Making of

Behind The Beat: How Mos Def & Diamond D Created “Hip Hop,” the Epicenter of ‘Black On Both Sides’

Released just over 23 years ago, “Hip Hop” sits at the epicenter of Mos Def’s classic debut, Black On Both… Read More

November 1, 2022

The Making of Miguel’s ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’ Album

Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream is an album that splits time between rebellious youth and reverence for a classic feeling. We spoke… Read More

September 28, 2022

Behind the Beat: How Pete Rock & Nas Made Hip-Hop Perfection with “The World is Yours”

In the latest installment of our Behind The Beat series, Thomas Hobbs spoke with the legendary Pete Rock about how… Read More

May 23, 2022

Behind the Beat: Buckwild on How “Put it On” Became the Defining Big L Anthem

In the next part of our ‘Behind The Beat’ series, Bronx producer Buckwild recalls crafting Big L’s "Put It On"… Read More

April 15, 2022

Behind the Beat: Drumma Boy on the Legacy of Jeezy and Kanye West’s Recession-Proof Anthem ‘Put On’

For the first Behind the Beat of 2022, Thomas Hobbs spoke with Drumma Boy about producing Jeezy and Kanye West's… Read More

February 2, 2022

The Making of Stevie Wonder’s Magnum Opus ‘Songs in the Key of Life’

On September 28, 1976, Stevie Wonder's masterpiece Songs in the Key of Life was released. We spoke with members of… Read More

September 28, 2021

The Selling of ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’

It takes a dream team of creatives to put together an album like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. This is… Read More

August 25, 2021

Behind the Beat: How 03 Greedo & Ron-Ron Changed West Coast Rap With “Rude”

For our latest Behind The Beat, Thomas Hobbs spoke with producer Ron-Ron about the special partnership he shares with 03… Read More

August 24, 2021

Remembering JAY-Z & Kanye West’s ‘Watch the Throne’ Era

JAY-Z & Kanye West's Watch the Throne was more than just an album. It was a moment — a time… Read More

August 6, 2021

The Making of ‘Gap Band III’, The Album That Turned The Gap Band Into Stars

In an effort to celebrate the greatness of the legendary Tulsa, Oklahoma, group The Gap Band, we take a look… Read More

June 19, 2021

It Took Alicia Keys & Kerry “Krucial” Brothers Five Years to Complete ‘Songs in A Minor’

In 2001, Alicia Keys released her debut album Songs in A Minor. To celebrate the album, we spoke with the… Read More

June 6, 2021

The Making of Jodeci’s ‘Forever My Lady,’ The Album That Reinvigorated R&B

In celebration of the anniversary of Jodeci's debut album, Forever My Lady, we spoke with group member Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin”… Read More

May 28, 2021

How Prince’s No-Nonsense Demeanor Led to the Creation of ‘Controversy’

On the fifth Anniversary of Prince's death, take a look back at the creation of Controversy, an album that highlighted… Read More

April 21, 2021

Behind the Beat: How Jahlil Beats & Bobby Shmurda Made a Hood Anthem For All Ages With “Hot N*gga”

In the latest installment of Behind The Beat, Thomas Hobbs spoke with Jahlil Beats about how he and Bobby Shmurda… Read More

April 15, 2021

How Rick James & His Hardworking Band Crafted His Breakthrough Album ‘Street Songs’

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Rick James' Street Songs, we spoke with engineer Rick Sanchez, who provided an… Read More

April 7, 2021

How Earth, Wind & Fire Recorded Their Transcendent Classic ‘I Am’

You saw Earth, Wind & Fire face off against the Isley Brothers on Verzuz. Now read about how the legendary… Read More

April 4, 2021