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 […]
Another Lawsuit Against Philadelphia Car Dealer Over Ads Featuring Snoop
A car dealership in Philadelphia has been hit with a second lawsuit from another superstar, rapper, Snoop Dogg. Snoop filed the complaint against Gary Barbera Enterprises, the car dealership that was hit with a lawsuit by 50 Cent on August 19, for trademark infringement. The company ran ads featuring a superimposed image of Snoop Dogg […]
Rap Attack of the Clones
Rappers today have achieved levels of success that the pioneers of this generational phenomenon could once only dream of. What we are witnessing now is progressive prosperity: the seeds sown by Hip-Hop’s ancestors are being reaped by their present day offspring. Only now, the harvest isn’t as natural as it used to be – it’s […]
Simmons Jewelry Co. Dropping 35k Iced Out Sony PSP Case
Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons and his wife Kimora are bringing some style to the Sony PSP portable gaming system this Christmas. Simmons’ venture with M. Fabrikant & Sons – The Simmons Jewelry Company – is producing a $35,000 case for the popular gaming system. The Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons is made out of […]
Harlem: Diary of a Summer
Artist: Jim JonesTitle: Harlem: Diary of a SummerRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Who would have thought Jim Jones would reach this level? Six years ago, Jim was merely Camron’s running mate and an unknown figure in the Hip-Hop world. Now Jones is the Capo of the Diplomats and leading a street movement […]
Producer/Executive Jermaine Dupri Talks Chart Success
Jermaine "JD" Dupri has more than enough reasons to crack a smile these days. Currently, Dupri has four songs he has either produced and/or co-wrote in the Top Ten on Billboard’s Hot 100 and has the top three spots on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Dupri produced and co-wrote Mariah Carey’s smash single "We Belong Together," which […]
Carnival Beats: A Family Affair
The Lone Star state is home to some of the most influential rappers and independent labels in the country. In the last few months, two of Texas’ own have debuted in top positions on the Billboard music charts. We all know that behind every great rhyme is a great beat. These two brothers have been […]
Youngbloodz: Beans & Cornbread
With so many new artists and musicians coming out of ATL, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with some of the town’s elder statesmen. The Youngbloodz have been on the grind since the late 90’s, but have yet to garner the praise that they deserve. J-Bo and Sean Paul have been through a series of […]
Late Registration
Artist: Kanye WestTitle: Late RegistrationRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Orisanmi Burton Hardly anyone knew who Kanye West was five years ago. But after producing the lions share of The Blueprint (arguably Jay-Zs best album) and supplying the soul for a gang of established and emerging artists thereafter, Kanye saw his stock as a producer/MC rise […]
Magic Organizers Claim Concealed Gun Halted Game
Organizers of the Magic Marketplace denied that The Game was ejected out of the famed Las Vegas fashion convention, but charged the rap star was denied entrance because his security carried concealed handguns. In a statement, Magic also countered the assertion that the Miami shooting of Suge Knight was a factor in the decision. “The […]
MC Lyte: Poetic Justice
Pioneer, icon, trendsetter. Any of these words can be used to describe one of Hip-Hops official first ladys, MC Lyte. These days however, shes feeling another title, author. As she ventures in to yet another medium to get her message to the masses, Lyte uses a tool that she has come to master-words. As an […]
Trick Trick: Wizard of Detroit
Trick Trick, the infamous independent selling artist from Detroit is as real as they come. He was framed for murder by the Detroit Police, fought the charge and beat it, so it is not surprising how thankful he is for his ability to hit the streets and the skies to travel, all be it for […]
Game Kicked Out Of Las Vegas Convention Center
Organizers of the Magic Convention booted The Game out of the Las Vegas Convention center, out of fear that Marion “Suge” Knight was planning to retaliate against the rapper for a weekend shooting in Miami, Florida. According to eyewitnesses, Game was attempting to showcase his Hurricane by 310 sneakers at the convention, which attracts major […]
Diddy Wins In Assault Case
Sean Diddy Combs emerged victorious in a Michigan appeal court when a judge ruled that the rapper/entrepreneur did not assault a talk show host after a 1999 interview. TV talk-show host Roger Mills of Detroit filed a lawsuit against Diddy, Bad Boy Entertainment, bodyguard Ron Gilyard and a Detroit radio station after he alleged that […]
Sony/BMG Settle Lawsuit Over Lil Flip’s#### ‘Game Over’
Namco and Sony BMG Music have settled a lawsuit that charged Houston, Texas based rapper Lil’ Flip with using sounds from the classic videogame Pac Man without permission. Namco filed a $10 million lawsuit against Sony BMG in September of 2004, claiming that Lil’ Flip’s#### song “Game Over” violated Namco’s intellectual property rights. In a […]
BET & Wal-Mart Team Up, Kanye West DVD First Release
BET and Wal-Mart announced a marketing alliance today (August 30) that will put BET branded DVD releases in Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations throughout the United States. Under terms of the deal, BET will provide Wal-Mart with exclusive BET programming and other content related urban music and movies under the brand name “BET Official.” The […]
Tyson Beckford Suing Diddy For $5 Million
Super model Tyson Beckford is suing Sean "Diddy" Combs for breach of contract and copyright infringement. The former face of Sean John is seeking $5 million in damages, stating that once his contract ran out, Diddy failed to renew and continued to use his image and likeness as the face of Sean John without permission. […]
John Legend, Lauryn Hill Team For ‘So High’ Remix
R&B crooner/songwriter and musician John Legend and the talented soul singer Lauryn Hill have teamed for the remix of Legend’s song "So High". "So High" is the latest single off Legend’s debut album Get Lifted. Executive produced by Kayne West, Get Lifted has soared to upper echelon on Billboard’s charts and has already achieved RIAA […]
