Backseat Freestyle

From hip-hop journalist Jayson Rodriguez (Vevo, XXL, MTV News). Featuring an original essay + a roundup of links to music, news, videos, pods and more. Fresh every Friday!

Featured

Podcast

Apr 3, 2025

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13 min read

Playboi Carti Is For The Children

Where the conversation goes wrong when talking about Carti's 'MUSIC.'

Jayson Rodriguez

Jul 30, 2023

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15 min read

Women In Rap Are Writing Their Own Stories, Men Want A Handmaid’s Tale

Can men in rap please let women rappers live in current times?

Jayson Rodriguez

May 10, 2023

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17 min read

I'm Not White, I'm Jack Harlow!

The story of 'Jackman' and the politics behind white rappers.

Jayson Rodriguez

Latest

Feb 19, 2026

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19 min read

Retrospect for Bad Bunny (Big Pun and Beanie Sigel)

Threading a needle between an unlikely trio after watching the Super Bowl halftime show and thinking about representation.

Jayson Rodriguez

Feb 4, 2026

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15 min read

What More Can J. Cole Say?

Fans want the Dreamville rapper to be all things on his final album...we'll see what happens when he no longer exists.

Jayson Rodriguez

Hip-Hop Award Season

Jan 19, 2026

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16 min read

Hip-Hop Award Season 2025

Picks for MVP, Top Rookie, 6th Man & Most Improved; plus a State of Hip-Hop essay.

Jayson Rodriguez

Aug 6, 2025

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16 min read

Please Tyler Don't Hurt 'Em

With his new dance-inspired LP, the Odd Future founder proves his rap peers can't touch him.

Jayson Rodriguez

Jul 20, 2025

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20 min read

The Clipse Conversation

What Pusha T and Malice's press run says about the state of hip-hop journalism.

Jayson Rodriguez

Podcast

Jun 5, 2025

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10 min read

New Joey City (Regionalism's Theme)

Joey Bada$$ delivered a brazen challenge on January 1st and in its aftermath there's a couple of winners, few losers and a Big Apple-sized question that remains.

Jayson Rodriguez

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