
The Listening: Roc Marciano, Ari Lennox, T.I., Juvenile, DaBaby and More This week’s new music Friday also features Flo Milli, Denzel Curry, Nija, Wiz Khalifa and Roc Marciano. entertainment January 23, 2026
‘Sinners’ Scores Most Oscar Nominations in History Ryan Coogler’s hit leads all films with 16 nominations, including Best Picture. entertainment January 22, 2026
A$AP Rocky’s ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ Is a Convoluted, But Rewarding Blockbuster A$AP Rocky’s latest album can be a bit sprawling for its own good, but his superhuman cool holds the vista together. entertainment January 20, 2026
Roc Marciano Drops His New Album, ‘656,’ This Friday This week, Roc Marciano is dropping off a new LP that’s largely self-produced. entertainment January 20, 2026
The Listening: J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Ella Mai, Fivio Foreign and More This week’s new music Friday also features Wiz Khalifa, Lexa Gates, Charlie XCX, NBA Youngboy and Gunna. entertainment January 16, 2026
