Sitemap - 2023 - Shatter the Standards
Jodeci's Unbridled R&B: Diary of a Mad Band
How Here, My Dear Mirrors Marvin Gaye's Romantic Reality
How Beyoncé Changed Everything With Her Self-Titled Album
Album Review: Pink Friday 2 by Nicki Minaj
The Best Albums of 2023: Honorable Mentions
Wednesday Roundups #34: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
The Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2023
The Most Disappointing Albums of 2023 (Staff Picks)
The Evolution of Alicia Keys: From Debut to The Diary
1988: The Year That Redefined Hip-Hop Forever
Behind the Scenes of Prince's Diamonds and Pearls
Unleashing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Legacy
Wednesday Roundups #33: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Corinne Bailey Rae's Creative Leap in Black Rainbows
Echoes of Ancestral Wisdom in Maxo's Debbie's Son
Cassie's Lawsuit Against Diddy: Unveiling the Dark Side of Music Industry Power Dynamics
Queen Latifah's Bold Stride in Black Reign
From Malibu to Oxnard: Anderson .Paak's Evolution of Funk
Wednesday Roundups #32: 7 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Aesop Rock's Artistic Evolution in Integrated Tech Solutions
JAY-Z's Legacy Cemented in The Black Album
The Dichotomy of BJ the Chicago Kid's Career
Album Review: Heaven knows by PinkPantheress
Decoding Pete Rock's Soul Survivor
Wu-Tang's Cultural Revolution in Music
A Tribe Called Quest's Night Rhythms
Jungle Brothers: Pioneers of the Native Tongues Sound
Album Review: I Might Forgive… But I Don’t Forget by Jeezy
Album Review: Colours by Goapele
The Artful Comeback of Q-Tip's Renaissance
Echoes of 1998 in Belly's Soundtrack
A Guide to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
How 400 Degreez Cemented Juvenile's Legacy
Celebrating Missy Elliott's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction
The Dual Nature of Vince Staples' FM! Explored
Wednesday Roundups #31: 9 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Unpacking the Genius of Slick Rick's Debut Album
The Unfiltered Genius of Fetti by Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Album Review: Gentle Confrontation by Loraine James
Prime Picks: “Asteroids” by Rapsody & Hit-Boy
Album Review: Larger Than Life by Brent Faiyaz
How Deep is Your Love for Enter the Dru?
Diana & Marvin: When Two Soul Giants Collide
Retrospective Review: I’m Ready by Tevin Campbell
Wednesday Roundups #30: 21 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
10 Best R&B Album Sequels That Worked
Retrospective Review: The Sound by Mary Mary
Retrospective Review: Frank by Amy Winehouse
Retrospective Review: Plantation Lullabies by Meshell Ndegeocello
Retrospective Review: Enta da Stage by Black Moon
Wednesday Roundups #29: 9 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
2013: When Hip-Hop Generations Collided
Album Review: SET IT OFF by Offset
Retrospective Review: Very Necessary by Salt-N-Pepa
10 Songs Defined Kendrick Lamar in the 2010s
Wednesday Roundups #28: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
10 Best So So Def Recordings Albums
Mixtape Review: Grill Talk Mixtape, Vol. 1 by pat junior
Retrospective Review: My Name Is My Name by Pusha T
Retrospective Review: Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange
Retrospective Review: Champion Sound by Jaylib
How 1989 Built on Hip-Hop’s Groundbreaking Year
Retrospective Review: From the Mint Factory by Mint Condition
Retrospective Review: Critical Beatdown by Ultramagnetic MC's
Wednesday Roundups #27: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Album Review: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips by Armand Hammer
Cleo Sol Proves That Heaven Is Gold
Retrospective Review: Paper Trail by T.I.
Retrospective Review: The Love Movement by A Tribe Called Quest
Retrospective Review: Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star by Black Star
Retrospective Review: Aquemini by OutKast
Retrospective Review: Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life by JAY-Z
Retrospective Review: Return of the Boom Bap by KRS-One
Retrospective Review: 93 'til Infinity by Souls of Mischief
Wednesday Roundups #26: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Retrospective Review: Nothing Was the Same by Drake
Retrospective Review: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OutKast
Retrospective Review: Fearless by Jazmine Sullivan
Retrospective Review: Comin’ From Where I’m From by Anthony Hamilton
Retrospective Review: Buhloone Mindstate by De La Soul
Retrospective Review: In Control, Volume 1 by Marley Marl
Wednesday Roundups #25: 16 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
10 Best Timbaland-Produced Albums
Retrospective Review: Vaudeville Villain by Viktor Vaughn
Retrospective Review: Room 25 by Noname
Retrospective Review: Power by Ice-T
Retrospective Review: Lyte as a Rock by MC Lyte
Retrospective Review: Eazy-Duz-It by Eazy-E
Wednesday Roundups #24: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Retrospective Review: The Electric Lady by Janelle Monáe
Retrospective Review: Can-I-Bus by Canibus
Wednesday Roundups #23: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Retrospective Review: Love & War by Tamar Braxton
Retrospective Review: The Recession by Young Jeezy
Retrospective Review: Swass by Sir Mix-A-Lot
Mariah Carey's 'Music Box': Where Pop Meets Soul
Wednesday Roundups #22: 14 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Unpacking Armand Hammer's 'Paraffin': A Deep Dive
2005: The Year Rap Reinvented Itself
The Emotional Layers of 'Let's Get It On'
Album Review: JAGUAR II by Victoria Monét
Solange's Evolution: A Look Back at Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams
Prime Picks: “Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem)” by Victoria Monét
Lauryn Hill's 'The Miseducation': A 25-Year Retrospective
Cheers to Tha Alkaholiks: 30 Years of 21 & Over
Wednesday Roundups #21: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Hip-Hop Revolution of '98: A Turn to Authenticity
Three Kings: A Royal Treatment or A Royal Letdown?
Earl Sweatshirt’s Unexpected Sabbatical and Return with 'Doris'
T.I.'s 'Trap Muzik': The Birth of a Sub-Genre
2001 Hip-Hop: The Battle for New York’s Crown
Prime Picks: “Need 2 Know” by LAYA
Prime Picks: “gospel?” by Noname feat. $ilkMoney, billy woods & STOUT
Kelly Price's Magnum Opus: An Examination of Soul of a Woman
#HipHop50: 50 Best Hip-Hop Mixtapes
#HipHop50: 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 2010s
#HipHop50: 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 2000s
#HipHop50: 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 1990s
#HipHop50: 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 1980s
Rapsody's Musical and Personal Growth
Unpacking the Legacy of Straight Outta Compton
1995: The Year New York Reclaimed Hip-Hop's Throne
From Trio to Sextet: The Isley Brothers' '3+3' Breakthrough
Prime Picks: "Trauma Mic" by Armand Hammer feat. Pink Siifu
MC Hammer: Hip-Hop's Unacknowledged Trendsetter
Drowning or Swimming: Mac Miller's Emotional Journey in His Fifth Studio Album
The Enduring Legacy of 'Innervisions' by Stevie Wonder
2000: The Year the Heartland Revolutionized Hip-Hop
Best Albums and EPs from July 2023
1987: When Hip-Hop Broke its Mold
Prime Picks: "Talk to Me Nice" by Sa-Roc
1991's Rookie Class Previews Hip-Hop's Coming Golden Age
The Enchanting Unison of VanJess: A Retrospective of 'Silk Canvas'
Celebrating 35 Years of Eric B. & Rakim’s 'Follow the Leader'
The Best R&B Debut Albums: Every Year in the 2010s, Pt. 5
The Unstoppable Five-Album Marathon of Nas & Hit-Boy
How DJ Muggs Became Hip-Hop's Most Under-appreciated Producer
Three Decades of Hazy Vibes: Revisiting Cypress Hill's Smoked-Out Sophomore Album Black Sunday
Hive Mind: The Internet's Magnum Opus
The Best R&B Debut Albums: Every Year in the 2000s, Pt. 4
The Sweet Sounds of New Edition's Candy Girl
1996: The Year That Shook Hip-Hop
Apollo Brown's Collaborative Chronicles: A Top Ten Evaluation
The Ultimate Guide for Hip-Hop Concept Albums
Riding the Waves of Fury: A Deep Dive into Nas's 'Untitled'
Shatter the Standards Radio: Issue #3
Ready to Ill: The Year New York Struck Back in 1994
Toni Braxton’s Inception: A Reflection on Her Groundbreaking Debut
The Best R&B Debut Albums: Every Year in the 1990s, Pt. 3
Epic Contention: A Year in Review – Hip-Hop in 2011
Wednesday Roundups #20: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Rhymes That Resonate: A Tribute to Nas’ Exceptional Storytelling
Unmasking the Native Tongues Movement (1988-1991)
The Lingering Influence of Austin Peralta in Thundercat's 'Apocalypse'
Unveiling 'Cosmic Slop': Parliament-Funkadelic's Underestimated Gem
Jeanius: An Unsung Heroine to Underground Hip-Hop in 2008
Kings, Pawns, and the Game of Thrones: Revisiting 2015 in Hip-Hop
The Best R&B Debut Albums: Every Year in the 1980s, Pt. 2
Björk's Debut at 30: A Boundary-Breaking Phenom
Wednesday Roundups #19: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
In the Wake of Giants: The Ewing Effect on 1997 Hip-Hop
Album Review: A Brief Nirvana by Khamari
Unwrapping the Layers: A Retrospective Review of Dour Candy
Rising Above: The S.O.S. Band's Victorious Return with 'On the Rise'
Rhythmic Rhapsody at 60: Charles Mingus' Magnum Opus, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
From Chaos to Creation: A Deep Dive into Sly & The Family Stone’s ‘Fresh’
Lyrical Juggernauts: The Legacy of Def Squad and El Niño
The Birth of The Peas: An In-Depth Analysis of 'Behind the Front'
Embrya: Unraveling the Fluidity of Maxwell's Second Album
Our Favorite Albums of 2023 (So Far...)
The Best R&B Debut Albums: Every Year in the 1970s, Pt. 1
From Community to Controversy: A Deeper Dive into It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Noteworthy Comeback Albums in Hip-Hop
Shit-Talk Anthems and Psychedelic Style: Deconstructing Run the Jewels' Brilliance
Celebrating Five Decades of Hip-Hop: Spotlight on Black Thought's Featured Verses
Fifteen Years Later: Sketches of a Man by Dwele
Beyoncé's Initial Solo Leap: Assessing 'Dangerously in Love'
K.T.S.E.: A Long-Awaited Showcase of Teyana Taylor's Talent
The Dual Sides of Sagacity: Ranking Hip-Hop's Finest Double-Disc Albums
Unsung Harmonies: The Legacy of 'Sons of Soul' by Tony! Toni! Toné!
A Retrospective Glance at Westside Gunn's Supreme Blientele
Five Years Later: Revisiting Hard-Hitting 'Freddie'
Big Daddy Kane: An Artist's Genesis and Impact Through 'Long Live the Kane'
Wednesday Roundups #18: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Heart Break Reimagined: Celebrating 35 Years of New Edition's Best Album
The Intriguing Elevation of Bobby Brown: 35 Years of 'Don't Be Cruel'
Album Review: The Omnichord Real Book by Meshell Ndegeocello
Beyond the Norm: The Genius of Donny Hathaway's 'Extension of a Man'
The Epic Showdown: June 18, 2013, in Hip-Hop History
The Undiscovered Gem: King Geedorah's 'Take Me to Your Leader'
After the Storm: Monica's Comeback to R&B
Shatter the Standards Radio: Issue #2
EVERYTHING IS LOVE: The Carters' Resilient Symphony of Black Love and Triumph
Unraveling Devin the Dude: A Retrospective Review of 'The Dude'
Album Review: MICHAEL by Killer Mike
Sonic Boom: A Retrospective Review of J.J. Fad's Supersonic Album
In Full Gear: Stetsasonic’s Sonic Revolution that Time Overlooked
A Retrospective Analysis of NASIR: Nas and Kanye's Peculiar Disappointment
Aretha Now: The Hidden Jewel of Aretha Franklin's Discography
Wednesday Roundups #17: 16 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Revolution of Rhythm: Guy's Seminal 1988 Debut
2002: The Unsung Heroes and New York's Last Hurrah
A Decade of 'Albert Einstein': Echoes of Boom-Bap Resilience
A Decade of “Better”: A Retrospective Review of Chrisette Michele’s Definitive Album
Tha Carter III: Lil Wayne's Era of Dominance, a Lookback
Reflecting on 'Never Say Never': Brandy’s Sophomore Triumph 25 Years On
Shatter the Standards Radio: Issue #1
Strictly Business: An Unforgettable Bang in East Coast Hip-Hop
A Close Study: Bobby Womack's 'Facts of Life'
1999: A Year of Paradox in Hip-Hop
Wednesday Roundups #16: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Album Review: The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe
From Pageant to Pop: A Retrospective on Vanessa Williams' "The Right Stuff"
Midnight Star's Shining Legacy: A Look Back at 'No Parking on the Dance Floor' After Forty Years
Bloodstone: The Underrated Architects of 70s Soul
A Sonic Decade-and-a-Half: Celebrating 15 Years of 'Los Angeles' by Flying Lotus
Rediscovering the Layers of 'Self Portrait'
Unveiling the Unsung: AZ's Voyage Through Hip-Hop
Influential Voices: Examining the Legacy of Pinnacle Singers and the Emerging Stars of 1970's R&B
Unleashing Rhythms: An Insight into "Streams of Thought, Vol. 1" by Black Thought
By All Means Necessary: A Retrospective Glance
Harmonic Beginnings: A Retrospective on The Songstress by Anita Baker
2003: A Paradigm Shift in Hip-Hop - The Year of Grit, Glamor, and Guts
Looking Back at A$AP Rocky's Testing: When Fusion Fails
An Ode to DAYTONA: Pusha T's Magnum Opus
A Voice That Echoed Through Time: Honoring Tina Turner (1939-2023)
Sly & The Family Stone: A Synergy of Styles Across Four Pivotal Albums
Hip-Hop's Transformative Leap in 1993: A Sonic Adventure Unfurled
Travis Scott's Emergent Sound: A Lookback on 'Owl Pharaoh'
Dwele’s 'Subject': A Mesmerizing Melange of R&B, Jazz, and Love Poetry
The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1: A Muddled Symphony of Street Culture
Album Recommendation: Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? by Kara Jackson
Echoes of Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1: Bridging Jazz and Hip-Hop
Janet. Revisited: A Thirty-Year Tribute to Janet Jackson’s Pivotal Album
Resilience in Rhyme: A Retrospective on Run-D.M.C.’s 'Tougher Than Leather'
Wednesday Roundups #15: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
1986: A Pivotal Year in Hip-Hop Redefining Commercial Success, Gangsta Rap, and Rap Beef
Juicy Fruit at 40: Reflecting on Mtume's Techno-Soul Masterstroke
Standing Tall: A Retrospective Look at Usher's 'Here I Stand'
DMX's Debut, 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot': A 25-Year Retrospective
The Golden Quartet: Luther Vandross' Legendary Album Run
Revisiting Traces of My Lipstick: Xscape's Swansong and Their Best Effort
Marvin Gaye: A Musical Odyssey Through Five Seminal Albums
Al Green's Unparalleled Quadrilogy: Soul, Love, and Intimacy
Wednesday Roundups #14: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
A Retrospective Look at Prince's Lovesexy
Album Review: Wait Til Get Over by Durand Jones
Ice-T's Unrelenting Legacy: A Journey Through Four Seminal Albums
Album Review: Maps by billy woods & Kenny Segal
The Spinners: A Four-Album Golden Run of Philly Soul
The Evolution of Mafioso Rap: A Journey Through Time and Rhyme
SlaughtaHouse: Masta Ace's Bold Stand Against Violence and A Call for Unity
Conexão's Fifth Anniversary: A Look Back at Amber Mark's Mesmerizing Breakout EP
Five Years Later: Royce da 5'9" and the Unwavering Legacy of 'Book of Ryan'
"Protect Ya Neck" at 30: Wu-Tang Clan's Timeless Introduction to the World of Hip-Hop
Wednesday Roundups #13: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Goin' Places - An Overlooked Gem in the Jacksons' Discography
A Decade of 'Acid Rap': Chance the Rapper's Lasting Impact on Blog Rap and Chicago
A Diamond in the Rough: The Overlooked Brilliance of Priceless by Kelly Price
We Are One at 40: Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Capital Punishment: Big Pun's Groundbreaking Legacy, 25 Years On
Innercity Griots: The Unsung Heroes of West Coast Hip-Hop
Wednesday Roundups #12: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #11: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #10: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Album Review: Brand New Life by Brandee Younger
Wednesday Roundups #9: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Album Review: Leather Blvd by B. Cool-Aid
Timeless Truths: Gang Starr's Moment of Truth - Unveiling the Legacy
Wednesday Roundups #8: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Album Review: Ways of Knowing by Navy Blue
Wednesday Roundups #7: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #6: 6 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #5: 12 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Wednesday Roundups #4: 9 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
19 Naughty III is Naughty by Nature's Ubiquitous Win
Wednesday Roundups #3: 8 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
Recommendation: Take It Easy My Brother Murs by Murs & El Lif Beatz
Album Review: My 21st Century Blues by RAYE