Mask Off with MF DOOM: A 2004 Face-to-Face Interview

Published Jan 05, 2021

You wouldn't immediately recognize him on that spring afternoon in 2004. And if it weren't for his metallic disguise sitting on the table be...

Eminem Can't Shake the Haters on 'Music to Be Murdered By - Side B'

Published Dec 21, 2020

A wise man once said, don't read your mentions. He said to ignore the comments section. He warned artists that it's dangerous to read your o...

Big K.R.I.T. / Rapsody Opera House, Toronto ON, October 29

Published Oct 30, 2019

Grownup underground rap music felt gloriously alive and unapologetically well in the crowded, multi-tiered confines of Toronto's east end Op...

Post Malone Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, October 3

Published Oct 04, 2019

"Tell me: Has anyone in here seen the second-newest Spider-Man movie?"   This is how Post Malone hypes the first of two soldout crowds buz...

Mary J. Blige & Nas Budweiser Stage, Toronto ON, September 10

Published Sep 11, 2019

At this stage, they could hit cruise control and still win the night.   The reputations and catalogues of Nasir Jones and Mary Jane Blige...

Tyler, the Creator / Jaden Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, September 6

Published Sep 07, 2019

Only a few years back, it wouldn't have been out of step to believe that Tyler, the Creator had peaked — creatively, commercially, all of it...

Beast Coast Echo Beach, Toronto, ON, August 12

Published Aug 13, 2019

Look! Up in the sky. It's a bird! It's a plane! Nah. It's Joey Bada$$ and the Flatbush Zombies rapping their capes off while soaring, flippi...

Nelly / TLC / Flo Rida Budweiser Stage, Toronto ON, August 7

Published Aug 08, 2019

Because he's muscular, bald, shirtless, elaborately tattooed and forever smiling — and because most of what he touches makes a crapload of m...

Travis Scott / Gunna Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, November 21

Published Nov 22, 2018

As Travis Scott rages on through the flames, smoke and Roman candles, the seizure-inducing lights and all that rib-rattling bass, you find y...

6lack Finds Life Balance on 'East Atlanta Love Letter'

Published Oct 12, 2018

On the cover of East Atlanta Love Letter, a seven-month-old Syx Rose is strapped tight to Daddy's chest. A grey baby carrier keeping his dau...

J. Cole / Young Thug / EarthGang Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, October 4

Published Oct 05, 2018

It's fitting that the illuminated, rectangular columns propped tall on either side of the "KOD Tour" stage resemble larger-than-life cellula...

Leon Bridges Echo Beach, Toronto ON, September 27

Published Sep 28, 2018

Maybe it's because the only (fashion) rules he plays by are his own. Or maybe it's because it's because he is performing at a beach.   Reg...

6lack Breaks Down the "Personal" J. Cole Collaboration on 'East Atlanta Love Letter'

Published Sep 18, 2018

In the spheres of hip-hop and R&B, one of the surest indicators of an artist's successful debut are the quality and quantity of featured gue...

6lack East Atlanta Love Letter

Published Sep 17, 2018

There is a coldness to 6lack's love letters that skips beyond the glacial ice chunks he's chucking stones at in the video for single "Noncha...

Childish Gambino / Rae Sremmurd Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, September 10

Published Sep 11, 2018

At one point during what he reminds Toronto is "the last Gambino tour ever," Donald Glover disappears.   After a beat, he is revealed on t...

Post Malone Mod Club, Toronto ON, August 6

Published Aug 07, 2018

It was one of those swampy August city nights where the humidex rises to threat levels for the elderly, and both the last and next flash lig...

Wiz Khalifa and Rae Sremmurd Budweiser Stage, Toronto ON, July 24

Published Jul 25, 2018

Say it in your best Stefon voice: "This concert has everything: a Brinks truck, face tattoos, belching dry ice, palm trees, Pegasuses, 'splo...

Kendrick Lamar / ScHoolboy Q / Jay Rock / Ab-Soul / SiR / Lance Skiiiwalker Budweiser Stage, Toronto ON, June 12

Published Jun 13, 2018

Even some conspicuous absences and a severe case of swollen vocal chords could not kill the victory lap vibes of Top Dawg Entertainment's lo...

Leon Bridges Good Thing

Published May 11, 2018

Climbing out of the pigeonhole of a retro R&B act — albeit an excellent one, teleported from Sam Cooke's era to ours — Leon Bridges' sophomo...

Leon Bridges on Ditching His Retro Sound, Fame as an Introvert and Winning a Grammy for New Album 'Good Thing'

Published Apr 20, 2018

The mother doesn't recognize her own son's voice.   The first time Leon Bridges played his brand-new album for his proud mom and onetime m...