For today's Culture Corner, John takes you deep into De La Soul's Buhloone Mindstate.

The Black Opry Revue show emerged from a simple directory of Black country and Americana artists and blossomed into a full-blown community of artists and fans.

Like adulthood itself, "Miracles" is bittersweet — a meditation on regrets and the passage of time.

The famed Jamaican vocalist and Massive Attack collaborator opens Midnight Rocker with near-catastrophic spiritual urgency.

The California rapper leans into a trim track from the wizard Madlib on a new single that takes a sharp look at institutional racism in the U.S.

Beauty and tragedy coexist within the Brooklyn rapper's heartbreaking portrait of his uncle.

With myriad examples of American harm to Black people, Masta Ace sums up an ambient feeling perfectly — flatly concluding that it's like someone took "the welcome mat and put a torch to it."

Over a bouncy, drum-heavy groove and dreamy keys, Moonchild lead singer Amber Navran tries to put things back in order after a relationship goes sour.

Inspired by a viral explosion of her lone solo single, Shortie No Mass reintroduces herself to the world.

Joell Ortiz shows us how environment and circumstance can dramatically change a person's life trajectory.

The fiery nine-minute avant-garde epic ushers us past the limits of our comfort zone, taking us on a journey far beyond convention.

Over a gorgeous, jazz-infused beat, Skyzoo runs down a vivid and loving detailing of life in the Brooklyn neighborhood that birthed him.

Orion Sun possesses a particular gift for making songs that practically glow with warmth and intimacy.

Inspired by Baltimore's Wyman Park neighborhood, "Wyman" is a clear standout from the singer-songwriter's latest album.

Philadelphia-based music journalist John Morrison lists five of the best recent beat tapes by producers with deep ties to Philly's music scene.