John Singleton: Directors Cut
In the hood and abroad, John Singleton is a legendthe man responsible for bringing such classic characters as Ice Cubes Doughboy from Boyz n the Hood and Tupacs Lucky in Poetic Justice to the big screen, while placing much-needed emphasis on the poignant tales the inner city has to offer. While some Hollywood heads might […]
Talib Kweli, Jaguar Wright On Board For Black August
One of the summer’s best known benefit concerts – Black August – has just sold out as Talib Kweli and Jaguar Wright sign on to join the other artists already performing. Kweli and Jaguar will join headliner Mos Def as well as Black Moon, Smif N Wessun and others. Black August 2005 will promote HIV/AIDS […]
AHH Stray News: Marc Ecko Lands Celebs, B.I.G., One. Be. Lo., Jay-Z
Marc Ecko and Atari announced the lineup of voiceover talent that will be featured in the new video game “Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.” Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, MC Serch, The RZA, Rosario Dawson, Charlie Murphy and others will add their voice to the game. “It was important for us to work with […]
Legendary Fresh Fest Tour Returns
Blackberry Entertainment will pay homage to some of the biggest pioneers in Hip-Hop history, with The Fresh Fest 2005 concert. Fresh Fest was initially created in 1984 and was one of the biggest and most successful Hip-Hop tours. The original tour line up featured Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, Newcleus, The Fat Boys and Whodini and according […]
Soloman Childs: Patience
Since his initial debut on Cappadonnas The Pillage, Soloman Childs has been keeping fans in awe. With his clever word play and menacing rhymes the Staten Island bred MC is already proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. After rocking with the most talented squad in the game, Wu-Tang affiliate Soloman Childs […]
DMX : The Fight in the Dog
DMX is the last of a dying breed in Hip-Hop the unpredictable. These days everything from singles to beef has become formula concocted within boardrooms and color-by-numbers marketing plan. But, nobody gave the plans to DMX, the Yonkers-bred lyricist. And fortunately, if they did make him privy to what hes supposed to do, he […]
Rawkus Records Reactivated, Planning Aggressive 2006
Underground heads should clear some space in their backpack, cause indie Hip-Hop label and underground stalwart, Rawkus Records, has just signed a exclusive distribution deal with RED Distribution. The label was founded by Brian Brater and Jarret Myerin 1996. Rawkus helped launch the careers of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharaoh Monch and countless others until […]
Lil’ Kim’s Ex Hit With Rico Charges Ranging From Murder To Kidnapping
Lil’ Kim’s former boyfriend Damion "World" Hardy has been hit with a federal RICO lawsuit, alleging that he was the head of a murderous crew known as the Cash Money Brothers. In a scenario that seems to be straight out of 1991’s movie "New Jack City," Hardy, who is currently incarcerated for other drug related […]
Small Victory For Cassidy, New Hearing Set For August
Cassidy’s chance for a release may have been bolstered yesterday at a preliminary hearing yesterday (July 19) when a witness testified on the stand that he initially lied to detectives when he implicated the rapper in a shootout in Philadelphia that left one man dead. Cassidy, born Barry Reese, is charged with murdering 22-year-old Desmond […]
Too Much Mediocrity-Not Enough Passion In Rap
Is it me or has this been a lean year for ‘over-the top, gotta have it-dope ass albums? I mean right now I’m thumbing to my collection and the only thing that strikes me as being really good was Game’s LP- The Documentary. I can listen to 5 or 6 songs off that joint and […]
Littles: Street Cinematographer
Littles is a survivor. Raised in the infamous Queens Bridge housing projects, the rapper has overcome adversity and hardship his entire life. He was only in seventh grade when he dropped out of school to run the streets. Eventually, the street life caught up to Littles and he served five years in prison. Once released, […]
Nelly Inks Long Term Deal With Reebok
Nelly entered into a long term agreement with apparel giant Reebok today (July 19), joining the company’s Hip-Hop heavy line of celebrity endorsers. Under the terms of the deal, Nelly will develop and market a line of footwear, apparel and accessories. The rapper will also be added to Reebok’s I Am What I Am” global […]
8th Annual Power Summit Aims To Connect Players In Entertainment Biz
The 8th annual Power Summit (formerly known as the Mixshow Power Summit) will take place this year in Our Lucaya, Bahamas, according to The RPM Group, the company that hosts the event. Held from September 28th through October 1st – this year’s conference hopes to provide opportunities for individuals to reach some of the most […]
Lil’ Kim Files Lawsuit Against Lil’ Cease, Wins Injunction Over DVD
Nearly two weeks after being sentenced for perjury, Lil Kim filed a lawsuit in Manhattan’s U.S. District Court Monday (July 18) against Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil Cease for intending to release a tell-all DVD about the trial and was granted an injunction blocking her former partner from releasing the DVD. Seeking $6 million in damages, […]
Killer Mike: To The East, Blackwards
What do you know on Killer Mike? Certainly, if Big Boi’s promises paint the game with his Purple Ribbon, the world will know much more about his Outkast’s Monster. But Mike’s first outing was lost in a sea of Bonecrushers, Bubbas, and Cool Breezes to many listeners that tuned in. Monster might have been an […]
MTV Jams And XXL Team For Hip-Hop Heavy August
Get ready for a hot finish to summer as MTV Jams gears up to give viewers a heavy supply of Hip-Hop programming. MTV Jams will be featuring five of the hottest emcees on the rise, as well as ringtones, a partnership with XXL magazine and collaboration with the movie “Hustle & Flow” to bring viewers […]
Ja Rule, Bodyguards Target Of Feds
Federal prosecutors are focusing on multi-platinum rapper Ja Rule in their ongoing investigation of record label The Inc. and the company’s alleged ties to Queens, New York drug dealer Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff. According to the New York Post, Ja Rule and two bodyguards face possible federal charges including “conspiracy to commit murder,” after a shooting […]
Jaguar Wright: Different Day
When she first came on the scene three years ago with her first album Denials, Delusions, and Decisions, Jaguar Wright found herself aligned with a debatable category of music labeled Neo-Soul. You might remember seeing her on stage with one of Hip-Hops most intriguing groups, The Roots, or maybe you remember how she kicked out […]
AHH Stray News: Will Smith’s New Film Company, LL Cool J, Gloria Velez, Snoop Dogg
Will Smith is leading a group of investors to form The Momentum Experience, a new company that will distribute films and movies straight-to-DVD. Smith, along with Tisha Campbell, Duane Martin, Blair Underwood and producers D’Angela Steed and Nia Hil formed the company out of a desire to control images of African-Americans in film. The company […]
Hip Hop Roots
Artist: Tommy Boy Presents…Title: Hip Hop RootsRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Mark Cilantro Hip-hop is changing. By most accounts the art form that we all recognize is bordering on 30 years old. That means that most of the fans who read these reviews and go to jams in Central Park were toddlers when the records I […]
