Adisa Banjoko Writes Lyrical Swords
Adisa Banjoko, a pioneering journalist from the Bay, has taken his skills as a scribe and applied it to his first published book, "Lyrical Swords Vol. 1: Hip Hop and Politics in the Mix.” Incidentally, the book will be released on Election Day November 2. The book is an anthology of essays and interviews with […]
The Definition
Artist: L.L. Cool JTitle: The DefinitionRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone While his self-given title of the greatest of all time is debatable, one thing that cant be disputed is that LL Cool J is a definite legend in hip-hops legacy. Having spearheaded the dominance of Def Jam Records, cranked out radio hit after hit, […]
Silkk Back To Shock Fans With New Album And Sitcom
Although Silkk The Shocker wasn’t in the limelight for the past few years, that doesn’t mean the younger brother of Master P. wasn’t receiving any attention. In fact, The No Limit Solider plans to return to Hip-Hop’s consciousness this fall with not only a new album, but also with a television pilot in place. “I […]
DJ Whoo Kid
In today’s current Hip-Hop climate, there is no better promotional tool as effective as the mixtape. No longer do record companies hold the power to impose their data calculated will upon the Hip-Hop community. Thanks to this ever-popular medium, the streets now dictate who is hot. In 2002 mixtapes gave birth to Hip-Hop heavyweight 50 […]
Why Vote: A Compelling Arguement
Like the child who cried "wolf! " too many times and was eaten when he really needed the help of people who had grown to ignore him, the media and Bush administration are faced with such massive lack of credibility issues that we now must adopt a contrarian stance when taking what they say into […]
Andre 3000 Filming Voting Documentary For HBO
Outkast’s Andre “Andre 3000” Benjamin appeared at the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention to conduct interviews for an upcoming documentary. The untitled project is being made for HBO and focuses on the rapper’s change from musician to voter registration activist. Benjamin interviewed John Kerry’s daughters and on Tuesday, he interviewed current President […]
Welcome To The Hood
Artist: Ice CityTitle: Welcome To The HoodRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Jayson Rodriguez Putting “Ya mans and ’em” on is as much a perk for rappers today as pushing a Bentley, sipping Cristal, or starring in a straight-to-DVD flick. Freeway, a beneficiary of the latter benefits as both Beanie Sigel’s homeboy and a successful solo artist, […]
Geto Boys Prep New Album, Willie D. Moves Outside U.S.
Geto Boys member Willie D. said that a new, untitled album by the group was recently finished. The new album features all three original group members and will be released before the end of the year. "You know, I can’t let the cat out the bag, but the one thing I can say is that […]
Sam Scarfo Wins $11k At Fight Klub
The stakes for a rap battle are getting higher and higher. With $11,000 on the table Sam Scarfo of Gorilla Pimp/IBCent defeated 40 Cal of Skeme Team/Dip Set at Fight Klub in New York last week. The place, an undisclosed spot in Manhattan, was full of celebrities like video director Lil X, Craig Mack, Bill […]
1st Annual Hip-Hop Fest Kicks Off In Vancouver
The first annual Vancouver International Hip-Hop Film Festival kicks off today (September 1st) and will run until September 5th. The VIHF will showcase some of the best Hip-Hop films available, including the legendary movie “Wildstyle,” whose director Charlie Ahearn will present a slide show. Tonight’s first event takes place tonight with performances by rising rappers […]
On My Way to Church
Artist: Jim JonesTitle: On My Way to ChurchRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios From the crack game to the rap game, Harlem, NY has often bred flamboyant hood legends. As a founding member of the Cam’ron led Diplomats crew, Jim Jones looks to carry on the Uptown tradition of flossing ones, wears and weaves. […]
Alchemist: To the Front Line
No flash, no bling, no mess, Alchemist is about beats. For the better part of six years Alchemist has been one of the more reclusively successful producers in Hip Hop, producing grimy banger after grimy banger. In those six years, producers have risen to levels where their personalities and commercial draw equal, if not eclipse […]
Jean Grae’s Fantastical Lobster
Aight. I admit…I dont think it was really a lobster. I dont know what the hell it WAS though. Yesterday I went in the bathroom to take a shower and pulled the curtain back. There it was, on its flipside (or not). I immediately called for help. Baby, you gotta see this, I said. It […]
ORyan: Third Times A Charm
O’Ryan is one of the rare R&B artists blessed enough to have a sizable fan base long before he releases his debut album. Being the younger brother of former B2K front man Omarion and IMX’s Marques Houston has helped considerably, but he plans to carve his own niche above and beyond anything done before him. […]
Milk Me
Artist: The BeatnutsTitle: Milk MeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Robert DeGracia The Beatnuts have been running mates even before the Hip-Hop renaissance. Constantly feeding true gold to the crate digger and DJ, less heralded duo Psycho Les and Junkyard Juju have never been elected as Latin Hip-Hop presidents, although they have been campaigning longer than Pun, […]
Fredro Starr Producing Movie On Jam Master Jay
Onyx group member Fredro Starr is in the process of producing a movie based on the life story of his mentor Jam Master Jay, the late DJ for Run-DMC. The script is being written with a cousin of Jay’s and according to Starr, Derek Luke, Mekhi Phifer, Will Smith and Queen Latifah have expressed interest […]
Tarralyn Ramsey: From The Heart
Making the unlikely transition from Gospel to R&B has not been as difficult as Tarralyn Ramsey once envisioned. As a matter of fact, it has seemingly bolstered her career in both arenas. Tarralyn is a startling talent at the age of 22, already having shared stages with music’s most prominent figures. Her self-titled debut is […]
AHH Stray News: Chino XL, Blyss, Canibus, Jean Grae
Lyrical lexicon Chino XL has been acting as of late, but the emcee is reportedly working with King Tech of the Wake Up Show on a track to support the Democratic ticket. “Wake Up” features Chino with Mary J. Blige, Jadakiss, Nate Dogg, Missy Elliott, Eve, Wyclef and Fabolus, all who are encouraging the public […]
Newark NJ Deputy Mayor Ras Baraka Creates ‘Hip-Hop For The P.E.O.P.L.E.’
Ras Baraka, Deputy Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has teamed with various Hip-Hop artists and producers to create Hip-Hop For The P.E.O.P.L.E. (Providing Education Opportunity, Prosperity and Life Eternally), a new national community service program. The program will use the power of Hip-Hop to promote violence prevention, gang awareness and education. The organization says it […]
Jay-Z, Outkast Win Big At VMA’s
Jay-Z and Outkast dominated MTV’s Video Music Awards last night (August 29), with the rap artists taking home four Moon Men, the name of the trophy given to winners at the annual awards ceremony. Jay-Z’s video "99 Problems" took honors for Best Rap Video, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Direction. Outkast’s “Hey Ya” won […]
