Crooked Lettaz’ Kamikaze Spurs Student Boycott
Anti-Bush statements still don’t fly these days. The latest target is Jackson, Miss., rapper Kamikaze, who was recently banned by student representatives at Mississippi’s Millsaps College after he criticized the war in Iraq during a performance.Kamikaze, one-half of rap group Crooked Lettaz with David Banner, was invited to speak and perform at Millsaps as part […]
All Access DVD To Spinoff On TV; Features Young Dro, Lupe, Rick Ross
All Access DVD has partnered with Starz In Black to produce 12 original episodes of All Access TV, a monthly television show that premiered two weeks ago.The joint venture calls for Starz to air 12 episodes once a month as a part of the network’s In Black Original series production.The first episode, which has been […]
Born Hustlers Inc: Snap Star
Hate or it or love it, snap music has consumed this country. When the percussion finger-snap sounds and the bassline drops, anyone who is near the dance floor is moved to join into the crowds cycle of leaning, rocking, and snapping their fingers. Although this sound was born in the impoverished community of Bankhead in […]
Chingy: All Ballers Don’t Bounce
Some critics of Chingy wouldve never believed that the former St. Louis teen-star would be one day delivering a third album on a major label. Perhaps like Cassidy, Chingy has evolved from a rapper birthed in a bubblegum fanbase, driven to the battle, then returning to his Pop sensibilities. As Pulling Me Back became a […]
AHH Stray News: ‘Baby Boy’ Lawsuit Dimissed, Ying Yang Rename Album, Jay-Z/TNT
A copyright infringment lawsuit involving the #1 single "Baby Boy" by Beyonce Knowles was dismissed in a US District Court. In July 2004, Jennifer Armour filed a lawsuit against Beyonce and other writers and producers of the song, which include Scott Storch, rapper Jay-Z, Jamaican artist Sean Paul and Sony Music, claiming "Baby Boy" was […]
Papoose and Nation of Thugacation Rep For ‘Educated Thugs’
While some MCs would be content celebrating a new $1.5 million label deal with Jive, Brooklyn-bred rapper Papoose is already planning his future with the rap group the Nation of Thugacation. According to Papoose, group members Tydro, Snipe, Odogg, Flip, Cbrown, Ike enfa diamonds, and R&B singer Maleeke will have cameos on the rapper’s upcoming […]
Too Bad
Artist: Buju BantonTitle: Too BadRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Metanoya Z. Webb The language is plain and simple. No hype, pop sheen, just 17 raw tracks that will undoubtedly take a 1990’s certified reggae lover down memory lane. Why is it that an ostracized, slick-talking, Rastaman veteran deejay had to usher in a wicked dancehall […]
The Dutchess
Artist: FergieTitle: The DutchessRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli The fact that duchess is spelled incorrectly in the album title could very well be an omen of what’s to come from Fergie’s solo debut The Dutchess (Interscope). Saturated with early 80’s spandex rap mixed and attempts at soulful coos, The Dutchess sounds more like […]
Christian Rapper T-Bone Hosting Gospel Music Channel’s Hip-Hop Video Show
The market for religious-themed Hip-Hop continues to grow with the Gospel Music Channel’s addition of the new program Hype & Glory.The gospel/Hip-Hop video show, developed with Open Rivers Pictures, will be hosted by bilingual Christian rapper T-Bone, a pioneer of the genre who released his groundbreaking album Redeemed Hoodlum in 1993."We’re seeking out top graffiti […]
Mr. Brown
Artist: Sleepy BrownTitle: Mr. BrownRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Alex Thornton Sometimes called “the third member of Outkast,” Sleepy Brown is perhaps the best known solo artist to never have released a solo album. Not only has the world heard his voice frequently on hits like Big Boi’s “The Way You Move,” his song-writing and production […]
We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)
Artist: VisionariesTitle: We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Slav Kandyba Underground rappers from Los Angeles and other ‘burbs of the Southern Cali wasteland possess undeniable skills on the mic but often trap themselves within limiting lyrics that praise the virtues of their life and little more. Production is often […]
The Medicine
Artist: Planet AsiaTitle: The MedicineRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero Planet Asia should be an emcee that every fan of indie or West Coast Hip-Hop should know or have at least heard about. The Source Magazine (before the issues) gave Planet Asia Independent Album of the Year credit in 2000 for his How the […]
Your Mom’s Favorite DJ
Artist: Kid KoalaTitle: Your Mom’s Favorite DJRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Dustin Glick Kid Koala is dope, plain and simple. Hailing from Canada, the 31-year-old DJ has been cutting up vinyl since he was 12. If you’re not familiar with his work, you may be aware of his classic track “Drunk Trumpet,” where he scratches out […]
Ice Cube Named Howard Homecoming Ambassador and Grand Marshal
Rapper/Actor Ice Cube will add a touch of West Coast flavor to Howard University’s homecoming festivities in October.The former NWA affiliate was recently tapped to serve as ambassador and grand marshal for the annual affair, which will be called Utopia: Pinnacle of Dreams. Events slated for this year’s homecoming include a yard fest, an alumni […]
Aftermath Hires New Chef — Raekwon
Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon the Chef has officially signed with Aftermath Entertainment and will serve up his highly anticipated album Only Built for Cuban Linx II under the label founded by West Coast rapper/producer Dr. Dre. The announcement ends months of speculation as to whether or not the album would be released on the powerhouse […]
Frankie J: How To Deal, Pt 2
AHHA: Let’s talk about the Vida [Guerra] rumors [of romance] that were rampant. How much of that was true? Frankie J: Okay, I’m a let yall know just to clear it up, we’re just friends! We’re friends, we’re homies, she’s my girl – we did the video together, yes. It came out great, we did […]
Frankie J: How To Deal, Pt 1
When Frankie Js#### single Dont Wanna Try hit the airwaves in 2003, R&B fans at large didnt know much about the soft-spoken young musician. The former lead singer of popular Latin group Kumbia Kings, Frankie J had already been working with some of the best in the industry before the mainstream heard his name, including […]
Midi Mafia: The Next Movement
In 2003 when 50 Cent decided he needed to Get Rich or Die Tryin, Dre wasnt the only producer to lend his magic touch to the multi-platinum project. Fifs second #1 single from the album, 21 Questions introduced the hit-making production/remixing duo of Midi Mafia to the masses. Consisting of Kevin Dirty Swift Risto and […]
DJ Whoo Kid: Follow the Leader
It reads like a rags-to-riches adventure loaded with hilarious rap beef, custom Lamborghinis, and international pizzle. G-Unit is all about the global and financial elevation of Hip-Hop culture. And DJ Whoo kid knows the key to success. The Queens-bred entrepreneur with Haitian roots has traveled the world with one of the most successful rap crews […]
DMX Performance Spawns Mini Riot At Concert
A show that was meant to welcome kids back to school spawned a “mini-riot” on Sept. 30 after a performance by rapper DMX. During the Back To School Jam at The Nassau Coliseum Yonkers rapper experienced audio problems with his microphone as he performed his best known hits. However, when the rapper’s show was completely […]
