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 […]
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 […]
