“The Message” is often credited with stretching what hip-hop could be — not just party music but also social commentary. Big Daddy Kane, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic and longtime hip-hop promoter Charlie ...

To get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, here are some of The Root’s favorite rap love songs. While hip-hop is often characterized by its bravado and aggression, the genre has also flourished ...

Sometimes it’s hard to say out loud how we’re really feeling, but the best songs are able to take all those emotions and set them to music. When it comes to romance, though, hip-hop love songs are ...

J Dilla, then known as Jay Dee, on the rhymes and beats along with the entire SV gang (T3 and the late Baatin). [sheds tear for the freshness] Everyone picks “Bonita Applebum”; a dope tune but you ...