Hip-Hop Wired was founded in 2009 by Bernard Beanz Smalls and Alvin Blanco, two hip-hop enthusiasts and journalists with extensive experience in music and digital media. The idea for Hip-Hop Wired came from their desire to create a platform that would cover hip-hop culture comprehensively, going beyond just music to explore its influence on various aspects of society. Smalls and Blanco envisioned a site that would serve as a go-to source for hip-hop news, lifestyle, and culture. Today, Hip-Hop Wired operates under the umbrella of Urban One, Inc., a media company specializing in African-American and urban content, while still maintaining its distinct voice and focus. Based in the United States, Hip-Hop Wired covers a wide range of topics centered around hip-hop culture and its impact on society. Their coverage includes music news, artist interviews, album reviews, and concert coverage. However, the site goes beyond just music, reporting on fashion trends, technology, politics, and social issues through the lens of hip-hop culture. They also cover sports, particularly focusing on athletes who have connections to or are influenced by hip-hop. Hip-Hop Wired provides commentary on current events and pop culture, always tying it back to the hip-hop perspective. The site serves as a platform for both established and emerging voices in hip-hop journalism, offering a mix of news, opinion pieces, and multimedia content. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of Hip-Hop Wired is its “Tech Talk“ section, which focuses on the intersection of technology and hip-hop culture. This section covers topics such as music streaming platforms, social media trends, and innovative tech products that are popular within the hip-hop community. By highlighting this connection, Hip-Hop Wired demonstrates how hip-hop culture influences and is influenced by technological advancements, offering a perspective that's often overlooked in both mainstream tech and music journalism. This focus on the tech side of hip-hop culture sets Hip-Hop Wired apart from many other hip-hop-focused news sites.