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 […]
Timeless
Artist: Sergio MendesTitle: TimelessRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Mark Cilantro Remember when Eazy E tried to cash in on the De La Soul craze, post Feet High and Rising? That was when Ruthless Records signed The Atban Klann. A Black cat with dreads, a Filipino dude, and a Pacific Islander; former dancers with a Boho […]
The Remixture Vol. 1
Artist: OddiseeTitle: The Remixture Vol. 1Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Oddisee may very well be the best producer you have never heard of. Drawing comparisons to the legendary Pete Rock, Oddisee has made a name for himself in the underground through his work with J-Live, Wordsworth, Little Brother, DJ Jazzy Jeff and […]
Update: Busta Reps Say Rapper Attended Services, Pressure Mounts On Rappers
A wake for the slain bodyguard of rap superstar Busta Rhymes was held yesterday (Feb. 9) in New York. Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out. Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between […]
Kanye, BEP, Jay-Z, De La Soul, Others Win At Grammy Awards
Multi-platinum selling rapper Kanye West scored three Grammys last night (Feb. 8), including the coveted Best Rap Album award at the 48th annual ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fueled by the success of his sophomore album, Late Registration, the Chicago MC took home honors in three categories, including Best Rap Album, Best […]
Rapper Penelope Jones To Be Featured On ‘America’s Most Wanted’
Rap newcomer Penelope Jones will appear on the crime-solving television show America’s Most Wanted Feb. 18 to discuss the still-unsolved murder of her brother. Jones (born Juarita Jones) has been aggressively searching for the murderer of her brother Tony since he was fatally shot in his home three years ago in front of his two […]
Nick Van Exel & Smoot: Family Affair
You know the saying – rappers wanna be ballplayers and ballplayers wanna be rappers. NBA veteran, Nick Van Exel of the World Champion San Antonio Spurs, is yet another basketball player with Hip-Hop aspirations. However, instead of getting on the mic, Nick has decided to stay in the cut and help develop his own record […]
Slip-N-Slide Inks Multi-Million Dollar Deal With Def Jam
Miami-based record label Slip-N-Slide Records has inked a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam, headed by rapper/mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. While Trina, Trick Daddy and Ft. Meyers rapper Plies will remain signed as Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic artists, newcomers Rick Ross, of Miami, and Citty, of Atlanta, will record under the new Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam imprint, where a new […]
