Roc 4 Life (Mixtape)
Artist: Damon Dash Presents:Title: Roc 4 Life (Mixtape)Rating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jacob Mustafa Dame Dash is nothing if hes not a businessman. His shrewdness is infamous, and he shows no signs of letting up now that he and the majority of his former Roc-a-Fella artists are, for the moment, no longer under the Def Jam […]
We Got It 4 Cheap Vol. 1 (Mixtape)
Artist: ClipseTitle: We Got It 4 Cheap Vol. 1 (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios Following the release of their highly acclaimed debut Lord Willin, the Clipse seemed to fall back from the limelight, choosing to only be heard through a few select guest features. After the brief hiatus, the Virginia duo attempted […]
Big L: In Memoriam Part 1
Six years ago, one of Harlem’s greatest MC’s was stolen from the Hip-Hop community in single, violent moment of tragedy. To New York radio followers and others, Big L was a welcomed name throughout the underground – but there is no question that he was just days away from becoming as respected in the mainstream, […]
The Testament
Artist: CormegaTitle: The TestamentRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Sean A. Malcolm Websters Dictionary defines the word testament as an affirmation of beliefs. Though things happen for a reason, if you ask Cormegawho dubs himself Queensbridges most respected rapperhis official first album while a then Def Jam artist, The Testament (Legal Hustle), should have been released before […]
Game Says No Beef With Jay-Z, Speaks On Amsterdam Comments
G-Unit member the Game recently spoke out about the newly developing beef between him and Jay-Z, which was spurred on by Jay-Z’s freestyle seemingly aimed at the Compton rapper. While Jay-Z has slyly denied taking shots at the Game, some believe the semi-retired Brooklyn MC subliminally targeted Game in his freestyle "Dear Summer" on Funk […]
Kanye West, Alicia, Usher Win Big At The Grammys
Compared to last year, the Hip-Hop offerings at the Grammys were sparse at the 47th annual event. But Sunday evening (Feb. 13), the night saw rapper/producer Kanye West and Usher take away three awards, and Alicia Keys three. "Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn’t win," West shouted after claiming his […]
Will Smith’s ‘Hitch’ Tops Box Office, Sets Record For Sony
Continuing his successful run at the box office in the last few years, actor/rapper Will Smith’s latest movie "Hitch" brought in an estimated $45.3 million, debuting at No. 1 this weekend. In his first romantic comedy, Smith diverged from his typical action hero role, playing a New York City "date doctor" who helps men with […]
Brooke Valentine: Southern Hospitality
It seems today that so many artists want to claim that they are the royalty of everything from Hip-Hop to Rock, but fans do not always agree. Bursting onto the exciting new scene of Crunk&B is Houston-born and raised sweetheart Brooke Valentine. She is here to prove that she doesnt need the label of Queen […]
Ill At Will Mixtape Vol. 2: Straight Outta Lo-Cash
Artist: RedmanTitle: Ill At Will Mixtape Vol. 2: Straight Outta Lo-CashRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman It has been four long years since Redman’s last album Malpractice, and the clock keeps ticking away. With his situation at Def Jam not looking too pleasant at the moment, Redman decided to keep everyone’s mouths wet […]
AHH’s Valentines Day: A Love Supreme
Drugs and guns seem to be the poster-children of Hip-Hop to outsiders. But since day one, Hip-Hop has been about the love of something. Through the years, the genre has supplied some of the greatest love anthems of modernity. From Spoonie Gee to Ghostface Killah, Hip-Hop and love have coexisted with tremendous artistry and lots […]
AHH Stray News: Rick Rubin, The Streets, Rap in Rhode Island, MXGM
Pioneering producer Rick Rubin has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records to distribute his American Recordings label, according to the New York Post. Rubin, who founded Def Jam Records in his NYU dorm room alongside rap impresario Russell Simmons, will bring several acts including the Jayhawks into the partnership. Rubin recently returned to his […]
Russell Simmons Launches UniRush Financial Services, Talks Russell Simmons Music Group
Music and Fashion pioneer Russell Simmons recently etched another entity to his argosy of urban and political related ventures by launching the UniRush Financial Services. The company, which Simmons explained will assist Americans in climbing out of financial debt, will provide several banking and account managing opportunities assessable to minorities minus the stipulations and policies […]
Pete Rock & All-Star Cast To Host Tsunami Benefit
Organizers have arranged a hip-hop benefit concert at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City February 22, to raise money for victims of the devastating tsunamis that hit South Asia last December. The concert is the first in a series of hip-hop benefit shows as part of "Rap for Relief," created by The Agency […]
Busta Rhymes And Funk Flex Clash Over Leaked Song
Busta Rhymes’ lengthy hiatus from rap has seemingly caused the supply to exceed the demand and Hot 97 DJ Funk Master Flex has leaked a new song from the Aftermath rapper without permission. Flex premiered the Scott Storch-produced "I’ll Hurt You" on Wednesday and Busta has reluctantly started to promote his next album. "Somehow, some […]
Houston Rapper Kiotti Inks Major Label Deal
Houston, Texas Rapper Kiotti has inked a deal with Unauthorized Entertainment and has secured major label backing from Asylum/WEA. Kiotti, who was featured in The Source’s “Unsigned Hype,” rejected offers from Def Jam, J Records and Sony, after his single “H##### H#####” dropped and was well received by rap fans. Shortly afterwards, Kiotti signed with […]
AHH Stray News: Bone, Twista, Nelly, Billboard Mag
Rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was hit with a $43, 219 lawsuit by their lawyers Walter & Haverhill. The lawsuit, filed in Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County Court, claims that the multi-platinum rap group owes money for unpaid legal services. Representatives for the group declined comment. At an event celebrating his first ever Grammy nomination, Twista and luxury […]
Queen Of Denmark Takes On Missy Elliott In Logo Dispute
Missy Elliott’s line of clothing Respect ME with sports giant adidas, hit a bump in the road – courtesy of the Queen of Denmark. Queen Margrethe II complained that Elliott’s logo, which the superstar rapper/producer designed herself, infringed on the Royal monogram. “Adidas has never intended to copy the crown or any other symbols of […]
Reebok Launching New Campaign Featuring Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Allen Iverson, Others
Reebok is launching a $50 million dollar ad campaign, “I Am What I Am,” which will feature rappers Jay-Z, 50 Cent, NBA stars Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, tennis star Andy Roddick, soccer star Iker, skater Stevie Williams and actress Lucy Liu. The global campaign kicks off February 20th, with television ads running during the NBA’s […]
Nas: Open Book
Nas’ life is hardly an open book, but slowly, but surely the pages are starting to turn. The Queensbridge rapper has had a seismic shift in his life, priorities and has begun to let the public into his life. It started with his groundbreaking album Street’s Disciple. It offered songs with his father, odes to […]
Scam Artists Get Over $9G’s With Fake DMX Concert
Though DMX’s tardy appearances and no-shows at scheduled performances have been well documented, the Yonkers rapper was the victim of a real concert scam in Springfield, Illinois this past weekend. Booking agents spent at least $1,325 to arrange DMX’s performance at the Orr Building on Illinois State Fairgrounds, according to Springfield’s State Journal-Register. The phony […]
