Has rap's reign ended? The roiling debate ahead of the Grammys

Rap music made headlines for losing its Billboard chart dominance, but it's being celebrated more than ever at the 2026 Grammys. So what's going on?
Yahoo

'The Message' by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five turns 40: How the record changed hip-hop

At first, there was no message. Rap was all bluff and bluster. Party stuff, straight up. Hip hop, you don't stop. Throw your hands in the air, and wave 'em like you just don't care. Somebody scream. And then — straight outta Englewood, New Jersey ...
Essence

5 Grammy-Nominated Rappers Share What Recording Academy Can Do To Fix Hip-Hop Problem

The Recording Academy and the hip-hop community have long had a bumpy road, and this year’s Grammy Awards proved to be no different. Show producer Ken Erlich told the New York Times ahead of music’s biggest night that he had trouble securing rap ...
Uproxx

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Makes History On The Rap Music Charts

What started off as a cleverly written diss track has blossomed into something much more. During the 2025 Grammys, Kendrick Lamar’s scathing Drake diss track “Not Like Us” swept all five of its nominated categories. Even outside of the impressive ...
WFAE

In 1977, a 12-year-old invented record scratching and changed hip-hop forever

This year, NPR, along with member stations, has been marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. One of those stations, KEXP in Seattle, has been celebrating with a weekly podcast, 50 Years Of Hip-Hop. In each episode, host Larry Mizell Jr. and his team ...