Junior Mafia: Reign Showers
The story of the Mafia has been told countless times. Brooklyn-based group founded by Notorious B.I.G. emerges to, not only back the legendary rapper, by to go on to gold and platinum success. Tragedy strikes. Group members regroup but some eventually splinter off. Neither B.I.G. and Kim nor are with the group any more. With […]
Silver or Lead
Artist: Ursula RuckerTitle: Silver or LeadRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Ashiya Smith The world got its first glimpse of Ursula Rucker when The Roots commissioned her to close their first LP (Do You Want More) with The Unlocking, a vivid piece that narrated the real-time sexual exploitation of a woman poised to regain her power. […]
Al Jarreau: Class Act
Pioneer. Trendsetter. World-renowned. Legend. Choose any list of adjectives you can conceive, and none of them can accurately describe what Al Jarreau has accomplished in almost 40 years in the music business. He is the only vocalist, male or female, in history to win Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively). […]
Murphys Law
Artist: Murphy LeeTitle: Murphys LawRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Ra’Chelle Rogers If you assumed that Murphy Lee was at his full potential playing the background as the inconspicuous mask-wearing baby boy, sidekick of Nelly and the St. Lunatics, you were both right and wrong. Hes actually done more than just performing wild country dances on […]
Former Employee Alleges Bad Boy Took Part In Murders
A one time business partner of Sean P.Diddy Combs who has filed a $25 million dollar lawsuit against the mogul, has come forward with shocking allegations that Diddy and company took part in the murder of Suge Knights bodyguard and the murder of Tupac Shakur.Kirk Burrowes has filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, alleging […]
Ice Cube Goes “XXX”
Ice Cube has signed on to replace Vin Diesel in the sequel to the 2002 action hit, XXX. According to Revolution Studios, each subsequent sequel will introduce a new character in the franchise of films. Vin Diesel starred as an extreme athlete who became a secret agent in the original flick, which was directed by […]
Money Posted For Kim, New Court Date To Be Set
A representative for Lil Kim has posted $350 dollars to have her removed from the Teaneck, New Jersey polices wanted list.An outstanding arrest warrant had been on police records since 1996, when Kim was arrested at the home of Notorious B.I.G. B.I.G. was charged with handgun violations, while Kim was charged with possession of marijuana. […]
WIll Smith Big Fish In “Sharkslayer”
Will Smith leads an all-star cast in the animated movie, "Sharkslayer," the story of a fish named Oscar who gets caught up in the ocean’s underworld, when he witnesses the murder of the son of the shark mob boss. Smith will lend his voice to the character of Oscar, while Robert De’Niro, Martin Scorsese, Angelina […]
Plug Pulled On DMX Concert
Authorities in the U.K. canceled a concert by DMX, claiming they were afraid the show could spark violence in the crowd. The event was scheduled to take place Monday, October 6th at the City Hall. Promoters had made plans to search patrons for guns, knives and drugs, but officials said that would not be enough […]
Why Vote? An Open Letter To Cali Hip Hop
The debate comes up time and time again. Why vote? Nothing seems to matter, and politics are corrupt. Besides, our voices don’t make a difference anyway, right? Wrong. Our voices absolutely make a difference, and they are needed more than ever right now. Aside from the fact that people died during the Civil Rights Era […]
Rev Run To Head Up Phat Farm Athletics
Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons has been named President of Phat Farm Athletics after heading up Phat Farm Footwear, a division of Phat Farm. The division of the company, which is owned by his brother Russell, raked in more that $170 million in sales of athletic gear in nine months under Run’s guidance. "I go to […]
Memphis Bleek Prep’s Third Album
Memphis Bleek, the first artist signed to the Roc-A-Fella label, is preparing to release his third solo album, M.A.D.E. The album title stands for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education. The release sees the return of Bleek, who took a hiatus after a motorcycle accident almost took the life of his older brother in Miami. Roc-A-Fella’s […]
Chuck D., LL Cool J Differ On File Trading
Rapper’s Chuck D. and LL Cool J both testified before a panel of Senators yesterday on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The two rapper’s comments highlight how divided the entire music industry has grown in relation to peer to peer file sharing, the genie that Shawn Fanning’s Napster let out of the bottle, in 1999. […]
Peaches: Queen of Electro-Punk
This is a trite bit personal. Peaches? She is simply fu**ing amazing. I was first introduced to her music from my co-worker at the office. I couldn’t believe my ears. She was saying all the stuff that my mouth wanted to say. Making songs that my ears always wanted to hear. Peaches is musical liberation […]
Matthew Hall Remembered
The death of Matthew Hall has been widely publicized lately by the media circuits here in New York and there have been numerous despicable assertions, which are trying tarnish his legacy. He was a good friend to me so please read this first if you will write a news article about him. If you are […]
J.Period And Big Daddy Kane: Nuff Respect Due
Most mixtape DJ’s these days are overly concerned with the future: breaking new songs, new artists, new beefs. Occasionally, a posthumous blessing from a late MC may make the mix. Otherwise, expect nothing from yesterday. A Brooklyn DJ with the capability to be a mega-bomb dropper, opted to do otherwise. In June, DJ J Period […]
Pigeon John is Dating Your Sister
Artist: Pigeon JohnTitle: Pigeon John is Dating Your SisterRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Jason Newman Judging by the album title and cover photo-former L.A. Symphony member Pigeon John opening a white picket fence with flowers in his hand-one would expect to hear a rapper spit lighthearted, goofy rhymes over fun, circus-esque beats. Deep thought and […]
The Highlite Zone
Artist: The High & MightyTitle: The Highlite ZoneRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Paine The High & Mighty is one of hip-hops most well-respected crews. While they keep it defiantly underground, Mr. Eon and Mighty Mi have harbored an undying love for the hip-hop of yesterday thats reflected greatly in their music. Few realize that their 1999 […]
Wooden Leather
Artist: Nappy RootsTitle: Wooden LeatherRating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Erin Jackson Nappy Roots 2002 debut, Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz, earned them critical acclaim, and with their sophomore release, Wooden Leather, they seem destined to follow in its successful footsteps. In todays hip hop game, where its often difficult to differentiate artists from their posses of nondescript […]
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Artist: OutKastTitle: Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowRating: 4 1/2 StarsReviewed by: aqua boogie On Outkasts new double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below they take the bipolar nature of their music to the extreme; creating two separate solo albums. OutKast has always consisted of two separate, though kindred, personalities. As theyve grown artistically and as men, Antwan Big Boi […]
