Hip-Hop Producer J.R. Rotem Inks Deal With Epic, Launches New Label
Multi-platinum producer Jonathan "J.R." Rotem has entered into a deal with Epic Records and is launching his own record label, Beluga Heights, which will be run out of Rotem’s Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Rotem, who produced Rihanna’s #1 Billboard single "S.O.S.," Rick Ross’ "Push It" 50 Cent and Olivia’s "Best Friend" and […]
Hip-Hop Is A B***h
Let me first preface this work by saying that in every industry there are women out there who have experienced sexism and people have turned a deaf ear. In addition, there are women out there who truly do feel that they must use their sexuality to get ahead, because this society is still a sexist […]
Rock The Bells (Concert Review)
Artist: Concert ReviewTitle: Rock The Bells (Concert Review)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana The “Rock The Bells” Tour featuring headliners Raekwon and Redman reached full stride last night in Times Square. Damn, Hip-Hop is thirty-something now, and it showed its maturity last night at the illustrious B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on 42nd Street. […]
Three Six Mafia Settle Pittsburgh Lawsuit
Memphis, Tenn. rap collective Three 6 Mafia recently settled a lawsuit filed by a man who claimed to have been severely beaten while attending a 2003 concert featuring the group. Although details of the financial settlement were not disclosed, the Associated Press reports Ramone Williams received the settlement last month. The payment concludes months of […]
Guerilla Radio and Grand Schemes
One artist of countless rappers wants all that the world can offer a Hip-Hop talent. Miamis Grand Scheem is not only gunning for global radio waves, but hes zeroed in on the Top 40 market to start – remarkable aspirations. Furthermore, the Pakistani-born rapper is not offering bling. He’s bringing social and political commentary in […]
Konvicted
Artist: AkonTitle: KonvictedRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Tambra Cherie There is an old saying our grandmothers use to say years ago, “If it’s not broke, then don’t fix it.” Platinum-recording artist Akon must have adopted this concept when recording his sophomore album, Konvicted (SRC/Universal Motown). With 11 songs written, arranged, and produced by Akon himself, […]
Miguel: Every Little Step
The dictionary defines the word timeless as an adjective meaning “infinite, ageless, existing unaltered by time.” For Miguel, timeless is synonymous with a diverse line up of singers – The Police, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder – all timeless for a 19-year-old singer/songwriter who belted his first song at a kindergarten talent show. […]
Cypress Hill Hit With Lawsuit Over 2004 Show
Rap group Cypress Hill has been hit with a lawsuit from music promoters Wavecrest Media in Davidson County Court in Nashville, Tennessee. The lawsuit claims that the rappers refuse to return a $150,000 deposit, after a 2004 September 19 performance that was canceled because of Hurricane Ivan. The chart-topping West coast rap group was booked […]
Hell Hath No Fury
Artist: ClipseTitle: Hell Hath No FuryRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios The dope dealer persona has always had its place in Hip-Hop. UGK coined the phrase “Riding Dirty,” Jay painted Technicolor style pictures of the ups and down of the game, and B.I.G. broke down the ten rules of success. Since their 2002 […]
Aspiring Country/Rap Artist ‘Colt Ford’ Preps Rap Anthem For Pro Bull Riders
In a sport that is typically associated with country music, the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) has tapped male country/rap artist Colt Ford to write a new rap anthem that will debut at the VERSUS Invitational Pro Bull Riders Competition. Sponsored by Amp’d Mobile, the competition will be held on January 6-7, 2007 at New York’s […]
Definitive Jux, MTVU Offer Opportunity to Aspiring Artists
Definitive Jux Records and mtvU have joined forces as part of a new venture to launch the careers of unsigned artists and groups. The effort, described as the first monthly record deal competition for aspiring DJs, emcees, producers and bands, was launched Wednesday (Nov. 29) on mtvU’s Best Music On Campus, the network’s new online […]
Rapper Twisted Black Sentenced To Life In Prison
Fort Worth rapper Twisted Black was sentenced to life in prison, after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In July 2006, Twisted Black, born Tommy Burns, was arrested and charged by officers with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Midland, Texas, shortly after signing a deal with New York based independent record label […]
Wyclef Performing In Haiti For First Time In 8 Years, Teams With UN
Wyclef Jean has teamed with the United Nations’ World Food Programme agency to present a one-week festival in Haiti aimed at encouraging artistic and cultural development, to boost the economy of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Jean’s nonprofit organization Yéle Haiti will present The Yéle Fest, which will take place from November. 30 […]
DJ Kay Slay: Breaking Records
Throughout Hip-Hop, there are record executives and several rappers that have instilled fear in the hearts of many. Behind the turntables, the same may be true of Kay Slay. Still, The Drama King didnt use those tactics to get into the industry. Instead, the East Harlem native has been involved in Hip-Hop for four decades, […]
Katt Williams Faces Michigan Judge Over Stun Guns, Posts $50k Bond
The working condition of two stun guns will be the deciding factor for comedian Katt Williams, who could stand trial on two counts of possession of an illegal weapon in a Kalamazoo, Mich. courtroom. Kalamazoo County District Judge Vincent Westra issued an order to test two stun guns to see if they were in working […]
AHH Stray News: Swishahouse, Snoop’s $2 Million Lawsuit, DJ Hapa, Sean Paul
Houston based rap label Swishahouse was honored Monday (Nov. 27) by the Texas Grammy Chapter in Austin, Texas. The event was hosted by renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton and Grammy Award winning singer Ray Benson. The label, founded by DJ Michael “5000” Watts and business partner G-Dash, was honored for its contributions to Texas music. […]
Rappers From Different Ethnic Backgrounds Comment On Call To Ban N-Word
A group of activists gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (Nov. 27) and called for a boycott of the "n-word" and voiced support for an upcoming NAACP campaign to "just say ‘no’ to the n-word."The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters, comedian Paul Mooney and other African-American leaders held a press conference to encourage people […]
Snoop Dogg Arrested Outside NBC Studios
Snoop Dogg was arrested yesterday (Nov. 28) in Burbank, CA, as he was leaving NBC studios after a performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.Snoop, 35, and two associates were pulling out of NBC studios around 6pm, when police stopped their vehicle, armed with a search warrant. All three men were arrested after police […]
Cadillac Don & J. Money: Lacville ’79
While theres a while slew of artist coming out of the south these days, we havent had that one artist or group that just speaks for hip-hop in quite some time. Our generation has definitely had a few, most notably groups like Outkast, 8Ball & MJG, and UGK. These groups have managed to appeal to […]
Pitbull: Thicker Than Water
While the new faces of Rick Ross, Dre, and Plies have popped up in Florida, another rapper has scouted the real estate of Miami success for the last four years. Although his album, El Mariel did not hit shelves until 2006s fourth quarter, the presence Pitbull saw primetime exposure by way of Born N Raised […]
