Marco Polo: Creator’s Got a Master Plan
The road to success and stardom as an in-demand Hip-Hop producer is a long one, especially when you’re a young kid from Canada. But 27-year-old Marco Polo Bruno has been putting in work for years, from growing up in Toronto listening to Kool G Rap albums to engineering studio sessions with artists like Talib Kweli […]
Amy Winehouse @ Highline Ballroom
Its been an interesting ride over the past few months in the career of Amy Winehouse. The jazzy UK soul siren has doubled as a media maven amidst rumors swarming of failed interviews, performance absences, and flirtations with the diabolical Mr. Booze. So when her second successful showcase in New York was about to commence […]
Marco Polo: Port Authority
Self-proclaimed as his ode to Pete Rocks Soul Survivor LP, Marco Polos debut album Port Authority (Rawkus) lives up to that lofty standard. The Toronto-born, Brooklyn-bred producer takes you back to a time when Hip-Hop really did live at Hot 97 and fans still got excited when albums dropped. Overall, Port Authority is reminiscent of […]
Buju Banton at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden
Im not here to work for the accolades of no man artist singing about signal di plane when poor people suffering all over di world what kinda f*ckrey dat roared Buju Banton to the sold out Theatre at Madison Square Garden on Sunday May 6th 2007. The Gargamel along side legendary Dancehall King, Shabba Ranks, tore down […]
Wax Tailor: Hope & Sorrow
Only a year after making his stateside debut with Tales Of The Forgotten Melodies, Frenchman Wax Tailor (a.k.a. WT) returns with another quality release, full of cinematic beats. But on Hope & Sorrow (Decon), this producer is less concerned with making his mark as an instrumentalist and more invested in collaborating with othersa move that […]
Duke Da God Presnts…Dipset: More Than Music, Vol. 2
If there was one thing The Diplomats ever did right, it was image branding. Dip-heads around the globe love their rock star aesthetic just as much as the music itself. And as such, Hip-Hops foremost swagger peddlers deliver their latest compilation as, More Than Music, Vol. 2 (Diplomat/KOCH). But in the midst the crews biggest […]
Madlib: The Other Side Los Angeles
In order to understand Madlibs erratic sound choices on the CD The Other Side Los Angeles (Deaf Dumb + Blind Recordings) fairly, you have to be familiar with the whole crux of Time Out Magazines Other Side campaign. The trendy lifestyle rags series devoted to the underdogs tour of major cities in the world pairs […]
Jamie Foxx Presents: America’s Funniest Comics, Vol. 1
It may not be Def Comedy Jam, but Oscar winning comedian/actor/singer Jamie Foxx has taken his love for stand-up comedy and given todays up-and-coming comedic talent a hell of a shot. Live from Laffapaolooza Jamie Foxx presents, Americas Funniest Comics, Vol 1 (Universal Music & Video Distribution). A first in a series of four DVDs […]
Brother Ali: Truth Hurts
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 2003s critically-acclaimed Shadows on the Sun. Since then, a divorce, custody battles, poverty and homelessness have all dropped Alis way, and the rapper hasnt been shy about dealing […]
Hip-Hop Rumors: Illseed’s 99 Luft Balloons!
Today’s rumors are sponsored by Joell Ortiz!BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING & WRITING! WOW. Ain’t this a crock? Chuck D once said, “The FBI is tapping my telephone” and he wasn’t lying. Read the below report by Davey D. and tell me this ain’t a scary notion. A Federal Court Judge ruled that the City of […]
Young Steff: The New Style
Ten years in the music business is a long time. For Young Steff, it was an education, complete with instruction from family and music heavyweights. As a result, the 18-year-old crooner found himself – attaining his swagger from former Roc-a-Fella Records partners Jay-Z and Damon Dash before residing at music producer Rich Harrisons new […]
Zech and Mabel Marbury: All In The Family
This year NBA Superstar Stephon Marbury launched his historic Starbury sneaker. Priced at a mere $14.95, it offered a way for Marbury to give back to the community by providing a low cost, quality shoe for kids with big dreams but small budgets. Stephon isnt the only member of the Marbury family with a […]
Little Louie Vega: In The House
After nearly two decades in the game, Little Louie Vega is a legend on the House music scene. He has taken his unique brand of soulful, uplifting House all over the world, making him one of the most prolific and celebrated Dance DJs to come out of NYC. As one half of production duo Masters […]
Donda West: Mother Knows Best
Having a son reach the plateau of Kanye West has been an invigorating experience for Dr. Donda West. An English Professor for 31 years, one can only imagine what its been like to witness Kanye drop out of college and become one of Hip-Hops biggest superstars. As a single mom, she instilled in her […]
Lil’ Flip: Flip The Script
Lil Flip has come a long way since his days as a teen freestyle wiz in Houston. With a solid decade of recording experience under his belt, hes also been subject to some of the worst nightmares any artist could have. From being shot in 2002, to being sued over the Pac Man sample in […]
Troy Hudson: Running with Wolves
When youre ballin out of control, both literally and figuratively, its probably pretty easy to lose your focus. Although most of us may never know what its like to be in the highest tax brackets, we have done everything within Hip-Hop culture to swagger ourselves into that image. Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Troy Hudson, a.k.a. […]
Vawn: Making U.G.L.Y. Cool
Jevon Sims is far from a rapper. His spirit wouldnt let him claim such an uncompromising title. The born and reared ATLien remains steadfast to his jack-of-a-trades persona. Able to give the public the whole package, the man also known as Vawn, has taken hard earned lesson learned in Adamsville and is applying them to […]
Ca$his: Mouths to Feed
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 […]
Rosco P. Coldchain: This Cold World
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 […]
Movie Review: The Hip-Hop Project
Right when critics thought they were making great strides in tightening the lips of the Hip-Hop community, a great film takes a stand. Executive produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, The Hip-Hop Project (ThinkFilm) tells the story of how Kazi, an abandoned child, pushed through life’s trials to become a leader and great inspiration […]
