Complex

The 50 Best R&B Songs That Flipped Rap Beats

In the mid-1980s, Ron G. became the master of the blend tape. By putting together R&B and hip-hop instrumentals, he and a DJ named Hot Day (whose "Hot Day Master Mix" married New Edition to Public ...
xxlmag

Here Are the Best Hip-Hop Beats Made by Respected Producers in the Game

Hip-hop at it's core is lyrics on a beat, with both being vital for the final product. Throughout the genre's history, there have been some truly incredible beats that turned producers into stars, and ...
Pitchfork

The Most Exciting Beats in Underground Rap Can Be Traced Back to Chicago’s Heyday

The best rap beats are nerdy as hell. Every drum placement, every melody, every chopped-up sample sends me down a YouTube rabbit hole trying to piece together the way a producer contorts and dissects ...
NPR

In Rwanda, a new sound blends rap beats with traditional music

Loud Sound Studios is home to two of Rwanda's up-and-coming hip-hop acts: Pro-Zed and Kenny K-Shot. Hip-hop is all about the beats and the flow. For two Rwandan artists, that flow sometimes comes in ...
scmp.com

Beats by Dre fuels fame of Chinese rap group Higher Brothers

Beats by Dr Dre has released a new short film in its Beat x Beat series, starring one of China’s most famous rap groups, Higher Brothers. The Chengdu-based hip-hop crew is made up of four members, ...