Album

Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity
Culture

Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity

‘I feel an urgency to be heard’ — Ahead of the release of her debut album, the 22-year-old singer talks resisting the erasure of Black and brown women’s voices and leaning into her Bangladeshi roots.

Written by: Bethan Harper

Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs
Culture

Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs

‘He was the heart of the band‘ — Over a year ago, hip hop band Injury Reserve tragically lost one of its three members. Now, amid the release of their new album, the band’s remaining artists, Ritchie With A T and Parker Corey, are facing up to and finding ways to honour the late rapper’s legacy.

Written by: Thomas Hobbs

Common is starting his own beautiful revolution
Culture

Common is starting his own beautiful revolution

‘Biden must be held to account‘ — Ahead of the release of his new album, the 49-year-old rapper talks mixing his art with politics, and working alongside music’s greats.

Written by: Jeremy Allen

Rostam Batmanglij is facing up to change
Culture

Rostam Batmanglij is facing up to change

New beginnings — Following the release of his latest album, the former Vampire Weekend musician talks bad art, embracing newness and resisting being boxed in.

Written by: Rhys Thomas

Drakeo The Ruler’s reign has only just begun
Culture

Drakeo The Ruler’s reign has only just begun

Finally free — After being released from prison last November, the LA-based artist has been busy working on multiple projects and is now gearing up to take his pioneering brand of West Coast rap to even bigger audiences.

Written by: Thomas Hobbs

The Mitchell Brothers, British rap’s forgotten duo
Culture

The Mitchell Brothers, British rap’s forgotten duo

Geezers with skills — In the early noughties, Owura “Tony” Nyanin and Kofi “Teddy” Hanson were signed to Mike Skinner’s label and two of the UK’s most influential MCs – then they disappeared. Now reunited over a decade later, the pair say the world wasn’t ready for them.

Written by: Sam Davies

Keleketla!: A global music and activism collaboration
Music

Keleketla!: A global music and activism collaboration

From LA to Lagos — We talk to London DJ duo Coldcut about their new project, which features a cast of rising (and already established) musical talent from around the world.

Written by: Jeremy Allen

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