‘I wanted to show their innocence’: teenage drill rappers take centre stage in bold new play

As a sellout show at the Barbican unpicks the links between musicians, police and youth violence, its creator explains why it’s the middle classes who need to sit up and listen

Dom Maker of Mount Kimbie’s listening diary: ‘I honestly think Liv.e is the next Beyoncé’

One half of the London/Los Angeles duo takes us through his week in listening, which features Joy Division and an inspiringly ‘mean’ rap song

Jack Harlow review – dextrous rapper lets his charisma do the heavy lifting

The Kentucky native’s introduction to Brum may have left him a little bemused, but the city showed its appreciation for his ruthlessly effective hits

‘House isn’t a subculture. It’s my culture’: Cakes Da Killa on ballroom, Beyoncé and Black love

The rapper discusses his origins, house music’s mainstream turn and his ‘Adele moment of a new album, Svengali

Migos’s record label rails at ‘senseless violence’ that killed rapper Takeoff

Atlanta-based Quality Control issues statement speaking of ‘monumental loss’, as Houston police appeal for any of 40 people at scene to come forward

Migos: Takeoff shot dead in Houston aged 28

The Georgia rapper was known for creating hits such as Versace and Motorsport alongside fellow rappers Quavo and Offset

Cakes Da Killa: Svengali review – lusty tribute to queer dance pioneers

A sleek tip of the hat to house music’s Black trailblazers and a restatement of his own club-rap sound

UK music industry to implement anti-racism code of conduct from 2023

A 2021 report found racist abuse and racial inequality across the industry. The UK Music Industry Anti-Racism Code aims to protect and represent Black and ethnically diverse musicians and workers

Sŵn festival review – celebration of new music back at full strength

There’s something for everyone as hundreds of bands play across the city in this charming festival: the only problem is deciding who to watch

Man sues Cardi B for $5m for using his back tattoo in lewd cover art

Kevin Michael Brophy says his back tattoo was superimposed on to a male model who seemingly performs oral sex on the cover of Gangsta Bitch Music Vol 1

Little Simz’s subtle arrangements and fearless lyrics make her a worthy Mercury prize winner

An outlier in UK rap, the north London musician and actor’s patient “10 years in the game”, as she puts it on her winning album, have paid off

Mercury prize: Little Simz wins for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

Rapper and actor, 28, wins for her fourth album after critical acclaim and a decade as a performer

Mykki Blanco: Stay Close to Music review – lost in their own album

Burning issues and inspired moments are obscured by a succession of guest vocalists on the rapper’s pop-leaning latest

Kanye West: bank JP Morgan Chase cuts ties with rapper

The decision to end the relationship with West and clothing brand Yeezy predates recent controversies and array of antisemitic comments

Cherish Menzo: Jezebel review – a dance deconstruction of MTV misogyny

The Dutch dance artist brings a steely fearlessness to her piece about the hypersexualised depiction of black women in late 90s and early 00s hip-hop videos