pop culture
Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.
10 Modern Slowcore Jams for Quiet Evenings
When you want to relax, concentrate or dwell on the past, slowcore offers the perfect backdrop for bleak autumn evenings. While the genre has been around since the 80s, slowcore found a new life in the 2020s when artists started sharing their quiet, subdued tracks on Spotify and Soundcloud. Most of these tracks are calming, but a few stretch the genre to its limits, showing that even the quietest songs have something to say.
By Kaitlin Shanks15 days ago in Beat
THE ART DEALER — James Artissen & Bigg Baggz Craft a Bold New EP Poised to Redefine Contemporary Hip-Hop/R&B
As the music landscape continues to shift, and blur the boundaries between genres, the highly anticipated EP THE ART DEALER from James Artissen and Bigg Baggz arrives as a statement of creative evolution in early 2026. Set for release on March 6, 2026, through Humble Sound Records / One9 Music, the project brings together two dynamic voices from the worlds of R&B and Hip-Hop for a compelling collaborative journey.
By Shay McNaire 16 days ago in Beat
Hold On to the Vision: El Pablo 1x Leads with Purpose, Music, and Community
Memphis has always been a city of sound, soul, and fearless originality—and standing firmly in that tradition is El Pablo 1x, the award-winning, nationally touring artist and visionary leader of the Black Sheep Kid movement. More than just a performer, El Pablo 1x is a curator of culture, a builder of platforms, and a relentless advocate for independent artists who dare to move differently.
By Independent Indie Artist Radar24 days ago in Beat
10 Vibrant Indie Hits From the 2010s
As an adult in the 2010s, I never thought I'd feel nostalgic for this decade. And yet, when I listen to indie hits from that era, I feel wistful as I think about this cheerful, optimistic time when I'd recently started college, Marvel was about to make movie history with The Avengers, and bright, peppy tunes dominated the radio.
By Kaitlin Shanks27 days ago in Beat
A Win Before the Win: Why This iHeartRadio Nomination Matters for Zeddy Will and Hip Hop Culture by NWO Sparrow
Validation Over Virality Zeddy Will Performing Live December 2024 I've covered hip hop culture long enough to know that the word new rarely means what it used to. In 2026, being labeled a newcomer often means surviving multiple cycles in public before anyone in power takes you seriously. That is why this year’s iHeartRadio nomination for Best New Artist Hip Hop Zeddy Will feels bigger than a single awards moment. It feels like confirmation. When the announcement landed, I did not read it as a breakthrough. I read it as validation for Zeddy. In an era where viral success can burn fast and disappear just as quickly, recognition from a mainstream institution is rarely guaranteed. Plenty of artists dominate feeds, charts, and timelines only to be shut out when award season arrives. That history is what makes his nomination matter.
By NWO SPARROWabout a month ago in Beat
