| Paul Wall Had a Great Year | January 3, 2023 |
While the Houston legend is mainly remembered for his mid-2000s run of Southern rap classics, Paul Wall is currently making some of the most vital music of his career, Dean Van Nguyen writes.
| The Fantasist: Namir Blade Takes Us to Metropolis | June 16, 2022 |
The new album from Nashville's Namir Blade is a reflection of his interests; an imperfect, yet ambitious listen
| A Man Apart: On Steel Tipped Dove’s ‘Call Me When You’re Outside’ | January 20, 2022 |
Don't mistake this 20 minute project for a minor release. Steel Tipped Dove delivers this most concentrated (and essential) dose of his singular proclivities.
| A General Sense of Menace: Big Jade’s ‘Pressure’ | June 22, 2021 |
Dean Van Nguyen breaks down Big Jade's new album and how anyone and anything that stands in her way will likely be steamrolled.
| The Pick of the Litter: “Come Back in One Piece” | April 23, 2021 |
As our DMX tribute series nears its close, Dean Van Nguyen recalls X's self-aware levity and his chemistry with the late Aaliyah.
| Hero vs. Villain: “I Wonder” | January 13, 2021 |
Our MF DOOM tribute rolls on as Dean Van Nguyen explores the King Geedorah cut starring Hassan Chop.
| Pop Lock These Words: The Story of Jean Grae’s Jeanius | September 1, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen dives deep into the 9th Wonder-produced, long-delayed, and heavily pirated cult classic.
| Texas Forever: Dretti Franks Channels Vintage DJ Screw | June 15, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen shines up the candy paint on the Beaumont rapper's newest full-length.
| Championship Crunk: On Duke Deuce’s Memphis Massacre 2 | March 31, 2020 |
Dean Van Nguyen goes in on the Memphis artist bringing crunk back.
| Keep Dealing: On Pusha T’s “Puppets (Succession Remix)” | October 16, 2019 |
The veteran MC was recently tapped to add bars to the HBO series' slapper of a theme song. Dean Van Nguyen investigates.
