The Summer of Kendrick Lamar
After a dominant summer that ended in a unanimous win against Drake in their beef, Yousef Srour crowns Kendrick Lamar with his long-deserved title: the greatest rapper alive.
Featured Work
Featured Articles
Explore a featured selection of my writing below.
Evilgiane & Surf Gang Are Changing The Sound Of Hip-Hop
Meet the collective changing the course of hip-hop, producing for A$AP Rocky & Playboi Carti, Earl Sweatshirt, Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Childish Gambino's 'Because The Internet' Turns 10
Allow me to reintroduce Because The Internet, the prelude to Donald Glover's 'Atlanta.'
Open Mike Eagle: Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering
Armed with advice for the next generation and lots of thank-you notes, Open Mike Eagle’s funny and reflective ninth album seeks a sense of closure within his discography.
Behind the collapse of Travis Scott’s Pyramids show
A disputed letter, a controversial syndicate, and “strange rituals”: Behind the collapse of Travis Scott’s Pyramids show
LUCKI Paints A Strained Portrait of Success On 's*x, m*ney, dr*gs'
At his creative best, LUCKI paints a fractured self portrait. Behind the cool veneer of a rising rap star is a timid, anti-social icon, drowning out the limelight by lowering his inhibitions, even to the point of nodding off in Nobu.
Boldy James Can't Stop Rapping
In his first interview since a devastating car accident, the veteran Detroit rapper reflects on his life and legendary prolific streak.
How two suburban Bay Area rappers ended up playing Coachella
SFGATE contributor Yousef Srour went behind the scenes at Coachella with AG Club.
Liv.e Is Spiraling Into Her Own Psyche
The adventurous soul singer on new album Girl In The Half Pearl and why she's more than an update on the Soulquarians.
Revered Rapper Freddie Gibbs: ‘It Goes Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Then Me’
Freddie Gibbs is “The Mack” of hip-hop — hunched over a grand piano, two ice cubes in his old fashioned, white dress shirt unbuttoned to his torso, Big Boss Rabbit chain glistening across his neck.
When Art Takes On a Life of Its Own: Lil Ugly Mane’s “Evil Deed Blues”
Yousef Srour examines the splitting of Lil Ugly Mane the artist with Travis Miller, the human, and how he had to let go of his past in order to save himself.
“If You Know, You Know”: An Interview With Young Slo-Be
Yousef Srour speaks to Young Slo-Be about growing up in Stockton, his relationships with Bris and Drakeo the Ruler, finding his flow and more.
About Me
I'm a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA with published works at Pitchfork, Variety, i-D, Passion of the Weiss and more. You can follow me on social media with the links below.