It Can Happen to Anyone
Artist: Elisabeth WithersTitle: It Can Happen to AnyoneRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Chris Richburg Listening to Elisabeth Withers’ debut album, It Could Happen to Anyone (Blue Note Records), it’s pretty obvious: this is some grown folks’ R&B. That could be expected though, considering she earned a Tony Award nomination for her role as Shug Avery […]
Skateboards 2 Scrapers
Artist: The PackTitle: Skateboards 2 ScrapersRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Ms. Hite The New West is on the brink of resurrection and the Bay Area is the main driving force behind all the noise. In the sticky green city of Berkley there were four teens creepin’ on a come up when veteran rapper and Bay […]
Strictly The Best: Vol. 35 & 36
Artist: Various ArtistsTitle: Strictly The Best: Vol. 35 & 36Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bella Kiz Distributed at the turn of each New Year, Strictly the Best, VP Records’ infamous reggae compilation is back and has hit 2007 with a double-disc offering in Strictly The Best Vol. 35 & 36 (VP/Universal). Like previous releases, both […]
Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book (Book)
Artist: Book ReviewTitle: Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book (Book)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Reggie Osse and Gabriel Tolliver have dropped the Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book (Bloomsbury), a glamorous pictorial of Hip-Hop’s ice age that will easily gain entry to any bling hall of fame. The book spares nothing to the imagination and its […]
Ten
Artist: Brian McKnightTitle: TenRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Nia B Brian McKnight’s album titled Ten (Warner Bros.) marks his latest and tenth effort to show R&B fans that his vocal talents and versatility continue to get better with time. Fifteen years into the industry and three label deals later, Brian has landed on Warner Brothers Records. […]
Former President’s Hometown Seeks To Ban Sagging Jeans, Shorts
Sagging may be the norm in the world of rap, but the trend may see an early end if some residents of a small southwest Georgia town have their way. The Associated Press reports that people in Plains, GA., are up at arms over seeing the underwear of young people who are wearing their pants […]
The Life & Grind of ESSO Entry 5
“If Hip-Hop should die before I’m great I’ma do more than just murder a mixtape” -Chamillionaire (Hip-Hop Murder from Mixtape Messiah II) Whatup everybody? 2007 is already lookin like an interesting year…and a whole lot of signs are starting to pop up to let me know that we just might be near the beginning of […]
The Oprah Issue
The Oprah Issue – starring Nas, Killer Mike, Gayle King, Young Jeezy, The Game, Elon Johnson, Ice Cube, Ludacris, Hip-Hop and Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey and Hip-Hop have peacefully co-existed for decades with little-to-no fanfare, but the inevitable happened – friction. The Oprah Winfrey Show debuted in 1986, the same year Run DMC injected […]
Upcoming Producer Disco D Commits Suicide, Friends React
Upcoming producer David "Disco D" Shayman committed suicide today (Jan. 23) sources told AllHipHop.com. The producer, who hailed from Ann Arbor MI, came to prominence as a DJ on the Detroit/Ann Arbor Hip-Hop/club scene. Disco D was behind a number of Hip-Hop hits, including 50 Cent’s "The Ski Mask Way" Nina Sky’s "Turnin’ Me On" […]
Rev. Run’s Wife Justine Simmons Releases Inspirational Book, Talks Loss Of Newborn Girl
Justine Simmons, wife of Hip-Hop pioneer Reverend Run, recently released God, Can You Hear Me?, a keepsake book inspired by her experiences raising their children. Simmons, who is co-star of MTV’s#### reality series Run’s House, wrote the 32-page book for children ages 5-10. She offers questions and answers that encourage children to establish their own […]
Rawkus, Naledge Team With Voxonic To Translate Single
As technology continues to play an increasing role in the way that music is delivered to consumers, technology Voxonic Inc. and Rawkus Records have announced that they will release a single from rap artist, Naledge, using software which transforms voices into foreign languages. The single will be selected from Naledge’s forthcoming album Naledge is Power […]
‘Gayngsta’ Rapper Deadlee Headlines H### Hip-Hop Tour, Disses Eminem, DMX, 50 Cent
Popular Los Angeles based gay rapper Deadlee has announced that he will headline what is being billed as the first ever organized regional tour of gay, lesbian and bisexual rap & Hip-Hop artists.Billed as the Homorevolution Tour 2007, the ten-city trek will feature a variety of popular gay and lesbian MC’s, including Johnny Dangerous, Delacruz, […]
Rap Group The Clipse Hits The Road To Support New Orleans Rebuilding Effort
Virginia-based rap duo The Clipse will take center stage at this year’s Seagram’s Live concert tour. The critically-acclaimed group is slated to appear Wednesday (Jan. 24) at the Seagram’s Live preview in New York’s Webster Hall, to perform songs from their latest album Hell Hath No Fury. The tour officially kicks off April 7 in […]
Mele Mel Pursues WWE Career, Expanding Businesses
Although he is revered in Hip-Hop circles, Mele Mel is planning to make an impact of a different kind in the world of professional wrestling. The rapper, who was recently inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, will attempt to become the latest champion in Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment. “I’m going to […]
Florida Promoters Sue Lil’ Wayne Over Missed Concert
Rapper Lil’ Wayne has been hit with a lawsuit by a Tampa Bay based promotions company, claiming the rapper missed a concert date and has refused to reschedule the performance. The Associated Press reports that the lawsuit was filed Friday (Jan. 19) in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court. According to the lawsuit, Lil’ Wayne, 24, signed […]
Will Smith In Negotiations To Play Philly Chess Player, Teacher
After a highly-acclaimed performance as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith may play another real-life hero, Salome Thomas-El, in an upcoming Disney film.Smith is in negotiations to play Salome Thomas-El, a well known middle school principal and school board member in Philadelphia. Thomas-El chronicled his life in an autobiography called I Choose […]
Common To Launch Soji Hat Line In New York
Chicago rapper Common will officially launch his new Soji line of hats on Wednesday (Jan. 23) in New York. Common, along with invited guests Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Jeremy Piven and others, will preview the high-end hats, which will be sold exclusively at La Coppola Storta stores, a trendy retailer with locations in Palermo, Roma, […]
The Game Cancels Shows In Canada, Africa
Superstar rapper The Game has canceled a series of concert dates in Luanda, Africa, according to local promoters. The rapper was scheduled to land in the country today (Jan. 22) to perform at the Atlantico Cinema on Saturday (Jan. 27) and Sunday (Jan. 28), but the concerts have been postponed.According to promoters with the Angola […]
Bone Thugs N’ Harmony: No Surrender
Without radio or video love, Bone Thugs N Harmony continues to party like its E. 1999. Claiming to have sold six figures during a quiet stint with Koch Records, the group won over the resurging ear of Swizz Beatz in his 2005 comeback, and he got behind the group. Based off of the Mariah Carey […]
Sisqo: Nothing To Prove, Pt 1
Its been well over a decade since we met the R&B quintet Dru Hill. Lead singer Sisqo became the focal point of both praise and criticism throughout the group’s successful years and his own solo endeavors. Regardless of the critical jabs, no one will ever pronounce that thong-th-thong-thong-thong with one syllable again. Unlike many of […]
