Crooked I: Talkin’ Turkey
Some would argue that it’s actually easier to get a death-row pardon in Texas than to wriggle out of a recording contract with Death Row Records. Just ask Crooked I, the decisive lyricist that emerged as one of the West Coast’s finest. Last year, he announced that he had departed the influential label but the […]
Police Investigating Suge Knight’s Involvement In Vibe Awards Melee
Police are investigating Marion “Suge” Knight’s alleged involvement in an assault on Dr. Dre during the Vibe Awards last month in Santa Monica, California. Police are investigating Knight’s possible ties to the assailant, Jimmy “James” Johnson. Santa Monica police have been interviewing witnesses in an attempt to determine Knight’s actions before and after the event. […]
Ice T Backs New York City Council Bill
Rapper Ice T is expected to testify before the New York City Council today (Dec. 1) to support a tax credit on TV and movie production expenses. Along with Director Spike Lee and Tribeca Film Festival Founder Jane Rosenthal, Ice T will lobby a bill proposed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the […]
Christion: The Rebirth
No matter how much, or how little, you know about Christion, the truth is that Roc-A-Fella Records gave birth to this creation, introducing the world to a male duo with a rare sound that could transcend time and hold true to the roots of Blues, Soul, & Jazz. Damon Dash was the first to recognize […]
Hip-Hop Confusion: And This is For?
Everybody’s confused. And do you know why everybody’s confused? They’re confused because nobody knows what they want anymore. Nobody. I used to blame record companies for the lack of quality albums that were released. Then I would blame the artists for selling out for commercial success. I would complain that I missed that […]
Diplomatic Immunity 2
Artist: DiplomatsTitle: Diplomatic Immunity 2Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios Within the last few years, there has been a new regime coming up in the ranks of Hip-Hop. Through their constant flooding of the mixtape circuit and the more recent launching of their record label, The Diplomats have become a staple in the […]
AP Seeking Legal Action In False R. Kelly Story
The Associated Press is reportedly seeking legal action against the unidentified authors of a false story incriminating R&B superstar R. Kelly, AP representatives said. The AP’s legal department is investigating the origin of the website that first ran a false story alleging that R. Kelly made sexual advances to Shia “Shi Shi” Douglas, the younger […]
Trick Daddy Tapes Cooking Show Pilot For MTV
Platinum selling rapper Trick Daddy recently finished taping a cooking show pilot for MTV. And while the Miami native welcomed the invitation to participate in the show, he said he wasn’t about to slave over a hot stove without a full season’s commitment from MTV. “They wanted me to cook all my dishes,” Trick Daddy […]
Collecting The Kid
Artist: El-PTitle: Collecting The KidRating: 2 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Coming up as part of the seminal New York City underground crew Company Flow, avant-garde producer extraordinaire El-P has carved a comfortable niche for himself courtesy of his successful label Definitive Jux. Crafting mind-bending backdrops on Cannibal Oxs incredible exercise in atmospheric B-boy music, […]
AHH Stray News: Lil’ Jon Gets Married, Outkast, Carmelo Anthony
Apparently there’s a Queen of Crunk now. The self-proclaimed King of Crunk Lil’ Jon reportedly got married Saturday (Nov. 27) at the Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa in Fajardo near San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to reports. Lil Jon, sporting a white tuxedo, recited vows with his sweetheart under a white canopy […]
Lil’ Kim Hosts AIDS Dance-A-Thon
Lil’ Kim continues her charitable work and has signed on to host Move Against AIDS: Return of the Dance-a-thon, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Kim will share hosting duties with actress Rosie Perez for the event, which will benefit the non-profit Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s oldest AIDS service and advocacy […]
Saigon Inks Deal With Just Blaze’s FT. Knox Label and Atlantic Records
Rapper Saigon has officially inked a deal uniquely structured joint venture with Just Blaze’s new label, FT. Knox Entertainment and Atlantic Recording Corp. Under the terms of the deal, Saigon will work closely with former Roc-A-Fella producer Just Blaze, who will handle the majority of production for Saigon’s future releases. He is currently working on […]
New ‘Def’ Scholarship Offers Funding For Filmmakers
Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan will launch the Alumni Def Filmmaker Award with New York University’s Kanbar Institute, to help graduating film students from the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts The finalist, who will be chosen by judges from Kanbar and SLMG, will receive $300,000 […]
Ja Rule: Rates The Hits
As he sits back and enjoys the current critical acclaim and public acceptance being garnered for his sixth album, R.U.L.E., Queens-bred veteran Ja Rule can’t help but look back on his dramatic career and appreciate just how far he has come. Enduring through highly-publicized beefs, premature count-outs, federal investigations, and a constant see-saw shifting of […]
Nicole Wray: No Regrets, Pt 1
When Nicole Wray hit the scene in 1998 as a spry 17-year-old, people were transfixed by her sultry voice and wholesome girl-next-door beauty. She delivered her debut album, Make It Hot, with a certain mature vibe that most teenagers could never pull off, and her deal with Missy Elliotts Goldmind record label gave her an […]
Nicole Wray: No Regrets, Pt 2
AHHA: If you had to name one single artist that influenced you the most with regard to your career and/or your music, who would it be and why? Nicole: It would be probably Mary J. Blige, because I watched her life from a young teen to my life now, and seen how she stayed on […]
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 […]
