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, […]
Stevie Wonder Has Harsh Words For Eminem
Legendary singer Stevie Wonder recently criticized Eminem’s spoof of pop icon Michael Jackson in the "Just Lose It" music video, which has come under fire of late. "Kicking someone when he’s down is not a good thing," Wonder reportedly told Billboard magazine. "I have much respect for his work, though I don’t think he’s as […]
T.I.: Ego Trippin’
AllHipHop.com: You’ve been calling yourself the ‘King of the South’ for a minute and a lot of cats agree, while it rubbed some the wrong way…now you’re on the way to superstardom… T.I.:(Sarcastically) Oh we are? AllHipHop.com: Yeah, so how does it feel having called yourself the ‘King of the South’ such a long time […]
Too Much Time, Dollars, No Damn Sense and Blind as a Bush
When Jay Z said back in the day Streets Is Watching, obviously beyond the metaphor, he knew that there are few black named streets and cats own no blocks. Surely the fact of the matter he could’ve used when it comes to the rap game the Kids Is Always Watching regardless. Now the youth is […]
50 Cent Involved In Scuffle At Airport In Nigeria
American Hip-Hop star 50 Cent was engaged in a scuffle with the entourage of another rapper in a Lagos, Nigeria airport last night. 50 Cent was in the African nation taking part in the annual Star Mega Jam, which brings top name talent to perform along side popular Nigerian artists. The incident started in an […]
Joyful Rebellion
Artist: k-osTitle: Joyful RebellionRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Clover Hope Anytime an artist professes to be both emcee and vocalist, problems arise. One of the two talents is either poor or mediocre at best, or equally suppressed. But the Trinidadian-born, Toronto-bred rhyme specialist k-os effectively satisfies both criteria with his sophomore album Joyful Rebellion (Astralwerks), the […]
Triple Play EP
Artist: Justus LeagueTitle: Triple Play EPRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Since the early 2003 release of Little Brothers incredible debut The Listening, North Carolina-based collective Justus League has been crafting refreshing doses of vintage Hip-hop amongst the Dirty Souths crunk overload. While LB members 9th Wonder and Phonte have been gaining widespread exposure due […]
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Artist: XzibitTitle: Weapons of Mass DestructionRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman Xzibit sold out! That is what many fans have been saying since Mr. Pimp My Ride has blown up on a national level the past two years. Now back with his fifth album, Weapons Of Mass Destruction (Sony), Xzibit is out to […]
50 Cent, Jay-Z Nominees For Ringtone Of The Year
Billboard will honor the top ringtone of the year at their annual award show to be held next Wednesday (Dec. 8) in Las Vegas, according to the magazine. Rappers 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Andre 3000 of Outkast will battle for the honor, which is based on sales tracked by the new Billboard Hot Ringtone Chart. […]
Biggie Blendz (Mixtape)
Artist: DJ SnickaTitle: Biggie Blendz (Mixtape)Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Robert DeGracia It took long enough for longtime New York City club DJ Snicka to compile a Notorious B.I.G. project. With 10 years of mixtape production under his belt, including mix-heavy tributes to Mary J. Blige, Kanye West and Jay Z., Biggie Blendz is a playlist […]
Benzino And Eminem Move To End Rivalry
Eminem’s conflict with Ray Benzino and The Source magazine may finally come to rest, as both emcees have expressed their desire to make peace after intense feuds and lyrical assaults. Eminem contended that record labels profit when artists battle, as the disputes tend to generate more publicity. "A lot of times when rappers have beefs, […]
Weekly World Report: The Streets, South Africa, Buck 65, The Ukraine
British rapper and songwriter Mike Skinner aka The Streets received accolades for his sophomore album A Grand Don’t Come for Free, dubbed the best album of 2004 in Q magazine’s list of the top 50 albums of the year. "A Grand Don’t Come for Free captured the country’s mood in a way no one could […]
Clinton Sparks Sign On Jadakiss, P. Diddy, For Mixtape Album
Mixtape impresario/producer/ Clinton Sparks is gearing up to release his first full-length studio album. "Titled Get Familiar Vol. 1., the album will also serve as the flagship release from his marketing and distribution deal with KOCH records. "I’ve worked so hard for so many years to get the people familiar, and now with this album […]
Trick Daddy: Thug Honor
For all his transgressions, Trick Daddy is surprisingly moral. The raunchy rapper—with a history of drug charges and jail time—holds strong opinions regarding education and police presence surrounding the hip-hop community. But much like his discography, the Miami native is often overlooked as a legitimate talking head. We all know Trick loves the kids, but […]
