People have often tried to detail the heartache that comes with recovery. Those who have overcome struggles, whether internally or externally, will cautiously warn you that it’s a process that terms or any aspect of language could never drive home.

For the hip-hop duo Flyana Boss, the goal of This Ain't The Album is in the title: a project to let everyone know they are anything but a fad and a flash in the pan.

Rap veterans are an interesting breed, masters of their craft, synchronized with their trademark sound, the greatest poets of our lifetimes, but often relegated to exclusively speaking their truth or passing knowledge to a new generation who would do anything else but listen to the hard-earned wisdom of their seniors.

Having watched Joey Tre’s rise to not superstardom but musical maturity, his latest single, “Young Simba,” strikes a feeling of pride, knowing where his musical journey began and how his sound has evolved to its premier quality. 

Perhaps it’s because her albums no longer feel like albums but more declarative statements on her outlook on the world, matched with angelic harmonies; but these days, the word intent is the best word to describe Beyonce’s latest (well, last four projects) album Cowboy Carter.

Author Libba Bray once said, "To live is to love, and to love is to live."  Finding love, no matter the context or subject, is never easy, but the reward for love, lust, and the gray area in between always rewards us in the best ways.

The story of Anwar Sadot’s career is an unusual tale. Despite being one of the most talented artists, he releases projects once every four years.

Christmas is always a joyous occasion, a fun, reinvigorating time for family and friends to embrace the incredible year that’s passed, the times to come, and the loved ones who are present. While those times are fun, one of the more underrated aspects of the jolly season is the music accompanying the holiday season.

Prior to the release of this album, Detroit-based artist Baddie Brooks called Reclamation “Her most meaningful project,” saying her album “Centers around uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community.”

You can summarize the lead-up to Scarlet by one word: Defiance. In today’s fan-obsessed stan-culture, Doja Cat, in preparation for this album, fought against the idea of the “being a fan = entitled to you” mentality that’s so long plagued the popular artists of the world.

The Detroit hip-hop scene has long lacked a key element to its already-impactful roster of verbal showboaters. Whether it’s the all-too-familiar cash talk or gun-play rap that the city has become accustomed to speaking on, there’s always been a critical element missing within the city’s soundscape.

Janelle Monáe is the epitome of an aura. Whether classy, sexy, socially powerful, attention-demanding, sassy, or gender-ambiguous, her presence is powerful, and her music is always the stamp of approval, letting the populace know of the atmospheric phenomena Monáe defines.

What are the benefits to freestyling?

This is the question I pose to you.