Articles by Vernon Ayiku

Ari Lennox Reveals Herself Further on 'age/sex/location'

PUBLISHED Sep 30, 2022

As J. Cole's Dreamville Records continued its legacy-defining year, the group's sole R&B act, Ari Lennox, was tasked with closing out the o...

Jessie Reyez Wants to Fucking Win

PUBLISHED Sep 13, 2022

"Quentin Tarantino on a good day." That's how singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez describes the mood of her new album, Yessie. Reyez says her f...

Rolling Loud Toronto Was for the Children

PUBLISHED Sep 12, 2022

After a summer of anticipation, the first-ever Rolling Loud in Canada has come and gone, and like the end of summer, it resulted in a mixed...

Joey Bada$$ Earns His OG Status on '2000'

PUBLISHED Aug 17, 2022

Some albums can transport you to a time and place, and it's true of Joey Bada$$'s 1999. Released in 2012 when the Brooklyn rapper was only...

Manifesto Festival's Sweet 16 Was a Fitting Celebration of Their Devotion to Community — Headliner Drama Be Damned

Budweiser Stage, August 12

PUBLISHED Aug 15, 2022

Following a rough weekend for events in Toronto, Manifesto delivered a successful festival, despite it not being the show they initially pr...

Beyoncé's 'RENAISSANCE' Is Revolutionary

PUBLISHED Aug 1, 2022

From the moment Beyoncé's RENAISSANCE begins, Queen Bey herself tells you exactly who she is: "I'M THAT GIRL." For her seventh album, her l...

Lupe Fiasco Preaches Without Being Preachy on 'DRILL MUSIC IN ZION'

PUBLISHED Jun 28, 2022

Before Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Wale or Chance the Rapper, Lupe Fiasco was mainstream hip-hop's voice of reason. Once co-signed by giants l...

Zach Zoya Learned English to Be Like His Rap Idols — Now He's Coming for Their Spot

PUBLISHED Jun 23, 2022

Zach Zoya's love of hip-hop, like many suburban kids born in the '90s, starts with the 8 Mile soundtrack, especially its biggest hit. "His...