Cherry Jones: Return to the 36 Chambers (The Clean Version)
Though its been several years since his untimely passing, Hip-Hop has yet to find another Ol Dirty Bastard. In fact, it wouldnt 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 Diddys goons, then saved a little girl […]
Anika Noni Rose: Living The Dream
Tony Award winner and Dreamgirls co-star Anika Noni Rose has embarked upon a new era of success through the hit motion picture. For Anika, playing the third member of the trio meant she had to work harder than just studying the material from the 1981 Broadway musical on which the films foundation was based. […]
Mama Used to Say: Hip-Hop Songs About Mom
“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 […]
The Fixxers: Way Too Fonky
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 […]
Chaundon: From Me to You
Lately it seems like music is getting less and less relatable, unless youre 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 […]
Game Review: The Warriors
Publisher: Rockstar GamesThe Warriors, the quintessential Hip-Hop flick with no actual Hip-Hop in it, save for a graffiti tagging character named Rembrandt. When word of its getting the video game treatment initially spread, a mixture of excitement and dread hit most aficionados of the classic B-movie. Thankfully, Rockstar Games spared no detail in bringing the […]
Reverend Al Sharpton: Checkers to Chess
Much of the Hip-Hop community feels like the recent wave of condemnation are aggressive maneuvers to starve a younger generation out of creative existence. Rev. Al Sharpton doesn’t want to dictate expression, but he does want to obliterate certain terms from our collective. Some agree, and many sharply disagree. A small group of rappers like […]
Ronin Ro: Dre Dre (The Biography)
Apparently, Dr. Dre has done something deserving of a whole book about his life. Ronin Ro certainly thinks so. Avalon Publishing definitely thinks so. Both are banking on the hope hundred thousands of readers think so as well. After all, we are talking about a pioneer of gangsta rap. The beat helmsman who put his […]
DJ Jazzy Jeff: The Return Of The Magnificent
Dont call it a comeback. As one of the few DJs who can seamlessly transition from mainstream to underground while still remaining relevant today as a producer and turntablist, Grammy winner DJ Jazzy Jeff needs no introduction. Jeff returns with a refreshing soul-influenced album sure to whet the palates of those craving a dose of […]
Benny Demus: To The Extreme
What do you do if youre in the middle of the ocean on a boat and your friends tease you about how they think you cant swim? Well, Akons tour DJ and producer Benny Demus a.k.a. Benny D found himself in that very predicament when he decided to jump off the boat to prove […]
Nelly Launches Pimp Juice, Derrty Ent. In Africa
Rapper Nelly has inked a deal to distribute his Pimp Juice energy throughout the continent of Africa. The rapper entered into a partnership with Mojalife to distribute Vokal, Apple Bottom Jeans and the Pimp Juice brand. “We have already pre-produced 1.5 million cans for South Africa and we are looking at producing between 1 and […]
Rapper Hot Dollar Embarks On Subway Tour Of NYC
New York students will get have a little motivation to take the subway to and from school, thanks to a new collaboration between Best of Both Offices and Def Jam Records. The two companies united to launch the Subway Tour, a new effort designed to promote the Def Jam’s artists as well as offer a […]
Sa-Ra: The Hollywood Recordings
Just as M.O.P. fans have been asking 50 Cent for three straight years, how about some hardcore? Kanye Wests GOOD Music imprint has tied a few acts of their own up in paperwork. While it might be a good thing that Fonzworth Bentley is still in development, veteran genre-bending troop Sa-Ra Creative Partners has had […]
New Killah Priest Album Coming in August
Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest is gearing up for a return to the rap scene with his new album The Offering. The Good Hands Records release is the first full-length project from the lyricist after a four-year absence. To ensure it meets fans’ expectations, Killah Priest took his time with the album, traveling to […]
Common Snags Roles In ‘Wanted’ and ‘Night Watchman’
While music fans await the arrival of Common’s forthcoming album Finding Forever, they can experience another side of the rapper as he continues his pursuit of big screen stardom with two new film roles. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Common has landed a role opposite Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie in the Universal Pictures feature Wanted. […]
AHH Stray News: Serena Williams Raps, FlowTV, Ice-T, Eve
While Serena Williams known worldwide as a champion tennis player, she also said that she has a hidden talent – rap. “I’m a talented rapper,” Williams told Star Magazine. “A lot of people don’t know that about me, but I am. I don’t freestyle or anything, but I can definitely rap. I also play the […]
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Strength & Loyalty
With the majority of the 80s rappers having moved on long ago, the 90s rappers are beginning to show their age in this young mans game. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are the latest vets attempting their big comeback (with the help of Swizz Beatz), but as these things typically go, Strength & Loyalty (Full Surface/Interscope) is an […]
Busta Seeks To Have Trial Separated, Rejects Plea
Rapper Busta Rhymes appeared in a Manhattan court today (May 8) and rejected a prosecutors plea deal, stemming from charges involving two altercations last year. Rhymes appeared in court in a black suit around 9:00 am to face charges that he assaulted his former driver during a dispute over back pay in Dec. of 2006. […]
George Foreman’s Sons Enter Into Distribution Biz, Launch R&B, Hip-Hop Labels
George Foreman Jr., the eldest son of legendary heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, has invested in Brilliant Entertainment Inc., which provides major distribution and promotion for independent artists. Under the new deal, George Jr. and George Foreman III will launch their own labels, with George Jr. focusing on classic R&B, while George III will […]
