“I can rap, everyone knows I can rap! I’m trying to have fun now. I want to make good, high-energy records and get this thing going.”
Charles Morse
Posted inReviews
OC From NC and D.R.U.G.S. Beats Join Forces for One of the Best Hip-Hop Releases of 2020
There’s just something magical that happens when bona fide pros with decades of tradition and love sweat it out in the kitchen.
Posted inReviews
With Introspective Bars and Bespoke Sound Design, Pat Junior Builds His Magnificent Sound from Scratch
Last month, the Raleigh rap artist premiered his new LP, “I Thought I Knew,” at a detail-oriented launch party at CAM Raleigh.
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On “Black Royalty,” Rowdy Perfects His Charming, Confident Flow
Rowdy contributes more than advocacy: He lives up to his name with an explosive stage presence and bars in abundance, which he delivers on his new EP.
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TheDeeepEnd, One of Local Hip-Hop’s Best Kept Secrets, Stretches Out the Summer on “Verano”
Malcom Brown’s positivity is infectious but not saccharine, and he raps on a level playing field with his audience rather than from a preachy position of authority.
Posted inFestivals
Art of Cool 2019, Night Two: Run-DMC, Whodini, and Big Daddy Kane Prove that Being a True Emcee Never Gets Old
Where Friday night (with Ari Lennox and Jill Scott) was full of attendees trying to catch the feels, Saturday night was packed full of people ready to party and catch a buzz to bring back hip-hop’s first golden age.
Posted inFestivals
Art of Cool 2019, Night One: Ari Lennox and Jill Scott Cast a Mature, Caring Spell over DBAP
Art of Cool brings a special vibe to Durham that no other local festival does. It’s just North Carolina folks coming together to enjoy some soulful Black music—and this year’s first night carried on that tradition very well.
Posted inFestivals
Cooler Heads: Four Less-Obvious Shows to See at Art of Cool
You don’t need us to tell you about Run-DMC, Whodini, Jill Scott, 9th Wonder, and Marcus Anderson—but here’s a few great Art of Cool sets that might fly under your radar.
Posted inFestivals
Forty Thousand Hip-Hop Fans and Smooth Operations Made Dreamville Fest a Decisive Success
Relive the dream with our recap, analysis, and photos of Raleigh hip-hop star J. Cole’s groundbreaking debut festival in Dix Park.
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FFFOOLERY’s Raleighwood Is an Inspired Instrumental Hip-Hop Voyage Through G-Funk and Live Hardware
Raleighwood drops on Baddie Recordings on Friday, Feb. 22.