G-Unit’s Spider Loc Talks New Album, Acting Career
G-Unit rapper Spider Loc is preparing a variety of projects as he records upcoming debut album titled West Kept Secret. The album, which is slated for a 2007 release date, features Young Buck, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 50 Cent, as well as production from Sha Money XL, Scott Storch Hi-Tek and others. While Spider […]
Russell Simmons Lands In South Africa, Issues Statement
Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons landed in South Africa today (Nov. 27) on a fact-finding mission to learn how the diamond industry can positively affect the lives of black Africans living amongst high poverty, HIV and lack of quality education.Simmons will visit Botswana and South Africa during the fact-finding mission to learn more about the diamond […]
Sony Urban To Be Dismantled
According to reports, SonyBMG is planning to dismantle it’s Sony Urban Music division, with layoffs at the label coming just before the holiday season. Layoffs at the label are scheduled to start some time this week. According to the New York Post some of Sony Urban’s 70 employees will be reassigned to other labels within […]
Déjà Vu (Film)
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Déjà Vu (Film)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson If Scorsese has DiCaprio and Soderbergh has Clooney, then Scott has Washington. Having cranked out blockbuster thriller upon blockbuster thriller in Crimson Tide andMan on Fire, here comes the latest must-see Tony Scott company players, pulse-pumping production featuring yet another Denzel lone-wolf character: Déjà […]
Death Before Dishonor (DVD)
Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Death Before Dishonor (DVD)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Melanie J. Cornish With street DVDs becoming as mass produced as mixtapes, occasionally one will break through to tell a story worthy of our attention and of our money. Death Before Dishonor (Ruff Nation Films) is released in the eye of the stop snitching hurricane. […]
The Day All Hell Broke Loose, Vol. 3
Artist: Swishahouse Presents…Title: The Day All Hell Broke Loose, Vol. 3Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine Michael “5000” Watts and Swishahouse discovered Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug. However, with only Paul still amicable with the label, their motives and staying-power is questionable. In a quiet year for Houston releases, Swishahouse unveiled their bright […]
Point Of No Return
Artist: ShareefaTitle: Point Of No ReturnRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Starrene Rhett Shareefa sings with the passion of a talented inmate who wants to get free to pursue her dreams of stardom. That dream has become a reality for Disturbing Tha Peace’s newest crooner. Her debut Point of No Return (Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam) takes […]
Pharrell Williams In Negotiation To Perform At Princess Diana Tribute
Rapper Pharrell Williams is in negotiations to take part in a massive concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. The charity concert is being planned by Princes William and Harry, and will take place at the new Wembley Stadium on July 1, Princess Diana’s 46th birthday, various London newspapers reported […]
Yello: Booked, Behind Bars
God, please pardon your son, my mind was young and my feet were unable to outrun where Im from. Yello begins his first book, Respect the Jux, with this fitting quote. A onetime thief, Yello saw his life of crime come to an abrupt end when he was arrested and decided to take the blame […]
Rewind the Rhyme: Snoop Dogg
As the end of the year approaches, labels are scrambling to drop a slew of heavy hitters hoping to rake in that last bit of bread before ’06 is a wrap. Among them, The Game, Young Jeezy, The Clipse, Pitbull, and Lil Scrappy are holding it down for the new jacks and Jay-Z and Nas’ […]
Jay-Z Moves Major Units, Cops Shut Down Release Party In NY
Jay-Z’s latest release Kingdom Come is on pace to move an estimated 850,000 copies the first week in stores, giving the rapper the year’s best selling CD in one week and another #1 album on the Billboard charts. Kingdom Come is expected to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart next week, giving the […]
Elise Neal: Trailblazer
Angela Basset. Halle Berry. Elise Neal? Neals name may not be familiar to mainstream audiences yet, but after a credible performance as Yvette in the award-winning film Hustle & Flow, Neals road to greatness is building before our very eyes. After traveling around the world in musical theater, Neals talents in performing on stage led […]
Hip-Hop and The Great Pumpkin
From charity moves to the timeless tradition of good football and family love, everyone has their own special turkey day story – even some sad memories. In celebration of Thanksgiving or Thankstaking, as illseed likes to call it – we asked some artists, actors and DJs what their most memorable moments were. B.G.: Thanksgiving […]
Slim Thug, BG Participating in Stop the Violence Hip-Hop Caucus
Houston, Texas-based lyricist Slim Thug is the latest artist scheduled to take part in a Stop the Violence Hip-Hop caucus in New Orleans.The event, hosted by the Hip-Hop Caucus Institute (HHCi), will take place Friday (Nov. 24) and include a dialogue and strategy session to find a solution for the growing violence in neighborhoods populated […]
AHH Stray News: Shady/Mick Boogie, Lupe Fiasco, Mississippi Rap, DJ Muggs
Cleveland DJ Mick Boogie, Shady Records DJ and creator of the Jay-Z/Superman Returns mixtape, has crafted a new Pre-Up mixtape to get Shady fans excited for the upcoming album release of The Re-Up. "Mick Boogie is one of the most consistent and creative mixtape DJ’s in the game, so when he came to us with […]
Sophomore Albums From The Game, Akon Take #1, #2 Spots
Compton, California rapper The Game has proven his selling power despite label turmoil and the loss of production from Dr. Dre, as his sophomore album Doctor’s Advocate moved almost 360,000 copies the first week in stores. The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, suffered numerous setbacks while recording the album, which is expected to top the Billboard […]
Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige Victorious at AMAs
Hip-Hop quartet Black Eyed Peas and singer Mary J. Blige were among the victors Tuesday (Nov. 21) at this year’s American Music Awards (AMAs). The Peas, who made an appearance via satellite from Costa Rica, picked up three awards, including favorite R&B/Hip-Hop group, Soul/R&B group and Rap/Hip-Hop album for Monkey Business. In addition to performing, […]
Storm the Unpredictable: Quiet Storm
Theres a difference between trying to send a message and actually speaking from experience. Storm the Unpredictable brings feel-good Hip-Hop while embarking on topics that culture enthusiasts of any age can relate to. Not only because of the subject matter but because of the way its done. Dope beats, well-composed lyrics and random doses of […]
New Era Hat Company Unveils J. Dilla Hats
A new line of New Era Fitted hats honoring the memory of Hip-Hop fixture Jay Dee (aka J. Dilla) will debut on Okayplayer.com. The web site will exclusively unveil and sell the fitted head pieces beginning at 12:00 pm ET Friday (Nov. 24). The revered producer, a founding member of the rap group Slum Village, […]
Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Artist: Snoop DoggTitle: Tha Blue Carpet TreatmentRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine In 2004, Snoop Dogg scored his biggest hit in the post riding shotgun with Dr. Dre years with The Neptunes-assisted “Drop it Like it’s Hot”. But while R&G was aimed at the charts with Southern and East Coast-seasoned production, Snoop’s Tha Blue Carpet Treatment […]
