leaders 2022

PJ Morton’s ‘Watch the Sun’ is a Full Circle Moment

PJ Morton spoke with Okayplayer about representing New Orleans music, his new album Watch the Sun, collaborating with Nas and… Read More

April 29, 2022

Here’s How ‘Illmatic’ Came To Soundtrack Ruth Langmore’s Vengeful Return In ‘Ozark’ Part Two’s Debut

Ozark show runner Chris Mundy and music supervisor Gabe Hilfer spoke on Ruth's relationship to '90s rap and how the… Read More

April 29, 2022

Alim Smith Turns Viral Black Memes Into Art. Now He’s Making Artwork For Donald Glover’s ‘Atlanta’

Okayplayer spoke with Alim Smith about Afro-surrealism, turning memes into art, his work for Atlanta, and more. In 2022, memes… Read More

April 28, 2022

Sacha Jenkins on the Importance of Documenting Hip-Hip’s History

We caught up with Sacha Jenkins and spoke about the power of storytelling, helming the Mass Appeal’s #HipHop50 initiative on… Read More

April 25, 2022

Iamsu! Looks Back On ‘KILT’ And HBK Gang’s 2010 Rap Renaissance In The Bay Area

Amid the 10-year anniversary of his KILT mixtape, Iamsu! spoke with Okayplayer about the project and HBK Gang's impact on Bay Area… Read More

April 19, 2022

A Guide To Getting Into Black Women In Rock

This guide serves as an introduction to Black women in rock and the defining albums they made that are testament… Read More

April 12, 2022

How ‘Atlanta’ Tackles the Idea of “Woke” White Men

On "The Big Payback," the latest episode of Atlanta, the idea of the "woke" white man gets explored even further.… Read More

April 8, 2022

First Look Friday: Fly Anakin on How Ghostface & Curren$y Made Him the MC He Is

For our latest First Look Friday, we spoke with Fly Anakin about his album Frank, the Mutant Academy, giving pep… Read More

April 8, 2022

10 TikTok Instrumentalists & Producers You Should Follow Right Now

The range of different producers and instrumentalists on TikTok is incredibly vast. Here are our 10 favorite instrumentalists on the… Read More

April 6, 2022

Behind the Beat: How Rick Ross’ “B.M.F.” Made & Almost Broke Lex Luger

In our latest Behind the Beat, Thomas Hobbs spoke with Lex Luger about how producing Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin Money… Read More

April 1, 2022

How Sample Drill Is Leading One Of Rap’s Most Bizarre Sampling Eras

New York City's most notable drill producers have defined themselves by the songs they sample, so much so that critics… Read More

March 30, 2022

Labrinth Is Finally Embracing Being A Wonky Producer (With A Little Help From ‘Euphoria’)

Labrinth spoke with Okayplayer about his rise as an artist — from his beginnings crafting beats for Master Shortie and… Read More

March 29, 2022

‘Atlanta’ Season 3 Goes Full Surreal By Playing With Rap’s Most Infamous Conspiracy Theory

The surreal — and slightly tense — atmosphere fans have come to love from Atlanta is front and center with its… Read More

March 24, 2022

A Beginner’s Guide On How To Safely Do Magic Mushrooms As A Black Person

As magic mushrooms continue to be decriminalized in the U.S., here's everything you need to know about doing them for… Read More

March 23, 2022

Despite its Flaws, Smokin Grooves 2022 Felt Like One Big Family Reunion

Despite Erykah Badu’s headlining slot being cut short, Smokin Grooves 2022 was a great time featuring a mix of classic… Read More

March 22, 2022

This App That Let’s You Virtually Investigate Rap’s Most Infamous Murders is the Morbid Future of True Crime

The CrimeDoor app presents itself as more than just fodder for our morbid obsession with true crime — and in… Read More

March 22, 2022