Lil’ Kim: The Naked Truth
Lil’ Kim is about to go away for a while. But, the pint-sized rapper isn’t leaving without leaving an indelible mark that will hold fans down until she returns from 366-day bid in prison. Kim’s new album, The Naked Truth, hits stores on September 27, and her fourth opus is already being touted as her […]
Boxer Manny Pacquiao Records Entrance Music With Apl. De. Ap. Of BEP
Boxer Manny Pacquiao is hitting the studio to lay down vocals with Black Eyed Peas member apl.de. ap. The song, titled “The Champion” will be used as entrance music for Pacquiao’s upcoming bout with Hector Velazquez. In addition to his upcoming bout with Velazquez, Pacquiao revealed details about his highly anticipated rematch with WBC world […]
Twista Rallying Chicago Hip-Hop Community To Support Benefit Concert
Platinum selling rapper Twista is spearheading a concert with various members of the Chicago Hip-Hop community to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The rapper is organizing a free concert that will take place September 19 at the House of Blues in Chicago. Confirmed Chicago rappers include Da Brat, Do or Die, Shawnaa, Crucial […]
ABC, NFL Say Kanye West Can Perform At Season Opener
The NFL and ABC have decided to keep rapper Kanye West as a performer in the season-opening sho, despite media criticism of comments West made during a live NBC telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. West appeared on “A Concert for Hurricane Relief” along side other celebrities. While West was at the […]
Welcome to Jamrock
Artist: Damian MarleyTitle: Welcome to JamrockRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Danielle Cabell The third time sounds to be a charm for roots, rap, reggae royale Damian Junior Gong Marley with his astounding new album Welcome to Jamrock (Universal/Motown). Months ago when the long nattyd Marley welcomed the world to Jamrock he got invited to the mainstream. […]
That One Way
Artist: Czar*NokTitle: That One WayRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine Sometimes all it takes is a catch-phrase to get glued on the map; for B.G., “Bling, Bling,” for Black Rob, “Whoa.” Czar*Nok certainly isn’t going to ensure Cincinatti’s exposure with their hit slang single, “Hercules.” However, the debut album from Hayczar and E-Nok, That One Way […]
Q-Tip: Check The Time Y’all
In an industry dominated by new, young talent, it’s not easy for a rapper with a career spanning more than ten years to be taken seriously. Sure, that rapper would be respected, but not necessarily as someone who could drop a relevant album. Those who have tried, with the exception of a rare few, have […]
Damian Marley: Rising Son
Damian Marley has been making beautiful music for awhile now, but lately that music has become a thunderous roar. With the release of his searing single, Welcome to Jamrock, Jr. Gong has rekindled the mainstream Reggae movement and stirred hearts with his vivid depictions of a ravaged Jamaica much different than the turquoise waters and […]
Tiara: Dream Girl
There are vixens and there are hustlers. Tiara, the epitome of the internet dream girl, happens to be a little of both. She has appeared in multiple videos for the likes of G-Unit, Kanye West, and The Terror Squad, and has been raking in dough from websites featuring her own images as the main attraction. […]
AHH Stray News: Chuck D Writes Katrina Song, Pharrell Goes Reggaeton, 50 Cent
Pharrell Williams and Jennifer J-Lo Lopez recently met in Puerto Rico to record a reggaeton song, a first for both artists. Last week, the Latina and the Virginia rapper, who is also half of the Neptunes production team, met to work with LunyTunes, a popular group of reggaeton producers. Lopez is reportedly working on a […]
Kanye Gets Support And Criticism After Pres Remarks
A conservative backlash has mounted against entertainer Kanye West after the rapper/producer recently spoke out against President Bush and the treatment of African Americas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. On a live telecast Friday on NBC, West concluded an unprepared, unrehearsed speech by saying, George Bush doesnt care about Black people. The statement, along with sharp […]
Common, Talib Kweli On Deck For 2005 ‘Spin Off’
The Guitar Center announced the grand finals for its 2005 Spin Off competition, one of the largest turntablist competitions across the country. The 2005 Spin Off Grand Finals take place Saturday, September 10 at the Wiltern LG Theatre in Los Angeles. In addition to the eight finalists that will be competing for the 2005 Spin […]
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Artist: Tony YayoTitle: Thoughts of a Predicate FelonRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Houston Williams Tony Yayo can set the tone of an album. Aint nobody talkin when Im talking fellas so shut the f**k up, barks a prison corrections officer in Any Jail, U.S.A. In the intro to Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (G-Unit/Interscope), the […]
Thanks For Asking
Artist: APSCITitle: Thanks For AskingRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Clover Hope Apsci (Applied Science) might be a bit ahead of their timeabout 2000 years to be exact. On their debut album, Thanks for Asking (Quannum), the Australian singer Dana Diaz-Tutaan and her Bronx-born MC husband Raphael LaMotta (Ra) rely more on computerized and live instrumentation than […]
Kanye West Rips President Bush On Live Television
Kanye West criticized United States President George W. Bush and the government’s reaction to Hurricane Katrina last night during “A Concert for Hurricane Relief” a live benefit concert that aired on NBC. West had sharp words for President Bush and the government’s reaction to the disaster wrought in four states by Hurricane Katrina during the […]
Nick Cannon Taking ‘Wild N’ Out’ On The Road
Actor turned rapper Nick Cannon is taking his successful new MTV comedy show on the road. "Wild N’ Out," is a comedy freestyle show created by and featuring Nick Cannon and various other comedians. The show crosses improv/impromptu comedy with Hip-Hop. The show has been so successful that MTV has already tapped Cannon for a […]
The Media, Katrina & African Americans
As journalists, the number one dictum is to be unbiased, objective and accurate. It is with a heavy heart that I watch TV as the nation is in turmoil as a result of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. What is becoming increasingly frustrating and infuriating is the biased coverage that news organizations, including the Associated […]
Katrina: Hip-Hop Reacts and Responds
“There were like bodies floating past my front door,” one New Orleans resident said weeping. “We did the best we could.” The masses remain shocked, stunned and saddened by the annihilation left by Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama. The Hip-Hop community was built on a foundation of struggle and anguish, but […]
Pioneering Hip-Hop DJ Eric B. Alive & Well
Pioneering DJ Eric B. is alive and well and there is no truth to reports circulating that he had been shot and killed. A phony report surfaced on the internet stating that Eric B., born Eric Barrier, was shot and killed in a barbershop in Camden, New Jersey. Shortly after the report was circulated, nationally […]
Namco Wins Rights To ‘Afro Samuri’
Global video games publisher Namco Hometek Inc. has announced that leading Japanese animation studio GDH K.K. has granted them exclusive rights to "Afro Samurai," a graphic manga created by Takashi Okazaki. The game will revolve around lead character Afro, who witnesses his father’s murder and hence devotes himself to avenging his death. "Afro Samurai is […]