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
How to Be Outside, Inside with Cebo Campbell The accomplished author shares his favorite brunch spots and NYC havens for inspiration and relaxation. new york March 13, 2026
Rap’s Younger Generation Deserves More Credit Than it Gets On episode 3 of 'The Almanac of Rap,' 9th Wonder and Reuben Vincent push back on the idea that younger artists don’t understand hip-hop’s depth or history. featured March 12, 2026
Ice Spice, Kai Cenat and Cardi B on Social Media and Depression: “The internet got me afraid of winning” Celebs have opened up about how much online trolls and gossip bloggers impacted their psyche. wellness March 11, 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
Lakeyah Honored Women Music Icons for International Women's Day The Milwaukee rapper showed love to legends like Lauryn Hill while also praising upstarts like YKNiece. news March 9, 2026
Jake One Talks Producing John Cena’s Theme Song, Type Beats, and the Real Cost of Production Tune into 'The Almanac of Rap' season 4 episode 2, featuring Jake One. featured March 9, 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
What’s Free to Do in New York: LEGO Star Wars Experience, Free Acting Class and More A special, interactive Star Wars experience, free acting class, and a Women’s History Month pop-up exhibit are among the dope free things you can do this weekend. new york March 6, 2026
DJ J-Que Reflects on Legacy of Swisha House Founder DJ Michael “5000” Watts The Houston radio host remembers the Swisha House founder’s lasting influence on hip-hop. featured March 5, 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
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
5 Best Moments from the 2026 NAACP Image Awards Black excellence was on full display in Pasadena, in what was a big night for ‘Sinners,’ as Deon Cole roasted Nicki Minaj and the BAFTAs. news March 2, 2026
How To Be Outside, Inside with DJ NYLA The seasoned vibe creator and committed homebody has an elite selection of hangouts and vinyl record havens for when she leaves the crib. new york February 28, 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
What’s Free to Do in New York: Latin & Hip-Hop Party, Mr. Flower Orchid Show, Ebony Society Gallery This weekend, a Black Children’s Book Week event, Afrobeat parties and more, all part of a stacked free lineup. new york 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
What If Drill Had a Line Dance? On the Season 4 premiere of 'The Almanac of Rap,' Cupid imagines turning Chief Keef’s “Faneto” into a synchronized line dance. featured February 26, 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
Eric Benét Slams Jelly Roll: "Full of S**t" The neosoul singer called out the Grammy-winning country star for evading commentary on social issues. 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
Player’s Pass with DJ MOMA: DJ Moma Turns the Party Into His Debut Project On 'Jozi Love Affair,' DJ Moma turns Johannesburg’s energy into a sonic journey, reflecting on his roots, his influences, and the moments that shaped his sound. featured February 23, 2026
27 Years of Okayplayer in 27 Moments From the early days of the boards to Art Basel, these are 27 defining moments that shaped Okayplayer’s evolution. featured February 23, 2026
How To Be Outside, Inside with Famed Hip-Hop Photographer, T. Eric Monroe The acclaimed lensman’s NYC picks include swanky hotels, skate shops, and family-owned neighborhood restaurants. new york February 21, 2026
What’s Free to Do in New York: Lunar New Year, Celebrating Frederick Douglass, and Shea Butter Grooves Dance Class You can embrace fashion, culture and style on the runway or spend a family day at a farmhouse, there’s plenty of free things to do as February begins to wind down. new york February 20, 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
Jesse Jackson Challenged Hip-Hop Because He Believed in It The Civil Rights leader recognized hip-hop’s power early on and spent decades holding the genre and its artists accountable for their influence. featured February 19, 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
From Mary J. to Miles Davis: Inside NBA Legends’ Playlists From locker room anthems to late-night jazz, NBA legends and cultural figures share the songs that move them, and settle the Kobe versus Shaq rap debate. featured February 18, 2026
Big Daddy Kane to Headline Hip-HOPE Ball for Black Health Awareness The Brooklyn legend is working with Oya “Grand G” Gilbert to help address multiple myeloma. news February 18, 2026
The Real All-Star Energy Was Outside the Arena As All-Star Weekend unfolded in Los Angeles, Okayplayer House brought basketball, music and community into the same room. featured February 17, 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
Jesse Jackson Mourned by Al Sharpton, Kamala Harris and More Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson passed away on Tuesday morning after a long battle with a hospitalizing nuerological condition. news February 17, 2026
OK1st: Juvenile, Luh Tyler, Lakeyah and More Dish on Their First-Ever Dates Ahead of Valentine's Day For the first edition of OK1st, Okayplayer caught up with multiple artists about the first dates they ever went on. featured February 13, 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: The Fugees’ ‘The Score’ Turns 30 With their sophomore album, ‘The Score,’ The Fugees transformed their sound. And in turn, they helped a section of hip-hop do the same. featured February 13, 2026
How to Be Outside Inside, Featuring Chef Shorne Benjamin The founder of Brooklyn’s Fat Fowl delivers a classy and diverse tour of his favorite NYC spots. new york 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
From the Court to the Block: Okayplayer House at The Legends Bash During NBA All-Star Weekend Here’s what to expect from Okayplayer House at The Legends Bash during All-Star Weekend. featured February 12, 2026
Which Came First: The Shift in R&B or the Shift in Intimacy? R&B has always sung about intimacy. The difference now is how plainly it says it. featured February 11, 2026
D’Angelo’s Daughter Remembers Neo-Soul Legend on First Birthday Since His Death Today is D’Angelo’s birthday. Speaking to Okayplayer, his daughter, Imani Archer, reflects on the loss. featured February 11, 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
Rediscovered: 20 Years of J Dilla’s ‘Donuts’ In the last project completed before his passing, the super producer from Detroit reached his highest heights while setting a new standard. featured February 7, 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
What’s Free to Do in New York: Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin Screening, Booze Book Fair, and BHM Textile Workshop Whether it’s a special viewing of two Black icons’ conversation or a boozy book fair, there’s plenty of free things to do in the first week of Black History Month. new york February 6, 2026
How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Maiya The Don The Brooklyn rapper’s NYC picks feature an eclectic mix — from bookstores in The Bronx to sexy lounges in Hell’s Kitchen. new york February 6, 2026
Why NBA Legends Still Run All-Star Weekend As NBA All-Star Weekend approaches, former players continue to shape the game, the culture and how fans experience it. featured February 5, 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
Albums We’re Excited For in February J. Cole to Jill Scott, this month features some high profile releases from artists who have kept us waiting a while. featured February 3, 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
Bad Bunny, Lauryn Hill and Kendrick Lamar: The 7 Best Moments From the 68th Annual Grammy Awards There was a lot of politics, a lot of emotions and even more music as stars like Tyler, The Creator and Raphael Saadiq took the stage on music’s biggest night. featured February 2, 2026
Fela Kuti Changed the World Without Asking for Permission As the Recording Academy honors Fela Kuti posthumously, it reminds us that culture doesn’t wait for institutions to catch up. featured February 1, 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
What’s Free to do in New York: Free Puppet Show for Kids, Moon Gazing in the Park, Extreme Hip-Hop Aerobics Class Looking for some weekend activities in New York City that won't break the bank? We've got you covered from forest fitness to lessons from a jazz master. new york 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
