Thirty years ago this month, 2Pac was murdered in Las Vegas. When I got home from covering the trial, I wanted to write one final piece about what the verdict means. It metastasized into a 7,500-word essay about the last 30 years of American conspiracies, "Twin Peaks: The Return," the atomic history of Las Vegas and the threat of AI apocalypse, the parasites of the YouTube rap murder economy, the decay of journalism, random acquaintances texting me screenshots of myself taking notes in the courtroom, our true crime obsession, and why it's hard to believe anything but what you see with your own eyes. powmag.net/p/until-the-end-o…

The definitive Kurtis Blow interview – including the time Betty Shabazz saved his life. Ahead of receiving a Hip Hop Grandmaster Award this weekend from the Paid in Full Foundation, @paulxt spoke to hip-hop's first solo star about his early days in Harlem, his first raps, becoming the house DJ at Smalls Paradise, and how he became a licensed minister. powmag.net/p/kurtis-blow-rem… @paidinfullorg

Jaco Pastorius performing “Portrait Of Tracy” live in Berlin (1976)

Gabe 'Nandez x Preservation channel what it's like to serve 100 years on a ghost pirate ship JPay blends Lil Boosie, Florida fast rap, and 500 Degreez-era Wayne Plus, new KJADE x Ovrkast., Draft Day and a note on Nino Paid's fight for his life. Another impeccable @soflogemstoned Rap Up powmag.net/p/somewhere-over-…

Bobbyy just dropped "Tackyy," one of the year's best records from LA, on Pink Siifu's label. RIYL: the 2010s LA beat scene, Shigeto, Deantoni Parks, Makaya McCraven, Kassa Overall. @laurent_fintoni interviewed him about touring as a drummer, moving to LA, late nights at the World Stage, his Rare Candy show series, and more. powmag.net/p/bobbyy-tackyy-i…

The late great David Axelrod explaining how he initially hated sampling for taking jobs from musicians – at least before Dre sampled him and allowed him to have "Screw You" money. Then he conducts "The Edge," the song looped for "The Next Episode."