Music
Welcome to the world of small-town hip hop
Suburban rhymes — Photographer Jared Soares documents the DIY rappers of Roanoke, capturing a scene brimming with innovation, hope and creativity.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Alsarah and the Nubatones are making borderless music
Universal language — Influenced by artists from Sudan, Ethiopia and Zanzibar, the band – self-dubbed makers of “East African retro-pop” – have curated an eclectic sound that celebrates transience and self-expression.
Written by: Angeles Rodenas
‘I want to show what it means to be two-spirit and trans’
The queer magic of Mich Cota — Raised in a deeply religious home in Canada by a native father and white mother, Mich Cota makes eerie, spiritual music that weaves its way between two worlds.
Written by: Biju Belinky
Joey Purp is a Chicago rapper who wants to save the world
‘Anybody can do anything’ — With his sophomore album, the 25-year-old rapper is responsible for one of 2018’s best releases. Fresh from making his live TV debut alongside RZA, we speak to him about building on that success, creating a legacy and opening doors for fellow underdogs.
Written by: Alex Ekong
Chris Stein of Blondie talks shooting NYC’s ragged heyday
Point of View — As a founding member of the new-wave stalwarts, the Blondie guitarist was an integral part of New York’s golden age. Now, in a new book, he remembers documenting the whole thing on camera.
Written by: Niall Flynn
Meet Youth of the Apocalypse, UK music’s new super group
‘We’re like six Beyoncés’ — The London hip hop group, formed by members of the Klaxons and Gorillaz, want to bring politics back to mainstream music. We meet them in Kentish Town to discuss Brexit, Kanye West, and the perils of the internet age.
Written by: Adam White
‘I think everyone should try being on the dole once’
A day with Saul Adamczewski — The Insecure Men and Fat White Family man has made a 10-track album full of karaoke covers. We met up in South London to talk Tory governments, turning 30 and why he’s angling for a duet with Peter Andre.
Written by: Niall Flynn
The grit and glamour of Californian hip hop
In pictures — From Snoop Dogg and Tupac to A$AP Rocky, photographer Mike Miller has spent decades documenting the world of West Coast hip hop. ‘I was in a drive-by shooting a couple of years ago,’ he tells Miss Rosen. ‘LA is not as safe as everyone thinks.’
Written by: Miss Rosen
‘There’s real fear in America right now – people are scared’
Kurt Vile in conversation — Ahead of the release of new album Bottle It In, we sit down with the Philadelphia native to talk anxiety, editing yourself and why you shouldn’t be offended if he tells you he’s not Kurt Vile.
Written by: Adam White
‘Clichéd ideas of female sexuality? Let them die’
Jenny Hval — To celebrate the release of Paradise Rot – her first novel to be translated into English – we speak to the fearless musician and writer about lust, language and why we need to rethink how we talk about our bodies.
Written by: Katie Goh