The Musicians Behind Your Favorite Songs Are Coming for Their Credit

Who made the beat for “Bad and Boujee”? It should be a simple question. Most rap fans (and media outlets) would answer, without hesitation, Metro Boomin. But that’s not the full story. The songwriting credits list a Robert Mandell, better known as G Koop. And that leads us to a not-very-well-known side of how hip-hop… Read More The Musicians Behind Your Favorite Songs Are Coming for Their Credit

Jay-Z on ‘Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story’ and Activism

In the six-part docu-series “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story,” the filmmakers Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason recount the teenager’s life and his deadly encounter with George Zimmerman in a gated townhouse community outside Orlando. Through interviews with key players, including Mr. Martin’s family and Don West, a defense lawyer for Mr. Zimmerman,… Read More Jay-Z on ‘Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story’ and Activism

Her Eyes Were Watching the Stars: How Missy Elliott Became an Icon

She’s been making ahead-of-the-curve music and mind-bending videos for 20 years—and that’s no fluke. Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah goes behind the curtain with the ultraprivate creative genius. This article appears in the June 2017 issue of ELLE, on newsstands now. At the photo shoot, the accoutrements of being her precede her. A tray of acrylic nails… Read More Her Eyes Were Watching the Stars: How Missy Elliott Became an Icon

Regular, Degular, Shmegular Girl From the Bronx Only in 2017 could this particular strip-club, reality-television, rap-fame fairy tale have come true. And maybe only for Cardi B.

Only in 2017 could this particular strip-club, reality-television, rap-fame fairy tale have come true. And maybe only for Cardi B. Cardi B thinks nobody is watching her as she practices in the backstage holding pen at Brooklyn Academy of Music, where Jimmy Kimmel Live! is taping a special. Everyone is, though: She’s built to watch,… Read More Regular, Degular, Shmegular Girl From the Bronx Only in 2017 could this particular strip-club, reality-television, rap-fame fairy tale have come true. And maybe only for Cardi B.

Future: Syrup, Strippers and Heavy Angst With the Superstar MC

“I embraced what I thought people was gonna hate about me. I was gonna turn the hate into love” Outside, it’s rush hour, a still-sunny spring evening in Atlanta, but in here, you’d never know it. This room is windowless and dark, illuminated only by a projector shooting shimmering green stars onto the ceiling, a… Read More Future: Syrup, Strippers and Heavy Angst With the Superstar MC

Here Exactly How Much the Shiggy Challenge Impacted the Success of DRAKE In My Feelings

The answer to the question “Kiki, do you love me?” appears to be a resounding “Yes.” The viral dance challenge started by Instagram star Shiggy for Drake’s Kiki interrogation “In My Feelings” has been adopted by everyone from Leslie Jones to Will Smith, pushing the bounce-flavored song to the forefront of the pop culture conversation,… Read More Here Exactly How Much the Shiggy Challenge Impacted the Success of DRAKE In My Feelings