Believe it or not, at one point in time there was no Hip-Hop Internets. Back then, OG websites you might not remember, like Hookt.com or 360hiphop.com, elbowed their way into the Hip-Hop journalism game that was once caught in a firm headlock by outlets such as The Source, Rap Pages and XXL. However, the dot com bubble burst.
Nevertheless sites like AllHipHop and SOHH, for example, were able to thrive and often surpassed the work put in by their print counterparts that eventually, if reluctantly, jumped into the HTML fray, too. But the rise of blogs eventually evened that playing field. Soon, there was a cacophony of voices in the digital Hip-Hop milieu seeking attention.
Some did so by being the loudmouth at the party racking up page views or being the focused intellectual putting in consistent work, gaining dedicated followers in process. Other spaces just found their niche and ran with it. Plenty of misinformed and suspect opinions prevailed, and still do, but fortunately many Hip-Hop blogs and websites found their bearings and distinguished themselves from the pack.
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This list compiled by Hip-Hop Wired isn’t trying to point out every dope blog out there. There are simply too many to name and give their proper due. However, consider this a cheat seat for the best the Hip-Hop digital sphere has to offer. We didn’t just consider page views (though they can certainly help) but also considered quality of work, consistency, influence, and other such factors (like, do people actually check for the site or say they do because it’s trendy?). Lock these sites, and Hip-Hop Wired (of course), in to your daily rap readings and your Hip-Hop IQ will grow exponentially.
Feel free to tell us who was robbed and who should have been higher, lower or completely booted from the list in the comments.
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Photo: Roc Nation
30. Real Talk NY
Nigel D has been holding it down for a while, with his impressive work ethic leading to behind the scenes vids and exclusive photos on the regular.
29. The Sermon’s Domain
Hailing out of Seattle, Sermon’s Domain is making a name of itself dropping original interviews with respected artists like Tech N9ne, Raekwon and Talib Kweli, to name a few.
28. OkayPlayer
An OG in the game, expect plenty of underground friendly coverage of artists you’ll be clamoring about next year.
27. UpNorthTrips
The vintage flicks UpNorthTrips drop on the daily are an always needed trip down memory lane.
26. DJ Booth.net
DJ Booth.net aims to operate like disc jockeys of times past, bringing fresh Hip-Hop and R&B to the masses digitally.
25. MassAppeal.com
Mass Appeal made a splash as magazine in the 90s, but after shuttering the print operation in 2008, they’ve gone on to deliver the goods online.
24. EgoTripLand.com
Continuing the mags-to-Web trend, EgoTripLand.com spawned from the popular 1990s print publication Ego Trip, just as fresh as before.
23. Hip Hop Since 1987
Philly has always had a place in the Hip-Hop world and Hip Hop Since 1987 makes sure Illadelphia acts get their proper shine.
22. AlLindstrom.com
Al Lindstrom loads the Hip-Hop digital space with lots of original content and richly detailed interviews.
21. XXL
The web extension of XXL magazine routinely flips that brand recognition into plenty of exclusive access.
20. The Fader
After launching in 1998 as a print product, the Web version of The Fader covers some of music’s biggest names in a variety of genres.
19. Crunk & Disorderly (Crunktastical.net)
It’s a gossip site with plenty of rap ratchetness and the well written and hilariously immaculate slander (no easy task) that Freshalina drops is just spectacular.
18. Billboard’s The Juice
The charts speak volumes, and The Juice stays breaking stories everyone else hijacks.
17. AllHipHop.com
The OG’s name brand is priceless and their news department stays breaking stories daily. The 48 Hours With series is also notable.
16. Unkut.com
Insightful interviews with your favorite boom-bap type artists (check a recent one with MF Grimm) that other spots just don’t cover are a staple here.
15. YouHeardThatNew
Low Key and Co. have created the perfect site if you’re looking for new music from budding new artists, as well as your favorite MCs.
14. OnSMASH
Steadily bringing you new music, videos and everything in between. Also, it’s still Free On Smash.
13. Miss Info
Being a Hip-Hop journalism OG and holding down a Hot 97 gig means Miss Info gets plenty of exclusive content first.
12. The Source
The magazine of Hip-Hop music, culture and politics makes sure their web presence maintains that standard.
11. Potholes In My Blog
PIMB has come a long way from a small powerhouse Hip-Hop blog, to an in-depth music site and record label.
10. MTV’s RapFix
A MTV connection means plenty of access to A-list artists, and RapFix makes the most of that relationship to your benefit.
9. Fake Shore Drive
Chi-Town has been reasserting its presence in the rap game for a long minute now, and Fake Shore Drive has been covering it every step of the way. If you claim the Windy City and don’t have a FSD co-sign, good luck to you.
8. Rap Radar
The house that YN built and B-Dot helped construct is great at aggregating content. If you’re mad about that, it means they’re winning.
7. 2 Dope Boyz
2 Dope Boyz (Shake and Meka) deliver more music than will ever fit your hard drive, but go the extra mile to include joints from artists you might not have heard of, but definitely should give a spin.
6. Nah Right
Eskay’s home base is a household name when it comes down to getting the latest music. That is undeniable and when he occasionally drops an opinion, you should take heed.
5. Hip-Hop N More
Navjosh has one of the quickest hands on the Internets when it comes to delivering consistent content speedily and efficiently. Want the most recent song, video or behind the scenes footage? Look no further.
4. Rap-Up
Rap-Up.com is easily one of the leading destinations in Hip-Hop news. Starting as a magazine, before smoothly transitioning into the online game, the folks over at the site are timely with the content, and their video work is always on point.
3. The Smoking Section
Imagine if you and your crew of homies with varying, but well informed, Hip-Hop tastes, as well as a penchant for sports and looking at fine women, were able to codify your epic conversations for all to share? That is precisely what makes the Smoking Section essential reading on the daily.
2. Complex
A true Hip-Hop head’s taste are varied by default and Complex ably covers them all; from kicks to whips to bikes to music and beyond. Complex didn’t start the list phenomena, but they damn sure are perfecting it.
1. Hip-Hop DX
Hip-Hop DX covers all the bases, and excellently. New music, breaking news, up to date interviews and reviews people actually check for are just a handful of DX’s on point Hip-Hop coverage.
and…
Hip-Hop Wired.
Ya damn right. In the last year and change this very site has raised its clout by delivering all the news fits to link, whether it be music and artist focused news or political relevant stories savvy Hip-Hop heads care about. We ain’t going anywhere, so we suggest you lock us in. We’ll be at the top of everybody’s lists.
