Noname: Sundial review – riveting rapper builds new ways of living
On her long-awaited album, the Chicago artist isn’t scared to spread around the culpability for discord, from white society to Beyoncé, Barack Obama – and herself
‘I’m alive’: teen rapper Lil Tay releases statement after mysterious death report
A statement on her official Instagram had claimed the 15-year-old girl had died but she has now claimed it was ‘compromised’
‘Women helped build this’: celebrating the ladies of hip-hop
In an expansive Netflix docuseries, major figures speak about the often overlooked contributions to a male-dominated genre
‘He knew hip-hop could change his life’: how Biz Markie made his name
In documentary All Up in the Biz, director Sacha Jenkins looks back on the career the eccentric Clown Prince of Hip-Hop
‘What you rapping all Yorkshire for?’ How Leeds defied the doubters to become a hip-hop haven
As a new rap exhibition opens in the city, west Yorkshire’s MCs remember how body popping gave way to bleak social commentary – and rap battles in their underpants
Who murdered Tupac Shakur? Only one man knows for sure
News last month of a police raid sparked fresh hopes of solving an infamous killing. William Shaw recounts a tragic tale of racism, toxic masculinity and police incompetence
Pusha T review – the greatest snowman
The fiery former drug dealer turned US hip-hop star is a sharp, electrifying wordsmith who addresses friends, family and the finer things in life
Troye Sivan, Dan Sultan and Corin: Australia’s best new music for August
Each month our critics pick 20 new songs for our Spotify playlist. Read about 10 of our favourites here – and subscribe on Spotify, which updates with the full list at the start of each month
‘Sometimes I feel hunted by dogs on cocaine’: the demons of DJ Koze, summer anthem genius
Was he left in a forest? Does he compose in a monastery? Is he terrified of crowds? Our writer tries to sort fact from wild fiction in conversation with the elusive German bangermeister
Travis Scott: Utopia review – rap superstar gets lost amid sublime soundworld
Returning with a long-awaited fourth album in the wake of the Astroworld disaster, Scott’s rhyming isn’t strong enough to distinguish him from his A-list guests
The Guardian view on rap and drill music: a song should not land the young in jail
Editorial: The use of lyrics, music videos and audio recordings in court to prosecute people raises issues of prejudice and free expression
Stormzy on hitting 30, politics and the kids he sent to university: ‘When I see these guys, I’m like, just fly, fly, fly’
The rapper has gone from grime trailblazer to political figurehead, much to his bemusement. But will the dozens of Black students he’s put through Cambridge turn out to be his greatest legacy?
Mercury prize 2023: Arctic Monkeys tie Radiohead’s record for most nominations
There are first-time nods for the likes of Fred Again, Lankum, Jockstrap and Raye, and repeat recognition for acts including J Hus and Jessie Ware
Barbie: The Album review – a dream house of pop royalty gets all dolled up
Dua Lipa and Charli XCX bring high camp to this Mark Ronson-produced movie mixtape that climaxes with the sugary filth of Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s Barbie World
Paris Texas: Mid Air review – a blast of fresh air
LA duo Louie Pastel and Felix combine rap with left-field sounds and a punk-adjacent attitude on their full-length debut