Afrika Bambaataa can tell you how heavy the bricks are in the foundation of Hip-Hop, he laid down many of them. As a living, working icon, Bambaataa still releases albums, worldwide. In the celebration of his latest, Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light, we discussed the need for such records, as well as […]

The one producer in Los Angeles who broke the titanium wall of Hip-Hop namesake producers on the west is Fred Wreck. Like Dre and Quik, Fred has garnered success putting music behind a variety of people in an array of places. From MC Eiht, to KRS-One, to Snoop Dogg, to producing Game’s first track, Wreck […]

Stat Quo refers to himself as the “Rap Lebron James” but perhaps he should consider calling himself the “Rap Magic Johnson” because he is a rookie walking into a championship situation. After dropping three volumes of his now infamous Stat Quo Presents: Underground Atlanta mixtapes, he was heavily recruited by the Shady/Aftermath team. Now that […]

Ludacris has been both media darling and media devil, but all of the fanfare is just a testament to the Atlanta native’s fortitude as a budding Hip-Hop icon. Despite selling millions, Luda is still the property of Hip-Hop. With that, he’s building businesses, battling rappers, taking out critics and emerges triumphant with The Red Light […]

Linkin Park is a name familiar to fans of rap, even though enthusiasts may not admit to it. The metal quintet is more Hip-Hop than one would suppose. The group mixes old-school Hip-Hop traits with classic rock-n-roll and electronica. The band has sold several millions with a metal/rap hybrid that is pleasantly reminiscent of early […]

AllHipHop.com Staff members Jayson Rodriguez and Jigsaw also contributed to this interview. The legions of fans that follow Jay-Z are curious: Is he really retiring? Here is a theory. More than retiring, Jay-Z is likely experiencing a remarkable, expedited evolution that the public is privileged to witness on some level. As evident by a heightened […]

Immortal Technique is one of the few emcees in New York City re-writing the rigid rules to the Hip-Hop game. With a volatile mixture of brutal political commentary, spiteful battle raps and street knowledge, Technique put himself on the field of play without significant aid from outside forces. Now, the Peruvian-born, Harlem-bred rapper has remained […]

The self proclaimed Queen of the South, Jacki-o, is looking to prove that she is much more than another female emcee looking to strike it rich by flaunting her sexuality. With her debut album Poe Little Rich Girl currently in stores, Jacki is out to tell the world that there is a new girl on […]

When crowning 2004’s hip-hop ‘man of the year,’ the obvious choices may be Usher or Kanye West, but, sit back and think about it for a second and the clear victor is Lil Jon. Producing a bulk of the year’s biggest hits, his track record this year speaks for itself: Usher’s “Yeah,” Ciara’s “Goodies,” Petey […]

Today could quite possibly be the most important day in America’s history. With the upcoming elections and the state of the world, it seems that Hip-Hop’s political consciousness, long thought to be dormant, has been reawakened. Between rapper’s making bold statements in their lyrics, grassroots Hip-Hop movements were mobilized throughout the country and the more […]

October 30, 2002 is a day that will live in infamy. That is the day Hip-Hop lost a giant, Jam Master Jay, due to a gunshot wound to the head in his Jamaica, Queens studio, blocks away from a police precinct. Jay’s death is symbolic to us. The anger that arose in America after those […]

The hype surrounding Shyne has dwindled but the rapper –still serving a 10-year jail bid – has thoughts on everything from the presidential election to 50 Cent to life behind bars. Still seeking an appeal for a first-degree assault conviction, here is what’s going on with Jamal Barrow. AllHipHop.com: Lets talk politics. Any thoughts? Shyne: […]

Ja Rule continued AllHipHop.com: What are your thoughts on Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles leaving Def Jam? Ja Rule: It’s business. That’s what they have to do to continue their business. I still speak to Kev, I still speak to Lyor, and they’re still my friends. AllHipHop.com: Has L.A. Reid been behind you since he […]

Ali Vegas has blessed many-a-mixtape in both the mainstream and underground circuit. Representing Queens, the same borough as Nas and 50 Cent, Ali Vegas has crowned himself the “Prince of New York City.” Paying his dues, this young MC was signed to a record deal when he was only sixteen years old and he had […]

Since the release of his solo debut in 1999, Ja Rule’s image has ranged from being the epitome of thug fabulous to becoming the poster child for Hip Hop pop crossover. In a seemingly never-ending trail of controversy, Ja Rule faced one of his biggest challenges when 50 Cent began taking serious jabs at Ja’s […]

The last time AllHipHop.com spoke to Talib Kweli, it was prior to the release of his highly anticipated sophomore solo effort, The Beautiful Struggle. In that interview, Kweli made it clear that he wished the journalism community would spend some time talking to him about his music, instead of his personal stances on things. Three […]

Olu Dara is the father of one of Hip-Hop’s brightest stars, Nas. Dara obviously passed some good genes and wisdom to his son, who has seen the heights of the rap industry. Dara himself is an accomplished trumpet player and member of the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. Nas fans will recall his airy trumpet, […]

Roxanne Shante’s name recently surfaced and grabbed headlines due to a recent lawsuit she filed against R&B diva Janet Jackson. For those old enough to remember, Shante was [is] one of the most well known and well respected early figures from rap. As part of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, Shante, at the tender age of […]

There are not many rappers that release their debut albums under a dark clouded sea of controversy. Guerilla Black is one of those rare artists, but he is obviously not concerned by the extra attention. In fact, it is his full intent to use the negativity and spin it into a positive sales and marketing […]

How many of 2000’s releases stay in your car? While KRS was certainly right when he denied the criticism that Hip-Hop was a phase, how many of our Rap records are timeless? With all the money invested, how much are artists investing their souls in a project? And with so little room left on the […]