From Salt-N-Pepa to Romeo and Juliet: how rap sparked Sam White’s passion for Shakespeare

The US director draws upon a fight at her Detroit school, her love of opera and hiphop, and her time as a standup to deliver a fleet-footed version of the star-crossed lovers’ tragedy

‘I’m not a singer but I can just about do Sweet Dreams at karaoke’: Eve’s honest playlist

The rapper and author on belting out 80s synthpop and the verse that changed her life – but which glam-rock classic soundtracked her giving birth?

‘My whole life’s interconnected’: Neneh Cherry on the relationships that inspire her, leaving home at 15, and the joy of a trashy box set

The celebrated musician answers questions from Observer readers and famous fans including Michael Stipe, Bernardine Evaristo, Questlove and Sadiq Khan

‘They put Cork on the map!’: what the kids behind rap sensation The Spark did next

Theirs was the feelgood song of the summer – praised by Stormzy and reaching hundreds of millions of listeners online. But what’s it like to go on the road when you’re still at school?

Rich Homie Quan, one of Atlanta’s bedrock rap artists, dies at 34

Cause of death is unknown for Atlanta rapper best known for songs such as Type of Way and Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)

LL Cool J: ‘Hip-hop isn’t underdog music any more’

The artist and actor answers your questions about dodging animatronic sharks, hanging out with Al Pacino, his love of Abba and the making of his first album in 11 years

‘Ghostface Killah wanted to be a homicidal eagle!’ – Def Jam: Fight for NY at 20

Marking the anniversary, the creators of the rap beef beat-em-up sequel share memories of transforming Flavor Flav and Snoop Dogg into legendary video game characters

US rapper Fatman Scoop dies after collapsing on stage mid-performance

New York-born artist, 53, known for collaborating with Missy Elliott, was performing in Connecticut on Friday

Kneecap review – fictionalised origin story is one of the funniest films of the year

Belfast rappers Kneecap use the Irish language as their weapon in Rich Peppiatt’s exhilarating comedy drama co-starring Michael Fassbender

How Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap rose to fame by subverting the Troubles

As an Oscar-entry film about the rappers opens this week, Kneecap speak about fusing irony and provocation – and the anti-immigrant riots

André 3000 review – live spiritual jazz leaves hip-hop visionary with nowhere to hide

The former rapper starts promisingly with earthy improvisation but the band drifts disappointingly with no solos and few flashes of emotion

Macklemore’s honest playlist: ‘I have never been to a sex dungeon party’

The rapper grew up wanting to be Axel Foley and goes crazy when the bass hits in Eiffel 65’s Blue – but have his kids turned him into a Swiftie?

National Indigenous Music awards 2024: Barkaa wins artist of the year

The Malyangapa Barkindji rapper also won the best music video, while album of the year went to singer-songwriter Dan Sultan

Jpegmafia: I Lay Down My Life For You review – scattergun brilliance

The US rapper brings reflection as well as energising polemic to his compelling fifth studio album

Still fresh: why Mtume’s Juicy Fruit underpins generations of rap classics

Thirty years ago this week, Notorious BIG released Juicy and turned an 80s funk sample into hip-hop history. Its creators and fans explain its enduring, sensual appeal