Concert Review: Eric Benet at B.B. Kings
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it is not unusual for music’s premier balladeers to hit a stage near you to perform all your favorite love songs. Singles and couples alike often include attending a performance as part of their romantic repertoire in celebration of the season. It was no surprise when B.B. King’s in […]
Kool G Rap: Valentine’s Day Massacre
Hip-Hop heads might be more likely to seek love advice from Common or LL Cool J before they asked Kool G Rap? However, G Rap may be as poised to speak on the matter as any. Having founded his career on raunchy raps like Talk Like Sex and “Operation CB”, Kool G Rap tickled the […]
Funkmaster Flex Signs On As Spokesman For JL Audio
Hot 97 DJ and noted car enthusiast Funkmaster Flex has entered into an endorsement agreement with JL Audio, a Miramar, Fla.-based company that makes aftermarket auto sound components. Under the new alliance, Flex will be JL Audio’s top endorser throughout North America and will play an active role in promoting and marketing the company’s high-end […]
50 Cent In Final Negotiations To Star Opposite Samuel L. Jackson In ‘Home Of The Brave’
50 Cent is in final negotiations to make his second motion picture appearance in the upcoming film Home Of The Brave, opposite Samuel L. Jackson. The plot revolves around three soldiers returning from the war in Iraq and trying to readjust to civilian life. Jackson plays a doctor who unravels during the course of the […]
Rapper Mac Minister Profiled On America’s Most Wanted, Sought For Questioning In New Murder
Bay Area rapper Mac Minister was profiled on Fox’s long-running television series America’s Most Wanted on Saturday (Feb. 11). Police have been seeking Mac Minister, born Andre Dow, in connection with the May 2005 murders of Kansas City rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins and his companion, Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins. Police suspect Mac Minister and an […]
On Top Of Our Game
Artist: Dem Franchize BoyzTitle: On Top Of Our GameRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Brent Woodie Dem Franchize Boyz (DFB) have made it cool again for rappers to dance and actually look like they are having a good time. Coming from the west side of Atlanta, Dem Franchize Boyz busted onto the hip-hop scene with their hit […]
Califormula
Artist: Ellay KhuleTitle: CaliformulaRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jamin Warren Here’s the problem with speed rap: too much is abusive. Yes, rappers have made careers from occasional displays of lyrical speed; think Big Daddy Kane, Percee P, or even Ludacris. But all these rappers exerted quick phrases as part of a larger repertoire of styles […]
DJ Cam Revisited By
Artist: DJ CamTitle: DJ Cam Revisited ByRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dustin Glick French hip-hop aficionado DJ Cam first came on the scene with 1994s Underground Vibes, which was later repackaged with a live CD and the wonderfully titled Mad Blunted Jazz. This classic debut of thick jazzy beats paved the way for Cams successful […]
Kurupt, Gail Gotti Announce Wedding Date and New Album
West Coast rap couple Kurupt and Gail Gotti announced plans to wed this summer and will release an album together on their respective labels.The future newlyweds will release an untitled full-length album together this summer through Kurupt’s Penagon Enterprises and Gail Gotti’s Night-In-Gail Entertainment.Two tracks from the upcoming album, “Ride It Out,” which was produced […]
Scarface & The Product: Training Day
Contrary to popular belief and media advertisement, many individuals arent the least bit happy with the way the world of Hip-Hop music has played out in the 21st century. Whether shady business deals or watered down, carbon copy songs are the illness, hopeful rap heads are fortunate to have hungry artists in the booth working […]
Ne-Yo: Mr. Nice Guy
The slew of new R&B artists that are hitting the airwaves is no coincidence. The record labels have picked up the change in urban music consumers, and the teen market is ready to embrace something other than Hip-Hop. Chances are that when Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo dropped his first single Stay in Fall 2005, […]
Funeral Services For Producer J Dilla To Take Place In Los Angeles
Funeral services for Detroit rapper/producer J Dilla, who died Friday (Feb. 10) of complications from lupus, will take place this week in Los Angeles. He was 32. A viewing for J Dilla, born James Yancey, will be held Monday (Feb. 13), followed by a funeral on Tuesday (Feb. 14). A memorial concert is also being […]
Little Brother Attends Hip-Hop Summit at North Carolina Central
The North Carolina trio of Phonte, Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, collectively known as Little Brother, recently participated in a Hip-Hop Summit at their Alma Mater, North Carolina Central University, on Wednesday (Feb. 8). The one-day summit was established to address social issues within the Hip-Hop community and allow aspiring Hip-Hop enthusiasts to display […]
Rap Producer J-Dilla Dies; Kidney Failure Suspected
Hip-Hop producer J-Dilla passed away today (Feb. 10) due to an unspecified ailment. Early reports suggest he succumbed to kidney failure, a medical problem which arose in 2004. J-Dilla, born James Yancey, was a member of Slum Village and worked with various Hip-Hop artists including Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest and Common’s […]
LL Cool J Reveals Todd Smith Line During Fashion Week
LL Cool J is the latest rapper to enter the fashion realm. The Queens-bred MC premiered his new Todd Smith men’s and women’s clothing lines earlier this week at the Carlton Hotel during New York’s Fashion Week. For his men’s collection, LL Cool J (whose real name is James Todd Smith) enlisted Jeremy Brandrick of […]
Essence Magazine And Berklee College of MusicSeeking Hip-Hop Artists
Essence Magazine and the Berklee College of Music are looking for Hip-Hop’s next generation of stars through their first ever Hip-Hop Songwriting Contest. Students from ages 15-18 who are unsigned can submit their music until Feb. 28. Entries will be judged based on cleverness and innovativeness of lyrics, as well as melody and composition. "This […]
Busta Rhymes Issues Statement, Police Say Two Weapons Fired
Rapper Busta Rhymes has issued a statement about an early morning shooting last Sunday (Feb. 5) that took the life of his longtime bodyguard. Authorities believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit sparked a deadly shooting on the set of a video shoot for Busta Rhymes’ single “Touch […]
Lupe Fiasco: Revenge of the Hip-Hop Nerd
Being co-signed by Jay-Z over three years ago would seemingly ensure Lupe Fiasco’s propulsion to superstardom. However, the Chi-Town native’s deals with Roc-A-Fella Records, an L.A. Reid-helmed Arista and a group project via Epic all crumbled. Still, a talent like Lupe Fiasco isn’t anchored by the trials of life – he rises. Eventually, Atlantic Records […]
Ice Cube Movie Changes Plot, Sequel To ‘Are We There Yet?’ On The Way
Ice Cube’s forthcoming comedic film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is being redone as the sequel to the rapper’s 2005 movie, Are We There Yet? According to Variety, the change occurred after Revolution Studios announced it had ceased development of new product. The big opening for Martin Lawrence’s new movie, Big Momma’s House 2, […]
People Under The Stairs Switch Labels, Prepare New Album
Los Angeles-based Hip-Hop duo People Under the Stairs (aka PUTS) is releasing their fifth album, Stepfather, this May under the independent Hip-Hop label, Basement Records. The full-length album features guest appearances by legendary Funkadelic and Parliament member George Clinton, Monty Stark of Stark Reality, and Kat of Crown City Rockers. The CD will be accompanied […]