Bow Wow: Grown Man Talk
Its nearly noon in New York CityWall Street to be exact. Ironically, the business capital of the world is the perfect locale to conduct an interview with a young man about to turn the entertainment industry upside down after a two-year hiatus. With a new album, movie, tour, and television series all on his plate, […]
Something to Ponder-Underground vs. Mainstream? What’s Real Hip-Hop?
A couple of years ago I heard a song from Mystik Journeymen of Living Legends where Sunspot Jones was rapping about the underground and he referenced a conversation he had with MC Hammer. He noted that Hammer had said the ‘underground’ was the name people that hadn’t made it big used to describe their music. […]
Be
Artist: CommonTitle: BeRating: 5 StarsReviewed by: Sean A. Malcolm Classic thats not a word us critics use lightly. We dont throw that word around like a 99 mph Randy Johnson fastball. Unfortunately, this game hasnt seen an overall flawless album since EXACTLY. Peep the quick classical lineup: Illmatic classic. Midnight Marauders classic. Reasonable Doubt classic. These albums embodied everything we […]
Duck Down Records Lands New Distribution Deal, New Triple Threat Release Dates
Duck Down Records, home of the Boot Camp Clik, has signed on with Navarre Corporation in a new distribution deal. The label was previously distributed by Koch Entertainment. According to Duck Down CEO, Dru Ha, the split with Koch was amicable. “After spending three years with Koch Distribution our deal was coming to an end […]
Common And De La Soul Hit The Road With John Legend
Common and De La Soul will hit the road with John Legend for the singer’s first North American tour since releasing his debut album, Get Lifted. Adding to the hip-hop element of the show will be beatboxer Rahzel, DJ JS-1 and new comer Lyfe, all of whom will appear on select dates. The tour, launches […]
Alleged Members Of G-Unit Wounded In Shootout In Queens
Detectives in New York are probing whether or not a shooting last week in Queens, New York involving alleged members of 50 Cent’s G-Unit crew, is connected to the rap industry. The New York Daily News reported that three men were shot in Jamaica, Queens on Thursday (May 19), as they sat in a black […]
Big Tigger’s Celebrity Classic Focuses On Aids Awareness
Radio personality/BET co-host Big Tigger has teamed up with the Street Corner Foundation, Inc. to present Big Tigger’s 4th Annual Celebrity Classic in Washington D.C. , an event designed to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. Taking place from June 17-19, the weekend event aims to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among young adults, minorities and women […]
Us vs. Them
Artist: The ChapterTitle: Us vs. ThemRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Chris Yuscavage Fans of The Roots and company are already halfway towards becoming a fan of Hip-hop duo The Chapter. Handpicked by ?uestLOVE to appear on 2004s OkayPlayer compilation, True Notes Vol. 1, emcee Verbal E and producer 3Sixty are introduced to the world again by […]
Members Of Bobby Brown’s Entourage Stabbed In Justins
Two members of singer Bobby Brown’s entourage were reportedly cut or stabbed while dining at Sean "P. Diddy" Combs’ Atlanta restaurant early today (May 23), authorities said. Police said Brown, who has been arrested numerous times on drug and alcohol charges, was not involved in the altercation. The incident occurred after a fight erupted while […]
More Details Surrounding Gucci Mane Murder Charge, Rapper Hopes To Make Bond
Rapper Radric "Gucci Mane" Davis may be released as early as tomorrow (May 23), after the upcoming rapper was hit with a murder charge last week. Details are emerging in the shooting which took place on May 10th in Decatur, Georgia and left one man dead. At a press conference last week before surrendering to […]
Awfully Deep
Artist: Roots ManuvaTitle: Awfully DeepRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Conan Milne Firstly, lets kill all of the inevitable comparisons between British and American artists dead in their tracks. The fact is that someones location doesnt determine whether or not he or she is a talented MC. Enter Roots Manuva. The British/Jamaican hip-hopper returns with his third […]
Year of the Beast
Artist: C-Rayz WalzTitle: Year of the BeastRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Chris Yuscavage C-Rayz Walz has got it made literally. With an upcoming appearance on MTVs social rags-to-riches endeavor Made (playing the role of mentor to an emcee hopeful), the Definitive Jux and Stronghold Crew member has created enough buzz with last years We Live […]
The Game Dropping ‘Hurricane’ Sneaker
Hip-Hop artist The Game is flexing his entrepreneurial spirits and intends to release a line of sneakers dubbed The Hurricanes. The name comes from a moniker he often used, "Hurricane Game.” While Game declined to disclose who the sneakers would be distributed by for business reasons, he did state that the line would include canvas […]
Maya Azucena: Who’s That Girl?
Refreshingly authentic artists are always welcome on the R&B stage. While you probably wouldnt recognize her face, Maya Azucenas (pronounced AH-zoo-SAY-na) sugary voicea concoction of soul, Hip-Hop, and funk with a little bit of rockreverberates across television screens daily. The well-traveled Brooklynite first gained notice doing live shows with her aptly-titled Band at local New […]
Jin Says Rap Career Is Over, Records ‘I Quit’
Rapper Jin has revealed that he is throwing the towel in on his rap career and is putting his job as an emcee on hold, while he explores other options. The fate of the rapper’s record deal was the subject of rumors over the past month and while the label never officially dropped the rapper […]
Jamie Hector: Calming Force, Pt 1
With only one season under his belt, Marlo Stanfield all but took over prime street corners in HBOs#### series The Wire. Brooklyn-born actor Jamie Hector plays the sadistically driven drug lord who quickly riveted Wire fans already captivated by the shows authentic portrayal of urban street affairs. But from Hectors amicable demeanor recently at Barnes […]
Jamie Hector: Calming Force, Pt 2
AHHA: He killedhe set up DAngelos murder in prison. Jamie: Yeah, he set up one of his own to be murdered. I mean, he was grimy. On the streets if you really look atlets take away the name Stringer Bell and lets just put the name of some wild dude on the streets with some […]
RZA Talks ‘Wu-Tang Manual,’ Possible Follow Up
Wu Tang Clan leader The RZA recently discussed his venture into the book world, with the release of his book "The Wu-Tang Manual." The book is RZA’s first written work and contains his thoughts, a dictionary containing “Wu Slang,” a section devoted to an analysis of Wu Tang’s lyrics, never-before-seen photos of the group and […]
Outlawz 4 Life
Artist: OutlawzTitle: Outlawz 4 LifeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine On their latest album, Outlawz 4 Life (One Nation/33rd Street), Kastro, EDI, and Noble press on defiantly without Pac. The album is their attack on a marketplace that may have never given them a fair shot. No longer with former member Napoleans services, the remaining trio […]
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Film)
Artist: Movie ReviewTitle: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Film)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Edwardo Jackson BIASES: late 20s black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action, comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare I got the Millennium Falcon for Christmas when I was seven. We all know […]
