Why it matters: Hip-hop vocals are the centerpiece of the track and must remain intelligible and powerful against heavy bass and complex beats. Key techniques: Targeted EQ cuts, controlled compression ...

Complex's fourth annual Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking is here. And in a year with no dominant stars and no breakout moments, the people shaping rap's conversation matter more than ever.

DJ Akademiks tops the list this year, leading to a slew of reactions from other media figures.

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It simplifies income-driven repayment, but some borrowers might have to wait longer for forgiveness Written By Written by Staff Loan Writer, Buy Side Bob Haegele is a staff loan writer at Buy Side ...

West Coast rap has a rich history of female artists who pushed the sound forward. Women on the West Coast brought a range of styles, from lyricism to party anthems. These artists left an indelible ...

An underperforming California school district is dishing out nearly $300,000 to partner with a group to teach a rap-based curriculum to students, sparking "troubling" concerns, the Justice Department ...

During a recent appearance on the Denver-based podcast Mile High Minute, Say Cheese TV CEO Shawn Cotton ruffled some feathers with a rant about how Denver rappers aren’t taking their careers seriously ...

Rappers often see basketball as a backup plan if their music careers don't work out. Rappers actively engage with NBA teams, becoming unofficial ambassadors and courtside fixtures. Rappers' NBA fandom ...

OREGON, USA — Lake Oswego rapper Yeat was named to Complex magazine's 2025 Best Dressed Rappers list this week, ranking No. 9 among the year's most stylish hip-hop artists. The 25-year-old ...

Recently, in casual conversations, I’ve been asked for my opinion about the October report that “No Rap Songs Are in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40 for the First Time Since 1990” more so than my ...