Devin the Dude: Blue Collar Baller
If you aren’t a fan of crunk music, you may fall out of love with Hip-Hop. Even the most proven artists in rap are dabbling with that derrty mash out sound. Even though the south is getting a new appeal, lots of yesterday’s stars are dealing with antiquation and conformation. Many of the people who […]

USA’s I.Emerge Wins World DMC Title
The world’s top 21 DJ’s competed last week at London’s Carling Apollo Theater in England.for the DMC/Technics 2004 World DJ Championship. This year’s title went to the United States’ I.Emerge. In winning, I.Emerge becomes the sixth American to win the DMC World Championship world crown, which has also been worn by Roc Raida, Cash Money, […]

‘Taking The Rap’Delves Into Rap Prison Life
A new Hip-Hop series intends to expose the harsh realities of prison life by examining the ongoing life of the incarcerated Hip-Hop artists and their daily struggle. Markuann Smith, the creator of the Taking The Rap series said that he hopes that his film will serve as a clinic for young adults caught up in […]

Ciara: Around The Way Girl
When you first see Ciara on your television screen, you may think that she is just a beautiful young lady made to compliment the scenery. Do not be fooled by first impressions, kiddies. This 18 year-old is the scenery, the backdrop, and she is determined to be the entire show. With a hot scene like […]

Beanie Sigel: Fight the Power
Philly rap staple Beanie Sigel is mere days away from one of the biggest turning points in his life. Beanie’s fighting for his freedom, his family, and his future all at once. As the numbered days grow closer, the deadlines get tighter and he’s about to bless the public with what might be his best […]

7L & Esoteric: Politics As Usual
7L & Esoteric may not be known for their political ideologies, but like many Americans, George W. Bush has sparked their interest. With one of the most important elections in US history right around the corner, the Boston duo are adamant about getting President Bush out of office. On their newest album Bars of Death, […]

Mirror Music
Artist: WordsworthTitle: Mirror MusicRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Kenny Rodriguez Wordsworth has worn many hats in the last ten years. Sure, hes co-starred on MTVs short-lived Lyricist Lounge Show, written pilot sitcoms for HBO, and appeared in a cinematic film or two, but the Hip-Hop community knows Words best for his ability to drop witty punchlines […]

North by Northwest
Artist: SoulSticeTitle: North by NorthwestRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman With the windy city producing some of the best material these days, its only right that it is home to one of Hip-Hop’s best kept secrets, SoulStice. The Chi-town emcee started out as most emcees do, by rocking local parties and events to […]

6 O’Clock Straight
Artist: Truth EnolaTitle: 6 O’Clock StraightRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Paine On De La Soul 19TK album Stakes is High, Mos Def appeared on Big Brother Beat, confirming his Native Tongue status. Five years; Mos is famed as a b-boy, media darling, poet, and leader of the new school. Another young MC featured on that […]

AHH Stray News: 50 Cent, Diddy, Jay-Z, R. Kelly
Police in the United Kingdom are reportedly seeking 50 Cent for questioning, after a fan claimed the rapper threw a microphone in his face. The 18-year-old man claims the incident happened as 50 Cent was booed of the stage at the Reading Festival. As 50 was exiting the stage he allegedly threw the microphone into […]

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five Nominated For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are semifinalists in nominations to be inducted into the world renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The top 15 artists that tally the most votes will be this year’s nominees for consideration. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. The nominating […]

Immortal Technique Talks The Majors And Money
In the last two years, Immortal Techniques voice has steadily gotten louder outside of his normal underground surroundings. The Harlem-bred lyricist is weighing his options before he releases another album, he said, but he spoke at length about where hes headed. Im coming back to the roots, what made me Immortal Technique – real raw. […]

Dr. Dre And Burt Bacharach Collaboration Coming Next Fall
Songwriting legend Burt Bacharach and Dr. Dre continue to work together on an untitled project, which was first announced in February of 2003. Bacharach, who is 76-years-old, said that working with Dr. Dre on the untitled project was comparable to his relationship with his famous songwriting partner, Hal David."Three of the four things I’ve already […]

The Beastie Boys: No Crossover
Let us never forget the Beastie Boys. According to Russell Simmons’ autobiography "Life & Def," without their debut’s residual sales, Def Jam might’ve folded. Without the Beasties’ reaching audiences that Schooly D didn’t, Hip-Hop may’ve never blossomed to such mass appeal. Without the barriers broken by Brooklyn’s finest, would we march to the beat of […]

Star & Hot 97 Battle Heating Up, Star Inks Cable Deal
Star of the radio team Star & Bucwild is planning his highly anticipated return to New York City, but the radio personality is facing legal action from former employer Hot 97 (WQHT). The brass at Hot 97, a station under Emmis Radio, claims that rival Clear Channel is trying to put the shock jock back […]

Kanye West Leads Source Award Nominees
The Source magazine announced the nominations for their 7th annual awards show. Kanye West led all nominees with seven nods, Ludacris earned six nominations and fellow Atlanta rapper Lil Jon snagged four. Other artists nominated include Jay-Z, Lil’ Flip, Juvenile and Twista, who will face off in the Artist of the Year category, while Outkast, […]

Tupac Shakur’s Works Turned Into Sheet Music
Aspiring piano players can now hone their skills by playing the music of Tupac Shakur, courtesy of The Tupac Shakur Collection, a sheet music song book for piano/vocal/chords that spans his entire career. The release of the sheet music comes on the eve of the eighth anniversary of Shakur, who was gunned down in 1996 […]

Loon Assault Charges Dropped
Bad Boy Records artist Loon has been cleared of felony assault charges after a Beverly Hills Superior Court judge dismissed the case stating there was a lack of evidence to go to trial. Loon and two associates, William Reyes and Teon Tanqueray were charged with felony assault after a bouncer was stabbed at a House […]

Dave Chappelle Hosts Block Party With Kanye, Talib, The Roots, Others
Comic Dave Chappelle has organized a block party that will feature seminal, like-minded artists like Kanye West, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, Common, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Dead Prez and The Roots, among others. Currently, there has been one party announced to be held in Brooklyn, New York at a to-be-announced secret location and […]

AHH Stray News: Jay-Z, Raekwon, Bootcamp
Rocawear was forced to scrap the name of a clothing and jewelry line called “Rocawear MUSE,” after a competitor claimed trademark infringement. According to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, Rocawear competitor Maggy London International owns the “MUSE” trademark and has also sold women’s apparel and accessories as well. Rocawear also inked a deal […]