Kool DJ AJ — a pioneering hip-hop DJ working since the late 1970s — died Wednesday (Sept. 9), his friend and collaborator Kurtis Blow announced on Twitter. AJ worked with Blow and Busy Bee throughout the ’80s and DJ’d in to the ’90s, retiring from hip-hop in 2010. Explore Explore…

Idris “StarChile” O’Ferrall, a veteran fixture of the Portland hip-hop scene, has died, his father confirmed today on Facebook. He was 42 years old. O’Ferrall had been diagnosed with CNS lymphoma, a form of brain cancer, just last month. Starting out as a rapper, O’Ferrall, a Portland native, assumed numerous roles in…

Rising rapper Pop Smoke died Wednesday morning (Feb. 19). According to an initial TMZ story, the artist was reportedly shot and killed during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills.  In the wake of the news, Pop Smoke’s fellow hip-hop stars and other celebrities are turning to social media to offer their condolences…

Alex Malverde, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Mexico’s current hip-hop renaissance, passed away due to complications with COVID-19, sources reported on Tuesday. The news was confirmed by friends and collaborators on social media. The entrepreneur, born Alejandro Rodriguez, made a name for himself by managing and promoting emerging hip-hop talent…

New York City is, famously, the birthplace of hip-hop. It’s given the genre so many indelible figures that it’s easy to take the city for granted, to view its importance in the past tense. In its place was a perceived vacuum, filled by one rapper after another left to grapple…

Artists in the hip-hop community and beyond are mourning the loss of revered rapper DMX, who died this week at age 50 after suffering a heart attack and severe brain damage. Rappers Chance the Rapper, Soulja Boy, Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliott, as well as actors Halle Berry, Anika Noni…

News of Charlie Murphy’s passing were met with shock Wednesday. Many hip hop artists as well as comedians took to social media to say farewell to a comedian who tapped into African American culture through his skits on Chappelle’s Show. 50 Cent, Questlove, Nas, Mike Epps, Key!, LL Cool J,…

Hip-hop outfit RIP SLYME have announced they are resuming activities with their full original lineup—RYO-Z, ILMARI, PES, SU, and FUMIYA—for the first time in eight years. The five-member reunion will run for approximately one year, leading up to March 22nd 2026, the 25th anniversary of the group’s major debut. Following…

It is with heavy hearts that we are confirming the passing of MF DOOM. The undeniable legend of hip hop was reported to have passed away on October 31st of this year but his family and team just took to Instagram to announce his passing. DOOM was 49.  We received the news…

RIP SLYME, the renowned hip-hop group, has officially announced the resumption of activities with all five original members, marking a significant milestone in their journey. The group, which had been on hiatus as a five-member unit since 2017, will reunite for a limited time, celebrating their 25th anniversary of major…