Silence of the Lames & A Better Rap World
At the conclusion of “Silence of the Lambs,” Hannibal Lector daftly informs the young FBI rookie Clarice that she is spared from his ultra-violent, methodical murder spree. “The world is a better place with you in it,” he said to her just before the cannibal went off to eat his next prey. Hip-Hop is its […]
Rhymefest Heads To The UK To Meet With Conservative Party Leader
Chicago rapper Rhymefest will act as an international spokesman for Hip-Hop culture when he meets with Conservative Party leader David Cameron in the United Kingdom this week.Rhymefest will meet with Cameron at the House of Commons on Thursday (Oct. 19) to help change the politician’s view of Hip-Hop music, according to UK daily The Sun. […]
Rodney Darkchild Jerkins: The Whisper Songs
Once every few years producer comes along and redefines music. From 1994 up until roughly 2001, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins was that producer. His Top 10 girl anthems read like a late 90s Billboard chart and flips from UK Pop like Holler by the Spice Girls, to straight up sexy R&B like The Boy Is Mine […]
Sean “Diddy” Combs: Life after Death (Part 1)
Robust is one way to explain the return of Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Bad Boy regime. Take the mogul’s latest and last album foray, Press Play. The album features a full-bodied and impressive list of collaborators like Kanye West, Will.i.am, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Just Blaze, Christina Aguilera, Pharrell, Big Boi, Ciara, Timbaland, Twista, […]
Hi Tek: Called in Favor
Its amazing that Hi-Tek could float under the radar for the past five years and yet still have so many production credits to his name. But since hes joined in the ranks of Dr. Dres Aftermath Entertainment and the labels growing stable of artists and producers, Tek has seen his name drop in a few […]
Busta’s Flipmode Jumps Into R&B With Former Blackstreet Member Chauncey Black
Busta Rhymes is expanding the sounds of his Flipmode Squad to include R&B and has inked a deal with former Blackstreet frontman Chauncey Black. Black’s solo debut Church Boy features guest appearances by The Game, Young Buck, Rah Digga, Labb, Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes, while Dr. Dre, LT Hutton, Davel "Bo" McKenzie and Teddy […]
Diddy Day Declared In Chicago, Danity Kane Crashes In Toledo
And it don’t stop. Rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was celebrated today (Oct. 13) in Chicago with his own day–his second such honor. According to the Associated Press, Mayor Richard Daly declared today as Diddy Day and presented Diddy with a set of cuff links bearing the city’s seal. He also called the entertainer "a […]
Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip
Artist: Hi-TekTitle: Hi-Teknology 2: The ChipRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Slav Kandyba It’s hard to find fault with Hi-Tek. Whether it’s his Cincinnati upbringing that enabled him to have a unique and organic sound, his genuine love for music, or the high-caliber emcees and singers he has collaborated with over the years; Hi-Tek is one of […]
AHH Stray News: Trick Daddy, Kurtis Blow, Hip-Hop Mozart
Trick Daddy will release the DVD, The Real Entourage, on Oct. 31, the same day as his new album, Book of Thugs II. The DVD, which will be issued via 845 Entertainment, shows the Miami rapper in his day-to-day dealings. In addition to candid interviews with Trick Daddy and his father about a number of […]
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 […]
