Ms. Thing: New Sensation
Its been some time since Americans have given major radio support to a female Dancehall or Reggae star. Ms. Thing began her Jamaican invasion by ripping the hook for Beenie Mans massive hit, Dude. Now she offers up her solo debut, Miss Jamaica, to the world. The record sports production from legendary Reggae producer Dave […]

Urban Legend
Artist: T.I.Title: Urban LegendRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone For Atlanta native T.I., confidence is a trait possessed in bulk. While a rapper boasting of his or her ability is standard practice in todays game, T.I. has taken this assurance to the level of proclaiming himself as the King of the South. Some may call […]

Shock City Maverick
Artist: BeansTitle: Shock City MaverickRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Max Herman On Beans sophomore album, Shock City Maverick (Warp Records), this left field MC/producer sounds like he just stepped out of a time machine that visited the Bronx in 1980, and 2020. This former member of Anti-Pop Consortium utilizes a unique combo of primitive and futuristic […]

Crunk Juice
Artist: Lil Jon & The East Side BoyzTitle: Crunk JuiceRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Orisanmi Burton As the official ambassador of crunk to the world, Lil Jon single handedly propelled his underdog label TVT Records to the top of the Billboard Charts with the release of his second full length album in 2002, Kings of […]

Ice-T Wake Up Call Helps Retailing Giant
Ice-T helped retail giant Target during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, as the prolific rapper/actor was featured in a United States promotion that allowed callers to receive a wake up call to go shopping at Target for the holidays. Ice-T was one of 10 celebrity voices and sounds that awoke shoppers […]

Amaru Entertainment Releases Statement On Tupac Bootlegging
Tupac Shakur’s record label Amaru Entertainment recently condemned the piracy of Tupac’s latest posthumous release Loyal to the Game, which has been prematurely leaked through illegal downloading in the past few weeks. While some sites provide the single "Uppercut" from Loyal to the Game for download, the track has yet to be officially released through […]

AHH Stray News: Rev Run, Ms. Dynamite, Roots Manuva, So Solid
Reverend Run recently recorded a song with British reality TV show contestants, Liberty X. Liberty X gained fame on Simon Cowell’s first British talent show "Pop Stars," which later evolved into “American Idol.” The collaboration came about after Liberty X covered Kool & The Gang’s#### “Cherish.” Robert “Kool” Bell and Run are associates and Bell […]

Florida Atlantic University Cancels Ying Yang Twins Concert Over Lyrics
Due to explicit lyrics, the Ying Yang Twins will not be bringing the crunk to Florida’s Pro Player Stadium as previously scheduled. Florida Atlantic University officials, citing obscene and sexually overt lyrics on the Twins’ three albums, canceled the rap duo’s planned concert for a Dec. 4 football game versus Florida International. The announcement came […]

New Zealand Hip-Hop Station Debut Shocks Competition
Urban radio station Flava 96one in Auckland, New Zealand has grabbed an unprecedented 4.9 rating, the highest debut in the radio market in years according to a New Zealand radio survey. The station, which features contemporary hip-hop and R&B, was the city’s eighth most popular. “Auckland probably has the most deregulated and over-radioed market in […]
Bizzy Bone – Revelations Of A Thug
For years, Bizzy Bone has been portrayed as the black sheep of Bone Thugs~N~Harmony. He was labeled as the dysfunctional alcoholic member who was always causing friction within the group by not showing up to video shoots, concerts, or press opportunities. This is the stigma Bizzy has had to live with. Well Bizzy strikes back […]

AHH Stray News: 50 Cent, Lil’ Jon,
The P.I.M.P. himself 50 Cent has chosen February 15 as the release date for his sophomore album The Valentine’s Day Massacre. The Queens native said some songs will target artists who have lyrically attacked him and his G Unit crew in the past year. “I got something for everybody talking. It’s gonna be entertaining,” 50 […]

Trackmaster Lands Executive A&R Spot At Motown
Samuel “Tone” Barnes of production duo Trackmasters was named Executive Vice President of A&R for Motown Records Group yesterday (November 23rd). Barnes, who has worked with a multitude of artists, will help the legendary label snag top-notch talent. Sylvia Rhone, who was named CEO of Motown in October of 2004, is banking on Barnes’ talents […]

Ron Artest Preparing Hip-Hop Album, Talks NBA
In the aftermath of the NBA’s ugliest brawl Friday night (Nov. 19) during a televised game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, Pacer Forward Ron Artest will eventually make his rap debut with an album released through his record label Truwarier Records. The CEO and founder of Truwarier Records and Queensbridge native said his […]

Atlantic’s ‘Joint Chiefs’ Rock Apollo
Atlantic Records flaunted its formidable fourth quarter Hip-Hop roster last night at the “Joint Chiefs” concert inside the Apollo in Harlem, New York. The evening was hosted by Atlantic rapper Lil’ Kim and Hot 97’s DJ Envy, who also released an album for the label. The evening boasted performances by “Joint Chiefs” Trick Daddy, Lil’ […]

UK Nas Contest Winner Banks On Album
Streets Disciple serves as a test to meter Nas’ success after a two year hiatus. For the first time since I Am, Nas is bringing a massive guest list to his double album. While Ludacris and Busta Rhymes will reign regardless, one of those guests depends on this album to possibly boost a movement. Rising […]

P. Diddy’s Mavericks Uniform Debuts
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ latest design debuted last week, as the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks displayed their new uniforms during a game versus the New York Knicks, Friday (November 19). The Mavericks will sport the alternate uniforms designed by Diddy in 10 other appearances—once more at a home game and nine times on the road—mostly in […]

Cash Money, Diplomats Give Back For Thanksgiving
Cash Money Records will host their 5th Annual Cash Money Turkey Giveaway tomorrow (November 23) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual event is sponsored by the Johnnie and Gladys Williams Foundation as well as clothing company Lugz, which has a partnership with Bryan Williams’ for his signature “Birdman” shoe. New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, […]

Black Rob Arrested In Robbery
Bad Boy Rapper Black Rob was arrested Monday (November 22) for allegedly breaking into a woman’s room at a hotel and stealing cash and jewelry, according to police. A security video reportedly caught the Harlem rapper inspecting random doors on the 12th floor of On The Ave Hotel around 4 a.m., police said. Rob, born […]

Diplomats: The People’s Republic
The move from an independent label to a major is one most artists aspire to make, but for Harlem’s proudest representatives The Diplomats, the exact opposite took place. As a result of Cam’ron’s signing to Roc-A-Fella Records, the crew (which, at the time, consisted mainly of Cam, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, and Freeky Zeeky) released […]

Ashanti: Princess Cut
When Ashanti Douglas exploded onto the music scene in 2002, she was introduced to the world as the Princess of R&B, designated as such by her Murder Inc. mentors. Since then, the Long Island native has worn her bequeathed crown well, from singing hooks in Big Puns How We Roll and Ja Rules Always on […]