The death knell may be ringing for live music around the world—save for a socially-distanced party here or a drive-in show there—but away from the live setting, it's been a hell of a year for music. Our own homegrown rap and drill scenes here in the UK have done a roaring trade and artists from every genre have used the time to bunker down in their studios and give us some of the best albums and singles of their careers. All that is to say, in a round about way, that while us music journalists haven't had anywhere to go to enjoy music in its natural habitat, we've been spoiled rotten with things to write about—and not just COVID-19.
Away from the pandemic, the music industry has had other issues to face up to. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery brought about a social reckoning that was long overdue. It became a time for white journalists, publishers and industry figures to reevaluate their behaviour and their position, particularly those who operate in spaces focused on Black music and culture. In turn, more Black voices were given a chance to shine and the world of journalism was all the better for it. New stories were being told in more honest ways and while there is of course a long way to go yet, the start of this rebalance is shaping an exciting new landscape for us all.
Here are some of the best pieces of music journalism that dropped in 2020, chosen by the Complex UK music team (and extended family).
The death knell may be ringing for live music around the world—save for a socially-distanced party here or a drive-in show there—but away from the live setting, it's been a hell of a year for music. Our own homegrown rap and drill scenes here in the UK have done a roaring trade and artists from every genre have used the time to bunker down in their studios and give us some of the best albums and singles of their careers. All that is to say, in a round about way, that while us music journalists haven't had anywhere to go to enjoy music in its natural habitat, we've been spoiled rotten with things to write about—and not just COVID-19.
Away from the pandemic, the music industry has had other issues to face up to. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery brought about a social reckoning that was long overdue. It became a time for white journalists, publishers and industry figures to reevaluate their behaviour and their position, particularly those who operate in spaces focused on Black music and culture. In turn, more Black voices were given a chance to shine and the world of journalism was all the better for it. New stories were being told in more honest ways and while there is of course a long way to go yet, the start of this rebalance is shaping an exciting new landscape for us all.
Here are some of the best pieces of music journalism that dropped in 2020, chosen by the Complex UK music team (and extended family).
Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson, Senior Editor
by Jesse Bernard, TRENCH Magazine
Feb. 12, 2020
Remembering Pop Smoke, Brooklyn Rap's Key Figure Gone Too Soon
by Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork
Feb. 19, 2020
How Somali Rap Found Its Voice In A Crowded UK Scene
by Abubakar Finiin, Noisey
April 16, 2020
by Yemi Abiade, TRENCH Magazine
July 27, 2020
The Evolving Sound Of UK Drill
by James Keith, DJ Mag
Oct. 21, 2020
The Exploitation Of Black Women Vocalists In House Music
by Chanté Joseph, Mixmag
Oct. 22, 2020
James Keith, Staff Writer
If You Care About Rap, Don't Release Your Album In A Museum
by Sheldon Pearce, Pitchfork
Jan. 15, 2020
by Son Raw, Passion Of The Weiss
June 23, 2020
In Conversation: Anz & DJ Paulette
by Lauren Martin, DJ Mag
July 20, 2020
The Anti-Spotify: How Online Music Company Bandcamp Became The Toast Of The COVID Age
by Randall Roberts, LA Times
Sep. 22, 2020
by Joseph 'JP' Patterson, Complex
Oct. 8, 2020
Yemi Abiade, Contributor
'Queens Get The Money': The Story Of Mobb Deep's 'The Infamous' At 25
by Paul Thompson, The Ringer
April 24, 2020
Race & Drum+Bass: In Conversation With My Dad
by Chanté Joseph, TRENCH Magazine
June 23, 2020
Skepta, JME, Julie... Are The Adenugas Britain's Most Creative Family?
by Aniefiok Ekpoudom, The Guardian
Oct. 16, 2020
Nightclubs Aren't Utopia For Every Black Raver
by Joseph 'JP' Patterson, Mixmag
Oct. 23, 2020
Music As Memory: The Dance Begins At Home
by Jesse Bernard, WeTransfer
Nov. 2, 2020
Chanté Joseph, Contributor
Megan Thee Stallion: 'I'm Really Working On My Dynasty Right Now'
by Natty Kasambala, NME
July 3, 2020
'I'm Just Trying To Compete With The Boys': An Interview With Ivorian Doll
by Minou Itseli, Complex
July 31, 2020
I Can't Stop Thinking About This Chaotic Charity Pop Single From 2008
by Jack Remmington, i-D
Oct. 30, 2020
Flo Milli Is Here For More Than A Moment
by Nicolas-Tyrell Scott, PAPER Magazine
Nov. 2, 2020
Meet Shameika Stepney, Inspiration To Fiona Apple On 'Fetch The Bolt Cutters'
by Jenn Pelly, Pitchfork
Nov. 20, 2020
Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan, Contributor
by Chanté Joseph, The Independent
June 22, 2020
Has The 'Cancel Wiley' Party Gone Too Far?
by Joseph 'JP' Patterson, TRENCH Magazine
Aug. 17, 2020
UK Rapper Nines: 'I Want To Take The Hood With Me And Help Everyone Out'
by Aniefiok Ekpoudom, The Guardian
Aug. 28, 2020
More Than Music: Pa Salieu Interviewed
by Robert Kazandjian, CLASH Magazine
Nov. 10, 2020
Real Stories From The Dancefloors Of The Lovers Rock Era
by Chanté Joseph, gal-dem
Nov. 28, 2020
Jesse Bernard, Contributor
The Sacred Liberation Of The Black Dance Circle
by Taylor Crumpton, Noisey
June 25, 2020
Like A Battle: The Push For UK Garage's Future
by Gabriel Szatan, Resident Advisor
July 21, 2020
by Sharine Taylor, WeTransfer
Sept. 2, 2020
Lous And The Yakuza: 'There's This Big Contrast Between What I Had To Be And Who I Really Was'
by Natty Kasambala, i-D
Sept. 21, 2020
Benny The Butcher: 'I Will Always Find A Way To Win'
by Thomas Hobbs, HUCK Magazine
Oct. 26, 2020