Demetrius Hook Mitchell: Vindication of a Basketball Legend
He was better than me, he was better than Jason [Kidd], he was better than everybody. —Gary Payton There is no comparison to Gary [Payton], myself or Brian Shaw. —Jason Kidd He is superior to all of us, me, Gary [Payton], and Jason [Kidd]. —Brian Shaw He would 360 dunk over a car. —Drew Gooden […]

Hip-Hop Summit Says Hip-Hop Helped Change Drug Laws
After relentless protests and campaigns to increase awareness of New York’s famously harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), headed by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, has induced lawmakers to enact significant reforms. Simmons, Chairman of HSAN, said hip-hop played a major role in revisions of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, as artists actively […]

Prodigy, Alchemist Launching ‘Infamous Radio’
Prodigy and The Alchemist have teamed with XM Radio and the pair will host their own show, Infamous Radio. The weekly show on channel 66 RAW will feature hip-hop exclusives, artist interviews, live performances and more. “I’m very excited that Prodigy, The Alchemist and the rest of the Infamous Mobb have joined the continually growing […]

AHH Stray News: DMX, Lil Kim, Daz, Channel Live
DMX pleaded guilty Wednesday (Dec. 8) to two misdemeanor charges, including reckless endangerment and driving under the influence of drugs following an incident where the rapper allegedly rushed the gates of New York’s JFK Airport parking lot, according to prosecutors. Under a conditional discharge, DMX, born Earl Simmons, would see jail time if he receives […]

Snoop Signs Seven Figure Deal For Football Movie
Rap star Snoop Dogg continues his ascent on the silver screen and has signed on for top billing in the real-life story of him coaching his son’s youth football league. A bidding war for the story took place between Fox, Paramount and Columbia for the rights to the story, landing Snoop a cool seven-figure deal. […]

Outkast, Kanye Win Big At Billboard
Outkast and Kanye West both received huge accolades at the Annual Billboard Awards even though Usher was the biggest winner for the evening at the show in Las Vegas. Usher walked away with 11 honors for the evening at the event in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. OutKast’s Big Boi, who was flanked by Killer […]

Diamond & Princess of Crime Mob: Ladies First
Crunk is a man’s sport, even more so that traditional Hip-Hop. Fortunately, there are a few strong women that can breakup the testosterone party. Picking up trails blazed by pioneers like Gangsta Boo, Princess and Diamond represent the next generation of the genre with their Atlanta-based group Crime Mob, a group that’s got crowds crazy […]

Jay-Z Named President Of Def Jam
After finally reaching a deal to sell the remaining portion of Roc-A-Fella Records to Island Def Jam for $10 million dollars, Jay-Z was named president of the legendary label founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons in 1985."I have inherited two of the most important brands in hip-hop, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella,” Jay-Z said. “LA […]

Roc-A-Fella Sold To Island Def Jam
According to published reports, Island Def Jam has acquired the remaining 50% stake in Roc-A-Fella Records for $10 million dollars. The buyout gives Island Def Jam 100 % ownership of the hit making label, which helped power parent label Universal to a whopping 28 Grammy nominations – 10 of which came from Roc-A-Fella artist Kanye […]

The Young Buck Stops Here
So what’s the formula for success these days for young rappers trying to make a name for themselves? Is it being able to lyrically finesse and good looks or being politcally correct with good hooks? Nope. Maybe it’s having heavy bass lines laced with lines about leaving the crack game. That’s it – nowadays it […]

The Quest for Realness in Religion, Hip Hop and Politics
Everytime I turn around now, I see someone bashing another persons faith, race, country or culture. People really think "the world would be better without the Muslims". Or, "The Jews are really trippin’ right now and they are shady". Other times it’s "Whitey’s on a world wide rampage right about now"!!! The next one is […]

Carmelo Anthony Under Fire For DVD Comments
Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, who recently released his "Carmelo 1.5 Mixtape," has come under heat for appearing in a DVD titled "Stop Snitching," which allegedly features rappers threatening people who divulge illegal activity to police. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) of the 7th District, which includes Anthony’s old Baltimore, Maryland neighborhood and the neighborhood […]

The Red Light District
Artist: LudacrisTitle: The Red Light DistrictRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone When youre a rap superstar in the vein of Ludacris, life seemingly becomes one big party; money flows in with ease, girls drop to their knees at the sight of you, weed piles up by the dime bag, and gallons of liquor equal […]

ODB’s Mother, Manager, Form Label To Release Music
The mother of deceased rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard and his manager have announced plans for a new record label and other related business ventures. Dirty’s mother Cherry Jones and longtime manager Jarred Weisfeld have formed JC Records (Jarred Cherry Records), a division of AGU music, and are planning the first posthumous release from Ol’ Dirty […]

Kanye West On ’60 Minutes,’ Leads Grammy Nominees
Kanye West’s single “Jesus Walks,” previously on heavy radio rotation, has incited debate over the use of the word “Jesus” and the role of religion in secular music, a topic West addressed directly in a “60 Minutes” interview to air Wednesday (Dec. 8). West, known for his upbeat rhymes, told “60 Minutes” correspondent Bob Simon […]

Mannie Fresh: Step Up Front
AllHipHop.com: Can you speak on your new album? Mannie: The title if it is The Mind of Manny Fresh. That means the situation and things that have been happening in my life. If I had to describe it, I would say it is fun an escape from reality, an escape from the norm. AllHipHop.com: In […]

Powerballin’
Artist: ChingyTitle: Powerballin’Rating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Clover Hope When Chingy delivered the memorable (and inescapable) chicken-head-dance anthem Right Thurr and the ladies joint One Call Away a year ago, he had the backing of his mentor Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace. Now removed from his secure constituents since his sophomore release Powerballin (Capitol), Chingy […]

Shock G: Just A Man
When you hear a Digital Underground album, or pay to see them perform, Shock G has always made sure that you have gotten your money’s worth. As the leader of the legendary Oakland-based group, he has morphed into many different characters over his career. His metamorphosis into the highly talented Piano Man or the world […]

AHH Stray News: Common, Geto Boys, Kweli, David Banner
Common, geto boys, kweli, david banner Chicago-bred Emcee Common says he still enjoys old school hip-hop, which plays a significant role in his upcoming album, expected in 2005. “I usually go back and listen to a lot of old hip-hop to inspire me, whether it be Nas’ Illmatic or Only Built for Cuban Links by […]

ODB’s Wife, Mother, Clash Over Estate
A judge in the Surrogate Court has granted control of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s estate to his widow, Icelene Jones, as she and ODB’s mother, Cherry Jones, continue to battle over the deceased rapper’s assets. Icelene, mother to three of ODB’s (born Russell Jones) children, was reportedly estranged from ODB for years since their 19-year marriage, […]