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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Israel Daramola

Music

How Jay-Z Changed Rap With ‘Reasonable Doubt’

Listening Habits

What Does It Mean To Be A “Black Artist”?

Patrick Redford

Podcasts

A Brief Lineage Of The NBA’s Supposed Swag Crisis, With Devon Walker

<p>Jordan Sargent is a writer and music industry professional living in Brooklyn. His work has appeared in Gawker, Pitchfork, Slate, and more.</p>


Jordan Sargent

Mods Asleep

There Has Never Been A Better Time To Be A White Rapper

Arts And Culture

How Donald Trump Won Rap Back

The Year’s Best Rap Album Wants To Take You To The Future

Image of Vince Staples taken from Netflix's "The Vince Staples Show."

Vince Staples Gets Lost In His Own Show

Jason England

Roger Goodell, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter attend Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

50 Years Later, Is There Anything Left Of Hip Hop?

How Did Hip-Hop Media Get So Bad?

NEW ORLEANS - JULY 03: Musician David Jude Jolicoeur better known as Trugoy of De La Soul performs at the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

We Are All Indebted To Trugoy The Dove Of De La Soul

Tom Ley

‘Dave’ Is Too Sad To Redeem Lil Dicky

Billy Haisley

Rapper MF DOOM performs at a benefit concert for the Rhino Foundation at Central Park's Rumsey Playfield on June 28, 2005 in New York City.

The Infinite Gifts Of MF Doom

rap