Hype Williams Changed Hip-Hop

The prolific, innovative and imaginative director Harold “Hype” Williams was honored at the 2017 VH1 Hip-Hop honors this week—and deservingly so. Hip-hop wouldn’t be the same without Williams, whose flashy, weird and wonderful vision came to life across countless music videos—especially in the ’90s and early 2000s. From Q-Tip’s “Breathe and Stop” to The Notorious BIG + Puff Daddy + Mase’s “Mo Money Mo Problems,” …

Lizzo: Truth Hurts

Minneapolis-based Lizzo’s newest track “Truth Hurts” just dropped, and as expected it’s a banger chock-full of attitude. Opening with the line, “I just took a DNA test turns out I’m 100 percent that bitch,” this song is badass. The music industry is all the better for having Lizzo as part of it.

Blu & Exile: Constellations

A decade after the release of their acclaimed boom-bap debut album Below the Heavens, the glorious duo Blu & Exile have dropped a new tune. The boppy “Constellations” will appear on their new record (a prequel for their debut) In the Beginning: Before The Heavens, which will feature 14 tracks from their 2007 recording sessions. The song is typically Blu & Exile—a laid-back beat by …