Marc Broussard: Soul Provider
One Thursday evening in mid-July, New Yorks Irving Plaza had a sold out show. It was so packed that people had no room to stand and doorways were being opened into the hallway. There were no opening acts, so there was no question about who everyone came to see, a young man from Louisiana – […]
Common Lands At #1, Talks Album Success
Rapper Common has landed the first #1 album of his career with the release of his 7th and latest album, Finding Forever. The album, which was released via Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, moved 155,329 copies during its first week in stores, besting his previous chart ranking, which was #2 with 2005’s album BE. […]
Jon Shapiro: Reel to Deal
Two of the most impressionable young faces in rap this year are Sean Kingston and Hot Dollar. As Hip-Hop stars appear to be at a changing-of-the-guard, making way for the next would-be T.I. or 50, perhaps both regional rappers are in the hat. The man who helped them get a bid is Jon Shapiro, […]
Ludacris Atlanta Opening Of New Era Store
Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace are among the celebrities and athletes gathering to celebrate the grand opening of the New Era Flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia at a private ceremony. The New Era Atlanta Flagship Store (New Era ATL) is located in the heart of the city’s trendy fashion area and will feature a […]
Al Sharpton Leads Protest Of Rap Lyrics In 20 Cities
Reverend Al Sharpton led his “National Day of Decency Initiative” yesterday (August 7), a protest event that took place in more than 20 cities across the United States, singling out “degrading” rap lyrics. Cities that held major protests included New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Richmond, Jacksonville, Chicago and Detroit. Sharpton led a group […]
The Streets is Talking: Chingy
With the Midwest upswing in full effect, St. Louis-bred Chingy put his own stamp on the movement in a major way. His 2003 hit single Right Thurr and a Disturbing Tha Peace cosign made the rookie a one to watch in the coming years. Unfortunately, things did not play out as originally planned. Citing […]
Kanye Shoots Down Live TV Debate With 50 Cent
Rapper Kanye West has shot down a proposed live “presidential style” debate with rapper 50 Cent over their upcoming albums Graduation and Curtis, both due in stores on September 11. The idea of a presidential debate was posed to 50 Cent during a live appearance on BET’s 106 & Park. Hosts Terrence J and […]
Hip-Hop Rumors: BARRY BONDS BREAKS IT! LAURYN GETS CRUNK! KANYE DEADS DEBATE!
BARRY BONDS DID IT! YEAH! Everybody knows that I am no baseball head, but I have to say I have been quietly rooting for Barry Bonds to break Hank Aarons record. Nothing againt H.A., but Barry Bonds got haters. I have haters! There is a bond in that! Get it? Get it? Anyway, ass Oprah […]
Black Eyed Peas To perform At Jerusalem Rocks! Music Festival
The Black Eyed Peas and Arrested Development are scheduled to headline Jerusalem Rocks!, an international music festival that will be held on September 9, 2007 in Jerusalem, Israel at the Teddy Kollek Stadium. I cant wait to come back to Israel!” BEP frontman will.i.am said in a statement. “The 2006 performance we did in […]
Billie Holiday: Remixed & Reimagined
Lady Sings the Blues meets the new millennium with this outrageous and daring reintroduction of Lady Day. Remixed & Reimagined (Columbia Legacy) is a true masterpiece that expands the expectation of new music in an era where predictability is expected. Billie Holidays unique jazzy style made major noise throughout the 30s, 40s and 50s and […]
Salaam Remi: From Kurtis Blow to Nas and Amy Winehouse – Strength in Roots
What you get when you cross a fraternal music executive with an All-Star Hip-Hop lineup and a keyboard is the essence of one of Hip-Hops most underrated producers. Salaam Gibbs, better known as Salaam Remi, crept onto the music scene in the mid 80s as a keyboardist for Kurtis Blows 1986 hit, Kingdom Blow. Soon […]
Cavi Designs: Pulling Rank
Attention! Be prepared for a draft by the fashion brigade this fall. Phil Gapud, creator and head designer of Cavi Designs, has established a unique niche with his military inspired line of clothing, giving urban fashion another bragging right. Established in 2004, Cavi designs has since earned its stripes, with artists like Jay-Z, T.I. […]
Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Foundation To Hold Charity Auction
Five years after her tragic and untimely death Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes is still helping others through the Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Foundation, a foundation created after her death.Lopes’ foundation is currently working on raising funds for the newly built Lisa Lopes Orphanage in the Central American country of Honduras and will hold a Celebrity […]
UGK: Underground Kingz
Longtime UGK fans have been deprived of this fabled eighth effort for a little over a half a decade. Many waited with unquestioned loyalty, but surely there were a lot of questions in the air. Even fans had to ponder whether or not the legendary duo could still make relevant music in 2007, especially after […]
Common, Chrisette Michelle Headline Heineken Red Star Soul Concert
Grammy-award winning rapper Common will be among the artists on board to perform at this year’s Heineken Red Star Soul concert series.The event, which kicks off Aug. 15 at Boulevard3 in Los Angeles, will feature various entertainers including Chrisette Michelle, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq and Raheem DeVaughn.In addition to the performers, Heineken Red […]