Minneapolis-via-Madison, Wisconsin MC Brother Ali may be the longest “Overnight Sensation” in years. After releasing a self-produced demo in 2000, Ali joined up with Rhymesayers and dropped 2003’s critically-acclaimed Shadows on the Sun. Since then, a divorce, custody battles, poverty and homelessness have all dropped Ali’s way, and the rapper hasn’t been shy about dealing […]

After nearly two decades in the game, Little Louie Vega is a legend on the House music scene. He has taken his unique brand of soulful, uplifting House all over the world, making him one of the most prolific and celebrated Dance DJs to come out of NYC. As one half of production duo Masters […]

Lil’ Flip has come a long way since his days as a teen freestyle wiz in Houston. With a solid decade of recording experience under his belt, he’s also been subject to some of the worst nightmares any artist could have. From being shot in 2002, to being sued over the Pac Man sample in […]

When you’re ballin’ out of control, both literally and figuratively, it’s probably pretty easy to lose your focus. Although most of us may never know what it’s like to be in the highest tax brackets, we have done everything within Hip-Hop culture to swagger ourselves into that image. Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard Troy Hudson, a.k.a. […]

Five years ago, every artist carrying a Shady Records contract was a star. After the Anger Management Tour, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, and D12 all achieved platinum status, not to mention their invincible leader Eminem. After 2004 however, despite adding acclaimed producer Alchemist to the mix, neither critics nor consumers have gravitated towards the upstart […]

Four years ago, I spoke to Rosco P. Coldchain on a rushed Arista Records press day. Advance copies of the album were mailed, The Clipse/N.E.R.D. buzz was still white-hot, and the North Philadelphia MC appeared that he was a walk-on starter with Star Trak, having only a few short months barring him from stardom. Those […]

Though it’s been several years since his untimely passing, Hip-Hop has yet to find another Ol’ Dirty Bastard. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the odds of ever finding him again are slim-to-none. Name another rapper who bumrushed The Grammys, allegedly got held up by Diddy’s goons, then saved a little girl […]

“Dear Mama” by 2Pac (1995, Out Da Gutta/Interscope) If “Keep Ya Head Up” made 2Pac an ally to women, “Dear Mama” delivered him lovingly to the ears and hearts of mothers, daughters and sons. This brutally honest effort puts the iconic artist very close to Marvin Gaye, for his intimate introspective verses. “Mama Said Knock […]

In Hip-Hop, reinvention can be harder than getting recognized in the first place. While Zev Love X was able to later mask himself as underground superstar MF Doom and the Genius scratched the surface of what would become GZA, both examples are well over a decade old. DJ Quik arguably needs no reintroduction. Few could […]

Lately it seems like music is getting less and less relatable, unless you’re driving fancy cars or slangin’ drugs. Many folks are just listening to music from a purely “outside looking in” perspective. Bronx-born Chaundon is trying to bring a point of view into music that more people will be able to relate to. His […]