Rap
Capturing hip hop’s biggest stars, before they were famous
From the source — Nigerian-American photographer Chi Modu took intimate portraits of rappers – including Nas, Method Man, and 2Pac – on the brink of success.
Written by: Jesse Bernard
Hip hop photography, remixed by iconic graffiti artists
The mash-up — Legendary New York photographer Janette Beckman hands her work over to the world’s biggest streets artists for new project, The Mash-Up.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Chilly Gonzales breaks down the essence of music
A life less ordinary — The most interesting mind in music talks breaking rules, chasing fame and soundtracking the World Cup Final.
Written by: Cian Traynor
The rise of Sampa the Great: hip hop's brightest spark
Giving into greatness — Sampa Tembo's family hoped she’d lead a conventional life: one where music was just a backup plan. But that was never going to happen. Instead she started opening for the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Joey Bada$$, winning acclaim for her socially conscious rhymes. Now, with a debut album on the way, the 24-year-old is primed for a major breakthrough.
Written by: Niall Flynn
The Native American rapper turning rhymes into activism
A different kind of superhero — After a difficult upbringing and a foray into petty crime, Supaman found himself – and his purpose – through hip hop. Now he’s determined to elevate other voices.
Written by: James Stout
This Syrian rapper risked everything for freedom. Now he wants the world to listen
From activist to outcast — In his homeland of Syria, Mohammad Abu Hajar is considered a fugitive – a political musician who wore out his welcome. But in Berlin, where he lives in exile, the right to exist poses a new set of challenges.
Written by: Lara Atallah
Inside the unlikely hip hop scene taking root in Italy
Brothers in the barrios — On the outskirts of Milan, a divided city rife with tension, photographer Roberto Ramirez has uncovered a stigmatised community bonding over the power of rap.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Iceland's female hip-hop collective is changing the game
Daughters of Reykjavik — With songs about slut-shaming and body positivity, Iceland's punkest hip-hop crew are finally putting the country's female rappers on the map.
Written by: Katy Beth Young
Awate: The North London rapper fighting for racial justice
Music video premiere — Awate premieres 'Uncontrollable Dopeness' on Huck and talks about confronting racism on the streets and his family’s freedom fighting heritage.
Written by: Alex King
The rappers who took down an African 'dictator'
The Revolution Won't be Televised — Filmmaker Rama Thiaw documented how rappers Thiat and Kilifeu led Senegal’s Y’en a Marre youth resistance movement to topple despised president Abdoulaye Wade.
Written by: Alex King