Esthero @ Hiro Ballroom (Concert)
Artist: Concert ReviewTitle: Esthero @ Hiro Ballroom (Concert)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli Esthero possesses this unspoken magic that radiates from her groundbreaking albums to her live sets. The buzz from her previous tour resonated with pleas for an unplugged go ’round. Armed with two acoustic guitars, one mic, a Pekingese (Oboe), and umpteen Jaeger […]
Idlewild (Film)
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Idlewild (Film)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Oyama Caviness “The A’s” dynamic duo strikes again. This time not in record sales, but with their big screen debut Idlewild (Universal Pictures). With the help writer and director Bryan Barner, once again Outkast takes you on a magical ride, this time to Idlewild, GA where […]
Blood Raw: The Wrath of ‘Caine
N ot all lessons are learned on the first try. Around the time Trick Daddy was telling haters to Shut Up, Panama City, Floridas Blood Raw was supposed to follow-up the sunshine-state charge. While label drama was one thing, it was ultimately Federal agents that halted Blood Raws charge to the game. A drug-trafficking conviction […]
Slick Pulla: Talkin’ Slick
T hroughout the history of Hip-Hop, it would seem that artists who come into the game as the protégé of another artists never quite live up to the hype, or even to the success of the friend, mentor or whatever who put them on. You can argue that record sales dont always reflect the popularity […]
Starr Status
Artist: Kenn StarrTitle: Starr StatusRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Andrew Kameka The Maryland/D.C. metro uh-rea has produced few major Hip-Hop artists. B. Rich repped hard for MD with “Whoa Now”, but not even a Jeffersons sample could move the state on up to the top of the music industry. Kenn Starr is determined to change […]
You Already Know
Artist: AgallahTitle: You Already KnowRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Kathy Iandoli Fans of Purple City’s Agallah will be pleasantly surprised by his long awaited release You Already Know (Babygrande). The Brooklyn native crafts an LP that combines the basic elements of the grimy NY underground mixed with the essentials of a commercially viable Hip-Hop record. […]
Manchester UK Live (DVD)
Artist: Public EnemyTitle: Manchester UK Live (DVD)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Bill Zimmerman From Flavor Flav’s wild outfits and crazy antics, to the S1Ws synchronized marches and fake machine guns, Public Enemy was always a group that took pride in delivering a quality stage show. During Manchester UK Live, filmed Oct. 26, 2003, the crew was […]
Foxy Brown Accused Of Stealing Belts, Irate Behavior In Brooklyn
The owner of a New York boutique filed a complaint against Foxy Brown, alleging the rapper stole two expensive belts worth $400 last Thursday (Aug. 24). Brown, who was a longtime client of upscale boutique Limpasse, allegedly went into a rage as she was picking up lingerie she left for alterations that had not been […]
Instrumental Mixtape Vol. 2
Artist: OddiseeTitle: Instrumental Mixtape Vol. 2Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Look yonder across this new world as youngsters are bumping the sweet noise pollution. If Kodak was a time machine, one would picture a brother like Oddisee fifty years ago with a trumpet in his grasp, outshining ni**as off the bandstand with complex […]
Mac Dre’s Family Considers Moving Rapper’s Remains To Vallejo
In response to the theft of rapper Andre Mac Dre" Hicks’ tombstone, the family of the slain Hip-Hop star is considering relocating his remains to Vallejo, California. Bernard Hicks, the uncle of Mac Dre, said the family is considering returning the Oakland-born rapper’s remains to Vallejo, to keep a better watch over them. The 50-pound […]
Corinne Bailey Rae: Nice and Breezy
When you hear Corinne Bailey Raes music, there is something about her sound that pins you and soothes your soul. Her self-titled debut album peaked at number one on the British charts, and the Leeds, England native is now scoring many American fans. A product of mixed culture, with a West Indian father and a […]
Diddy Talks Danity Kane, Outkast Race For #1
Bad Boy Entertainment’s R&B girl group Danity Kane could top the album charts next week with their self-titled debut album. The group’s album has sold over 100,000 units since its August 22 release and is projected to move over 200,000 copies by next week, making it one of the fastest selling albums in the U.S. […]
Rappers, Celebs Prep New Branded Spirits
Straight Up Brands, Inc. has announced various deals to produce wines and branded spirits in conjunction with Hip-Hop stars and nationally known celebrities.The three-year old company, headed by CEO David McCallen and president Vincent Viola, will produce five branded products that are developed by various celebrities along with leading vineyards, master blenders and world-class distillers.The […]
AIDS in Black America: Im Liftin Your Skirts
AIDS in Black America: I’m Liftin’ Your Skirts In a move that may shock America, ABC News aired a primetime special report on the epidemic of AIDS within the African-American community. "Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" primarily focused on the fact that African-Americans constitute roughly 50% of AIDS cases; more to the […]
Pitbull Prepares Sophomore Album, Spanish Only Album
Miami rapper Pitbull is preparing to release his sophomore album El Mariel.The new release is named after the infamous Cuban boatlift that relocated almost 125,000 Cubanos to Florida. According to Pitbull, El Mariel will offer a political perspective from the rapper, who addresses the current state of his native Cuba, as well as the war […]
Snoop Teams With B-Real, Kid Frost For ‘Vato’ Video
Cypress Hill’s B-Real, legendary rapper Kid Frost and Oscar nominated actor Edward James Olmos have teamed up with Snoop Dogg for his new video for "Vato."Directed by Phillip Atwell, the video casts Snoop Dogg and B-Real as gang members who come together as a show of solidarity.In wake of violence in recent months in L.A., […]
Eminem and Nike Hook Up to Release Limited Edition Air Max Shoes For Charity
Rapper Eminem has teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition run of the company’s Air Max series shoe.The effort will go towards raising money for the lyricist’s Marshall Mathers Foundation and ninemillion.org.Eminem will design limited-edition uppers of eight different shoes in the series, from the Air Max ’87 to Air Max 360. Sixty-four […]
Rap City VJ Mad Linx To Host U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day
Rap City VJ Mad Linx is scheduled to perform and host the U.S. Open’s Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 26.The pre-tournament celebration for families, named after one of tennis’ most famous players, is designed to attract scores of families to Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, N.Y. to show support for tennis and music, […]
New Project ‘DPG Eulogy’ Premiering On Cable
Daz Dillinger will chronicle the history of Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound on the small screen with his new documentary titled DPG Eulogy. The project, set to debut on September 1 on Pay-Per-View, Starz, Vongo.com, and Comcast, will highlight the prolific history of the careers of Daz, Snoop Dogg and the entire Dogg Pound […]
CL Smooth: Back to the Lecture at Hand
A product of Mt. Vernon, New York, CL Smooth and former counterpart, Pete Rock, took Hip-Hop by storm with their colorful sound. The 1991 EP All Souled Out and 1992’s Mecca and the Soul Brother LP, spawned memorable cuts like They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) and the self-titled Mecca and the Soul Brother, tagging […]
