Latest Hip-Hop Deep Dives
Dr. Todd Boyd on ‘Rapper’s Deluxe’
Diving Deep into Rapper’s Deluxe | Dr. Boyd Rapper’s Deluxe, the latest literary work by Dr. Todd Boyd, affectionately known as the ‘Notorious Ph.D.,’ embarks on an insightful expedition tracing hip-hop’s ascent from an underground sensation to a dominant global force. Through Rapper’s Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World,
Chapter 2: World Domination | Horrorcore & Mass Appeal
Three 6 Mafia toward world domination, chapter 2 Three 6 Mafia’s Chapter 2: World Domination garners little love compared to other titles in the crew’s impressive discography, especially within the Memphis rap scene. It’s not a groundbreaking record, but it’s important nonetheless. Released in 1997, this album not only marked
Best E-40 Songs: A Dive into the Bay
The Maverick of the Mic: E-40’s Best Tracks Unveiled In the vast, often perplexing world of hip-hop, few figures stand as tall or peculiar as E-40. Earl Stevens, known to the masses as E-40, is a rap enigma, a Bay Area legend who’s carved out a niche so unique it’s
What Genre is Three 6 Mafia?
Three 6 Mafia: From Underground Horrorcore to Memphis Crunk Three 6 Mafia, an iconic hip-hop ensemble from Memphis, Tennessee, was established in 1991. The group initially gained recognition as a purveyor of horror-themed underground hip-hop. Their inaugural album, Mystic Stylez, quickly became a cult classic. As the years rolled by,
The Tale of Two 99 Problems | Ice-T, Jay-Z
Ice-T, Jay Z, & 99 Problems: Unraveling Hip-Hop’s Gordian Knot Two legendary rappers recorded a song named “99 Problems.” Born to the creative genius of Ice-T and later Jay-Z, these twin hip-hop stars have kindled debates and sparked countless rumors. And more importantly, created two great songs in two different eras. Today, we’re
RZA’s E-Mu SP-1200 for Sale
Own a Piece of the Wu-Tang Legacy: RZA’s E-Mu SP-1200 Up for Auction Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house, is set to auction off a piece of hip-hop history. The E-Mu SP-1200, a vintage sampler that RZA, the mastermind behind the Wu-Tang Clan, used to create their groundbreaking debut album, Enter
Koopsta Knicca’s Da Devil’s Playground | Memphis Masterpiece
Unmasking the Genius of Koopsta Knicca’s “Da Devil’s Playground” In the vast landscape of hip-hop, certain albums have managed to transcend time and become cult classics. Among these hidden gems is Koopsta Knicca’s Da Devil’s Playground. Despite its significant impact on the Memphis rap scene, this album remains vastly underrated.
Koopsta Knicca: Three 6 Mafia’s Unsung
Horrorcore Pioneer: Koopsta Knicca Koopsta Knicca, born Robert Cooper Phillips, is an underrated rapper in Memphis hip-hop, a genre he helped shape and define. His affiliation with the iconic group Three 6 Mafia and the rap collective Da Mafia 6ix propelled him to the forefront of the scene, cementing his
Top Ten | The Best Three 6 Mafia Songs
Three 6 Mafia History – A Prelude to Their Top Ten Tracks Born in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, in 1991, Three 6 Mafia emerged as a formidable force in the American hip-hop scene. Initially gaining traction as a horror-themed underground collective, they soon transcended their niche to achieve mainstream
Westcoast Hip-Hop: Tracing the History
In the Beginning: The Rise of Westcoast Hip-Hop In the grand symphony of music, some rhythms lay the beat, and society follows. One such beat, a pulsating rhythm, is Westcoast hip-hop. The West Coast invented and added to several hip-hop subgenres in the past four decades. And each subgenre painted
Too $hort’s Blow the Whistle Album
Blow the Whistle on Too $hort Let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we? Think back to the golden era of West Coast hip-hop, to the name that rang bells in the late 80s and 90s. We’re talking about Blow the Whistle and Too $hort, a classic album and
Hip-Hop History | Scratching the Surface of 50 Years
From Old School to The Bling Era: A Comprehensive Guide to Hip-Hop History Hip-hop, a genre deeply entwined with the cultural, social, and political tapestry of our times, embarks on a momentous journey as it commemorates its 50th anniversary in 2023. This grand odyssey of sound serves as an exploration
Talmage Garn
Hip-Hop History
I’m a music writer and radio journalist digging into hip-hop, indie rock, and the cultural noise in between. I run digital content for Utah’s 92.5 The Beat (U92) and X96, covering everything from new drops and live shows to the histories hiding in old grooves. My work chases the connections—between sampling and storytelling, scenes and centuries, rhythm and rebellion. I’m drawn to the way music remembers what people forget. I studied Professional Writing at Portland State University, and I make beats under the name LBOWDEEP. If you’ve got a story, a record, or a sample you swear I missed, hit the contact button below. Let’s trade notes. A graduate of Portland State University with a degree in Professional Writing, I also produce music under the alias LBOWDEEP. If you’ve got a story to tell or beats to compare, tap the contact button below — I’m all ears.