Sitemap - 2026 - Shatter the Standards
Love Songs for Grown Folks With Standards
Album Review: ... say it again ? by AJRadico
Album Review: 6WA by BigXthaPlug & 600 Entertainment
Album Review: Art Monk by Patty Honcho & Wiz Kelly
Album Review: rent due by bbymutha
Album Review: Boiling Point by Juvenile
The Lineage of Michael Jackson (Vocal Groups)
Album Review: Clarity of Mind by Omah Lay
Album Review: POMPEII // UTILITY by Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & SURF GANG
New Music Drops: April 3, 2026
Album Review: Same Difference by Swae Lee
Album Review: Ambiguous Desire by Arlo Parks
Album Review: Distracted by Thundercat
Milestones: Donny Hathaway by Donny Hathaway
Album Review: Soundtrack 2 Get Her Back by Jozzy
Milestones: Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite by Maxwell
Album Review: The Internet Killed the Neighborhood by Marlon Craft
Album Review: STBC! III: "Shifa" by cunabear & Steel Tipped Dove
Album Review: Masters of the Artistry by Bop Alloy
Wednesday Roundups #143: 21 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: Hagler Hearns by Numbz & Thought Provokah
Album Review: Dads at the End of the World by Sole & TELEVANGEL
Album Review: The Undisputed by Nickelus F
Album Review: HATE ISLAND by Teller Bank$
Album Review: Scarred and Sacred by SOLCHLD
Milestones: Parade by Prince & The Revolution
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Entrance: Black Women Pioneers
March 2026 Roundups: The Best Albums of the Month
Album Review: Garden Dance by Rap Man Gavin
Album Review: Days of You. by chromonicci
New R&B from Elmiene, Jenevieve, Noah Guy, rum.gold, and Isaia Huron
Album Review: Skeletor by Chief Keef
Milestones: Return of 4eva by Big K.R.I.T.
Album Review: EXTRA CHEESE by NAHreally
Milestones: Fishscale by Ghostface Killah
Album Review: Whatever’s Clever! by Charlie Puth
Album Review: Zavier by Fetty Wap
Album Review: MEMORIA, in blue by Noah Guy
Album Review: Confessions of a Lonely Girl by Victory
Album Review: Is There Anybody Home? by rum.gold
Anniversaries: SEPT 5TH by dvsn
EP Review: Candy by Justine Skye
Milestones: Acoustic Soul by India.Arie
Album Review: Full Circle by Tom Misch
New Music Drops: March 27, 2026
Album Review: Brilliance of a Falling Moon by dälek
Album Review: sounds for someone by Elmiene
Album Review: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. by RAYE
EP Spotlight: Neptune by Gallant
Milestones: The Dude by Quincy Jones
Milestones: The Coming by Busta Rhymes
Wednesday Roundups #142: 25 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: BULLY by Kanye West
Album Review: The Return by Erica Mason
Album Review: The Understudy by Wyatt Waddell
Album Review: Supreme Cut Untouched Magnificence II by Da Flyy Hooligan
Album Review: Hot Seat by Domani
Album Review: Better Than Yesterday by Lebra Jolie
Album Review: Words Are Spells, Thoughts Are Magic by Witch Prophet
LaRussell’s Engineer Told Him Not to Drop “Heaven Sent,” and He Should Have Listened
EP Review: Detour by Samara Cyn
Album Review: Highs + Lows by KADEEM.
These Five R&B Songs All Have Something to Confess
Album Review: WAVO FOREVER by Hus KingPin
Milestones: House of Balloons by The Weeknd
Album Review: I Guess I'll Never Learn by S. Fidelity
Album Review: When the City Sleeps by Alex Isley
Milestones: Rapture by Anita Baker
New Music Drops: March 20, 2026
Album Review: Movin’ by Selah Sue & The Gallands
Album Review: R3SET by Mike WiLL Made-It
Milestones: Breezin’ by George Benson
Milestones: Kollage by Bahamadia
Tenderness, Control, and a Strong Sense of Self
Album Review: Good Intentions by Ego Ella May
Wednesday Roundups #141: 25 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: Comfortably Suffering by Duncecap & Samurai Banana
So Plush on Rodney Jerkins, Darkchild Records, and the Making of Their Debut Album (2001 Interview)
Milestones: I Want You by Marvin Gaye
Album Review: Love Games by Larrenwong
Album Review: Beautifully All Over the Place by Eric Roberson
Glenn Lewis, Thundercat, Alex Isley, and More R&B Songs This Week
Album Review: What’s Bracken by Jeremy Ryan
Album Review: SPOOKY: ACT I by TrigNO
Album Review: Push & Paint by Bruiser Wolf & Sheefy McFly
Album Review: You’re Free to Go by Anjimile
Album Review: For Mary by Olive Jones
Album Review: Monica by Jack Harlow
Milestones: My Melody by Deniece Williams
Album Review: SOUTH LDN LOVER GIRL by Ms Banks
New Music Drops: March 13, 2026
Album Review: LK99 by Leven Kali
Album Review: I Guess U Had to Be There by ELUCID & Sebb Bash
Album Review: 20nothing by Blessing Jolie
Album Review: Trying Times by James Blake
Album Review: Live at Glasshaus by Annahstasia
Album Review: Self Proclaimed Narcissist by Self Proclaimed Narcissist
Milestones: Best Day Ever by Mac Miller
Wednesday Roundups #140: 25 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: Oda by Daniela Andrade
EP Review: Miami Lice: Season Four by Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman
Album Review: A Rush to Nowhere by Arima Ederra
Album Review: After All by GiddyGang & Vuyo
Album Review: Talk to Her Like This by Alvin Garrett
Musicians at the Heart of the Movement
Lupe Fiasco Talks Lasers, Obama, and Protest (2011 Interview)
Anniversaries: Lasers by Lupe Fiasco
Album Review: early life crisis by Nettspend
Omarion, Ayra Starr, and Five R&B Singles Worth Your Weekend
Album Review: Trippin from the West by Shloob
Album Review: I Was Told There’d Be Gold by Rashad
Album Review: Untitled by Marqus Clae & !llmind
Eve, The Last Scorpio (2001 Interview)
EP Review: Girl Music Vol. 1 by Ty Dolla $ign
Anniversaries: Scorpion by Eve
New Music Drops: March 6, 2026
Album Review: Strictly 4 the Scythe by Denzel Curry & The Scythe
Album Review: Atlanta by Gnarls Barkley
Anniversaries: Smiling With No Teeth by Genesis Owusu
Milestones: untitled unmastered. by Kendrick Lamar
Album Review: Goyard & The Kayfabe Reveal by Ghais Guevara
Five Records That Ignore the Game on Purpose
When the Veteran Still Has the Best Cry
Album Review: The Darkening Green by ELIZA
Wednesday Roundups #139: 25 (+2) New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Remembering Bob Power, the Engineer Who Made Hip-Hop’s Best Records Feel Alive
Milestones: Earth, Wind & Fire by Earth, Wind & Fire
Album Review: When It All Falls Down by Jakhari Smith
Album Review: I Am a Woman Again by Vahn Black
Milestones: Gets Next to You by Al Green
Album Review: On Everything I Love by KJADE
Who Told Spotify Hip-Hop Needed New Leaders
Album Review: Midnight in Houston by DJ DMG & October London
R&B Songs Where Everybody’s Losing the Argument This Week
Album Review: BE VERY AFRAID (Vol. 1) by Chase B
Album Review: It’s Us Vol. 2 by Concrete Boys
Milestones: In My Own Words by Ne-Yo
February 2026 Roundups: The Best Albums of the Month
Album Review: Soul Woman by Michelle David & The True-Tones
The Lineage of Michael Jackson (Kids / Young Stars)
Album Review: According To... by RJD2 & Supastition
New Music Drops: February 27, 2026
Album Review: The Mountain by Gorillaz
Album Review: With No Due Respect by Foggieraw
Album Review: The Romantic by Bruno Mars
Falling in Love with Bruno Mars All Over Again
The Breakout Rap and R&B Artists of 1996, Pt. 1
Album Review: BLACK ASS KUNG-FU FLICK by Mick Jenkins & greenSLLIME
Wednesday Roundups #138: 14 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
EP Review: Manhunt by Boldy James & Rome Streetz
Milestones: Corinne Bailey Rae (Self-Titled) by Corinne Bailey Rae
Album Review: The Pleasure Is Yours by GENA
Black Girls in Pop Groups Deserve More Than Survival
The One Where Everyone Catches Feelings
Deciphering On the Radar Raps New Class Cypher (Vol. 1)
Grown R&B That Doesn’t Need Permission (Five 2006 R&B Albums)
Reality Check Music That Looks Past the Block (Five 2006 Rap Albums)
Album Review: Spiral Staircases by Larry June, Curren$y & The Alchemist
The Jackson 5 Follower Groups Before 1994
Album Review: Ca$ino by Baby Keem
Album Review: Paracosm by Absolutely
New Music Drops: February 20, 2026
Album Review: Heaven Ain’t Sold by Choker
Album Review: Waves by Moonchild
Album Review: My Ego Told Me To by Leigh-Anne
Anniversaries: In My Mind by BJ the Chicago Kid
Deciphering CyHi’s “No Competition”
Album Review: GOAT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists
Album Review: Leopard Eats Face by Ras Kass
Wednesday Roundups #137: 23 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Jesse Jackson Made “I Am Somebody” a Daily Saying
Album Review: Petal Rock Black by WILLOW
Album Review: The Apple Tree Under the Sea by hemlocke springs
Album Review: All in Love by LeVelle
Album Review: Set Her Free by alayna
Milestones: nostalgia,ULTRA. by Frank Ocean
Shenae “Curry” Craig Built Rooms Where Black Women Could Speak Freely
Street Rap Cannot Be the Only Passport to the Mainstream
Anniversaries: The Greatest Story Never Told by Saigon
R&B Songs Where Nobody’s Fine and the Music Is Incredible
Album Review: War Cash by CRIMEAPPLE & Evidence
Milestones: All Eyez On Me by 2Pac
Milestones: The Score by Fugees
The Lineage of Michael Jackson (R&B Roots)
Album Review: To Whom This May Concern by Jill Scott
New Music Drops: February 13, 2026
Album Review: November Scorpio by Tiana Major9
Album Review: Icon by Brent Faiyaz
Album Review: Salvation for the Wicked by Ransom, Boldy James & Nicholas Craven
EP Spotlight: Table for Two by Lucky Daye
Wednesday Roundups #136: 23 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: Expansions by Zo! & Tall Black Guy
How Deregulation from the Telecommunications Act Stripped Black Music of Power
Bad Bunny Makes the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show About Identity More Than Hits
What the Water Remembered: Beyoncé and Black Matter
R&B for People Who Stare Out of Windows
Deciphering Symba’s “Father Figure”
Singers Painting R&B in the Colors of Heart-Flutters
Album Review: The Fall-Off by J. Cole
New Music Drops: February 6, 2026
Inside the Long Eight-Year Wait for J. Cole’s The Fall-Off
Album Review: Do You Still Love Me? by Ella Mai
EP Spotlight: Homegrown by VanJess
Milestones: We Are KING by We Are KING
Milestones: Control by Janet Jackson
Wednesday Roundups #135: 15 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
What Drove J. Cole on The Off-Season?
“We Are Not Savages, We Are Not Animals”
Black Skin, White Neighborhood
JAY-Z, Pusha T, and Stan Wars Turn Epstein Files Into Fan Fiction
Needing the Opinion of Celebrities of the State and the World
Remembering the Life and Legacy of Michael “5000” Watts
Five R&B Songs for the Emotionally Unavailable
January 2026 Roundups: The Best Albums of the Month
Mixtape Review: Birthday Blizzard ‘26 by J. Cole
The Lineage of Michael Jackson (Mellow / Sensitive)
Album Review: OCTANE by Don Toliver
New Music Drops: January 30, 2026
Album Review: As of Now by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon
Album Review: My Ghosts Go Ghost by By Storm
Album Review: Backward by Jordan Ward
Album Review: SANTO by New Saint
Wednesday Roundups #134: 18 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
J. Cole Turns Birthday Blizzard ‘26 Into a Warning Shot
Our Tribute to Lowell “Sly” Dunbar (1952-2026)
Gladys West Built the Math GPS Depends On
Five R&B Songs That Won’t Leave Your Head (And Shouldn’t)
Album Review: Part 3 by 42 Dugg
Album Review: Greyhound by Katie Tupper
Album Review: It Could Be Worse by Samm Henshaw
Album Review: Ratchet & Blues by Phabo
The Lineage of Michael Jackson (Dance / Boogie)
Album Review: 656 by Roc Marciano
Album Review: What I Didn’t Say by Nija
New Music Drops: January 23, 2026
Album Review: e.t.d.s. A Mixtape by .idk. by IDK
Album Review: Campilation by Camper
Album Review: Vacancy by Ari Lennox
Anniversaries: Sex, Love & Pain II by Tank
Wednesday Roundups #133: 12 New Projects You Should Listen to Now
Album Review: Chasing by Ady Suleiman
Album Review: ElectroSoul by DJ Harrison
Album Review: Naive Melodies by Various Artists (BBE Music)
Ranking Discographies: Solange
Grandma’s Yams With the Marshmallows on Top
Album Review: Slime Cry by YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Album Review: Honey Water by Girlfriend
Album Review: THE GEMINI by Elijah Blake
The Lost Art of Remixes In Hip-Hop and R&B
The Handguide to Michael Jackson
Album Review: Don’t Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky
Album Review: I Am by Lexa Gates
New Music Drops: January 16, 2026
Album Review: locket by Madison Beer
Milestones: Step in the Arena by Gang Starr
Milestones: Malibu by Anderson .Paak
Deciphering J. Cole’s “The Fall-Off… Disc 2 Track 2”
Remembering John Forté, The Quiet Name on The Score
Album Recommendation: The Second Adventure by Dynasty
Album Review: Iron Curtain by Myalansky
Album Review: Forgiveness Is God’s Job... Part 2 by Don Trip
Album Review: Hood Poet Black Heart Edition by Polo G
A Letter to the People Who Feel Entitled to Comment
Album Review: Rapping Paper (Gift Raps 2) by Chip Tha Rapper
Album Review: Psychological Cheat Sheet 6 by Vic Spencer & August Fanon
EP Review: Sundiata by Vic Mensa
R&B Songs Where Nobody Gets What They Want
The Anticipated R&B Albums of 2026
Deciphering IDK and Pusha T’s “LiFE 4 A LiFE”
Album Review: Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos by French Montana & Max B
Jodeci, Every Freek’n Way (1995 BLAST Cover Story)
Album Review: GOOD TO BE BACK by Hype
Album Review: Chapter 1 by SAULT
Album Review: Separate from the Noise by threetwenty
New Music Drops: January 9, 2026
Album Review: The Happening by SALIMATA
Album Review: Pray 4 Me by Chris Patrick
Album Review: Trillstatik 5 by Bun B & Statik Selektah
Album Review: Views of a Lifetime by Skyzoo
Album Review: Opened Gates by Mark Lux
Milestones: Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
Album Review: Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz by Big K.R.I.T.
Album Review: MARCO PLUS vs. tha Underworld by MARCO PLUS
Album Review: Only Dust Remains by Backxwash
Doechii and the Misogynoir Behind Industry Plant Talk