6th February 2025

J Dilla’s Offbeat Legacy | The Future

J Dilla was more than just a producer. He was a time-bender, a rhythmic scientist who broke the machine’s grip on music and gave drum loops a human soul. His beats, famously known as “Dilla Time”, defied traditional musical structures by existing somewhere between straight and swing time—an innovative rhythmic concept that has influenced generations of musicians, from Kendrick Lamar to Flying Lotus.
His influence can be heard in D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’, where drummer Questlove intentionally mimicked...

19th April 2024

Nas’ Masterpiece: The ‘Illmatic’ Story

Nas’ debut album, Illmatic, released on April 19, 1994, is not merely an album; it’s a cornerstone of hip-hop culture. With its vivid storytelling, intricate lyricism, and stellar production, Illmatic has etched its name into the annals of music history as one of the greatest albums ever produced. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore the multifaceted layers of Illmatic, delving into its creation, themes, and the indelible mark it has left on the music industry. Today is the 30th annive...

18th May 2024

Discovering Flo Milli: Rap’s Rising Star - 92.5 The Beat

Flo Milli is an American rapper and songwriter from Mobile, Alabama. She burst onto the hip-hop scene with her distinctive voice, witty lyrics, and infectious energy, and quickly established herself as a rising star in the rap game.
Raised in a musical family, Flo Milli started writing rhymes at the tender age of nine. Inspired by artists like Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Kim, she began recording music and performing at local events. Her perseverance paid off when her song “Beef FloMix” went viral on so...

17th October 2024

Sampling Gucci Mane: Songs Sippin “Lemonade” - 92.5 The Beat

Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade,” produced by Bangladesh, hit the streets in 2009 and quickly became a hip-hop staple. Fresh off producing Lil Wayne’s smash “A Milli,” Bangladesh delivered the “crazy beat” Gucci had requested—one that other artists had passed on, feeling it was too offbeat. Gucci, running out of Sprite for his lean that night, grabbed lemonade instead, and the yellow-colored theme for the track was born.
In his autobiography, the 1017 rapper recalled being “high as hell” in Las Vegas dur...

13th June 2023

Janelle Monáe and Prince | Symbiotic - 92.5 The Beat

The album Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe has a tangible connection to the legendary Prince. As highlighted by Pitchfork, Monáe disclosed that Prince was an active participant in the album’s creation. As such, Prince proved instrumental in developing the sounds and even worked on the album with her before his untimely departure.
This collaboration between Janelle Monáe and Prince is particularly evident in Monáe’s single “Make Me Feel,” which bears a distinct resemblance to Prince’s signature st...

10th March 2025

Sippin’ on Soul: How Willie Hutch Fueled Three 6 Mafia

The link between Willie Hutch and Three 6 Mafia might not seem obvious at first, but their connection runs deep through the art of sampling. The Memphis rap legends have long drawn inspiration from the smooth, cinematic soul of Hutch, a Motown veteran known for his work on The Mack soundtrack.
Despite Memphis’ deep-rooted ties to Stax Records, Three 6 Mafia frequently reached for Detroit’s Motown sound to craft their hard-hitting beats. This guide breaks down the Willie Hutch samples found in Th...

8th July 2025

No Malice, No Problem: Clipse Is Back

Hip-hop has always contended with the tension between street realities and spiritual consciousness. Still, few artists have embodied this struggle as visibly as Gene Thornton, formerly known as Malice, now as No Malice. After over a decade of laying low, No Malice is back, joining his brother, Pusha T, as the legendary duo Clipse. But what sparked his departure, and why has he chosen to return now?
Formed by brothers Gene “Malice” Thornton and Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton in Virginia Beach, Clips...

29th April 2025

Waiting Room… No More: Fugazi Streams at Last

Fugazi has announced that, starting this month, they will be releasing a selection of their archival concert recordings on Bandcamp and various streaming services. The post-hardcore luminaries are releasing the first two installments, recordings of their first-ever show on September 3, 1987, and their final performance to date on November 4, 2002, this Friday (May 2). More live concert tapes will be uploaded each month through the end of 2025.
So, what set Fugazi apart? It wasn’t just blistering...

1st September 2025

How Raekwon Turned Hip-Hop Into a Crime Epic - 92.5 The Beat

A .38 cracks in a darkened room. Someone’s breathing hard. Strings swirl like cigarette smoke—the bassline prowls. You don’t realize it’s not a movie until the voices arrive, trading coded lines about loyalty, betrayal, and getting out alive. By the time the beat settles, you’re inside Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…

When Raekwon’s debut hit the streets on August 1, 1995, it didn’t just launch another Wu-Tang Clan member’s solo career. It opened a trapdoor into a fully formed criminal underworld. The...

24th May 2023

Lyrical Warfare: Unpacking Rap’s Best Diss Tracks Ever

Rap beefs have given us some of music history’s rawest, most unforgettable tracks. When tensions rise, MCs step into the booth with one goal: obliteration. From personal betrayals to full-on lyrical massacres, these tracks didn’t just take shots—they left scars.
Here are the top 10 diss tracks of all time, ranked by impact.
Rap beefs come and go, but every once in a while, one explodes and shakes the entire culture. That’s precisely what happened when Kendrick Lamar and Drake took their simmerin...

13th May 2024

Janet Jackson: 80s and 90s Hit Songs - 92.5 The Beat

Janet Jackson rose to prominence in the late 80s and sustained her chart-topping success throughout the 90s. Born on May 17, Janet’s unique fusion of pop, R&B, and dance music marked the era and paved the way for future artists. She continues to captivate audiences and will perform in Salt Lake City on June 4, 2024. This blog post examines Janet Jackson’s most iconic songs, showcasing her artistic evolution and her profound impact on the music landscape.
Throughout her groundbreaking career, Jan...

19th September 2024

T-Pain’s Greatest Hits: 10 Most Iconic Songs

Back in the mid-2000s, T-Pain made waves like a tidal force. With that signature Auto-Tune swagger, he crafted a sound that shaped the future of R&B and hip-hop. From radio anthems to club heaters, T-Pain’s music didn’t just top charts—it left a cultural footprint that echoed through the years.
This list breaks down the top 10 songs that not only defined T-Pain’s career but also struck a chord with a generation of music lovers.
We’re talking numbers—Billboard rankings, streaming stats, and how l...

8th May 2024

Steve Albini | Iconic Producer Passes at 61

Steve Albini, legendary audio engineer, producer, and frontman of Shellac and Big Black, died on May 7 at age 61 from a heart attack. Staff at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago confirmed the news to Pitchfork. Albini left an indelible mark on the music industry through his influential work on albums by Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and many others. Shellac, his final band, was preparing for a tour supporting their first album in a decade, To All Trains, set for release next week.
 
While Albi...

26th June 2025

Needle Me This: Vinyl’s Spinning Story

In the 1960s and 1970s, vinyl records were virtually synonymous with recorded music in the United States. Vinyl was the dominant format—consumers bought 45 RPM singles for hit songs and 33⅓ RPM LPs for full albums, with turntables serving as the centerpiece of home entertainment. During this golden era, vinyl sales hit all-time highs. In the late 1970s, U.S. vinyl record sales exceeded 500 million units per year. For example, 1978 marked a peak: sales of vinyl albums and EPs generated about $2.5...

17th October 2024

How Gucci Mane Became Trap’s Mixtape King - 92.5 The Beat

Gucci Mane, Atlanta’s reigning king of trap, built an unparalleled legacy through his relentless mixtape output, releasing an astounding 71 mixtapes throughout his career. Known for his unmatched work ethic, Gucci has used these tapes to dominate the streets, shape Southern hip-hop, and experiment with new sounds. His flows are among rap’s most innovative, and his choice of beats astounds; he’s discovered so much beatmaking talent: Metro Boomin’, Mike Will Made-It, Zaytoven, and many more. Throu...

8th February 2024

Rapper’s Deluxe | Dr. Todd Boyd Interview

In the captivating new book release, Rapper’s Deluxe, Dr. Todd Boyd, also known as the Notorious Ph.D., delves into the extraordinary journey of hip-hop from its roots as an underground movement to its current status as a global cultural powerhouse. Dr. Boyd earned the moniker Notorious PhD, and Rapper’s Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World proves himself to be a bona fide rap historian.
Published by Phaidon, renowned for its rich catalog of creative arts, this book marks a significant addition to...

25th October 2023

Wu-Tang Clan Members | A Comprehensive Guide

Wu-Tang Clan Members: RZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killah, U-God, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna
The Wu-Tang Clan, often shortened to Wu-Tang, represents an unprecedented fusion of individual artistry and collective ambition. This dynamic group from Staten Island, New York, burst onto the scene in the early 1990s, radically reshaping hip-hop’s sound, style, and ethos. With myriad distinct voices and personalities, the Wu-Tang Clan members created a sympho...

9th April 2025

X96 on Weezer’s ‘Blue Album’ Legacy and Memories

Weezer is dusting off the cardigans and bringing their 1994 self-titled debut—aka The Blue Album—to life at Kilby Block Party 2025. It’s the kind of news that sends a ripple of nostalgia through anyone who grew up yelling “Say it Ain’t So” and other great Weezer songs into a hairbrush.
To celebrate, we asked the X96 crew what they remember about The Blue Album. Although, some memories are sharper than others.
Meanwhile, Todd Nuke’Em still remembers the first spin like it was yesterday:

“I remem...

21st August 2023

Juvenile 400 Degreez: A Revolution in Hip-Hop Culture

Who’s Juvenile, you ask? Only the man who took the ’90s by storm, rocking the mic like it owed him money. Terius Gray, a.k.a Juvenile, is our main man behind 400 Degreez. If you’ve ever bobbed your head to “Ha” or “Back That *zz Up,” you’ve got him to thank. If not, well, buddy, your playlist needs some serious CPR. And we have it below in a guide to Juvenile 400 Degreez.
Released in 1998, Juvenile 400 Degreez wasn’t just an album but a seismic event in the hip-hop world. It’s like techno meetin...

13th June 2023

The Best Pop Punk Music Videos That Defined a Generation - X96

Pop punk, a genre that perfectly blends the rebellious spirit of punk rock with the catchy hooks of pop music, has produced some of the most iconic music videos of the past few decades. These videos, often characterized by their high-energy performances, rebellious themes, and youthful exuberance, have become cultural touchstones, defining a generation and influencing countless artists that followed. Here are the best pop punk music videos.
 
Directed by Mark Kohr, “Basket Case” is a quintessent...

8th June 2023

Best Hip-Hop Dance Choreography in Music Videos

In the dynamic universe of Hip-Hop and R&B music videos, mesmerizing hip-hop dance choreography often takes center stage. Let’s groove to the beat and find out the best hip-hop choreography in YouTube dance videos, where you will find some of the most electric hip-hop dance choreography.
Dance choreography is more than just the steps. It’s a physical language that communicates a song’s narrative, enhances its mood, and brings the artist’s vision to life. In the world of Hip-Hop and R&B, it’s a p...

5th March 2025

The Story of Memphis Rap: Lo-Fi, Gritty, Legendary

Memphis, Tennessee, a city known for the blues, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, and the home of soul, was cooking up something entirely new in the 1980s. While hip-hop was taking shape in New York, a darker, grittier sound was brewing in basements, car trunks, and makeshift studios in Memphis, known as “The Bluff City.”
This wasn’t the polished, radio-friendly rap bubbling up elsewhere. No, Memphis rap was lo-fi, bass-heavy, and dripping with the realities of street life. The beats were eerie,...

17th October 2024

Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records: The Rise, Influence, and Fall

For Gucci Mane—known to fans as Guwop, Trap God, La Flare, and Mr. Zone 6—the number 1017 isn’t just a label. Learn about his journey from the streets of Alabama to becoming Trap’s most influential figure. Today, as we celebrate October 17 (10/17)—known as Gucci Mane Day—it’s the perfect time to reflect on how 1017 became a movement. Yet, there’s a case to be made that 1017 Records could’ve reached even greater heights, possibly surpassing even the juggernaut Young Money Entertainment, if it had...

7th February 2025

J Dilla’s Top 18 Beats – Iconic Productions - 92.5 The Beat

J Dilla wasn’t just a producer—he was a game-changer. His signature song style, marked by unquantized drums, soulful sample chops, and an organic swing, redefined hip-hop production and beyond. His work influenced an entire generation, from Kanye West to Flying Lotus, from D’angelo to your favortie lof-fi study playlist. Dilla’s (AKA Jay Dee) continues to shape beat-making today.
His legacy is deeply tied to his innovative sense of rhythm, often described as “drunken drums” or “offbeat perfectio...