Torae

The soundtrack of 2011.

On the fourth episode of XXL’s debate podcast, “The Great Hip-Hop Debates,” the group discusses ghostwriting in hip-hop.

On the third episode of The Great Hip-Hop Debates, we linked up with Jack Thriller and DJ Suss One to discuss whether or not the Internet babies should be doing their hip-hop homework.

XXL's Vanessa Satten and Sirius XM's Torae sit down with renowned DJ Mister Cee and journalists Sowmya Krishnamurthy and Shaheem Reid on the first episode of "The Great Hip-Hop Debates."

Only the best of the best are allowed to step foot in The Cage, one of the New York City's most famous courts behind Rucker Park. That doesn't only concern basketball skills; Skyzoo and Torae are slick-tongued, quick-witted rhymers. They, too, get to breathe the air that occupies the City's best courts (it's that serious; basketball is a way of life, guys)...

Our tour guide Torae headed out to Atlanta for the BET Hip-Hop Awards this year, and it looks like it was a blast. Aside from his dope interviews on the green carpet, the Barrel Brothers MC also wanted to have some fun. Since we all know that the A is known for turning up, Torae asks "Who'd you wake up next to...

The BET Hip-Hop Awards kicked off last Tuesday night and the ninth edition was filled with a lot of excitement. Before the show started, XXL sent our tour guide Torae on the red turned green carpet to interview some of your favorite hip-hop artists...

Australia isn't a well-known place that produces hip-hop's next stars, but KNOE is looking to change that. Hailing from the suburbs of Perth City, KNOE is gaining traction in his hometown as the next one up. Previously, KNOE opened up for names like Action Bronson, Skyzoo and Heems from Das Racist...

This time last year, albums from Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, J Cole, Mac Miller and Wale—with a Jay Z album right around the corner—had already dropped, providing hip-hop heads with plenty to talk about at the halfway mark of the year. In 2014, the focus has been less on established acts bolstering their resumes—though Rick Ross, Kid Cudi, The Roots and Tech N9ne have all submitted solid efforts—and

Check Out Our Beats Playlist Right Here Previously: 12 Rappers And Producers On The Best Advice They Ever Received 15 Rappers On Their Most Embarrassing Public Moments 11 Rappers On The Highest Point Of Their Careers 11 Rappers On The Lowest Moments Of Their Careers 17 Rappers Unveil Their Childhood Playlists

On an average hip-hop night at Manhattan's SOBs, you may be able to come across one of your favorite mainstream artists, or uncover a new favorite from the underground. Last night, (May 27) was special not only because it was the release party for Skyzoo and Torae’s Barrel Brothers album, but also because it was time for New Yorkers to support local talent...

Skyzoo and Torae’s Barrel Brothers is consciously steeped in the history of New York hip-hop. The intro opens with a vocal sample of Flava Flav, while “Tunnel Vision” is built around a similar sample from Digable Planets. There are lyrical shoutouts to “99 Problems,” hating on Instagram, and the lead single “Blue Yankee Fitted” is an ode to a staple of New York fashion...