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 ...

As the legendary DJ Premiere once said, “Hip-hop is about style and finesse and being creative and different. And to do that you have to be ballsy enough to not do what everybody else does.” Rap music ...

This story is part of our new Hip-Hop: ’73 Till Infinity series, a celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary. Producers are just as (if not more) important than MCs on a track. As much as fans care ...

Sampling has been an integral part of hip-hop for decades. It's one of the genre's main foundations. When a producer uses a portion of an already existing song for a new record, the sample turns the ...

After nearly 30 years and much debate, Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones Pt. II" has officially been named the greatest hip-hop beat of all time. After nearly 30 years and much debate, Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write for, and about, the up-and-coming musician. In the hip-hop world, one could argue that the days of artists spending ...