AHH Stray News: Twista, BET, Marc Ecko, Ludacris
Twista recently headlined an event at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, as part of National Black AIDS Awareness day yesterday (Feb. 7). The rapper encouraged young fans to engage in safe sex and use condoms. The event was sponsored by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS (BASUAH). According to the U.S. […]

Juelz Santana Announces New Clothing Line
Diplomat affiliate Juelz Santana is branching out beyond music and stepping into the world of fashion with his new clothing company, the Z-Line, due out this fall. The rapper will then launch Mazia, a clothing company licensed by Z-Line Clothing, Inc. The line signals the MC’s desire to become "a driving force in the urban […]

Chops: Both Sides of the Brain
Chops has played all positions within Hip-Hop and its geography. From an MC and producer in the underground group, The Mountain Brothers, he went on to producing for Dave Ghetto, Bahamadia, and Raekwon, before creating remix albums that focused primarily on markets in Atlanta and Houston with artists like Bun-B, Mike Jones, and others. Chops’ […]

Dave Ghetto: Spread the Light
When MCs brag about hailing from tough hoods, Dave Ghetto might take the cake. Famed by a landfill and a prison, Camden, New Jersey attracts trouble from Philadelphia and New York. It also has a crime-wave not unlike scenes from Sin City. But amidst the depression, is a lot of living beauty. Dave Ghetto brings […]

Kanye West Records Theme To ‘Mission Impossible 3’, Tom Cruise Speaks
Grammy Award-winning rapper Kanye West has been selected to interpret the theme to the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible movie franchise. West follows in the paths of U2, who reinterpreted the theme for the first movie in 1996, and Limp Bizkit, who recorded their version for Mission: Impossible II in 2000. Mission: Impossible III […]

Hip-Hop Experts Take ‘Rap Sessions’ On The Road
Critically-acclaimed author and Hip-Hop activist Bakari Kitwana has collaborated with the Community Technology Foundation of California to kick-off Rap Sessions, the first national tour that explores race and Hip-Hop. Rap Sessions presents a multiracial panel of Hip-Hop experts who will tour the nation to engage youth and community leaders in candid, compelling conversations about the […]

Police Seek To Question Busta Rhymes, Tony Yayo, Swizz Beatz About Murder
Police have widened their investigation of a murder that occurred Sunday (Feb. 5) on the set of Busta Rhymes’ new music video. In addition to seeking out G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo, authorities are now looking to question Swizz Beats and Busta Rhymes himself. Detectives believe Busta Rhymes was standing on the sidewalk when the shooting […]

Crucified 4 The Hood (Mixtape)
Artist: Whoo Kid & MaseTitle: Crucified 4 The Hood (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Angus Crawford 2006 may go down as the year of the reclamation project for 50 Cent. Mobb Deep and M.O.P. arguably fit the profile of G-Unit artist, but former Pastor Mason Betha is causing a few people to scratch their heads. While […]

The Sun Beckons…
Artist: PenuckleTitle: The Sun Beckons…Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman The free flowing Hip-Hop of Penuckle is unquestionably characteristic of his Southern Cali stomping grounds. Yet on The Sun Beckons (Basement), this blunted MC proves to carry a style all his own with his easygoing nature, vivid rhymes and occasional sing-songy flow. While still a […]

Ice Cube Announces Released Date For ‘Laugh Now, Cry Later’
Rapper/actor Ice Cube has announced that he will release his seventh solo album, Laugh Now, Cry Later, in June via his independent label, Lench Mob Records. The album is the follow-up to Ice Cube’s Greatest Hits collection, which hit stores in 2001. The rapper, born O’Shea Jackson, put his film career on hold to focus […]

Trillville Member Don P. Charged With Rape
Trillville rapper Don P was arrested last week for the rape of a 16-year-old girl. The rapper (born Donnell Prince) was charged with rape and two counts of aggravated sodomy. According to Cory Hughes, a DeKalb County police officer, the alleged assault happened Dec. 16 at the Wood Crest Walk apartments in Lithonia, GA. During […]

Russell Simmons Salutes Coretta Scott King
A Hip-Hop Salute to Coretta Scott King: Continuing the Struggle for Freedom, Justice and Equality February 8, 2006 Across America and throughout the world, millions of people have taken the time to say a prayer, to utter a word of condolence, or to make some expression of gratitude for the living legacy of Coretta Scott […]

Roc-A-Fella Rapper Freeway Collaborating With G-Unit For New Album
Roc-A-Fella rapper Freeway, of State Property fame, will collaborate with 50 Cent and G-Unit for his second album titled Free at Last, according to his manager. The album is co-executive produced by Def Jam president Jay-Z and50 Cent and will be released Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella imprint via Def Jam, said Freeway’s manager Ryan Press of Press […]

Fugees Concert Kicks Off Grammy Week
The Fugees will kick off Grammy week tonight (Feb. 6) with a free open-air concert on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles. The hip-hop trio–Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel–will perform their new single, “Take It Easy,” as well as new material from the long-awaited follow-up to their multi-platinum sophomore album, […]

AHH Stray News: Pitbull, DJ Toomp, Jay-Z & Linkin Park, Snoop
Following Slip-N-Slide Records’ recent court victory against TVT Records over an unreleased Pitbull album, the Miami rapper has released a statement about the collection of previously recorded songs. A United States District Court Magistrate Judge sided with Slip-N-Slide, ruling that the label can release Pitbull’s Welcome to the 305. "I want it to be clear […]

Police Seek To Question Tony Yayo & Others In Busta Video Shooting
Police are seeking to question G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo in connection with a shooting on a Busta Rhymes video set that left one man dead with a gunshot wound to the back. While he is not an official suspect, police are seeking to question Yayo about a heated argument that took place on the set […]

Chicago High School Students Like Dem Franchize Boyz
Atlanta rap group Dem Franchize Boyz were recently held up from leaving a Chicago high school after a performance, due to a minor prank. One of the students decided to pull the school’s fire alarm to prevent the group from leaving the building. Due to the fire alarm, the students had to use the schoolyard […]

Rapper M-1 Speaks Out Against Black History Month
While some choose to view Black History Month as a celebration of Black achievements, Dead Prez member M-1 has released a statement denouncing it and urging Black people to speak out against inequality all year round. “I think the concept of Black History Month is insulting and offensive to all people of African descent,” M-1 […]

Ursula Rucker: Hip-Hop Librettist
Hip-Hop has many roots. The genre gets its soul from the blues, its edge from the streets and its rhythm from the Motherland – but the artistic side comes from poetry. Anyone who is a fan of both Hip-Hop and poetry holds the name Ursula Rucker in reverence. Her haunting and poignant rhymes closed out […]

Ellington Jordan: True Meaning
Ellington Fuji Jordan has been making music for years with legendary artists, and is still continuing to grow in his craft. He co-wrote the song, Id Rather Go Blind, which has been recorded by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, B.B. King, The Noel Redding Band and Rod Stewart to name a few. He was also […]