The Death Of Willie Lynch
Artist: Black IceTitle: The Death Of Willie LynchRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Nadiyah R. Bradshaw Most know him from his successful stint on Russel Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, but Philly’s own Black Ice is more than a wordsmith. The man born Lamar Manson he is also a bonafide MC, cleverly spewing artistic lyrics over Eric […]
My Brother’s Keeper
Artist: Lake & CormegaTitle: My Brother’s KeeperRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios From MC Shan to “God’s Son” the Queensbridge, New York housing projects have been known to produce Hip-Hop royalty. Under the radar Cormega has kept the pride alive with two well-received offerings (The Realness, The True Meaning), remaining one of the […]
The Cons, Vol. 4…Finish What You Started (Mixtape)
Artist: Consequence/Clinton SparksTitle: The Cons, Vol. 4…Finish What You Started (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: KeiSaundra “K Sincere” Henderson Get familiar! The Cons, Vol. 4…Finish What You Started (MixUnit/G.O.O.D. Music) is worth more than a listen, or even more than syncing with your iPod. Kanye’s “protege” Consequence is worth marking your calendars for his major […]
Young Dro Plots First Major Tour
Atlanta rapper Young Dro will soon be shoulder-leaning around the country, as he plots his first major tour in support of his Atlantic Records debut Best Thang Smokin’. The colorful rapper is set to hit the road this fall for a major U.S. tour with labelmate T.I. The arena trek will kick off Oct. 27 […]
DMX Targeted in New $2 Million Dollar Defamation Lawsuit
DMX’s statements in a recent interview with Sister 2 Sister Magazine may come back to bite him. The Yonkers, N.Y., rapper has been named in $2 million defamation lawsuit filed Thursday (Oct.12) by Monique Wayne of Prince George’s County, Md. The woman is claiming to be the mother of DMX’s two-year-old son Javon Micai Wayne. […]
T.I. Nominated For Eight BET Hip-Hop Awards
Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Katt Williams and Young Jeezy appeared at the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce yesterday (Oct. 12) to announce the nominations for the first-ever BET Hip-Hop Awards show. Atlanta rapper T.I. led all nominees with eight nods, including Video of the Year, Hip-Hop Track of the Year, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year, Lyricist […]
J. Prince Denies Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris’ Claims Of Owning Interest In Rap-A-Lot
Rap-A-Lot CEO James "J. Prince" Prince has denied that the legendary Houston-based label is co-owned by convicted drug kingpin Michael "Harry-O" Harris.Prince did not attend a hearing in Los Angeles today (Oct. 12) relating to the matter but he and his attorney offered up a challenge to settle Harris and his attorney Steve Golderg’s claims […]
Big Boi Creates Big Kidz Foundation, Aligns With Russell Athletics
Outkast’s Big Boi is finding good fortune through his alliance with Russell Athletic. The company, which outfits more than 500 men’s and women’s athletic teams on 49 HBCU campuses and provides more than over $350,000 in scholarship money each year, has partnered with Big Boi in support of his Big Kidz Foundation, a philanthropic project […]
Jin Takes Advantage Of The Net, Drops Album Only Available Via MySpace
Jin is planning to take full advantage of the MySpace phenomenon by releasing his new album I Promise via his MySpace page.The album, which has no ties to MySpace or any record label, will feature new music the rapper recorded over the last month and boasts production by Bangout, Canei, Obi & Josh, Younglord, Music […]
Collardgreen and Lil Ru: South Carolina’s Chosen Few
While the South has recently dominated Hip-Hop, South Carolina has been slept on more than Serta mattresses. As the only Southern state without an artist signed to a major label, South Carolina has been waiting on its chance to join the Southern movement since rappers started making it cool to be country. But, the state […]
Lil’ Eazy E Inks Deal With Blackground, Plans To Rep Compton On New Album
Eric "Lil’ Eazy-E" Wright, son of the late Eazy-E, hopes to be the next rap delegate of Compton, Calif., and now he’s well on his way.The 22-year-old rapper recently inked a deal with Blackground/Universal and is currently preparing his debut album Prince of Compton, due early next year.Lil’ Eazy-E, who was 10-years-old when his father […]
Opening Arguments, Testimony Kick Off Source Sexual Harassment Trial
Sexual harassment versus meeting professional expectations–those were the points raised during opening arguments in the sexual harassment trial against The Source Magazine yesterday (Oct. 11). Lawyers for former Source editor Kim Osorio alleged that their client was forced out of her position amid verbal abuse and threats of physical violence, the New York Post reports. […]
Yung Joc Preparing ‘The Jocumentary’
Block Entertainment/Bad Boy lyricist Yung Joc has teamed with the Raw Report to give viewers an inside look at his life in the new DVD, The Jocumentary, scheduled to arrive in stores on Nov. 14.Produced by the Raw Report, the new documentary follows an uncensored Joc in his travels and contains interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes […]
Sadat X: Gone Til’ November
Sadat X is the definition of what it means to be about your business and on your grind. The one-time teacher, basketball coach, would-be firefighter and rapper is the everymans man. Not comfortable with just relying on one gig, the Bronx-bred MC isnt afraid to take a regular job and hustle like the rest of […]
Nas: Critical Condition
Twelve years ago, youd never catch Nas in the streets without a ton of reefer. Today, the King Poetic has turned over a new leaf, and no longer splits the leaves of his cigars. Perhaps its a new frame of mind for a 33-year-old rapper who went from snubbing Jesus to being the same age […]
Driver Of Truck Issued A Summons In Cassidy Accident, Rapper Regains Consciousness
The driver of a truck that critically injured Philadelphia rapper Cassidy has been issued a summons for making an improper turn. According to police, Javier Trujillo Gonzalez, 36, of Carson City, MI, was issued the ticket for his role in the accident, after his truck ran a red light and crossed into a an intersection, […]
Black October
Artist: Sadat XTitle: Black OctoberRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Robert Longfellow Sadat X should have known better. Caught up with a gun when the boys in blue ran up on him in late 2005, the Brand Nubian rapper is stuck with a year long jail sentence. While getting his life in order for his mandated “vacation”, […]
Black Magic
Artist: Swollen MembersTitle: Black MagicRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Despite commercial and critical successes in Canada, Swollen Members remain firmly in the “underground” category in the United States. Even on their home field, the crew is releasing Black Magic (Battle Axe) on less than firm footing; their last album, Heavy, was received so poorly […]
The Champions: North Meets South
Artist: DJ Kayslay/Greg StreetTitle: The Champions: North Meets SouthRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios In recent years it has become almost cliche that New York Hip-Hop is in the need of some resuscitation. Big Apple veterans that used to hold down an entire coast seem less and less relevant in the public eye. Some […]
Jay-Z Responds To China’s Performance Ban
Rapper Jay-Z has responded to the recent announcement that the Chinese government would not allow him to perform a date in Shanghai. According to local promoter Sun Yun, China’s Ministry of Culture denied Jay-Z’s performance because of the "vulgar language" in some of his lyrics. Jay-Z was confident he would soon land on China’s mainland […]
