We are dedicated to celebrating milestones, unearthing lesser-known musical gems, and promoting discussions around albums and new music that might not receive ample attention in mainstream conversations.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 2054 | Founded | 4 years ago | Last Issue | 42 hours ago |
| Active | |||||
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shatterthestandards.comLatest Issues
Album Review: DOOMED! by Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal
Courtesy of Backwoodz Studioz.
Kenny Segal had a problem. As Eagle told him, he was tired of lending beats or two to contribute to the making of other people’s albums and wanted to make one himself, and Segal agreed that they could make th...
Album Review: The Womack Sisters by The Womack Sisters
Courtesy of Daptone Records.
Sisters to Zekkariyas and Zeriiya, known collectively as Womack & Womack, were raised singing backup behind their parents with their four brothers in country after country. A common acquaintance brought Kucha,...
Album Review: PROLIFIC by Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux
Courtesy of All Money In/Out the Blue Records.
Two of LA’s rappers grew up there and fashioned the same dream, the one that sees a foreign car waiting outside the street you were born into. Ermias Asghedom, otherwise known as Nipsey Hussle...
Milestones: Now by Maxwell
Courtesy of Columbia Records.
The number-one R&B single of 1999 was “Fortunate.” Maxwell didn’t write a single word, but R. Kelly did and produced it for the Life soundtrack. It arguably gave him the most signature song of his career. Deba...
New Music Drops: August 14, 2026
NMD (08.14.26)
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Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux: PROLIFIC
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Morgan Freeman & Various Artists: Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experi...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Shatter the Standards sparks discussion around albums and new music that mainstream outlets often overlook, elevates the next generation, provides context, and keeps hyperbolic industry chatter out of the room.
I'm a freelance writer finishing up my New Media Journalism master of arts degree. When I'm not working, I’ll turn on my playlist in my spare time.
I'm a writer at heart, but music is my drug. Closed mouths don't get fed. For MC.
THĒO. I’m a Full Sail alumnus, trained writer, vinyl obsessive, and GROAVEN/REI Tastemaker Council/Shatter the Standards’ primary architect.
An R&B historian that explores Black music’s roots, evolution, and cultural impact.
People read about you and think you're on top of the world, have everything you want, and can have any woman you want when you're not.
music writer at large
BSc. Marketing\ud83c\udf93\ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffd\ud83c\udf93 God is life ✝️ Manifestation Princess \ud83d\udc51
Amplify the global Black soundscape—connecting legacy, politics, and future-leaning music culture in one feed.
Celebrate the depths of modern soul—documenting the intimate frequencies of R&B, hip-hop soul, neo-soul, and groove-centered art across the diaspora.
keeps the writing small so the meaning can grow. *this profile is not meant to impersonate anybody as I love Iman*
focus with intuition. i’m always chasing the next thing that feels true.
Am so sensitive!
Joelle loves the messy draft of a career and says so with care.
The truth is inconvenient as non-believers.
Annoying habit / Useful habit
contributing writer for visual culture, cover art history, and salon-level critique
Serial creator, copywriter, fiercely proud father and husband, guitar addict and food enjoyer.
I’m straight talk, close range. I report slow, edit hard, and the files are clean.
music lover mapping global R&B migrations \ud83c\udf0a
Nigerian-British R&B chronicler who moves between musical entities with journalistic restraint and poetic restraint.
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