Public Warning
Artist: Lady SovereignTitle: Public WarningRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Zimmerman In the years leading up to her full-length debut, Public Warning (Def Jam), Lady Sovereign generated the kind of buzz other artists would kill for. From fans clamoring for new content online to publications quickly making her a cover girl, everybody wanted more of […]
California Nurses Association Uses Hip-Hop To Support ‘Proposition 89’
As the November primaries draw near, the California Nurses Association is looking to spread their political voice through a new Hip-Hop-themed music video. Produced by Colette Washington, “About Time for 89” was written in an attempt to educate young voters about California’s proposed referendum, Proposition 89. The new bill seeks to clean up the corruption […]
Beatlovers, Vol. 2
Artist: Nocturnal RonTitle: Beatlovers, Vol. 2Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Maiya Norton Unless you have the signature sound or name-dropping privilege that a Just Blaze, the Neptunes or Swizz Beats share, stealing the attention of the masses with an instrumental album lacking headlining collaborations could be tricky. Despite the odds against him Nocturnal Ron takes listeners […]
Will Smith Involved In Potential Philadelphia 76ers Purchase
Actor/rapper Will Smith could be the latest entertainer to hold a stake in a professional basketball team. The Philadelphian is among a set of investors interested in purchasing the Philadelphia 76ers from Comcast-Spectacor, according to The Philadelphia Daily News. The group, which was assembled by basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, would like to have […]
K-Rino: Last of a Dying Breed
The city to be reckoned with this year in Hip-Hop is without argument Houston, Texas. With artists surging the market in various cameos, videos, and documentaries; everyone is getting a taste of the H-town. As newer artists like Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, or Short Dawg rise, one could wonder what inspired these young gentlemen […]
Lil’ Boosie: Bad to the Bone
Less than a month away from his 23rd birthday, Lil Boosie is in position to score big. After almost a decade of independent grinding, the Baton Rouge rapper will unveil his first Asylum Records-backed project, Bad Azz, with mentor Pimp C out of jail. That was not the case last year, when former partner and […]
Shareefa: Ready For The World
“Come wit it, need somebody thats real gangsta/I need a pappi, somebody I call daddy” So we have another bossy chick amongst us. Well, this one demands a boss, and she is not taking anything less. Shareefa, the New Jersey native recently signed to Disturbing the Peace, isnt taking anything lightly within her career. Known […]
Makeba Riddick: Tried And True
In the year 2006, the world has been introduced to many break-out artists and even more song-writers and producers, but Makeba Riddick steals the show. As the only female in Sean Diddy Combs hit-man stable, Riddick is proving that she can hold her own on her own, and has the accolades to prove it. Makeba […]
Pioneering Philly Hip-Hop Label Pop Art Bought Out
Pop Art Records, once home to Hip-Hop pioneers Roxanne Shante and Biz Markie, announced its buy-out yesterday (Oct. 24) by the Coalition, a production and management company. Founded in 1979 by Lawrence Goodman, Pop Art’s roster included DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Roxanne Shante, 3 Times Dope, Salt and Pepa, MC Shan, Craig […]
Jermaine Dupri Issues Statement On Leaving Virgin Records
Jermaine Dupri has officially vacated his position as President of Urban Music at Virgin Records, after underwhelming sales of Janet Jackson’s comeback album 20 Y.O. Contrary to published reports, Dupri, who announced the position in January 2005, voluntarily left the position. “Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, […]
Nelly, Apple Bottoms Honored At Retail Awards Gala
St. Louis rapper Nelly will be honored in New York at the Black Retail Action Group’s 36th Annual Scholarship & Awards fundraiser. The nonprofit will honor Nelly Friday (Oct. 27) at Cipriani Wall Street with BRAG’s Special Recognition Award for penetrating the retail clothing world with his clothing line, Apple Bottoms. The organization will also […]
Diddy Hits #1
The Bad Boy hit streak continues this year as label head Sean "Diddy" Combs’ solo album Press Play lands at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart. The disc moved over 176,000 units in its first week, besting releases from Evanescence (The Open Door), JoJo (The High Road), Dierks Bentley (Long Trip Alone) and […]
Marc Ecko Recruits Unique Autosports To Redesign Nissan SUVs
Marc Ecko has recruited Will Castro and Unique Autosports to help re-design Nissans’ flagship SUV’s — the Nissan’s Pathfinder and Nissan Armada. The announcement comes on the heels of Ecko’s recent deal with Nissan North America, Inc., in which Ecko will incorporate his custom designs into the popular trucks. “As a devoted fan of Unique […]
Damon Eden: No Mountain Climber
Youre fresh from your local Tower Records, you pop in the latest CD from your favorite rapper or singer and from the very first listen of the album you find yourself saying one of two things, Damn this is a hot CD! or What in the world was he/she thinking when they recorded this crap? […]
Willie D: Gangsta of Love
When keeping it real goes right, there was Willie D. The most outspoken Geto Boy, Willie spoke bluntly about race, class, sex, and money. The Houston rapper suffered for this. His loved by few, hated by many attitude spent years in the shadows of GB brother, Scarface. But 20 years later, Willie has never bit […]
Scarface: Fixed on Change
As Rap-A-Lot Records turns 20 years old, a lot of the people who made the label what it is arent there to blow out the candles. Most would concur that theres none bigger than Brad Jordan, better known as Mr. Scarface. Since 1988s Making Trouble, the Geto Boys did just that, for anybody who was […]
Judge Objects to Promotion of New C-Murder Album
C-Murder’s talent on the mic will have to speak for itself, according to the judge presiding over the rapper’s second-degree murder case. Louisiana’s Times-Picayune reports that C-Murder (born Corey Miller) can take pictures to promote his upcoming album as long as it’s done at the location where he is currently under house arrest. “I don’t […]
Foxy Brown Shows Up In Court, Sentenced To Three Years Probation
Foxy Brown avoided jail and showed up in court today (Oct. 24), where a New York judge sentenced her to three years probation over a 2004 altercation with two employees of a Manhattan nail salon. Brown was originally scheduled to be sentenced yesterday (Oct. 23), but missed the date, telling the judge that she was […]
Russell Simmons Heading To Africa In Hopes Of Changing Diamond Business
Hip-Hop philanthropist Russell Simmons will join the Diamond Information Center in spearheading a fact-finding trip to Africa in hopes of discovering ways to empower the country’s communities through his diamond business, Simmons Jewelry Company. The nine-day trek, beginning Nov. 26 and ending Dec. 4, will include stops in South Africa and Botswana. Simmons and his […]
Ras Kass Responds To Crocodile Hunter’s Manager
Rapper Ras Kass has responded to criticism surrounding a line on his recently released diss track to rival The Game, in which he references the death of Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin. Irwin’s manager John Stainton lashed out at the rapper yesterday (Oct. 23) in the Sydney Morning Herald, because of a line in the […]
