Author: info@rapgriot.com
Vast Aire On Friday, July 31, underground hip-hop fans gathered in Los Angeles for a special night as Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Cold Vein, one of the most influential independent rap albums ever released. Originally dropping in 2001, the landmark debut helped redefine the sound of underground hip-hop with its futuristic production, vivid lyricism, and uncompromising artistic vision. More than two decades later, the album continues to inspire new generations of artists while remaining a cornerstone of the genre. Double A.B. Bicasso of Living Legends The evening was more than just a concert—it…
Buffalo, New York rapper & singer/songwriter Goosebytheway making his full-length studio debut. Signing to Drumwork Music Group back in 2022, he would make a handful of guest appearances across several Conway the Machine projects preceding his debut mixtape By the Way a year afterwards. But the time has come for him to drop his very own LP Nature Boy named after 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, former 16-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 6-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE tag team champion & 9-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair following The Demand ending The Conglomeration’s reign as AEW World Trios Champions. “203” featuring Conway the…
Joe Budden and Charlamagne Tha God are among the top 20 highest paid podcasters in the business for 2026. On Thursday (July 30), Forbes released its annual list of the highest-paid podcasters, and while Joe Rogan once again sits comfortably at the top with an estimated $82 million, Budden and Charlamagne have cemented themselves as two of the biggest business success stories in hip-hop media.Charlamagne landed at No. 10 on the list with $27 million thanks to an ever-growing media empire that stretches far beyond The Breakfast Club. Along with co-hosting the long-running radio show and The Brilliant Idiots podcast…
Truth: Skilla BabyDetroit’s finest Skilla Baby deep-dives into his new album, The Price of Fame, out Aug. 21.As Told To: Peter A. BerryEditor’s Note: This story appears in the Summer 2026 issue of XXL Magazine, on newsstands now and available for sale on the XXL website.The Price of Fame is an album for the average man. The working man. The struggling man. People that could go through hell and back to provide and protect their family and be successful. For a long time, as a persona, we have to portray this person that’s bigger than life. And I think when I really took…
Independent hip-hop artist Domino has transformed one of life’s most devastating moments into a powerful 10-track concept album with Traumatica, a deeply personal project documenting his recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained on October 17, 2025. The album, released July 28, 2026 via Flourish Gazette, chronicles a journey that left the multidisciplinary artist unable to look at screens, make music, or even recognize his own face for months — all while $15K in debt stacked up from surviving it. But somewhere in that silence, between Beethoven on low and vestibular exercises, something shifted. Domino turned those five months of terror,…
VonOff1700 addresses his recent arrest after his alleged mugshot surfaces online.The Chicago rapper has been at the center of arrest reports, with an unflattering booking photo recently surfacing online along with social media posts saying he was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon last week. On Thursday (July 30), Von addressed his run-in with the law and his viral mugshot.“On Mick, I went to jail off 30 mins of sleep & a 10 of Tris 😭😭😭😭😭😭,” he wrote. “That’s what that look like when u get woke up by windows being busted & yo name gettin yelled…
Drake, BossMan Dlow and Doechii are among the hip-hop stars featured on Barack Obama’s eclectic Summer Playlist for 2026.On Thursday (July 30), the beloved former President released his annual list of songs for the summer, and while it spans multiple genres as usual, hip-hop once again earned a strong showing.Doechii landed a spot alongside SZA with their 2025 collab “girl, get up,” while Drizzy made the cut with the standout ICEMAN cut “Ran to Atlanta,” which features Future and Molly Santana. BossMan Dlow also found himself on Obama’s radar thanks to “Motion Party,” another sign the rising Florida rapper continues…
Los Angeles, California emcee T.F enlisting MIKE SUMMERS a.k.a. Seven to produce his Roc Nation Records debut & his 2nd LP of the year. Initially hearing him on “Tookie Knows, Pt. II” off ScHoolboy Q’s magnum opus Blank Face LP, he subsequently dropped his debut EP No Hooks only 7 months later, which was followed up by his full-length debut ErThangSkanless & then a 2nd EP called OktoberFest. After appearing on Flee Lord’s 8th EP Hand Me My Flowers produced entirely by Buckwild & put out 2 more EPs on his own, T.F eventually signed to Lord Mobb Music & put out Blame Kansas produced by both Mephux & Roc Marciano. Coming off the Khrysis-produced The Green Bottle & the DJ Muggs-produced Don’t Call Me…
50 Cent completely understands why Eminem never followed up the 2002 box office darling 8 Mile with another starring role.Fif recently sat down for an interview with GQ that was published on Thursday (July 30), where the entertainment mogul reflected on making his 2005 semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and compared the filmmaking process to making music. According to 50, the biggest difference comes down to control, which inevitably is something Eminem wasn’t willing to give up.”I said, ‘I wanna do a movie,'” 50 explained. “Then, when we got into it, it was really no control. So, this…
Bodycam footage of Playboi Carti’s 2025 arrest for alleged assault shows him and his ex-girlfriend Gio being questioned by police and the 911 call surfaces.On Thursday (July 30), the CufBoys YouTube channel obtained footage of the incident, where the Atlanta rapper was booked in Wasatch County, Utah, last October en route to a performance for allegedly striking Gio and their limo driver. The footage shows police asking Carti and Gio questions separately about what happened on the side of the road.Carti claims no one hit each other, and his security was just trying to separate them after the driver “tweaked…