‘Beyoncé said: you’re so silly, I love you!’ Tierra Whack, America’s most creative rapper

She’s a muse to megastars, a champion of Lego and raps about her imaginary friend – but behind the whimsy is a street-hardened MC confronting grief and depression

Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA to headline 2024 Glastonbury festival

Coldplay become act to headline most times with their fifth top slot, while Shania Twain is booked for the Sunday teatime ‘legend’ set as the lineup is announced

‘It gives me freedom’: from the Oscars to the Baftas to Sundance – why Irish Gaelic is everywhere

Paul Mescal spoke Gaeilge at the Baftas, Cillian Murphy at the Oscars. Films are being written in it, dramas acted in it – and rappers are translating drug lingo into it. Our writer hails an extraordinary renaissance

Romeo and Juliet review – beatboxing lovers in full flow

A hip-hop take on the tragedy finds the feud blowing up on social media and the balcony scene remixed for FaceTime but it lacks pathos

Brit awards 2024: women dominate as Raye scores record-smashing six wins

Artists have previously only managed four wins in one ceremony, capping an astonishing year for the British singer who was once left in major label limbo

Brit awards 2024 – full list of winners

The winners of every category at the 2024 Brits, updated as the ceremony progresses

Kanye West sued by estate of Donna Summer over ‘stealing’ I Feel Love

Estate of late star files lawsuit claiming rapper was denied sample for Vultures album, but tried to circumvent them with interpolation

‘It has become a sort of silver bullet’: why are rap lyrics being put on trial?

In compelling documentary As We Speak, a controversial legal practice that uses rap lyrics to secure convictions is explored

Ghetts: On Purpose, With Purpose review – brimming with elegant fury

The grime veteran proves he’s still on the up with a well-crafted collection of thoughtful, impassioned tracks

Belfast rappers Kneecap on stunts, drugs and Kemi Badenoch: ‘We don’t discriminate who we piss off’

Their riotous music is uniting young people in Northern Ireland and reviving the Irish language. The punk-rap trio talk about raving, working with Toddla T – and enraging politicians

Grime pioneer Wiley stripped of MBE

Rapper and producer posted antisemitic comments to social media in 2020 and 2021, and was later charged with assault and burglary

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files defence against rape allegation

Rapper and mogul disputes ‘genuineness’ of alleged photo of him with plaintiff, and complains over timing of lawsuit

‘It’s created with a big red love!’: the ultra-inspirational music of Ghanaian star Black Sherif

The vocalist’s candour, vulnerability and uplifting guidance is helping to turn him into one of the biggest stars in African music. Fresh off stage in Ghana, he explains his pure-hearted approach

The tale of the Northern Irish rap group, the Tories – and the sinister censoring of ‘anti-British’ art

The UK government has blocked funding to Republican band Kneecap. Who knew patriotism was a requirement in the arts, asks journalist Anna Cafolla

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign: Vultures 1 review – weak lyrics from a witless edgelord

There are bright moments on this much-delayed album, mostly from vocalist Ty Dolla $ign, but West’s own verses are profoundly depressing