Sekyiwa Shakur: Revolutionary Kinship
After Tupac Shakur’s untimely death ten years ago today, his family fought for the control of his unreleased work and presented it to the world – in the process, selling millions of records, creating a successful clothing line, and producing an Oscar-nominated film. While Afeni Shakur was the engine that powered the franchise and is […]
Flavor Flav Raps, Sings On Debut Solo Album
Rapper Flavor Flav, the current star of VH1’s top rated reality series Flavor of Love 2, is preparing the release of a new self-titled album this Halloween.Flavor Flav, born William Drayton Jr., announced the album will be released on his own independent label, Draytown Records, which is distributed by Redeye Distribution. "I got some things […]
MC Serch, Arab DJ Waleed Coyote Work On ‘Peace in the Middle East’
Michael "MC Serch" Berrin and Greensboro, North Carolina DJ Waleed Coyote will collaborate on a compilation titled Peace in the Middle East, a new album made up of Arab and Jewish artists. Serch, a Jewish rapper and member of famed ’90s rap group 3rd Bass and DJ Waleed Coyote, an Arab DJ on Greensboro’s 102 […]
Damon Dash Enters Custody Battle Over Teenage Son
Damon Dash is slated to appear in court Sept. 28 in a custody battle between former girlfriend Linda Williams over their son, Damon Dash Jr., now 14. Dash, 35, and Williams became a couple in 1991, and never married. They allegedly split in the mid 90’s, and their son remained in New Jersey under William’s […]
G-Unity Foundation Awards $70,000 Grant to Area Youth
The Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts will get 50 new attendees, courtesy of rapper 50 Cent and his G-Unity Foundation.The foundation, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and under served communities, awarded a $70,000 grant to youth from Jamaica, Queens and surrounding areas […]
Rick Ross on Tupac: Hell 4 A Hustler
In 1996, Rick Ross role in Hip-Hop was simply a fan. Living in Miami, no doubt pushing to the limit, Ross felt understood when listening to the struggles of Tupac Shakur on All Eyez on Me and Makaveli. The Boss, as Ross calls himself, was emotionally affected upon the loss of raps most colorful character. […]
Slim Thug Addresses LeToya Relationship, Independent Album
Houston, Texas rapper Slim Thug has never been silent concerning the success of artists out of his home state. While the rapper took home Best R&B Video at this year’s MTV Awards for his “Check on It” collaboration with Destiny’s Child lead singer Beyonce, the rapper is equally proud of fellow Texan, ex-Destiny’s Child member […]
Nas Says ‘Hip-Hop Is Dead’ Could Be His Best Album
Nas says his greatest work is ahead of him, but the veteran rapper said his fans will intimately determine if his latest album Hip-Hop Is Dead reigns over his classic albums like Illmatic (1994), It Was Written (1996), Stillmatic (2001), God’s Son (2002) and others. "It’s probably the best record I ever did," Nas told […]
Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey Top 2006 Billboard Awards
Producer and songwriter Jermaine Dupri’s took home Top Songwriter and Top Producer at the 2006 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, held in his hometown of Atlanta, GA on Friday (Sept. 8).Dupri, CEO of So So Def, won in the Top Songwriter category, beating out Johnta Austin, R. Kelly and Scott Storch. Dupri also bested Mr. Collipark, Bryan-Michael […]
Aphilliates Music Group Inks Deal With Asylum
Asylum Records has announced a partnership with Atlanta-based Aphilliates Music Group, the label founded by DJ Drama, DJ Sense and Don Cannon, with Lason Jackson acting as President. As part of the agreement, Asylum will provide marketing, distribution and sales services to Aphilliates Music Group, which was launched in 2003."We are excited to work with […]
Producer Needlz Opens New Boutique in New Jersey, Working on New Material
Producer Needlz is crafting more than great beats with the launch of his new boutique store Pieces.The beat maker, who has created music for 50 Cent, Young Buck Game, Talib Kweli, Trina, Ludacris, Fabolous, held a VIP preview opening Friday (Sept. 8) for the new boutique, which will be located in Hoboken, New Jersey.A public […]
Intellektual Property (Revised)
Artist: Intellekt & Dirty DigitsTitle: Intellektual Property (Revised)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Fruity Loops and a karaoke mic. Now, these are not the semi-archaic production tools that Intellekt & Dirty Digits used to record their debut album Intellektual Property (Revised) (ATF Records), but those two items serve as an easy reminder that good […]
Here
Artist: NicolayTitle: HereRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Anthony Carr To the average listener, the producer known as Nicolay doesn’t ring a bell, but in the underground his name is affiliated with the critically acclaimed The Foreign Exchange (Connected) project with Little Brother’s own Phonte. For those lost in the mainstream, Nicolay is considered one of the […]
Respect The Jux (Book Review)
Artist: Book ReviewTitle: Respect The Jux (Book Review)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana “When you party with crooks/You have to learn to respect the jux.” This one endorsing couplet from 50 Cent on Lloyd Banks’ single “Hands Up”, has the streets buzzing about a hood pulitzer for the urban thriller, Respect the Jux (Keeplock Entertainment), […]
Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It
Dem Franchize Boyz
The Runners: Track Stars
The Runners dont look like two men with their ear to the streets. The Orlando-based production duo is more GQ than they are AllHipHop. Their unapologetic fashion sense is a little flashier and more form-fitting than two men ingrained in Hip-Hop typically have. Thats a risky move in an industry that places as much emphasis […]
Bohagon: Bo Knows
A lot can be said of Lil Jons patience. Years before he was the Crunk kingpin that was parodied by Dave Chappelle, revitalizing careers for Ice Cube and E-40, he was a studio rats for So So Def. On So So Def All-Stars volumes, fans hear a pre-sunglasses Lil Jon as well as one of […]
Lil’ Scrappy: The Reinvention of…
While most 22-year-olds are too busy making petty mistakes, Darryl Kevin Richardson II seems to have the wisdom and experience of a man who has seen much of what life has to offer. Luckily, even though the album is called Bred to Die, Born to Live, Richardson, better known as Lil Scrappy, is nowhere near […]
Bone Crusher Stomps Into Rock, Sheds Pounds
While many fans recognize heavyweight rapper Bone Crusher from his hit single "Neva Scared" and his starring role in the latest season of VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club 4 reality series, the Atlanta-bred MC is hoping to find new success in the rock world.Bone Crusher, born Wayne Hardnett, recently assembled a group of musicians to form […]
DJ Khaled Arrested For Weed Possession, Released From Jail
WEDR 99 Jamz DJ Khaled is out on bail following an arrest Thursday night (Sept. 7) for misdemeanor marijuana possession. According to reports, DJ Khaled and another man were in a Bentley on Washington Avenue in Miami. An undercover narcotics officer allegedly witnessed DJ Khaled pass the driver of the vehicle a vial of marijuana. […]
