ASCAP Honors LL Cool J
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, at its 19th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on June 26, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The invitation-only event will honor the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the […]
AHH Stray News: Method Man, H.U.F. Awards, Nas’ New R&B Singer, Star
Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man is preparing the follow-up to 2004’s Tical O: The Prequel with a new album titled 4:21. The first single from the album is titled "Say" and features Lauryn Hill of the Fugees. Method Man’s latest album also boasts guest appearances from Styles P., Fat Joe and others and features production by […]
T.I. Reigns at The Apollo (Concert Review)
Artist: T.I.Title: T.I. Reigns at The Apollo (Concert Review)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Danielle Stolich “Before me, there was no such thing as the ‘King of the South’!,” declared a lively T.I. to a packed house at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre Thursday night (June 1). Hundreds of fans braved the stormy weather to see the self-proclaimed […]
Ludacris, Kanye West Cleared Of Stealing Song From New Jersey Rap Group
Hip-Hop stars Ludacris and Kanye West were cleared of copyright infringement in a New York court yesterday (June 1), after being accused of stealing portions of Ludacris’ 2003 hit single, "Stand Up." I.O.F. (It’s Only Family), an upcoming rap group from New Jersey, filed the lawsuit against Ludacris, born Christopher Bridges and Kanye West in […]
Dame Grease: Grease Lightning
T here are only two reactions to adversity – win or lose. Roadblocks are certain to affect progress in an environment as political and shark-infested as the music industry. Hit-making machine Dame Grease has gotten the job done time and time again, but has seemingly hit a glass ceiling when its time for that special […]
Buckwild: Still Diggin’
As a founder of the D.I.T.C. crew, Buckwild has been producing some of raps most memorable songs for over a decade, underground and commercial. Whether it was the soulful strings of Games Like Father, Like Son, the hard drums of Sadat Xs The Lump Lump or the hypnotic rhythm of Black Robs Whoa, Buckwild has […]
RZA To Score Hip-Hop Martial Arts TV Series
The RZA has been contracted to score an animated martial arts series to be broadcast on Spike TV in the fall. The acclaimed Wu Tang producer will craft the score of Afro Samurai, an animated series that stars actor Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson’s voice will be used for the protagonist of the series, an unorthodox […]
Biggies Estate Denies Lying To Court
Attorneys for the Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace and the city of Los Angeles continued to wrangle over legalities surrounding the rapper’s death. Lawyers for the rapper had previously been accused of lying to the court by attorneys for the city. In a Tuesday motion, the estate and family of Wallace denied that they were untruthful […]
Actor Michael Douglas Auctioning Off ‘Pimped Out’ Golf Cart For Charity
Actor Michael Douglas has joined with Galpin Auto Sports, the crew of MTV’s Pimp My Ride, to auction off his “pimped out” golf cart for The Motion Picture & Television Fund on June 5th. Galpin Auto Sports, the company that recently replaced West Coast Customs as the creative master-minds behind MTV’s#### show Pimp My Ride, customized […]
Bun B. to Open For Boxer Bernard Hopkins
Rapper Bun B, a Port Arthur, Texas Hip-Hop staple, has been elected as the opening performer for Bernard Hopkins, a middleweight boxing great who is preparing to face reigning light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. "It’s an honor to be able to be part of a legends career in this way," Bun B said in a […]
New Jurassic 5 Album and Tour On the Way
Hip-Hop quintet Jurassic 5 is hitting the road for a nationwide wide tour in support of its forthcoming album, Feedback. The release, which follows the group’s previous efforts, Power by Numbers and Quality Control, will allow fans to hear growth from the Los Angeles-based group. "It’s a step up for us because we have been […]
Cherish: Back For The First Time
Farrah, Neosha, and twins Felisha and Fallon, collectively known as Cherish, are the newest addition to Jazze Phas ShoNuff Recordings label. Their hit single, Do It To It is the first hit from their debut album, Unappreciated. With critics already citing them as an extension to their successful label mate Ciara, Cherish promises to bring […]
5 Sparrows For 2 Cents
Artist: The ProcussionsTitle: 5 Sparrows For 2 CentsRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Angus Crawford Backpackers everywhere unite, because the prodigal label, Rawkus, has returned. The same label that helped launch the careers of Talib Kweli and Mos Def is back with the the Procussions and the release of their album 5 Sparrows For 2 Cents (Rawkus). […]
No Murder Charges for Proof Shooter
Murder charges will not be given to a man allegedly responsible for the recent death of D12 rapper Proof, a prosecutor ruled Tuesday (May 30). According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Mario Etheridge shot and killed Proof in an act of self-defense. In May, authorities charged the 28-year-old with carrying a concealed weapon without […]
iTunes Offers Exclusive Death Row Classics
Apple’s iTunes has started to offer exclusive downloads of over 25 videos from Death Row Records, the seminal label that released artists like Snoop Dogg, Tupac and the Dogg Pound. The digital offering, which started on May 30, will also offer a rare remix version of Tupac Shakur’s “California Love." There will be a video […]
R&B New Jack Takes Hip-Hop Approach To Singing With G-Unit’s Whoo-Kid
50 Cent created his initial uproar in the music industry with "How To Rob," an imaginary tale of 50 relieving the world’s most famous rappers of their prized possessions. Now, an R&B upstart is taking a similar approach with one of 50’s closest associates. G-Unit’s DJ Whoo-Kid and Kev Samples, a newcomer to the R&B […]
Author Ethan Brown Working On New Book ‘Snitch’
Author Ethan Brown is working on the follow-up to his critically acclaimed book Queens Reigns Supreme: Fat Cat, 50 Cent and the Rise of the Hip-Hop Hustler. Snitch will take a critical look at the federal government’s use of informants to build cases, how America’s legal system relies on informants, and the rise of the […]
Lloyd Banks: Still Hungry
I t’s probably a safe bet to say Lloyd Banks has been with more women than your average 24 year old. The G-Unit soldier lives a lifestyle many people merely dream about, admit it or not. He’s won Adult Video News awards, he’s partied with Hugh Hefner, and he’s just gotten the green light to […]
Kevin Epps: On Point
It’s bigger than rap. It’s much larger than any brand of clothing, record label of the moment, or 16-bar quotable. If Hip-Hop is life, are we living correctly? What is the voice of this generation of music-makers saying? More importantly, does what we see on screen accurately reflect our surroundings? And are we motivated to […]
On My NY S**t (Mixtape)
Artist: DJ Green Lantern/ DJ Kay SlayTitle: On My NY S**t (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero When it comes to Hip-Hop, it is a no-brainer that New York is its capital. But, instead of fans reflecting on the legends that the boroughs have birthed, many focus on jealous artists that are unwilling to accept […]
