Masta Killa: Back to the Essence
An anachronism is something thats out of place in a space in time. Youll hear film critics use it when things dont add up like a piece of money in Titanic. Rarely is the term good. But in Hip-Hop, the term is almost never used and if it were, it could mean something […]
No N.J. Ladies’ Night
The rap song “Ladies Night” was a Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop hit that featured Lil Kim, Left Eye and Angie Martinez, but the state of New Jersey has opted to go against that grain. The state enacted a new law that bans bars and clubs from promoting so-called ladies night, citing gender discrimination. The state ruled that […]
Judge Rules In Favor Of P. Diddy
A $450,000 civil judgment against Sean "P. Diddy" Combs was overturned yesterday in Raleigh, North Carolina. Limousine driver Cedrick Bobby Lemon filed a lawsuit against Combs in relation to an incident in 1995. Lemon claimed he was assaulted by bodyguards Combs had hired to protect Mary J. Blige at a concert in Winston-Salem. Lemon claimed […]
Ghostface: Change Gon Come
Ghostface (Killah) is one of hip-hop’s champions of consistency. And he’s continuously blessed eager listeners with bars that provoke thought, twisted faces and head nods. But after 10 years, Ghost is going through changes, which these days is commonly referred to as “grown man s**t.” As a lot of surface rappers remain identical to their […]
Black Eyed Peas Play Major Festival, will.I.am Launches Label
Adhering to a rigorous international touring schedule, the Black Eyed Peas have signed on for the Glastonbury Festival this month in London.The Peas will perform with such top names as former Beatles front man Sir Paul McCartney, Oasis, Morrisey and others.The festival is just as famous for the top talent it draws, as it is […]
Jermaine Dupri Hosts ESPN2’s ‘Block Party’
ESPN2’s "Block Party" makes its return tonight (June 1) at 7:00 pm. The new season features fresh 2004 episodes of "Street Ball: The AND 1 Mix Tape Tour." Jermaine Dupri hosts "Cuttin1 Up," the barbershop segment & "The Hook Up," which pairs athletes & celebrities for a day-in-the-life swap. "Block Party" will air in two-hour […]
Soul Plane Opens, MGM Executive Defends Movie
After raking in $5.7 million over the holiday weekend, "Soul Plane" appeared to stall at the theaters to the glee of critics, but its defenders claim people are taking the imagery far too seriously. The movie, which was shot on a budget of $16.5 million, drew harsh criticism from various African-American watch groups, as well […]
No Said Date
Artist: Masta KillaTitle: No Said DateRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Maintaining a level of obscurity amongst his more outgoing Wu-Tang Clan brethren, Masta Killa has remained the legendary groups silently consistent representative. Appearing on the majority of his fellow Clan members solo projects, a guest verse from this monotone-pitched MC is like a stamp […]
The Cleaning
Artist: Kon & AmirTitle: The CleaningRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sharpeye Washington<font face="verdana" size="2" Hip-hop started with the DJ. So if that course of events holds true, its safe to say that diggin for beats has been a major part of authentic hip-hop culture from its inception. Kon & Amir are world-renowned beat diggers, getting […]
Wished Into The Cornfield
While my brother and sister loved the Three Stooges, Abbott and Costello, and cowboy shows on TV; I only remember liking one show and that was The Twilight Zone. I thought Rod Sterling a genius. Though he only lived until age 50 he left a legacy of creative shows that will never be seen again. […]
Lil Kim Drops Queen B Royalty Watch
In recent years, Lil Kim has exemplified the glamour that has overtaken Hip-Hops female upper crust and now she is letting the culture know what time it is with her own line of watches. The Queen B Royalty Watch, the rappers signature line, will flaunt an alluring design with a face that is bordered with […]
Patti LaBelle: The People’s Diva
The name Patti LaBelle is synonymous with one-word adjectives: diva, show-stopper, extraordinary, etc. Her career has spanned over four decades, and in that length of time, she has stunned the world time and time again with ageless classics. She set the benchmark that vocalists, male or female, would always attempt to follow. Her powerhouse vocal […]
J-Kwon: Misguided Missile
J-Kwon, the St. Louis born rapper who burst onto the scene a few months ago with his hit “Tipsy,” acts a lot like someone who doesn’t have a set course or destination. The Arista/So So Def artist maintains that only God knows the true path to what will transpire from his rap career. Obviously, based […]
Tapemasters Inc.: Flooding the Masses
Tapemasters Inc.: Flooding the Masses By Paine One of the reasons Kid Capri abandoned the mixtape formula he helped revolutionized was the exclusive. Back in the early nineties, if you leaked a track or played a certain cut, you might find Eric B. or Kool G Rap pounding on your door at three in the […]
Violent By Design
Artist: Jedi Mind TricksTitle: Violent By DesignRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Heralded by underground heads and SoundScan ignorers as a classic when it originally dropped in 2000, Jedi Mind Tricks sophomore disc Violent By Design assaulted listeners with a clearly one-sided darkness that made commercial attention as likely as a Joe Budden and G-Unit […]
Bizzy Bone Shooting Pilot For Reality Show
Bizzy Bone has been tapped to host the pilot for a new reality show, “Freshout.”The pilot for the show is scheduled to be shot at the Sony Urban Music Conference, which takes place Saturday, July 17th.Viewers will go behind-the-scenes with hopeful stars to see what it takes to make it in the music business.Several artists […]
Tical 0: The Prequel
Artist: Method ManTitle: Tical 0: The PrequelRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Matt Barone Branding his 2000 sophomore effort with the title Tical 2000: Judgement Day may have been a bit premature for Method Man. In actuality, the release of the long-delayed and heavily speculated Tical O: The Prequel is shaping up to be the true day […]
Critics Come Down On ‘Soul Plane’
Many leaders in the Black community are livid over MGM’s alleged refusal to discuss the stereotypical imagery in their movie “Soul Plane.” “The failure of MGM officials to address the legitimate concerns of film patrons about ‘Soul Plane’ is offensive and insulting," Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the National Alliance for Positive Action told eurweb.com . […]
Pimp Juice Goes International
Nelly may not have a hit record on the charts at the moment, but his Pimp Juice energy drink that caused minor outcries in the United States due to the name, is flying off the shelves in other countries.Fillmore Street Brewery, the company behind the drink, reports that the Pimp Juice is selling well in […]
UK Hip-Hop Unites To Battle Violence
The first volume of the Urban Voice series in the United Kingdom was recently released, with a variety of Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz and Gospel artists.Urban Voice UK was set up five years ago in conjunction with the government, to help change the outlook of youth in areas where gun crime is prevalent.The goal of the […]
