The Drake we once knew is gone. What began as one of the most prophetic artists to hit the rap and hip-hop scene over the past two decades has again reached another breaking point with the release of three new albums on Friday, May 15th. Iceman, Drake’s mainline...
So, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with HERNBEAN 5150 and DUCTTAPE JESUS before a fire cypher session. If you're unfamiliar, they are both up-and-coming artists hailing from this city we all know and love, Richmond, VA. Upon returning home, everyone kept mentioning their names, raving day in and day out. So I had to...
Next year marks 20 years of the magazine, a milestone that’s inspired us to reflect on the stories that, in hindsight, were not only significant for us but also played a role in shaping the diverse scenes and cultural pockets of Downtown Richmond. Many of these stories have never been shared online or were lost during our transitions between...
There are certain films that aren’t just watched but absorbed, metabolized into the DNA of an entire culture. For hip-hop, Belly is one of those films. The late '90s street saga, directed by the legendary Hype Williams, wasn’t Hollywood— Hollywood didn’t know what to do with it. This was a film made for people who understood it, who...
In a David-and-Goliath battle unfolding over Richmond’s Charged Up Entertainment, this local institution, led by hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Noah Oddo, has been locked in a long-running battle to defend its logo from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team—a story we’ve followed since 2022. Photo courtesy of Charged Up The dispute centers on...
Richmond’s hip-hop scene has long been fueled by underground grit and undeniable talent, but few have represented the city on the national stage quite like Mad Skillz. And now, after a career that spans nearly three decades, he’s experiencing a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, bringing a Grammy nomination home to RVA. The Recording Academy...
In today’s episode of “Is This News?” A private birthday party in Richmond’s Carver District unexpectedly blew up on social media earlier this month. Ava’s 21st birthday, which seemed like just another low-key celebration, turned into a local headline when Richmond’s own rapper Nettspend showed up, joined by rising star Milesisbae—who we’ve had...
We've been tracking Mutant Academy's rise from the very beginning here at RVA Magazine, and today marks a significant milestone in Richmond’s music scene as the local hip-hop collective drops their long-anticipated debut album, Keep Holly Alive. And it’s a defining moment for a true "if you know, you know" group that has spent over a decade...
This past weekend, the 36th Annual 2nd Street Festival once again took over Jackson Ward, and if you weren’t there, you missed one of Richmond’s most enduring cultural throwdowns. October 5-6 saw thousands descend on this historic neighborhood, basking in flawless weather and celebrating the legacy of what was once called “the Harlem of the...
Cousinz Fest took over Norfolk, Virginia, last month, featuring the Queen, Erykah Badu, as the headliner alongside hip-hop legend Jermaine Dupri. The lineup also included Larry June Lion Babe, & Richmond's own Arts of Noise RVA, all hosted by the charismatic Chico Bean. Photographer Breon Corbett was on hand. For those that don't know. Born...
