Black and Male in America
I read the recent New York Times cover story, “Plight Deepens for Black Men, Studies Warn,” with a great deal of pain and sadness. As a Black man who is in his late 30s, I have literally encountered every dilemma documented: I am the product of a single-mother led household, fatherlessness, horrific poverty, omnipresent violence […]
The Outlawz And dead prez Unite for New Album
The Outlawz and political rap duo dead prez are hooking up to record a new album titled Can’t Sell Dope Forever. Featuring appearances from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Layzie Bone and Messy Marv, the project aims to spark dialogue, while urging unity, power and progression in the streets. The album title was inspired by Miseducated Society, […]
Nelly Teams With Richmond Braves For Celebrity Softball Game
Grammy Award winning rapper Cornell “Nelly” Haynes, Jr. will be heading to Richmond, Va., next month to team up with the Richmond Braves minor league baseball team, for a celebrity softball game to raise money for inner city youth. The event is scheduled to take place May 2 at The Diamond as part of Nelly’s […]
Alternative News: Trey Songz’ Lawyer Comments On R&B Singer’s Recent Arrest
Trey Songz’ lawyer released a statement regarding the Virginia R&B singer’s riff with law officials at Clark Atlanta University. Songz, born Tremain Neverson, was arrested April 6 by the Clark Atlanta Police Department on charges of obstruction of law enforcement and disorderly conduct. The singer and his lawyer, Attorney Curtis L. Hubbard, Jr., deny the […]
Family of Slain Bouncer ‘Terrified’ For Safety, Struggling To Pay For Funeral
The family of the man allegedly shot by Detroit rapper Proof voiced concern for their safety following a shooting earlier this month. Police say Keith Bender Jr., 35, died April 18 after being shot by the D12 member at the CCC nightclub on 8 Mile Road. Proof (born DeShaun Holton) was also killed during the […]
Brandon Watson: Friendly Game of Baseball
The Beastie Boys Mike D compared his string of hits to Rod Carews in the 1994 single, Sure Shot. Phife Dawg made a similar simile, comparing A Tribe Called Quest to the Braves and the Yankees on 1993s Award Tour. However, ever since baseball went on strike in 94, it seems Abner Doubledays invention may […]
Che’nelle: World View
There are many words that Chenelles camp use to describe her sound- NuUrban, Rhythmic- but truth be told, the dancehall influence underlining her melodies are hardly invisible. While Jay-Z looks at the UK Grime scene to bring some originality back to Hip-Hop, DJ Sir Charles, a longstanding DJ in New York City, headed to a […]
Hip Hop Street Credentials, Vol. 1 (DVD)
Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Hip Hop Street Credentials, Vol. 1 (DVD)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jason Hortillas Hip-Hop documentaries are now as common as half naked women in music videos. To the dismay of fans of the clothing impaired, Insomniac Inc. puts out a film that takes another route from typical movie making. Shining light on […]
Big Mike: Champion Sound
If you know anything about the next level world of the mixtape, youve heard about Big Mike. Because of his hands-on grind, hes become an award winning tastemaker in the mixtape bazaar and garnered worldwide fanfare. With a catalog catering to the listening needs of the streets coupled with his D-Block affiliation, he has all […]
Sugar Hill Gang: And You Don’t Stop
I n the annals of Hip-Hop history, the reputation of The Sugar Hill Gang has been tarnished by the controversy surrounding band member Big Bank Hanks unauthorized use of Grandmaster Cazs rhyme book. The pioneering rap crew has been called inauthentic and labeled as Jersey rap puppets in the mainstream media. In an AllHipHop.com exclusive, […]
A Demand for Black & Brown Unity
Below is a speech I gave in Watsonville, CA on April 17th 2006. I was invited to come down and speak by the Watsonville Brown Berets. Fred Hampton Jr. of the P.O.C.C. and Immortal Technique also represented HARD that day. It was an amazing display of racial, political, religious and Hip Hop unity. There were […]
G.O.O.D. Music: The Class of ’06 (Mixtape)
Artist: J. PeriodTitle: G.O.O.D. Music: The Class of ’06 (Mixtape)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana Kanye West is a good rapper. Whether you recognized this when he was splitting a bucket with his girlfriend at KFC or after he went to Jacob the Jeweler with his advance, the realization is delayed but intense. So if […]
Alternately Deep
Artist: Roots ManuvaTitle: Alternately DeepRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Orisanmi Burton Who is Rodney Smith? The answer may illicit blank looks and shoulder shrugs by those in the Western hemisphere but pose that same question to folks on the other side of the pond and be prepared to hear a barrage of accolades. The bloke from […]
D12 Member Swift Sentenced To Jail
D12 member Swift was sentenced to 93 days in an Oakland County jail after missing a court hearing while to attend the funeral of his friend and fellow rapper, Proof. Swift, born Ondre Moore, was arrested in a Detroit suburb and sentenced to more than three months for violating the terms of his probation in […]
Man On Fire: The Freestyle Sessions (Mixtape)
Artist: J. PeriodTitle: Man On Fire: The Freestyle Sessions (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jason Hortillas The name CL Smooth has not been in many ears since the mid to late 90s. CL, one half of the legendary Pete Rock & CL Smooth, created gems including their classic, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”. Although his […]
Second Dancer In Duke Lacrosse Team Scandal Seeks Help From Lil’ Kim’s PR Firm
Kim Roberts, the second dancer involved in the Duke University Men’s Lacrosse team rape scandal, is taking steps to reverse the negative effects of the alleged incident. Roberts, 31, recently sent an e-mail to 5W Public Relations to request their services. The company has represented a variety of high profile rappers and celebrities, including its […]
Bow Wow Responds To Lil’ Romeo And Master P.
The feud between Bow Wow and Lil’ Romeo has intensified, as Bow Wow has has responded to comments Master P made surrounding the two rappers’ growing beef. Lil’ Romeo’s father, Master P, confirmed that the two rappers had crossed paths backstage at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award show, on April 1st. According to Master P, Bow […]
Nelly Settles With Photographer
St. Louis rapper Nelly reached a settlement today (April 21) regarding a claim that his bodyguard assaulted a photographer backstage at a concert in Bridgeport, Conn. In order to avoid a civil trial, the two sides reached an agreement in which Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr., agreed to pay $20,000. The lawsuit was filed by […]
Young Buck and Tony Yayo Give Back to Hometown Students
G-Unit rappers Young Buck and Tony Yayo are giving back to youth from their home states through financial donations to two area schools. Both rappers’ efforts were sponsored by The G-Unity Foundation, Inc., a charity that provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities. Buck […]
Pimp C’s Bentley Totaled By Fleeing Gang Members
UGK member Pimp C was treated for minor injuries Wednesday (April 18), after he was involved in a car accident while leaving the video shoot for his new single “Pourin’ Up.” After the shoot concluded Pimp C and a Rap-A-Lot security guard departed in a silver Bentley. Mike Jones, who makes a cameo appearance in […]
