Port Of Miami
Artist: Rick RossTitle: Port Of MiamiRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jamiyl “J Boogie” Samuels Rick Ross was already big in Miami before he signed the dotted line of his Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam record deal. Being co-signed by President Carter was the culmination of years of hustle, as conveyed on his smash debut single “Hustlin’”. The […]
To Love A H#####
Artist: J-ZoneTitle: To Love A H#####Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine While many folks in the ’06 are in love with strippers, J-Zone’s affection goes to the ladies of the avenue. After producing for Akinyele, Cage, and R.A. the Rugged Man, the Queens gangsta rap aficionado crafted an interlude and instrumental tribute to the h##### […]
Symptomatic Of A Greater Ill
Artist: Darc MindTitle: Symptomatic Of A Greater IllRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Jason Newman In a discussion of hip-hop’s “lost classics”, where albums like INI’s Center of Attention and J-Live’s The Best Part occupy a small, but influential, sector of Hip-Hop, Anticon Records thankfully adds another to the canon. Darc Mind’s Symptomatic of a Greater Ill […]
EPMD Reunites For Rare Performance This Fall
Legendary rap gruop EMPD will reunite for their first performance in New York City in eight years this fall. The group, comprised of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, will hit the stage Oct. 14 at BB King Blues Club in Times Square. The event will coincide with activities surrounding VH1’s annual Hip-Hop Honors awards show.As […]
Jay-Z Sued By 40/40 Club Designer For Décor Replication
40/40 Club interior designer Ilan Waisbod filed a lawsuit against the Club’s owner, Shawn “Jay-Z’ Carter, last week, alleging that the rapper reproduced his décor designs for a new 40/40 Club without his permission.Waisbod’s design, complete with flat-screen televisions, hanging chairs and a Lucite safe to guard the Cognac and other highly-priced spirits, was allegedly […]
Lil’ Troy: Ballin’ Outta Control
efore anyone cared who Mike Jones was or how Chamillionaire was riding, there was Lil Troy. One of the first rappers out of H-Town, Lil Troy has been in the game for nearly 20 years. Oddly enough though, Troy quickly asserts that hes long been more of a businessman than an MC. Still, the mans […]
Jim Jones: High Flying
I n the tight-lipped political world of Hip-Hop, perhaps Jim Jones is a revolutionary. The Diplomats movement has grown to one of the biggest forces in Hip-Hop, and their Capo still kicks it with street-corner candor. Maybe thats why, if any rappers voyeuristic documentary appeals, A Day in the Fastlife lives up to its name. […]
Alice Smith: The Connection
Change is nothing new to budding songstress Alice Smith. Currently a New York native by way of Washington D.C. and Augusta, Georgia, the diverse environments brought about growth, personally as well as musically. We caught up with Alice to discuss her new album, For Lovers Dreamers and Me, which is best left for personal interpretation. […]
Taiwenese Rapper Refuses To Apologize For Lyrics, Faces 2 Years In Prison
Former pop/rap group L.A. Boyz member, Jeff Huang, was indicted this week (Aug. 11) for a three-year-old song with threatening lyrics towards Taiwanese lawmakers Huang, who was also a member of the rap group Machi, is accused of threatening Taiwan government officials on various songs, in response to a 2003 amendment to change copyright laws […]
Wyclef Jean Works with Asian Pop Star Sun
Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean is collaborating with multiplatinum Asian pop star Sun on the singer’s forthcoming U.S. album. The duo has been recording at Jean’s Platinum Sound Recording Studio in New York and is working on an as yet unnamed single. Sun describes the track as a feel-good song with lyrics that “tell everyone to get […]
Lil’ Kim Looking For New Record Deal, Wants Off Atlantic Records
After successfully completing 10 months in a Philadelphia women’s prison and 30 days of house arrest, which ended Aug. 3, Lil’ Kim is back in business and looking for a new record deal. The rapper’s attorney, L. Londell McMillan, said Thursday (Aug. 10) that Kim and her label Atlantic Records are currently “having discussions” about […]
The Clipse: Lyrical Lazarus
I ts been almost four years since a pair of Virginia-based brothers showed everyone what it meant to truly grind. While Malice and Pusha T say that the next Clipse album has no resemblance to Lord Willin, that hustle will be tested once more. Originally from The Bronx, the Thorton brothers will return home to […]
Lloyd Banks: New York State of Mind
W ith visibility ever-important for record sales, Lloyd Banks knows theres no better marketing machine than himself. With his sophomore release, Rotten Apple on track for a September 19 release, Banks wants to unveil some of his album to the very city that inspired it in. Lloyd Banks breaks from his busy schedule to discuss […]
AHH Stray News: Ja Rule, Diddy, A Tribe Called Quest
Rapper Ja Rule has sued Fred "Nickels" Moore and Nickleplated Inc., claiming Moore and company illegally signed a performance contract of before of Ja Rule. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York County Court, claims that Moore misrepresented himself and signed a performance contract on behalf of Ja Rule for a performance in Korea. […]
Fergie To Release Solo Project Under Will.i.am’s Music Label
Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson, frontwoman for the Black Eyed Peas, is releasing her first solo project, The Dutchess, on Sept. 19. Produced under fellow group member Will.i.am’s music label, Fergie’s album will feature her chart-topping single “London Bridge,” as well as collaborations from Ludacris, Rita Marley, and others. “London Bridge” rose from No. 84 to No. […]
Joe Budden: Live & Direct
O n his acclaimed eight-minute mixtape track, Dumb Out, Joe Budden professed, Let me find out Hip-Hop turned Republican. In the election for King of New York, perhaps Joe is a worthy third-party candidate. With hit records like the current assist on Ne-Yos Sexy Love and a rich history of introspective verses, Budden meets the […]
Jay-Z, MTV Announce Documentary On Global Water Crisis
Def Jam president Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has partnered with MTV to create a documentary titled Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life, about the global water crisis. The new venture was announced Wednesday (Aug. 9) at a press conference at the United Nations in New York. The legendary rapper, alongside MTV president Christina Norman, announced that […]
Young City Jailed On Armed Robbery Charge
Rapper Young City has been arrested for an armed robbery charge he picked up as a juvenile.The New Orleans native, who was arrested July 31 in an Atlanta, Ga. suburb, was cited for speeding by Gwinnett County authorities. Police continued to hold the rapper (born Kevin Barnes) after discovering he was wanted for armed robbery […]
Kool Keith Hits The Road To Support ‘The Return of Dr. Octagon’
Former Ultramagnetic MCs member Kool Keith, more widely known today as "Dr. Octagon," announced his national tour Wednesday (Aug. 9). The outing will kick off tomorrow (Aug.10) at the famous Abbey Pub in Chicago. The tour is in support of the rapper’s current album The Return of Dr. Octagon. Kool Keith first made a name […]
Supernatural Breaks Freestyle Record At Rock The Bells
Conscious Hip-Hopper, Supernatural, freestyled his way into history at this years Rock the Bells concert held in San Bernardino, CA this weekend. The now legendary rapper beat the Guinness Book of World Records for the Longest Freestyle Rap with a time of 9 hours and 10 minutes besting the record set by Canadian rapper D.O. […]