The Regal Life of Queen Bee Lil' Kim

Published Oct 09, 2019

Standing at 4-foot-11, Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones has been one of the most revered and feared rappers of her time — not just as a woman who's...

Young M.A Finds Peace Through Vulnerability on Debut 'Herstory in the Making'

Published Oct 01, 2019

"I'm nervous and excited at the same time," Young M.A tells Exclaim! The Brooklyn rapper, who first broke onto the scene with her single "Oo...

​Common Learned How to 'Let Love' Lead Before Dropping His New Album

Published Aug 30, 2019

In his 25 years in the music industry, Chicago rapper Common has taught hard-knock lessons about the streets, community, economic literacy,...

Common Let Love

Published Aug 27, 2019

In a world that seems to be constantly in despair, the glue that bind trials and tribulations is found in one four-letter word: love. Vetera...

Rick Ross on Drake, Nipsey Hussle and the Emotional Extravagance of 'Port of Miami 2'

Published Aug 22, 2019

"I most definitely wanted the album to feel powerful, vintage," asserts Miami rapper Rick Ross. He's sitting for an interview at the Hazelto...

Puffy L'z Take No L'z

Published Aug 15, 2019

Following a two-year musical hiatus to rediscover himself, his faith and his path, Toronto rapper Puffy L'z has returned with his new projec...

Gucci Mane Festival d'été de Quebec, Quebec QC, July 12

Published Jul 15, 2019

Over a career spanning two decades, Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane created and maintained a distinct sound despite the trials and tribulations th...

Logic Festival d'été de Quebec, Quebec QC, July 12

Published Jul 15, 2019

Every crevice of Festival d'été de Québec's main festival grounds was taken up by music fans of all ages on Friday night (July 12), and it w...

Jazz Cartier Festival d'été de Quebec, Quebec QC, July 12

Published Jul 15, 2019

With the announcement that Lil Pump would no longer be joining Festival d'été de Québec early Friday afternoon (July 12), young fans showed...

Daniel Caesar Festival d'été de Québec, Quebec City, July 11

Published Jul 12, 2019

Though he recently released his sophomore album CASE STUDY 01, an album that was not only a surprise to fans but wasn't preceded by a lead s...

Mariah Carey Festival d'été de Québec, Quebec City, July 11

Published Jul 12, 2019

As the dark clouds loomed over Québec City on July 11, a shining light floated onto the main stage at Festival d'été de Québec — the light,...

JD Era Is 'Back from the Dead' and Claiming His Toronto Legacy on New Album

Published Jun 28, 2019

On his new album Back from the Dead, JD Era is filling in the blanks in his legacy — and, at the same time, the legacy of Toronto rap histor...

Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Lil' Kim

Published May 31, 2019

Lil' Kim was born to captivate. Despite her 4'11" frame, the rapper born Kimberly Jones has consistently held the attention of the music wor...

Myazwe Things I Never Said

Published May 23, 2019

Since the release of his first album, E: My Experiences on Empty, in 2017, Winnipeg rapper Myazwe has explored different sounds and delivery...

TOBi Velvet Underground, Toronto ON, May 3

Published May 05, 2019

In a sweaty, shoulder-to-shoulder, sold-out Velvet Underground on Friday night, a new era was being ushered in to Toronto's music community....

Barbados Reggae Festival Featuring Buju Banton, Busy Signal and Sizzla Kolanji Bridgetown, Barbados, April 27 to 30

Published May 03, 2019

While Toronto and other parts of Canada were experiencing the final bouts of winter to close out April, hundreds of people escaped their res...

TOBi's New Album 'Still' Channels Toronto, Yoruba Culture, Rebellion and, Yes, His Mother

Published May 03, 2019

"I gotta remember who I came with, I gotta remember who held me down," says TOBi. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter and rapper, born in Nige...

JustJohn & Dom Dias DON III

Published Apr 30, 2019

It's hard to imagine that two artists who met via social media and have known each other for just under two years could connect on a level t...

JustJohn and Dom Dias Complete the 'DON' Trilogy, But Their Ambitions Are Much Bigger

Published Apr 25, 2019

The gift of social media has allowed artists to plug their music, expand their audience, connect with their fans and share their dreams, but...

Lizzo Cuz I Love You

Published Apr 22, 2019

At the root of Lizzo's major label debut, Cuz I Love You, is one sonic concept: "What if Aretha Franklin made a rap album?" In a world where...