Sandy Ortega Returns to Silvana with a Ramírez Guitar in Hand
New York-based guitarist Sandy Ortega recently unveiled his prized, handcrafted Ramírez guitar during an intimate performance at Silvana.
ENTERTAINMENT
As Independent Venues Become Endangered, SF’s Noise Pop Offers An Antidote
Photo by LJ Rhodes via Noise Pop Industries Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape.[…]
Leaving Las Vegas: Baby Keem Bets the House On “Ca$ino”
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. All the critics love Paul[…]
RIP Oli “Power” Grant, The Wu-Tang Business Mastermind
In 2011, I interviewed Oli “Power” Grant, the financial mastermind of the Wu-Tang Clan, who along with RZA and Divine, helped redefine the business of hip-hop. In the wake of his passing, we’re re-upping this interview about the origins of Wu Wear clothing, the history behind the song “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance,” and the unfulfilled plans[…]
Russ: Why Authenticity Outlasts the Algorithm
Art via Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Russ joins Jeff Weiss,[…]
The Rap-Up: Jap5 Returns, SOB x RBE Reunite? Chief Keef Aging Gracefully
Screenshot via Jap5 – “Unlocked”/YouTube The Rap-Up is the only weekly round-up providing you with the best rap songs you need to hear. Support real, independent music journalism by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon. Harley Geffner still wants to know if Project T-Pain is 03 Greedo’s best album? The Hoovers were poised[…]
Slam on the CDJ: The Best DJ Sets of January 2026
Art via Michael McKinney Independent rap journalists will recommend you new music until their voices give out. Keep it that way by supporting Passion of the Weiss via a subscription to our Patreon. Michael McKinney understands the cultural importance of Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci.” In January, plenty of the world’s finest selectors proved their chops yet[…]
Songs That Carry a Handaxe: An Interview With Sopa Boba
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Michael McKinney is the[…]
$tupid Young: “I want to be the Asian Jay-Z”
Art via Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Long Beach rapper $tupid[…]
The Rap-Up: Week of February 16, 2026
The Rap-Up is the only weekly round-up providing you with the best rap songs you need to hear. Support real, independent music journalism by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon. Ant shall bring disaster to evil factors. Before turning 30, Chief Keef and NBA Youngboy went from lightning rod teen prodigies to grizzled[…]
Check The Scoreboard: The Fugees’ Classic Turns 30
You can find Jeff Weiss in his Mitsubishi, eating sushi, bumping Fugees In the American imagination, voodoo is all zombies and hexes, New Orleans tourist traps and American Horror Story. In its Haitian incarnation, it is a ritual of the powerless to right injustice. It’s a response to a chaotic world and an ancestral history[…]
My Collection: Shad Breaks Down 20 Years of Rap History
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Dash Lewis wants someone to[…]
Concrete Jungle Jazz: Cataloging Grupo Um’s Jittery São Paulo-Based Music
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Dean Van Nguyen‘s book Words[…]
The Truth Hurts: Maxo
Art via Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Maxo joins Jeff Weiss[…]
The Rap-Up: Week of February 9, 2026
The Rap-Up is the only weekly round-up providing you with the best rap songs you need to hear. Support real, independent music journalism by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon. Donald Morrison isn’t falling for Jelly Roll’s feigned ignorance during his 2026 Grammy’s acceptance speech. Picture your grandmother, your mother, maybe your favorite[…]
Above The Influence: Zilla Rocca and Disco Vietnam Talk Inspiration
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. The fact that someone[…]
Time: The Donut of the Heart – J Dilla’s Masterpiece Turns 20
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Elmattic can’t stand to see you[…]
The Truth Hurts: LaRussell
Art via Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. LaRussell joins Jeff Weiss,[…]
The Rap-Up: A Tribute to Michael “5000” Watts, New Sideshow, Mike Shabb & Niontay & More
The Rap-Up is the only weekly round-up providing you with the best rap songs you need to hear. Support real, independent music journalism by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon. Steven Louis Bobblehead Night has been rescheduled. “Still Tippin’” was one of my favorite songs in 2005, and it’s one of my favorite[…]
Slam on the CDJ: The Best DJ Sets of 2025
Independent rap journalists will recommend you new music until their voices give out. Keep it that way by supporting Passion of the Weiss via a subscription to our Patreon. Michael McKinney understands the cultural importance of Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci.” As with 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, there was no immediately obvious center to DJing last[…]
My Collection: Erick Sermon Breaks Down His Funky Oeuvre
Art by Evan Solano Show your love of the game by subscribing to Passion of the Weiss on Patreon so that we can keep churning out interviews with legendary producers, feature the best emerging rap talent in the game, and gift you the only worthwhile playlists left in this streaming hellscape. Thomas Hobbs knows when it’s[…]