1988
Artist: BlueprintTitle: 1988Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Chris Yuscavage 1988 gave Hip-hop music a real voice, and what it was telling the rest of the world was that it was angry and ready to snatch the ear of the mainstream. From Ice-T seizing the reins on his sophomoric Power to Public Enemy ordering the youth to […]
Under the Circumstances
Artist: Grand AgentTitle: Under the CircumstancesRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine In the burgeoning independent era of Hip-hop of the late 90s, few records had more energy than Grand Agents By Design. The album was a bold contrast to Mos Def and Talib Kwelis mellower grooves. It also featured rising names like Chops and Kutmasta Kurt, […]
Impeach the Precedent
Artist: Various ArtistsTitle: Impeach the PrecedentRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Chris Yuscavage Rarely does Hip-hop catch a ray of positive light in the mainstream media these days. So when 1999s Funky Precedent, the first album in the Funky Precedent benefit compilation series, received acclaim as the #1 Underground Record of the Year from Spin Magazine, it […]
Trillville: Reloaded
Referred to as the young guns of Crunk, Trillville members, Don P, Dirty Mouth, and Lil LA made their name off of their rowdy, Crunk antics on record but solidified their reputation over the squeaky clean bed springs of the recent hit record, Some Cut. As one of Lil Jons personal Atlanta pet projects, Trillville […]
Dub Magazine Kicks Off Massive Car Show & Tour
Dub Magazine kicks off its Dub Magazine Super Series Celebrity Car Show and Concert tour today (April 17th), showcasing some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, as well as hundreds of tricked out rides. Dub Magazine, which showcases thousands of luxury cars a year between its pages, has enlisted The Game, T.I., Trillville, Fabolous, Twista, […]
‘Bully’ Loses Case Against Eminem
The real-life bully portrayed in Eminem’s song "Brain Damage" lost his appeal to sue the rapper over the song Friday (April 16). A Michigan state appeals court ruled that Deangelo Bailey, a sanitation worker who admitted picking on Eminem when the two were schoolmates, cannot pursue a lawsuit against the rapper because of the song’s […]
DMX Involved In Car Crash, Arrested
DMX’s driving woes continue, as the rapper was arrested last night, after he was involved in a three-car collision involving a police cruiser Friday (April 15th). The multi-platinum rapper was driving on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx, when he hit a car, which rammed a police crusier. DMX, born Earl Simmons, was charged […]
True & Livin’
Artist: Zion ITitle: True & Livin’Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Paine Zion I is the freshest new talent to come out of Oakland, California since The Coup in the early 90s. 2000s Mind Over Matter remains a breakthrough for the area and the duo. But with leaks and pushbacks of Deepwater Slang, the group has faded […]
Jewelry Box Sessions, Pt. 1 (Mixtape)
Artist: Planet AsiaTitle: Jewelry Box Sessions, Pt. 1 (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Conan Milne Frustrating. If ever there was a word that better describes California native Planet Asias skill behind the microphone, Ive yet to encounter it. A versatile MC who has paid his dues through years of grinding both as a solo artist and […]
Outkast, Sony BMG, Rosa Parks Settle Lawsuit
OutKast and Rosa Parks have finally settled a longstanding lawsuit stemming from Park’s objection to the rap duo using her name in a song title. While OutKast, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and two of the company’s units admitted no unlawful activity, the parties have agreed to work on projects "to enlighten today’s youth about the […]
Prince’s Trust Festival Down To One Day, Filled With Hip-Hop
The Prince’s Trust Nokia Urban Music festival has canceled one of two shows being planned this weekend, due to poor ticket sales, despite adding Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff to the current powerhouse line up. In addition to Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, De La Soul, Jon B., Akon, Common and Faith Evans […]
Harvard Cancels Snoop Show
Harvard University’s Undergraduate Council has cancelled a planned performance by Snoop Dogg next month, after local news reports suggested students objected to the rapper’s obscene lyrics. Some Harvard students reportedly opposed Snoop appearing at the prestigious Massachusetts university, according to local news channel NBC 3. The students mentioned lyrics from Snoop’s latest album Rhythm and […]
It’s Official: Diddy’s With Warner
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has formally entered his Bad Boy Records imprint into a 50/50 joint venture deal with Warner Music Group, the mogul announced today. Combs will be aligned with Warner’s Atlantic label. Under terms of the deal, Bad Boy will be able to utilize Atlantic’s marketing and promotion. “I am thrilled to be […]
Soldiers United for Cash (DVD)
Artist: DJ ScrewTitle: Soldiers United for Cash (DVD)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine With the attention Houston has gotten the last year and a half, DJ Screw deserves the lions share of the credit. It was his vision that took Southern/Bounce, and gave it a screwed-up twist. Unfortunately, Screw isnt here to see the fruits of […]
Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LP
Artist: Daz DillingerTitle: Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LPRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman Even gangstas need love and Daz Dillinger is no different. While he has constructed some of the West Coast’s biggest records over the years, Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LP (Gangsta Advisory) finds Daz moving in a different direction. Surprisingly, the album […]
Archetype
Artist: Tone DeffTitle: ArchetypeRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine In a rare move of Hip-hop selflessness, Tonedeff has put others before himself. Besides a short-run, but much talked about debut EP, Underscore, Tonedeff has lived off of 12s and released his friends music first on his QN5 label. Still, from his guest shots, the battles, […]
AHH Stray News: Ice Cube, Mariah Vs. 50, Nelly, Xzibit
Rapper Ice Cube was recently honored at the annual Butterfly Ball, a swank annual fundraiser for Chrysalis, an organization dedicated to the upliftment of economically disadvantaged people. Cube was honored along with 20th Century Fox TV president Dana Walden and Disney marketing executive Oren Aviv. "Normally I’m a little skeptical about this stuff,” Cube told […]
D’Angelo Pleads Guilty
D’Angelo has reportedly pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and driving under the influence of alcohol Wednesday (April 13), charges stemming from a January traffic stop in Richmond, Virginia. The Virginia-born R&B singer, whose real name is Michael Eugene Archer, was fined $250 Wednesday (April 13) and ordered to a 90-day suspended jail term for the […]
Snoop, The Game, Steve Harvey And Others Make West Coast Peace Treaty
Conscious West Coast rapper Kam once released a song called “Peace Treaty” and yesterday, the Left Side held a landmark meeting of unity that included some of the biggest names in California. Kam’s 12-year-old song has come to life within Rap music. Those in attendance included rappers like Xzibit, Young MC, Snoop Dogg, The Game, […]
Tony “CD” Kelly: Riddim Master
You may not recognize his name, but producer Tony CD Kellys music might be the reason why you secretly signal the plane, row the boat, and practice the heel-toe before you hit the club. Bookshelf riddim Deport Dem and Say Wooee, are the hits he had a hand in that made Sean Paul and Tanto […]
