The book Independent as F*** – Underground Hip-hop From 1995-2005 by Grown Up Rap Editor Ben Pedroche is out now via Velocity Press. Order your copy here (shipping worldwide), from Amazon, or anywhere else you get your books, including various physical stores.
For a glorious ten-year period from 1995 to 2005, hip-hop music received a much-needed shot in the arm from a generation of determined and wildly creative rappers and producers. They rallied against the increasingly formulaic and shallow world of mainstream rap, as well as a music industry unwilling to listen.
By releasing music on their own terms as independent artists—many adopting the mantra of being “independent as fuck” as a mission statement—these hungry creatives reclaimed their artistic freedom and wore it as a badge of honour. Most importantly, they also made a lot of excellent hip-hop. What emerged was a vibrant underground music scene that stretched from New York to Los Angeles, with influence reaching across the world.
Independent As F**: Underground Hip-hop from 1995-2005 explores how a generation of rap artists rebelled against the major record labels and made music on their own terms, celebrating individuality and creative freedom. It also traces the history of some of hip-hop’s most respected artists, including MF DOOM, El-P, Mos Def, Kool Keith, and Madlib.
“Ben is an archivist of the highest regard. His Grown Up Rap pushes the myth and mythology aside for real powerful hip hop facts.” Chuck D
There’s a new album from The Difference Machine coming next month, named Some Of Us Never Die. Check the latest single in the meantime, featuring Willie Evans Jr, and non other than Shabazz Palaces.
New video from the 
Still loving every single one of these videos El Da Sensei and Fat Beats have been dropping to promote the 20th anniversary edition of El Da Sensei’s The Unusual.
More new music from the long-term collaborators.
Recognize Ali and producer Giallo Point connect for more quality new music.
A-F-R-O drops his second project of the month, this one he describes as “Angry, dark, a bit experimental (All boom-bap)”, which we’re here for.
Magno Garcia adds a video to a track from last year’s Shots Of Silence EP.
Second drop from the upcoming 8 Shots, this one with a guest spot from the mighty Busta Rhymes.
Fresh visuals from Rapsody, for a cut from 2024’s Please Don’t Cry.
After weeks of impressive drops, Ill Conscious and Finn unleash the new album in full.