Artist: The Last EmperorTitle: Music, Magic, MythRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie The Last Emperor’s career has been more stop and go (more on the stop side) than rush hour traffic. Never discouraged, his debut album Music, Magic, Myth is finally out on indie label Raptivism. Hailed as a champion lyricist since his origins […]

Artist: Jeru The DamajaTitle: Divine DesignRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Damainion Ewell When the name Jeru The Damaja comes to mind, you usually think of the super-conscious lyricist, taking shots at pimps, players, hustlers and materialistic women. From humble beginnings as an aspiring Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper to becoming an internationally known talent, he has refused […]

Artist: Sheek LouchTitle: Walk Witt MeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Toshi Kondo Very few groups have a strong enough fan base or the longevity for each member to release a solo effort. However, since their days of rebelling against Puffy’s platinum dreams, the LOX have built a reputation for delivering high-quality gun talk that has endeared […]

Artist: Boo & GottiTitle: Perfect TimingRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Ra’Chelle Rogers Boo and Gotti’s debut album, Perfect Timing would have been if it was released a few summers ago when they were first heard across radio airwaves alongside the Pied Piper of R&B (R. Kelly) on his “Fiesta Remix” single. Wisely, jumping from Rockland […]

Artist: Juelz SantanaTitle: From Me to URating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Toshi Kondo When Juelz Santana was featured prominently on Cam’ron’s#### singles “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma”, many felt that the spot was undeserved. However, after his dominating performance on the Diplomats’ album, even outshining his mentor Cam at times, his right to show and prove […]

Artist: YoungbloodzTitle: Drankin’ PatnazRating: 2 StarsReviewed by: Paine In the late 90’s, it was hard to trace much of the southern bounce sound back to real hip-hop. While the Dungeon Family, Odd Squad, and Geto Boys have always done it, it had been a minute since a newer group appealed. The Youngbloodz, like A.I., were […]

Artist: mixed by DJ CrazeTitle: Rugged Radio SaturdayRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine Audio Research is a Montreal based label that’s been building a name off of several singles and noteworthy battle records. Rugged Radio Saturday is the label’s first full-length release and celebrates its six years of success. The LP is mixed by former DMC […]

Artist: J-ZoneTitle: $ick of Bein’ RichRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dev 1 Once again, the clever producer/emcee of Old Maid Entertainment fame, J-Zone, has struck the airwaves with his no frontin’ or stuntin’, obnoxious (in a good way), Hip-Hop skills. The 90’s underground veteran’s latest and fourth release, $ick of Bein’ Rich, upholds the crazy […]

Artist: Big NoydTitle: Only the StrongRating: 2 StarsReviewed by: Mo Downes Big Noyd is a victim of heavy anticipation. To begin with, he’s a Queensbridge emcee, so right off the bat you expect that little bit more from him. Coming from one of hip hop’s founding neighborhoods, he instantly carries the weight of tradition but […]

Artist: The NeptunesTitle: The Neptunes Present… ClonesRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Toshi Kondo The Neptunes Present… Clones is what everyone expected N.E.R.D (Neptune’s rock band)’s In Search Of… would be. Instead the Neptunes dropped a rock album with a few Clipse verses. A year later, maybe to appease upset fans, the Neptunes gather a dream team […]

Artist: VariousTitle: State of The WorldRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning The second full-length from Brooklyn’s Tableturns label/collective (following Rob Swift’s excellent Sound Event,) State of the World gives shine to some of the game’s nicest deck destroyers, as well as a few choice emcees. Thirteen tracks deep, the compilation is definitely DJ-centric, though […]

Artist: T.I.Title: Trap MuzikRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Yama Caviness T.I. is the most underrated rapper from Atlanta; everyone in the entire southern region of the U.S. knows how tough he is. It’s hard to understand why he can’t break from the underground to the mainstream with all the southern artists currently getting airplay nationwide. He […]

Artist: Jedi Mind TricksTitle: Visions of GhandiRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: DAllen For listeners who have been aimlessly searching for the rawness of early 90’s hip-hop, you can stop and give thanks to two saviors from Philadelphia, Jedi Mind Tricks. From their groundbreaking single, “Common Thread” to the unparalleled album Violent by Design, producer Stoupe […]

Artist: Various/Mike NardoneTitle: We Came From Beyond Vol. 2Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie Fifteen years in hip-hop is equal to a little under fifteen millenniums in normal years. But for infamous LA radio DJ Mike Nardone, fifteen years is how long he has been steadfastly going about his business-exposing the best underground music […]

Artist: 7 Heads R Better Than 1Title: No Edge Ups in South AfricaRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie The kind people over at 7Heads Recordings have blessed us with another stellar offering with their latest compilation, No Edge Ups in South Africa. The album is the first in a series of albums (7 Heads R […]

Artist: MaspykeTitle: The BlackoutRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brolin Winning Representing Springfield Massachusetts (birthplace of basketball and Dr. Seuss), Maspyke have been putting in work for several years now, establishing a solid rep thanks to quality singles like “The Gong Show” and “54th Regiment,” among others. Comprised of DJ Roddy Rod on the beats with […]

Artist: State PropertyTitle: The Chain Gang Vol. IIRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jayson Rodriguez Beanie Sigel is turning into quite the executive. Following in the footsteps of his mentor, Jay-Z, Beans is diversifying his hip-hop portfolio with a clothing line, and also by developing a cartoon based on the Roc. However, just like Jigga, the […]

Artist: CageTitle: WeatherproofRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: DAllen Ever since underground heads were blessed with “Agent Orange” and “Radiohead”, Cage has continued to thrive by blending his sinister style to hard beats. Known to his followers as ‘Alex the Worm King’ stemming from his days as a mental patient and lyrics containing dark fantasies, Cage has […]

Artist: CanibusTitle: Rip The JackerRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: C. Brown Since entering the rap game in the late 90’s, the MC known as Canibus has been synonymous with hard-core battle rhyming. Even after scribing several classic verses , Canibus has been the type of artist that most hip hop fans have grown to either love, […]

Artist: Styles of BeyondTitle: MegadefRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Quia Querisma I never did really appreciate “Rock Box” by Run DMC until I was old enough to realize that a lot of producers decided to drop guitar riffs in favor of the ass-shaking tunes they could turn out of their beat machines. When rap/rock did […]