Kevin Liles Leaves Def Jam
Def Jam President Kevin Liles has left the company due to internal friction with newly named CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid.According to reports, Liles was forced out due to pressures by Reid.Reid replaced ex-CEO Lyor Cohen, who now heads up Warner Music Group’s North American operations.Sources said Reid has been staffing Island/Def Jam with colleagues from […]
Fox Of M.O.P. Fame Working On Solo Album
Though she’s known more for inciting crowds rather than rocking them, M.O.P. affiliate Fox has ventured from the mosh pit to the recording booth as she begins work on a solo album. The hype (wo)man/ road manager of the Mash Out Posse revealed it was group member Lil Fame who insisted she make the transition. […]
The Roots Do Pay-Per-View
The Roots will come to Pay-Per-View on “The Roots Presents,” which kicks off a new concert series titled The Sonic Events. The concert was recorded June 10, 2004 when the group performed at Webster Hall in New York City to an invitation only crowd. In addition to performing selections from their upcoming release The Tipping […]
Cuban Link: Going All Out
There is not an MC on Earth that knows the fall from grace better than Cuban Link. He was once a member of one of Hip-Hop most prominent groups, the Terror Squad. The glue that held the group together, the great Big Pun, died suddenly, and from that moment on, his life in Hip-Hop spiraled […]
Bentley Working On Album, Offers Tips To Succeed
As self-proclaimed leader of “The Gentleman’s Movement,” Fonzworth Bentley is hoping the success of his character will translate into album sales when his untitled debut is released. Bentley, who recently changed his professional name from “Farnsworth” to “Fonzworth” for legal reasons, is recording the untitled album with Kanye West and others. “Kanye West called me […]
Ced Gee Launches Label, Says Ultramagnetic MC’s Are Reunited
Ced Gee, producer and member of pioneering Bronx Hip-Hop group Ultramagnetic MC’s, recently launched a record label and is planning an Ultramagnetic reunion album. Ced Gee’s founded Factshen Entertainment along with Philly rapper Grafiq. The label has several new groups signed and is currently planning the Ultramagnetic reunion album, as well as a re-release of […]
Kwame: Nobodys Laughing
Hip-Hop hurts. I’m not talking about swinging bows and throwing fists. Hip-Hop, the industry, can cut deep, and some scars don’t heal. While most fifteen year olds might not know who Kwame was, they undoubtedly know the opening bars to Biggie’s “Unbelievable” that affirmed Kwame’s decline, and nearly blackballed him from ever being taken seriously […]
DMC: Still Got Game
“I’m the King of Rock, there is none higher! Sucka mc’s should call me Sire!” These words are embedded in our psyche as representatives of one of the best groups to ever be birthed in the genre of Hip-Hop. As one third of the trio who basically grew up in hip-hop and brought it from […]
More Security Guards Fired For Working With Snoop
A year long probe by The California Department of Corrections resulted in the firing of four state parole agents who were moonlighting as security guards for Snoop Dogg. The controversy erupted when it was discovered that three of the four officers state parole agents were part of a heavily armed entourage escorting Snoop during last […]
Jadakiss Charged In North Carolina Incident
Rapper Jadakiss was charged with various offenses in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Monday (July 5) after police found guns and marijuana in an SUV he was travelling in.Police said an off-duty officer witnessed one of the occupants throwing firecrackers from the window of the SUV.In a report, the officer said he approached the vehicle and […]
U.N. Or U Out
Artist: The U.N.Title: U.N. Or U OutRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone The Wu-Tang Clan once asked the question, Can it be that it was all so simple then? Turning on the radio or flipping on MTV these days conjures up this intriguing question in the minds of hip-hop purists, with the majority of rap […]
Talib Kweli, dead prez & Others Do New York Parks For Free
New York City’s parks will be given a dose of Hip-Hop tomorrow evening when rapper Talib Kweli takes to the stage for a free concert tomorrow in Brooklyn. The City Parks Foundation will present the free live performance in Brower Park as part of an ongoing series in various city parks. DJ G Brown will […]
Joe Budden Ends Job As Hot 97 Host
After acting as a co-host on New York’s Hot 97 Morning Show for the past few months, rapper Joe Budden announced he is quitting the position to focus on releasing his sophmore album. "I had to go back and make sure that I was pleased with the music I had put on the album," Budden […]
Rasco: Unassisted
One of the fiercest MC’s to ever grip the microphone is the Soul Father Rasco. The beautiful mind who is often quoted for his line, “My mind shines harder than your chain” has been grinding away for a decade, and been making records for over half. One of the leaders in the Bay Area movement, […]
Hip-Hop And Punk Meet At ‘Just Play Games’
A host of Hip-Hop acts have signed on for Aesthetic Science’s inaugural 2004 Just Play Games Festival. De La Soul, Slum Village, The Beatnuts, Method Man, Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian and a host of other punk rock acts will play the festival, which is designed to highlight the importance of play in everyone’s life. "Our […]
Claimstake
Artist: Ground Original Presents…Title: ClaimstakeRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: N. Context If you missed DJ JS-1 and Dub-L’s first go around with Ground Original: Level One, here’s a second chance for you to get a first impression with Ground Original Presents: Claimstake. This independent production duo first began making waves by releasing break records and 12″ […]
Sucka Free Offering Downloads, Still Locked In Sony Dispute
Despite a major falling out with marquee artist Lil Flip and major label backer Sony, Sucka Free Records hopes to keep pace by offering downloads from their website, suckafreerecords.com. According to CEO Duane “Hump” Hobbs, a growing number of songs from Sucka Free’s back catalog are are available for download for 99 cents. “I am […]
Messy Marv: Back 2 Tha Bay
It’s crazy how an area that is so imitated can be so overlooked in the grand scheme of things. That is the case for the San Francisco Bay Area’s Hip-Hop scene. Whether it’s the slang that has been borrowed by the masses or the independent game that made virtual unknowns millionaires, the Bay is all […]
Trina Hosts ‘Queen of Clubs’ For Playboy TV
After experiencing success with their television show “Buckwild,” Playboy TV is now increasing their Hip-Hop oriented programming. The network will launch three new shows featuring Luke, Trina, Mekhi Phifer, Jadakiss, Lil Jon and The Eastside Boys, Trick Daddy and others as part of a four-week hip-hop programming block. Trina will host “Queen of Clubs” which […]
Chuck D. Programs TV For Trio
Public Enemy’s Chuck D. will take over programming at cable channel Trio for a week and will show viewers films relating to the African-American experience in the United States. From time to time the network hands programming duties over to celebrities, who are given creative control over a block of time. The first film to […]
