Jon Barlas

Jan 17, 2025 | complex.com | Miki Hellerbach |Jon Barlas

The impetus for posthumous releases often feels dicey, especially for rappers. Even if they are presented as a post-life artistic celebration, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that the albums were crafted at the behest of the record label trying to make more money off the artist’s likeness. As many rappers have fallen in the last decade, it’s been easy to notice the slew of posthumous projects released by labels in an attempt to hold onto their relevance in the marketplace.

Sep 18, 2024 | ourgenerationmusic.com | Jon Barlas

In the middle of the desert, Tommy Richman stands unfazed as the lone wolf of the pack. Amid criticism, praise and everything in between, the DMV R&B star’s debut album COYOTE has been on the minds of fans since “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” shot to viral acclaim. Announcing the record for release on Sept. 27, Richman’s long-awaited major label debut precedes projects like SOULCRUSHER and his 2022 mixtape ALLIGATOR. These projects, though, display a different more alternative side to Tommy’s side.

Aug 15, 2024 | complex.com | Dimas Sanfiorenzo |John Kennedy |Eric Skelton |Jon Barlas

Before there was Young Thug or Gucci Mane or T.I. or even OutKast, there was Mojo, popularly known as Atlanta’s first rapper. By 1984, he had two rap records being played on local radio: “Battmann, Let Mojo Handle It” and “Jump, Stomp and Twist.” Mojo was making waves in the city but never achieved more than local stardom. The birthplace of hip-hop didn’t know what to do with these records.“The people from New York did not like it at all.

Jul 19, 2024 | complex.com | Will Schube |Jon Barlas

Paras Griffin / Getty Images for BETLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino performs onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET) Donald Glover’s Childish Gambino project has always emphasized the grandiose. His albums are bolstered by weighty themes, knotty narratives, and heady concepts.

Jun 18, 2024 | complex.com | Dimas Sanfiorenzo |Jordan Rose |Jon Barlas |Peter Berry |Eric Skelton |Thomas Hobbs

We try to stick to one guiding principle when making our best rap verses of the year lists: one verse per rapper. This year was different. The year 2024 featured the greatest rap battle of all time—a perfectly fine reason to break our unofficial rule. Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake dominated the first half of the year because both rappers showed up, delivering some of the sharpest raps of their respective careers.