From humble beginnings in North Carolina, hip hop phenomenon J. Cole's musical innovation, social commentary and flair for memorable imagery have transformed him into one of the key artists of his generation. Ahead of topping the bill Longitude, we take a look at his remarkable rise.

J. Cole isn't the only one getting in on the act. We take an in-depth look at the careers of Saturday headliner Travis Scott and Sunday headliner Solange. We also preview the must-see Irish acts at the festival, and talk to the likes of Mango X Mathman, Erica Cody, Sorcha Richardson and Le Boom about who they're looking forward to seeing, and why particular this festival line-up marks a major shift in music tastes in Ireland.

Elsewhere in the issue, Pat Carty meets Arcade Fire's Will Butler to talk about the controversial marketing campaign for their new album Everything Now, that legendary '05 Electric Picnic appearance, and why the band aren't as dark as Radiohead. Peter McGoran meets with hotly-tipped indie trio Whenyoung to talk about opening for Nick Cave and Patti Smith, navigating the London music scene, and making hit after glorious hit. Ed Power meets Jorja Smith to hear about her overnight success and collaborating with Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Meanwhile, Stuart Clark swaps stories with former Sex Pistol and PiL frontman John Lydon, who tells tales of Engelbert Humperdinck, Big Tom, Eurovision, the NRA, and - not forgetting - the Pope himself.

In our Hot Press Interview, Jason O'Toole sits down with Niall Boylan, one of the country's most controversial broadcasters, who pulls no punches as he discusses his views on social and political issues. He also speaks out about feeling suicidal following the break-up of his marriage, why he thinks his biological father may have been a priest, and his youth experiences with drugs.

In our bumper frontlines section, we have an exclusive interview with former Assistant Garda Commissioner Jack Nolan. Having developed strategies to counter Dublin's gangland killings and having been resolutely tough on crime throughout his career, Mr. Nolan now believes it's time to consider the Portuguese drug decriminalisation model that Hot Press, along with Ana Liffey, is strongly championing. We need to change our approach to drug laws, he argues.

Elsewhere in frontlines, we meet with public artist collective Subset. Subset's highly creative artworks, which feature the likes of Stormzy, Kendrick Lamar and The Rolling Stones, have breathed new life into public spaces in Dublin, but bureaucratic laws have pitted them directly against Dublin City Council. We talk to them about the struggle to make public art.

In our film section, Roe McDermott meets with rising star George MacKay, who plays the lead in a thrilling new haunted house horror The Secret of Marrowbone. We also give our verdict on major new film Dublin Oldschool.

In our book section, we meet Dublin writer Helen Cullen, whose debut novel The Lost Letters of William Woolf is set to go down as one of the must-have books of summer 2018.

On top of all that, we also have interviews with the likes of Ash, Shaun Warnerand Amybeth McNulty as well as all the usual previews, reviews and news that you'd expect from Hot Press, including coverage of the newest releases from Florence + The Machine, Gorillaz, Nine Inch Nails and more.