pound syndrome

Many rappers can come across like they’re bulletproof humans. With all the braggadocios raps, alluring videos and behind-the-scenes footage of tours mixed with everyday rap life, some of our favorite rappers can seem immune to regular problems, thoughts and ideas...

Hopsin is mid-sentence, talking about his plans to go out on tour with his Funk Volume labelmates Dizzy Wright and Jarren Benton later this year, when he stops himself and trails off. "My mom's calling me," he says, reaching into his pocket for his phone with a slightly embarrassed smile...

Rap deals in archetypes. Plenty has been written about the paradigm shift away from gangsta rap in the commercial sphere--a shift that coincided with, and was largely caused by Kanye West's 2004 debut. In 50 Cent and DMX's place was a more vulnerable, more conventionally emotive rap star...