The AU Review has always been about connecting readers with the best of arts, entertainment and culture. From music and books to travel and food, for more than a decade now the website has been dedicated entirely to discovery and re-discovery, celebrating the best experiences from around the world.
To further that, we continue to push our curated Spotify playlists to put you in touch with the music we love, and help you wade through the murky waters of over-saturation. As such, in addition to our regularly updated “Discovery” playlist, we’ve now introduced three new playlists designed towards hip hop (and a bit of R&B here and there).
Why? We’ve been tinkering the playlists for awhile, but we also feel that now is a good time to be promoting and showcasing quality hip hop. Whether that means strong and insightful storytelling raps from the 90’s, or quality cuts from the past few years.
We want to avoid pushing and promoting caricatures and stereotypes, so you want find anything even approximating entertainers like Bhad Bhabie, Lil’ Pump or Tekashi 69 on these playlists. Instead, expect emcees like Big K.R.I.T and Killer Mike, deep cuts from classics acts like OutKast and Redman, and throwbacks to the architects of culture like Big Daddy Kane and Gang Starr.
We’ll also be highlighting our favourite songs from Australian rappers; stalwarts like Briggs and Thundamentals, rising stars like Sophiya and Agung Mango, and pioneers like 1200 Techniques and Downsyde.
One of these playlists, “Hip Hop and R&B Retrospective”, will be curated alongside a theme changing every month. To kick it off, we’re simply going with “Editor’s Picks”, highlighting some all-time classics. In the coming months we’ll be switching up that theme, fifty songs at a time, highlighting things like the women of hip hop, protest music, hip hop by its historical regions (west, south, east), our pick’s of R&B, and more
For now, hit follow on each and hopefully check in every now and then to discover new favs or re-discover forgotten classics.
Do note that some, particularly older, songs may contain content which some listeners may find offensive. While we acknowledge that people come from different realities and it is not our place to judge their personal truth, perspective or upbringing, inclusion does not imply that we are in agreeance of all views.
Hip Hop and R&B Retrospective
Each month we’ll be curating the best of hip hop and R&B alongside a theme.
Hip Hop Discovery
A mixed bag of old and new hip hop.
Discovery: All Aussie Hip Hop
Strictly focusing on Australian artists in hip hop.
