New Crack City (Mixtape)
Artist: Clinton Sparks/Busta RhymesTitle: New Crack City (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: The Closer New Crack City introduces the Aftermath-powered Busta Rhymes to the streets. Gone are the hyperkinetic hijinx associated with Busta in the past. Instead there is a grittier, darker, more conventional music; a stark contrast from his earlier New World Order apocalyptic […]
Nelly and the St. Lunatics Open New Restaurant in August
St. Louis rapper Nelly and his St. Lunatics crew will open a new bar and grill in August in Hazelwood. The new restaurant, called Mack’s Bar and Grill, was originally slated for an April opening but was pushed back because the rappers were waiting for Mack’s manager, Tony Powell, to finish his work as a […]
Exclusive: Jay-Z Adds New Show To ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Celebration
Fans unable to get a ticket to Jay-Z’s sold-out concert on June 25 at Radio City Music Hall should have newfound hope. The Def Jam president has offered the public a new opportunity to see him execute at a special “rehearsal performance” in celebration of his first album Reasonable Doubt. The newly booked show takes […]
Ski Beatz: I’m Feelin’ It
C lassic albums come along few and far between in the music world. The hunt for the perfect combination of lyricist and production chemistry can sometimes resemble a well-developed scientific experiment. The aim is to get a cohesive effort that gels and soothes listening ears, and at best, you get a mix that combusts to […]
Rapper Styles P Talks New Album ‘Time Is Money’
D-Block member Styles P is gearing up for the release of his long-awaited sophomore album Time is Money. According to Styles P, who is co-CEO of D-Block Records with fellow Lox members Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, the new album will hit stores in August on D-Block/Interscope. "They can’t stop me," Styles told AllHipHop.com. "I want […]
AHH Stray News: Cypress Hill, Juvenile, DMX, Kanye West
Rap group Cypress Hill is being sued in Chicago Federal Court by songwriter Glenn Watts for copyright infringement over a track contained on their platinum-selling sophomore album Black Sunday. Watts penned the song “Is It Because I’m Black,” which was recorded by R&B legend Syl Johnson. The songwriter claims the group illegally infringed on his […]
Limited Action Figures Of B.I.G., Public Enemy Coming This Fall
Toy company Mezco Toyz has announced a set of new action figures honoring slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. as well as rap icons Public Enemy with 9" replicas of the rappers. Mezco, founded in 2000, has produced the first Notorious B.I.G. figure ever released. B.I.G., was gunned down in front of the Petersen Automotive Museum in […]
Chino XL, Davey D and Sway Confirmed for Hip-Hop Leadership Camp At UCLA
Rapper Chino XL, journalist/activist/Hip-Hop historian Davey D and MTV personality Sway are among the speakers confirmed for the second annual Hip-Hop Leadership Camp (HHLC). The camp, scheduled for August 10-13 at UCLA, will feature daily seminars conducted by music and entertainment figures for at-risk children in the Los Angeles area. The purpose of the event […]
DMC Brings DJ Battle To Times Square
DMC, in conjunction Technics, Ortofon, SoBe Adrenaline Rush and Sam Ash, will hold it’s 21st annual New York elimination heat in preparation for the World Championships. The competition features 20 elimination finalists from the tri-state area and NYC’s ’05 defending champ DJ Unknown. This year’s turntablists will battle on Technics SL1200 decks and Ortofon needles […]
Hector Bambino El Father: History In The Making
Its been well over a decade since reggaetón first made its entrance into the music scene. Artists like Tego Calderón, Ivy Queen, and of course Daddy Yankee, have been doing it for years before mainstream radio chose to embrace this Latin/Reggae/Hip-Hop hybrid. As reggaetón is just beginning to witness the fruits of its labor, the […]
Hillary Clinton: On Internet Neutrality
Dear Mr. Creekmur: Thank you for writing to share with me your concerns regarding internet neutrality. As you may know, I support net neutrality. The open architecture of the Internet has been the critical element that has made it the most revolutionary communications medium since the advent of the television. Each day on the Internet, […]
Troy “Smack” Mitchell: Lights, Camera, Action
B ack in 2002, Troy Smack Mitchell probably never thought that his DVD magazine would become a phenomenon in Hip-Hop culture. But some element of belief kept him tapping rappers on the shoulders, and begging them for a voyeuristic look at the lives of the lyricist. Everything about the S.M.A.C.K. DVDs captures that fly on […]
G.A.G.E.: Measure of a Man
T wenty-three and with a flow scratched out of sandpaper rawness, Chaz G.A.G.E. Scott is Aftermaths newest and youngest signee. And while his sometimes-nickname — Shottie — implies the kind of double-barreled sawed-off that left Cuba Gooding Jr. screaming Ricky! in an alley, G.A.G.E.s rap handle has little to do with guns. Born, raised and […]
DMX Cited For Carrying Concealed Weapon In Scottsdale, Arizona
Rap star DMX’s problems continue with the law, as the chart topping artist was cited for carrying a concealed handgun outside of a Scottsdale, Arizona nightclub on Friday (June 16). According to police, DMX was stopped near Scottsdale nightclub Buzz, after they saw him take a handgun and place it underneath the front seat of […]
The 5% Album
Artist: Lord JamarTitle: The 5% AlbumRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jessica Dufresne It’s a bold move on Lord Jamar’s part to make an album devoted to something as complex as the Five Percent movement, but not far-fetched. If you’re old enough to have witnessed Hip-Hop when it was in its teens, then you know that […]
New Joc City
Artist: Yung JocTitle: New Joc CityRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jesse Fairfax The South’s recent foothold on the prevailing sound of the culture continues bringing fresh faces to the game. Atlanta in particular has been a hotbed with so many acts putting their own spin on rap music from crunk, to pimping, to the more innovative […]
Russell Simmons Talks ‘Atman’ Fragrance Charity Campaign, Voter Registration
Mogul Russell Simmons recently announced the September launch of his new fragrance Atman. The Def Jam Records cofounder and estranged wife Kimora Lee Simmons will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the fragrance to charity. According to Simmons, singer Alicia Keys’ Keep A Child Alive program will be the first charity to benefit from […]
‘I’m Rick James’ Documentary Chronicling Rick James’ Life On The Way
Hidden Door Documedia, along with Rick James’ daughter Ty James, have come together to release a full-length documentary, chronicling the life of singer, songwriter Rick James. The movie, I’m Rick James, begins with the legend’s birth in Buffalo, New York, his exploits as a pimp and drug runner in Asia and South America, his emergence […]
Bad Boy South President ‘Block’ Hosting Block Parties In Atlanta
Block Entertainment, in conjunction with Atlanta’s V-103, is set to host a series of block parties this summer, organized by Bad Boy South’s President, Russell "Block" Spencer. A total of four Summer Block Parties will be held every two weeks with the first one taken place today (June 21) from 2pm-8pm. “Our first party will […]
Warren Sapp Opening HipHopSodaShops In Florida
NFL star Warren Sapp has signed an area development agreement to open a chain of HipHopSodaShops in his home state of Florida. The agreement, signed today (June 21) with HipHopSodaShops creator H3Enterprises, will allow Sapp the opportunity to open the stores throughout Central Florida and Jacksonville. HipHopSodaShops combine Hip-Hop music with Pro-Ball, healthy fast food, […]
